The Secret Is Out

My heart is incredibly happy to know that we have a growing number of first-time attendees this year to our Forum event. My first Forum in 2008 was an eye-opening experience that led me to my devotion of all things Divine Mercy. I pray that those of you attending Forum for the first time in 2022 will find it inspiring and I pray it will lead to fruitful spiritual development in your future.

Forum is also blessed to have a long list of seasoned attendees. For those that fall into this category, you will notice some program changes that differ from the way things have been executed in the past.

Upon arrival on Thursday, April 21st, attendees will follow our routine check-in procedures for the hotel and Forum, before gathering for the Opening Mass at Sacred Heart Church. That is where the program becomes yours to customize. Attend a no-host social in the hotel lounge, make dinner plans with your chapel group or friends, or head back up to your room to unpack and get a good night’s sleep. It is all up to you!

The biggest programmatic change is on Saturday, April 23rd. Traditionally, we have held a banquet dinner, distributed well-deserved awards to military women, and closed the night with what I consider everyone’s favorite activity: the seminarian auction to raise money for our promised priests participating in the AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarian Program.

But this year, we are changing things up! Forum attendees will be treated to a special awards luncheon on Saturday, prior to our afternoon Adoration and Reconciliation time. Saturday evening, we will gather for a closing night celebration and an auction to support our seminarians. Dubbed “Faye’s Flamingle”, in honor of our pink-feathered friend, this party will include a dessert buffet, a cash bar, door prizes, and exclusive, live auction items only available to Forum attendees.

The main portion of the auction will also take place as a hybrid event, allowing those unable to attend Forum in-person to participate via a virtual platform. More information about the hybrid auction can be found in “Faye’s Flamingle 2022” in this issue of The Well.

Even with these changes, all your Forum favorites are there: keynote speakers, breakout workshops, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, opportunities for reconciliation, daily Mass, and a chance to raise money for our AMS Co-Sponsored Seminarians.

We can’t wait to see you in April!

Peace and Aloha!
Aly Tugaoen
Director of Forum 2022
forum@mccw.org