A TLC book tour: Will There Be Faith?

If catechises could be simplified into one book, this one may be the answer.  As a geek when it comes to Catholic material in all genres from spirituality, scripture, papal documents and other teachings, I, of course was very interested in the invitation to review Dr. Groome's book.   I am somewhat familiar with the professor , in case you are not, he is professor of theology and religious education and chair of the department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry at Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry and has written “What Makes us Catholic?”

Dr. Groome's vision for future catechises could be summed up in the first chapter in that do as Jesus did.  All through Jesus' ministry on earth, He taught in stories, parables, all deep thinking scenarios, to make His listeners think...be confused and struggle to get unconfused with further discussions and contemplation.  With this process the person can come to understand Jesus' lessons deeper into their hearts where conversion happens.   Thomas Aquinas coined the phrase "according to the mode of the receiver" clearly describes how each of us, wherever life has us, can be reached.  Dr. Groome does go into details from the scriptures to drive his points across for the style of learning/teaching that is needed for "life to faith to life" teaching.

Unfortunately, I have only been through the first 2 chapters of this book, so I glanced at the others who have read this book more thoroughly and found they had some problems.  I encountered the gender issue briefly, but haven't had time to really think about it.  I plan on finishing the book and completing and if needed revising my review and reposting it here for your convenience.

So far I like Dr. Groome’s offering here and can’t wait to get back in my easy chair and finishing it.

Thanks to Trish Collins and TLCBook tours for the review copy and opportunity to be a part of their book tours!

Hurricane Season at it's peak!

Gold

At Adoration yesterday, deep in thought with Christ, I noticed a gleaming shine in two places in my sight.  One was the monstrance, where the Holy Eucharist was displayed; the other was on my own hand. My wedding band seemed to match the golden monstrance made to enhance and protect Christ's body in the humble form of bread.

When the monstrance is displayed on the Altar it represents something very special, it is the throne of Christ during Adoration.  It is the symbol of Christ's love and redeeming care for us. Time spent in Adoration to Christ has proven time and time again to be beneficial in strengthening the love and hope of the believer.  During Adoration, we reach out to God, trusting Him, loving Him, and letting Him know this with our time and heart.

My wedding band is displayed on my hand to represent something very special.  It is a symbol of the unending love and devotion I have for my husband.  Time spent with my husband proves time and time again to be beneficial in strengthening our love and hope for the future.  Together with Christ, we reach out to God, trusting and loving Him, and allowing Him to work through our marital bond to bring life and love into the world.

Gold from the Altar to my own hand, the connection of my devotion to Christ and to my husband; both the monstrance and my wedding bands are sacramentals that represent the most amazing thing in the world......... love.

The Queenship of Mary

Theotokos, Virgin Mary, The New Eve, Holy Mother, Gentle Woman, Mirror of Justice, Cause of our Joy, Window to Christ,  Mother of God, I could go on with the titles we have to refer to Mary, the young virgin chosen to participate in Salvation history in such an amazing way.


Pius XII, by his encyclical letter of October 11, 1954 Pius XII, Ineflabilis Deus, the pope ends with:

 Let all the children of the Catholic Church, who are so very dear to us, hear these words of ours. With a still more ardent zeal for piety, religion and love, let them continue to venerate, invoke and pray to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, conceived without original sin. Let them fly with utter confidence to this most sweet Mother of mercy and grace in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Under her guidance, under her patronage, under her kindness and protection, nothing is to be feared; nothing is hopeless. Because, while bearing toward us a truly motherly affection and having in her care the work of our salvation, she is solicitous about the whole human race. And since she has been appointed by God to be the Queen of heaven and earth, and is exalted above all the choirs of angels and saints, and even stands at the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, she presents our petitions in a most efficacious manner. What she asks, she obtains. Her pleas can never be unheard.

Given at St. Peter's in Rome, the eighth day of December, 1954, in the eighth year of our pontificate. 

Hail Mary, full of Grace!

A Catholic Joke

A man came in for confession:

Man:  Fr. I have sinned, I went to the lumber yard and stole some wood to make a project at home, but now I'm sorry I did it.

Priest:  Well, I see that you are sorry, so say a couple of decades of the rosary and don't steal from the lumber yard again.

A WEEK LATER

The man comes in for confession again:

Man:  Fr. I have sinned, I went to the lumber yard and stole some wood to make another project at home, I know I was sorry last week, but I'm really sorry now and won't do it again.

Priest:  Well, seeing that you are sorry, but you did it again, this time you will pray entire rosary for your penance and don't steal again.

ANOTHER WEEK LATER:

The same man comes in for confession again:

Man:  I did it again, Fr. I went out and stole wood from the lumber yard, but I'm really really sorry I did it and I won't do it again.

Priest:  Why did you do this again?  I told you not to and still you did it again!  Well, now I'm going to have you make a novena, do you know how to make a novena?

Man:  No, Fr., but it you tell me how to make one, I know where I can get the wood for it!!

What Not to Wear if you want to show respect

It has been my rant for many years now about what folks wear to Mass on Sundays....or any other Mass during the week.  From Altar servers in cargo shorts and t-shirts to mohawks and running gear as Eucharistic Ministers, I stand appalled on a regular basis.  Chewing gum and texting during Mass gets me wondering,  "Where are these people spiritually?  Why are they here: Coercion, habit, or lukewarm mentality?

When these are kids, I just have to blame the adults in their lives for not encouraging them to understand what the Mass is and why it is an amazing and spiritually rejuvenating sacrament in which we participate, celebrate, and share with the community. 

Just yesterday, I was talking with my friend at a volleyball scrimmage our daughters were in.  We have a new volleyball coach and our first game is tonight.  She leaned over and asked me, "What do you think she gonna wear to the game?"  Hm, our first volleyball coach wore a tie and dress pants to the games consistently.  Our girls respected him and there were no slackers at the games.  It showed us that he took his job seriously, during the practices, he wore athletic pants, team t-shirt, but at the games, he put on his professional look.

Always thinking of a good analogy for how to dress for Mass, this scenario has a parallel to the youth groups,  their leaders, AND parents, too.  Doesn't it make sense that as we prepare our youth for Christ and meeting Him in the sacraments that when it's time to attend Mass, we should show up in a tie (or the female equivalent) for the same reason this young volleyball coach does?

Apple App for the Newly Revised Roman Missal

Just when you thought you were going to have to rely totally on your parish to give you all your information, Apple comes out with a cheat sheet that you can hold in the palm of your hand....

I haven't checked it out, yet, but supposedly with this new app, all the  words, prayers, and postures are right at your fingertips and why they changes were made.

Nice!  If anybody has used this for only $2.99, please let me know.

Fr. Barron: on leaving the Church....why you shouldn't

The Catholicism Project

Belong

Nineteen years ago this song and the album in it's totality was one my knight and I listened to a great deal.

A small Glitch with Blogger?

For a few days now I have been trying to get on the Pillars to write and have been told my cookies are an issue.  Anyone know a way to fix it?

Thanks!