The Eucharist is not celebrated to simply consecrate the elements of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, but to transform the assembly into the Body of Christ. This transformation takes place a through a participation in the Eucharist that empowers those present to proclaim to the world the kingdom of God… Continue reading The Awesome Power of Eucharist
Category: Reading Excerpts
The Vocation of Citizenship
It is...a bromide to observe that most people pay little attention to politics. They have, or so the conventional wisdom goes, much better things to devote their precious time and limited energy to. Besides, politics is all to often as corrupt as it is frustrating. There is a some truth to such sentiments, but the… Continue reading The Vocation of Citizenship
Why Involve the Community?
Welcoming seekers into "the way of faith and conversion" is the most important thing we do. Think about it. If a family had a great sense of community but never welcomed new people into it, slowly, one-by-one, the family would die off. If a parish did the same, we'd have the same fate. But the… Continue reading Why Involve the Community?
The Parish IS The Curriculum
When it comes the need to 'run the RCIA program' one of the questions that often gets asked is what is the best resource to use. Usually the person asking that question wishes to know which book, or series of pamphlets, or videos can best be used to pass on the knowledge of the Christian… Continue reading The Parish IS The Curriculum
The Vision of RCIA
If we approach the RCIA as yet one more program to implement and we delegate the implementation of that program to a small group of leaders, then we will have failed even before we begin. ... the adult catechumenate changes everything. It is a paradigm shift that flows from the radical insight recovered from Vatican… Continue reading The Vision of RCIA
Bless and Do Not Curse
If we, the People of God, wish to enter the kingdom of God, then we will eventually have to be purified of any hatred in our hearts. We must truly love all of our brothers and sisters, including terrorists, liberals, conservatives, child molesters, Republicans, Democrats, and the host of others on this planet with whom… Continue reading Bless and Do Not Curse
Conviction and Dogmatism
Conviction and dogmatism are not the same. There is a difference between having seen some truth and claiming to speak in the name of all truth; between knowing what one believes and refusing to respect the beliefs and experiences of others. People of faith should speak with a humble authority combining real knowledge with an… Continue reading Conviction and Dogmatism
Religion and the Ecology of Freedom
In describing religion, Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of the Commonwealth and renown public intellectual, says religion is: part of the ecology of freedom because it supports families, communities, charities, voluntary associations, active citizenship and concern for the common good. It is a key contributor to civil society, which is… Continue reading Religion and the Ecology of Freedom
The Liturgy Is Fully Embodied
In stark contrast [to the "Internet of Things"], the liturgy remains a firmly embodied experience. Worship engages all the senses of our body. The liturgy employes symbols of the body and of things to invite us more deeply into the divine mystery. There is no Church, no Eucharist, without the Body of Christ - a… Continue reading The Liturgy Is Fully Embodied
From Liturgy to Action in the World
Sacrosanctum Concilium's call for revisions in liturgical rites and texts made it easier for the Church to recognize and engage the public nature of liturgy. It also empowered the worshipping faithful to take part in efforts to reform social, economic, cultural, and political systems of society. The latter emphasis is what Gaudium et spes brought to our understanding… Continue reading From Liturgy to Action in the World
