Oct 5, 2016
As we approach approach election day many Catholic voters wonder how they can apply the teachings of the Church to the problems of today. The Bishops of the United States offer us the document Faithful Citizenship to help us in the formation of our consciences in there light of there Gospel of Jesus Christ. We offer some excerpts from the Bishops’ document:
Part I of II: Our Call as Catholic Citizens
This brief document is Part I of a summary of the US bishops’ reflection, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which complements the teaching of bishops in dioceses and states.
“If indeed ‘the just ordering of society and of the state is a central responsibility of politics,’ the Church ‘cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice.’” (1) So writes Pope Francis, quoting Pope Benedict XVI.
Our nation faces many political challenges that demand well-informed moral choices:
- The ongoing destruction of a million innocent human lives each year by abortion
- Physician-assisted suicide
- The redefinition of marriage
- The excessive consumption of material goods and the destructionof natural resources, harming the environment as well as the poor
- Deadly attacks on Christians and other religious minoritiesthroughout the world
- Efforts to narrow the definition and exercise of religious freedom
- Economic policies that fail to prioritize the needs of poor people, at home and abroad
- A broken immigration system and a worldwide refugee crisis
- Wars, terror, and violence that threaten every aspect of human
- life and dignity.(2)
As Catholics, we are part of a community with profound teachings
that help us consider challenges in public life, contribute to greater
justice and peace for all people, and evaluate policy positions, party
platforms, and candidates’ promises and actions in light of the Gospel
in order to help build a better world.
Please read the document here.
Catholics Care. Catholics Vote. Participate in political life.|
In their statement on Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Catholic bishops remind Catholics about the call to participate in political life. “In the Catholic tradition,” they write, “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” (no. 13). Visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org today to read the statement, watch videos, and access other great resources.
Oct 5, 2016
This week’s readings continue the theme of prayer as Jesus teaches on his journey to Jerusalem. Jesus is now in the Temple in Jerusalem. Last week we learned about perseverance in prayer. Now the teaching of Jesus emphasizes attitudes and intentions while at prayer. The first reading and the psalm now add the connection between prayer and the moral life of holiness, and the life of prayer is rooted in the Holy Spirit. In other words, prayer itself comes from God and returns to God.
OT 30 C Lectionary Catechesis
Oct 5, 2016
Greetings from Lucia Ferrara, Hospitality Coordinator for Precious Blood Renewal Center. I plan to keep you informed about the developments here through this monthly newsletter.
As we begin our journey into autumn we focus on our hope to fill the world with peace and love. This means we need to share the spirituality of the Blood of Christ calling us to reconcile with one another. In commemoration of “The Year if Mercy,” the Renewal Center dedicated our new Reconciliation Labyrinth in August. The celebration was well received by the entire diocese and community.
Our welcoming space has brought many groups here for retreats, such as the Missouri Alternatives to the Death Penalty, who met here in late August. In early September we hosted St. Charles 8th grade retreat for the entire day, ending with Mass in the Chapel. Avila University’s First Year Youth Leadership Retreat was held at the Renewal Center the weekend of September 9th-10th. The participants utilized the Reconciliation Labyrinth as a team building/bonding activity involving time with God and prayer. Other community bonding activities included simulation games about relationships with family, friends and God.
The Renewal Center will be very busy this October. The second Men’s Cursillo Group of the year held their retreat here the first weekend of the month. The Cursillo movement stresses personal spiritual development and then taking what they have learned back into the world when finished. Way of Christ Fellowship Church from Holden, Missouri will be hosting their Women’s Retreat for the second year in a row. Also, Annunciation Church in Kearney, MO is having their annual youth retreat later this month.
Our desire is to provide all people a place where rest, renewal and restoration may occur. I look forward to updating you monthly about all the exciting things happening. We are welcoming many guests, requiring reservations for everyone. Contact me to bring a group or for your personal stay. So please find yourself at Precious Blood Renewal Center by making a reservation with me, Lucia Ferrrara, the Hospitality Coordinator for the Precious Blood Renewal Center, Liberty MO. Please call 816-210-0451 or email me at hospitalitycoordinator.pbc@gmail.com.
In Peace & Love,
Lucia Ferrara
