An Ulster County parish is hosting “Popes and Pasta: Papal Wisdom for Daily Life” this summer for young adults ages 18-35.

A dinner and discussion gathering is set for Sunday, July 12, at St. Mary’s-St. Andrew’s Church, 137 South Main Street, Ellenville. It is part of “a series exploring the wisdom of notable papal writings and their practical application to daily life.” The July 12 session will focus on Magnifica Humanitas by Pope Leo XIV.

The two-hour event is set to begin at 5 p.m. (pasta meal, talk, discussion), to be preceded by a 4 p.m. Holy Hour. The monthly series began in June.

A message for the age of AI

Marking the 135th anniversary of Rerum novarum (‘Of New Things’), Pope Leo released his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.” The Pope appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.

At the conclusion of the encyclical, Pope Leo invites the faithful to navigate this new technological era in the light of the Gospel, following “a sober yet demanding program of Christian life.” Even in the age of AI, concludes the Pope, “we may bear witness to the grandeur of humanity, in which God has made His dwelling.”

Fr. Kenneth Riello, pastor of St. Mary’s-St. Andrew’s Church, said the parish talks are “focused on encyclicals about moral living, living the faith, and growing in holiness and sanctity.”

“It’s wonderful to see the response we’ve received from the young people,” Fr. Riello told The Good Newsroom by phone on July 1. “It’s to educate our young people in the faith, with an emphasis on spirituality and the teachings of our Church, especially with so much in our culture being contrary to the truth revealed to our faith, especially in the sphere of morality.”

Fr. Riello will lead the Holy Hour. Jennifer Perito, parish Young Adult Ministry coordinator, will give the presentation. The parish website is St. Mary and St. Andrew – Ellenville.