New York Encounter 2016

This is a three-day cultural festival which will take place January 15-17 at the Metropolitan Pavilion on 125 West 18th Street in NYC and will offer to the general public conferences, artistic performances, and exhibits. The 2016 edition, titled "Longing for the Sea and yet (NOT) Afraid," will explore the topic of human longing and what contribution our Catholic faith can offer to overcome that fear which, nowadays, is so often associated with pursuing one's desire. The goal of the Encounter is to foster dialogue between faith and the public sphere. The event begins at 6:30 pm on January 15 with poetry and music. At 10 am on January 16, speakers will address the issue of The Quest to reduce Extreme Poverty, which will be followed by talks on Doing Business in Unchartered Waters, stories of desire, sorrow, and forgiveness, space exploration, Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, and original musical reflection on the Psalms. On January 17, the day will begin with Mass at 9 am, followed by immigration stories, stories about Christians facing terror, and original music. Featured exhibits include: An Encounter with Christians in the Middle East, The Life and Works of juniper Serra, A Journey to the Edge of the Solar System, and Stories of Extraordinary Ordinary People. For more information, call 212-253-5777.