Posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
Heading into the Triduum
These past couple weeks I've been thinking about how I'll spend the Holy Triduum. Seton Hall has school off Holy Thursday and Good Friday, so it is an opportunity for retreat and greater prayer for us missionaries.
I was thinking of going to spend time at the Capuchin Friars of Renewal Novice house in Newark. I also considered simply holing up in my room with my guitar and my little prayer shrine. But today I think the answer came. I will be passing much of these holy days with a Byzantine Rite community in North Jersey. Our Campus Ministry Director, Fr Jim Spera, is a bi-ritual priest. He administers two Byzantine communities. He explained to our team today some of the many differences in how they celebrate the Easter Mysteries. I look forward to sharing the new experience of the faith. In the meantime, I wish you all a very blessed entrance into these solemn, triumphant, and joyfilled days of Easter!
I was thinking of going to spend time at the Capuchin Friars of Renewal Novice house in Newark. I also considered simply holing up in my room with my guitar and my little prayer shrine. But today I think the answer came. I will be passing much of these holy days with a Byzantine Rite community in North Jersey. Our Campus Ministry Director, Fr Jim Spera, is a bi-ritual priest. He administers two Byzantine communities. He explained to our team today some of the many differences in how they celebrate the Easter Mysteries. I look forward to sharing the new experience of the faith. In the meantime, I wish you all a very blessed entrance into these solemn, triumphant, and joyfilled days of Easter!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Interesting Issue at the Alma Mater
Click the title to read the Catholic News Agency article.
I imagine many have been hearing a lot about Sacred Heart of Jesus's decision to not re-enroll a child of a lesbian couple. I think Archbishop Chaput's comments are enlightening. This is indeed an interesting place that SHJ finds itself in. As an alumni, it gives me joy that the school emboldens itself enough to stand up for Catholic teaching. What would the child gain from a Catholic education? Certainly we must demand the teachings of the Church, the offering of the truth. At some point, this person needs to hear it. In an elementary setting, does the bad outweigh the good? Would the child only grow confused? Would the other children around it grow confused? What would the implications be if the child were introduced into the truths of Family? Obviously the child can't change the home situation. Would it only prove to depress the child? Interesting questions. Though SHJ is standing in and taking a lot of heat courageously, it's difficult to know whether it was the right decision. Perhaps this was the wrong context, but especially those lost must be exposed to the Gospel. In our FOCUS Bible studies, we rejoice when we have attendees whose lives are stuck in sin. In fact, it might be argued that that is the point! I do acknowledge, however, that SHJ is an institution and there is much more involved. I wonder, if the child were kept enrolled, would there have been more of an uproar from enrolled families who were not comfortable exposing their children to the homosexual question. Would the school have taken more heat from those afraid to "dine with sinners" so to speak, if the school decided to take the opportunity to teach this child truth?
I imagine many have been hearing a lot about Sacred Heart of Jesus's decision to not re-enroll a child of a lesbian couple. I think Archbishop Chaput's comments are enlightening. This is indeed an interesting place that SHJ finds itself in. As an alumni, it gives me joy that the school emboldens itself enough to stand up for Catholic teaching. What would the child gain from a Catholic education? Certainly we must demand the teachings of the Church, the offering of the truth. At some point, this person needs to hear it. In an elementary setting, does the bad outweigh the good? Would the child only grow confused? Would the other children around it grow confused? What would the implications be if the child were introduced into the truths of Family? Obviously the child can't change the home situation. Would it only prove to depress the child? Interesting questions. Though SHJ is standing in and taking a lot of heat courageously, it's difficult to know whether it was the right decision. Perhaps this was the wrong context, but especially those lost must be exposed to the Gospel. In our FOCUS Bible studies, we rejoice when we have attendees whose lives are stuck in sin. In fact, it might be argued that that is the point! I do acknowledge, however, that SHJ is an institution and there is much more involved. I wonder, if the child were kept enrolled, would there have been more of an uproar from enrolled families who were not comfortable exposing their children to the homosexual question. Would the school have taken more heat from those afraid to "dine with sinners" so to speak, if the school decided to take the opportunity to teach this child truth?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)