Comments for Young Adult Catholics http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com YoungAdultCatholics - a blog of NextGen at Call To Action Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:31:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on How long can we live in the tension? by mandyv89 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/07/21/how-long-can-we-live-in-the-tension/#comment-1644 mandyv89 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:31:03 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1692#comment-1644 Kristy, We learn from John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. You seem focused too much on Kristy, and not enough on God. It's not about what you take from Mass, where you feel at home, whether or not you're in the mood for Mass, where your mind may wander, or the tension you feel with the Church. Mass is the greatest prayer of the Church and a time to worship God. He must increase, but I must decrease. Kristy,

We learn from John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. You seem focused too much on Kristy, and not enough on God. It’s not about what you take from Mass, where you feel at home, whether or not you’re in the mood for Mass, where your mind may wander, or the tension you feel with the Church. Mass is the greatest prayer of the Church and a time to worship God. He must increase, but I must decrease.

]]> Comment on How long can we live in the tension? by rockyro0 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/07/21/how-long-can-we-live-in-the-tension/#comment-1633 rockyro0 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:30:55 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1692#comment-1633 The Mass: the Eucharist... That's why we're Catholic. I sometimes think to myself that if other faiths had the same beliefs that Catholics have about the Eucharist, that I could leave. In the face of how some Catholics I know use the faith just to draw lines. In the face of what you've said above about the hierarchy. ... But if we truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist... ... "to whom shall we go"? The Mass: the Eucharist… That’s why we’re Catholic. I sometimes think to myself that if other faiths had the same beliefs that Catholics have about the Eucharist, that I could leave. In the face of how some Catholics I know use the faith just to draw lines. In the face of what you’ve said above about the hierarchy. … But if we truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist… … “to whom shall we go”?

]]> Comment on We Memorialize Those Who Chose Non-violence, too by mandyv89 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/05/28/we-memorialize-those-who-chose-non-violence-too/#comment-1625 mandyv89 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:26:10 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1673#comment-1625 In the US, MLK is the only American with his own holiday, and we certainly memorialize him. We have freedom of religion, so many, but not all of us recognize who Jesus is, and worship him. Most everyone has some idea of who Ghandi was, his life is very well documented and his methods taught. Helen Prejean is still alive, so, no we do not memorialize her. I however don't think its proper to try to take a holiday reserved for those who died in service to our country and turn our attention towards others on that day. There are many soldiers who's names we can not all know, and this day is for them. MLK, Ghandi, and Helen Prejean get far more attention every other day of the year. It is however appropriate to invoke the name of Jesus in honor of those men and women fighting for God and Country. In the US, MLK is the only American with his own holiday, and we certainly memorialize him. We have freedom of religion, so many, but not all of us recognize who Jesus is, and worship him. Most everyone has some idea of who Ghandi was, his life is very well documented and his methods taught. Helen Prejean is still alive, so, no we do not memorialize her.

I however don’t think its proper to try to take a holiday reserved for those who died in service to our country and turn our attention towards others on that day. There are many soldiers who’s names we can not all know, and this day is for them. MLK, Ghandi, and Helen Prejean get far more attention every other day of the year. It is however appropriate to invoke the name of Jesus in honor of those men and women fighting for God and Country.

]]> Comment on resistance gardening by lukejhansen http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/05/26/resistance-gardening/#comment-1619 lukejhansen Fri, 28 May 2010 16:35:21 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1665#comment-1619 I've always lived around gardeners. When I was young, my mom tended a large garden across the street from our home. (She even grew popcorn!) As I have lived in Omaha and Chicago, the local Catholic Workers have gardened. When I visited the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in April, one Lakota person talked about the importance of teaching gardening to young people on the rez. As I prepare to move to South Dakota, I think that it's time that I start gardening! Your reflection reminds me of its importance: it's a creative act, a gift of life amid a violent world, a collaborative effort with God and others. Thanks for sharing this beautiful and honest reflection with us. I’ve always lived around gardeners. When I was young, my mom tended a large garden across the street from our home. (She even grew popcorn!) As I have lived in Omaha and Chicago, the local Catholic Workers have gardened. When I visited the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in April, one Lakota person talked about the importance of teaching gardening to young people on the rez. As I prepare to move to South Dakota, I think that it’s time that I start gardening! Your reflection reminds me of its importance: it’s a creative act, a gift of life amid a violent world, a collaborative effort with God and others. Thanks for sharing this beautiful and honest reflection with us.

]]> Comment on resistance gardening by Jerry Francis http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/05/26/resistance-gardening/#comment-1618 Jerry Francis Thu, 27 May 2010 15:24:30 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1665#comment-1618 Sister Julia, Amy, Beautiful! The garden as metaphor is a very nice place to be. I too have taken that metaphor forward in my parish as we have a large field in back of our church. We have just broken ground on a small piece of the field of only 30x60 feet but there is much more we can do. My wife cautioned me about taking on any new ministries so I got a friend to head it up. It was the best thing that could have happened for him. His eyes were opened along with the half dozen people that are involved. I have no doubt others will join in the goodness. Everything we produce in our tiny way will be giving back from what we receive. I am witness to the transforming power of a tiny mustard seed sown in the right place. It is but a small piece of the cosmos but there is truth and love in the air. Your story tells me there is momentum in the broader idea I have been thinking of that I call Acres for Mustard Seeds. Peace, Jerry Sister Julia, Amy,

Beautiful! The garden as metaphor is a very nice place to be. I too have taken that metaphor forward in my parish as we have a large field in back of our church. We have just broken ground on a small piece of the field of only 30×60 feet but there is much more we can do. My wife cautioned me about taking on any new ministries so I got a friend to head it up. It was the best thing that could have happened for him. His eyes were opened along with the half dozen people that are involved. I have no doubt others will join in the goodness. Everything we produce in our tiny way will be giving back from what we receive. I am witness to the transforming power of a tiny mustard seed sown in the right place. It is but a small piece of the cosmos but there is truth and love in the air. Your story tells me there is momentum in the broader idea I have been thinking of that I call Acres for Mustard Seeds.

Peace,
Jerry

]]> Comment on Harry Potter and Catholicism by the anthromodeologist http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2009/07/19/harry-potter-and-catholicism/#comment-1603 the anthromodeologist Wed, 12 May 2010 22:19:33 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1307#comment-1603 oh ps - to Becky's comment above - I have been sorted and I am Slytherin. oh ps – to Becky’s comment above – I have been sorted and I am Slytherin.

]]> Comment on Harry Potter and Catholicism by the anthromodeologist http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2009/07/19/harry-potter-and-catholicism/#comment-1602 the anthromodeologist Wed, 12 May 2010 22:18:46 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1307#comment-1602 Like 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' with Aslan's Christ-like ressurection, the seventh Potter book does much to secure itself fans with the more strident or some might say 'fanatical' Christian groups through the message of Harry's self-sacrifice that turns out not to kill him after all. The message of sacrificing yourself for the common good no doubt did a lot to sway the feelings about this series back toward the more friendly. However, I do think the Vatican, had they bothered to read the books (and I seriously doubt they did) would also have seen the blatant messages of anti-Nazi propaganda evident in Rowling's writing, as well as a constant message of light over dark, hope over despair, and all those other similar dualities that send out that message that good will triumph over evil. The series has even helped teachers form an introduction into teaching younger students about the Holocaust - the notion of Death Eaters rounding up and eliminating Muggles having clear parallels. The attire of the Death Eaters as they are portrayed in the films also has strong leanings towards images of the Klu-Klux Clan - again, another important but sometimes difficult historical topic to approach with schoolchildren. I can't say that I find the Potter books very original, as they clearly draw on many past children's stories and as we can see, important historical events. However, they are told in a very engaging manner and have done a lot for the literacy, and interest in new literature, for children otherwise living in an increasingly digital age. Like ‘The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe’ with Aslan’s Christ-like ressurection, the seventh Potter book does much to secure itself fans with the more strident or some might say ‘fanatical’ Christian groups through the message of Harry’s self-sacrifice that turns out not to kill him after all. The message of sacrificing yourself for the common good no doubt did a lot to sway the feelings about this series back toward the more friendly.

However, I do think the Vatican, had they bothered to read the books (and I seriously doubt they did) would also have seen the blatant messages of anti-Nazi propaganda evident in Rowling’s writing, as well as a constant message of light over dark, hope over despair, and all those other similar dualities that send out that message that good will triumph over evil.

The series has even helped teachers form an introduction into teaching younger students about the Holocaust – the notion of Death Eaters rounding up and eliminating Muggles having clear parallels. The attire of the Death Eaters as they are portrayed in the films also has strong leanings towards images of the Klu-Klux Clan – again, another important but sometimes difficult historical topic to approach with schoolchildren.

I can’t say that I find the Potter books very original, as they clearly draw on many past children’s stories and as we can see, important historical events. However, they are told in a very engaging manner and have done a lot for the literacy, and interest in new literature, for children otherwise living in an increasingly digital age.

]]> Comment on Just a little suggestion . . . from God. by Josh McDonald http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/04/27/just-a-little-suggestion-from-god/#comment-1600 Josh McDonald Wed, 05 May 2010 20:59:08 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1646#comment-1600 Hmmm... so that's the third enthusiastic recommendation I've found for "Rediscovering Catholicism" -- first a parish priest, then my mother, and now here. I believe that very nearly covers the spectrum of Catholic ideology. ...speaking of little suggestions from God...:) Hmmm… so that’s the third enthusiastic recommendation I’ve found for “Rediscovering Catholicism” — first a parish priest, then my mother, and now here.

I believe that very nearly covers the spectrum of Catholic ideology.

…speaking of little suggestions from God…:)

]]> Comment on Why can’t women be priests? by Kristy Calaway http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/04/20/why-cant-women-be-priests/#comment-1599 Kristy Calaway Sun, 02 May 2010 20:43:34 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1642#comment-1599 Although I suspect we will disagree on what the infallible teachings of the Church are, it is often recognized that the infallible teachings of the Church are the Immaculate Conception (which was, interestingly enough, proclaimed before the teaching on infallibility was even written) and the Assumption. The Church's teaching on the ordination of women is not an infallible teaching--Pope John Paul II did not proclaim it ex-cathedra. In any case, the teaching on infallibility is somewhat ambiguous and leaves a lot of room for contention over what is and is not infallible. And, as I said in my last post, my concern in teaching Confirmation is that the students learn the foundations, and believe me, our students have a lot to learn. When they can articulately speak about who Jesus is, what the sacraments are, why it's important to have a relationship with God, what it means to live ethically, then we can we have a better and more comprehensive discussion about things like the touchy issues that cause so many Catholics to leave the Church (like the role of women in the Church). They need that foundation first, though. . . Although I suspect we will disagree on what the infallible teachings of the Church are, it is often recognized that the infallible teachings of the Church are the Immaculate Conception (which was, interestingly enough, proclaimed before the teaching on infallibility was even written) and the Assumption. The Church’s teaching on the ordination of women is not an infallible teaching–Pope John Paul II did not proclaim it ex-cathedra. In any case, the teaching on infallibility is somewhat ambiguous and leaves a lot of room for contention over what is and is not infallible. And, as I said in my last post, my concern in teaching Confirmation is that the students learn the foundations, and believe me, our students have a lot to learn. When they can articulately speak about who Jesus is, what the sacraments are, why it’s important to have a relationship with God, what it means to live ethically, then we can we have a better and more comprehensive discussion about things like the touchy issues that cause so many Catholics to leave the Church (like the role of women in the Church). They need that foundation first, though. . .

]]> Comment on Why can’t women be priests? by mandyv89 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/2010/04/20/why-cant-women-be-priests/#comment-1598 mandyv89 Sun, 02 May 2010 04:23:01 +0000 http://youngadultcatholics-blog.com/?p=1642#comment-1598 Do you see any problem with teaching a confirmation class if you do not believe infallible teachings of the Church? Do you see any problem with teaching a confirmation class if you do not believe infallible teachings of the Church?

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