January 15 edition of The New Freeman

Recognizing "the gifts of each baptized person" — women and men — Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes. This January youth leaders with the Diocese of Saint John are gearing up to offer Youth Alpha at the Diocesan level. While various Youth Alphas have been offered locally in different regions, this will be the first offering at the diocesan level. For anyone who has ever thought they might have been happier as a monk or a nun, living the contemplative life, this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is your chance to try it out.