Yesterday's Saints Inspiring Tomorrow's

2008-08-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

The Dead Theologians Society will reconvene on Sunday, August 17th with a cook out in the backyard of the rectory at 7:00 p.m. All high school teens are welcome.

If you plan to attend, please contact Fr. Daren before August 16th to ensure enough food will be on hand.

Meeting on Sunday

2007-10-05T06:29:00.003-07:00

The Dead Theologians Society will meet on Sunday, October 7th, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the parish center of St. Anthony of Padua parish.

Meeting on Sunday

2007-10-05T06:29:00.001-07:00

The Dead Theologians Society will meet on Sunday, October 7th, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the parish center of St. Anthony of Padua parish.

Cookout on Sunday

2007-09-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Dead Theologians Society will meet again Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

We will have a fire with hot dogs, marshmallows, s'mores, etc. Bring your own soda.

Don't forget we're on facebook now. I think this is the link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6212762244

If it doesn't work, search for "DTS of STA" or search for me.

Four things

2007-09-13T09:50:00.001-07:00

1. Please keep Brian Schuette and his family in your prayers.

2. The Dead Theologians Society will meet again this Sunday from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please spread the word and bring some new (and old) people with you.

I have the Life Teen Mass that night and will need two adults to open up and get some games going until I arrive about 6:45.

3. Word has already spread about our proposed plans for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. Aimee Moore of the Fellowship Committee called and asked if we would like to help the F.C. and the Council of Catholic Women bake and sell pies to help raise funds to send us around the world. I of course said we would and now I need your help. (They might also have another Trivia Night to help us out.)

They want to bake the pies on Saturday, October 20th in the parish center and sell the pies after the Masses on Sunday, October 21st.

I will be in Quincy for a wedding that weekend and will not be able to help personally. I would ask that even if you can’t come to WYD that you still lend a hand in this endeavor. It promises to be a good time for all involved.

Please mark your calendars and tell the DTS members who aren’t on this list.

4. Is there a better way to get messages out to all of you? I’m not going to text message everybody all of the time. Would a spot on Facebook.com be helpful or would you check that as often as you check your e-mail? Let me know if you have suggestions.

I'm quite surprised

2007-09-05T08:18:00.001-07:00

The English texts of the Holy Father's words - even the question and response session - from Loreto are up on the Vatican web site already!

I still wonder why it took so long when he went to Italy. No matter. It seems somebody's working faster, and may God bless them for it!

Essay Contest

2007-09-04T05:35:00.001-07:00

Pauline Books and Media is sponsoring an essay contest for students age 13-17.

The details follow:

Rules: Pick one saint or blessed whose life or teaching offers a message that needs to be heard today. In an essay of no more than 500 words, explain what you believe his or her message is, why it is important today, and how you can help present that message to the world in your own life.

Deadline: November, 2007. Entries should be sent in the body of an e-mail (not as an attachment) to barrymichaes[at]aol[dot]com.

Prizes: The first, second and third place winners will receive a signed copy of Saints for Our Times: New Novenas and Prayers. Winners will also recieve $30, $20 and $10 for first, second and third places, respectively.

Do not be afraid!

2007-09-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the homily Pope Benedict XVI preached to some 500,000 gathered at the home of Mary in Loreto, Italy, and to the youth of the world, with my emphases:

Jesus Christ, God made man, took on our flesh in Mary, took part in our life, and shared our history. To realize this new alliance, God looked for a young heart and found it in the girl Mary. Even today, God seeks out young hearts, he is looking for young people with great hearts, capable of making room for him in their life in order to be active players in the New Alliance.
In order to welcome a proposal as fascinating as that which Jesus offers us, in order to make an alliance with him, one must be young interiorly, able to let oneself respond to newness, in order to undertake new paths with him. Jesus has a predilection for young people, as we can well see in his dialog with the rich young man (cf Mt 19,16-22; Mk 10,17-22). He respects the freedom of youth, but he never tires of proposing to them higher goals in life: the novelty of the Gospel and the beauty of holy conduct.
Following the example of the Lord, the Church continues to give young people the attention that he did. That is why, dear young people, the Church looks at you with immense affection, it is with you in moments of joy and celebration, as well as in trials and confusion; it sustains you with the gifts of sacramental grace and it accompanies you in discerning your true vocation.
Dear young people, if you allow yourselves to be involved in the new life that comes from the encounter with Christ, you will be able to be apostles of his peace in your families, among your friends, within your church community, and in the different circles in which you live and work.

But what is it that makes one ‘young’ in the evangelical sense? This encounter of ours, which is taking place in the shado0w of a Marian sanctuary, invites us to look at the Madonna. And we ask ourselves: How did she live her youth? Why did the impossible become possible in her?
She discloses it to us herself in the canticle of the Magnificat: God “has regarded the humility of his handmaid” (Lk 1,48a). Mary’s humility is what God appreciated most in her. And the other two readings of today’s liturgy speak to us of humility.

Is it not perhaps a happy coincidence that this message comes to us precisely here in Loreto? Here, our thoughts go naturally to the Holy House of Nazareth, which is the shrine of humility: the humility of God-who-became-man, who made himself small; and the humility of Mary who welcomed him in her womb - the humility of the Creator and the humility of his creature.

From this meeting of humility, Jesus was born, Son of God and Son of Man. “The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God”, a passage from Ecclesiastes tells us (3,20); and Jesus, in today’s Gospel, after the parable of the wedding guests, concludes: “For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Lk 14,11).

This prospect indicated in Scriptures appears even more provocative today because of the culture and sensibility of contemporary man. The humble is considered one who has given up, a failure, someone who has nothing to say to the world.

On the contrary, this is the master way, and not only because humility is a great human virtue, but because, in the first place, it represents God’s own way. It is the way chosen by Christ, the mediator of our New Covenant, who, appearing in human form, “humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross (Phil 2,8).

Dear young people, I see in this Word of God on humility a message that is as important as it is relevant to you who wish to follow Christ and be part of his Church. The message is: do not follow the way of pride, but that of humility. Go against the current: do not listen to interested and persuasive voices that, from many sides today, advocate life styles marked by arrogance and violence, arrogance and success at any cost, given to appearance and to possession to the detriment of being.

How many messages, which are reaching you especially through the mass media, are addressed to you! Be vigilant! Be critical! Do not be drawn into the wave produced by these powerful acts of persuasion.

Do not be afraid, dear friends, to prefer the ‘alternative’ ways indicated by true love: a life style that is moderate and fraternal; emotional relationships that are sincere and pure; an honest commitment to study and work; a profound interest in the common good.

Do not be afraid to appear different and to be criticized for what appears to be a losing cause or unfashionable.

Your contemporaries - but even adults - especially those who seem most remote from thementality and the values of the Gospel, have a profound need to see someone who dares to live according to the fullness of humanity that was shown by Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, humility is not therefore a way of resignation but of courage. It is not the outcome of failure but the victory of love over selfishness, and grace over sin. Following Christ and imitating Mary, we should have the courage of humility. We should entrust ourselves humbly to God because only then can we become obedient instruments in his hands, allowing him to work great things in us.

Pope speaks to youth

2007-09-03T05:45:00.001-07:00

This past weekend the Holy Father went on pilgrimage to Loreto, Italy. He went to visit the home of Mary that is said to have been flown by angels from the Holy Land. It was in this house that the Archangel Gabriel addressed the young Virgin.

Pope Benedict XVI also went to speak to the youth of the world. Some 500,000 where gathered to hear his words and to pray with him. Here is what he said on Saturday, with my emphases:

What an amazing spectacle of young and engaged faith we are living tonight! Tonight Loreto has become, thanks to you, the spiritual capital of the youth - the center of convergence for the multitudes of young people who inhabit the five continents.At this moment, we feel surrounded by the expectations and hopes of millions of young people of the whole world. Right now, some are staying up, some are sleeping, some are studying or working. Some are hopeful and others are desperate; some believe, and others cannot get themselves to believe; some love life while others are wasting it.I would like my words to reach everyone: the Pope is close to you, he shares your joys and your pains; above all, I share your most intimate hopes; and for each of you, I ask the Lord the gift of a full and happy life, a life that is rich in sense, a true life.

Unfortunately today, not unusually, a full and happy existence is seen by many young people as a difficult dream, and sometimes almost unrealizable. So many of your contemporaries look at the future with apprehension and ask themselves many questions.

They are concerned about how to fit themselves into a society marked by numerous and grave injustices and sufferings. How to react to the selfishness and violence which often seem to predominate. How to give a sense of fullness to life.

With love and conviction, I repeat to you, who are present here, and through you, to your contemporaries around the world: Do not be afraid! Christ can fulfill the most intimate aspirations of your heart. Are there are unreliable dreams when it is the Spirit of God who inspires and cultivates them in the heart? Is there anything that could dampen our enthusiasm if we are united with Christ? Nothing and no one, the Apostle Paul would say, can ever separate us from the love of God, in Jesus Christ, our Lord (cf Rom 8,35-39).

Allow me to repeat this to you tonight: if you stay one with Christ, each of you can do great things. That is why, dear friends, you should not be afraid to dream with open eyes about great plans for good, and you should not allow yourselves to be discouraged by difficulties.

Christ has confidence in you and he wants you to realize each of your noble dreams for authentic happiness. Nothing is impossible for whoever trusts in God and entrusts himself to him.

Look at the young Mary! The Angel proposed to her something truly inconceivable: to participate in the most intimate way possible in God’s greatest plan, the salvation of humanity. Before such a proposal, Mary was troubled, aware of the smallness of her being compared to God’s omnipotence, and so she asked: How is it possible, why me? But she was willing to fulfill the divine will, and readily gave her Yes, which changed her life and the story of all mankind. Thanks to that Yes, we are here together tonight.

I ask myself and you: Can the requests that God makes of us - no matter how demanding they may seem to be - ever equal that which God asked of the young Mary? Dear boys and girls, let us learn from Mary to say Yes, because she knows what it means to answer generously to the requests of the Lord.

Dear young people, Mary knows your most noble and deepest aspirations. Above all, she knows your great desire for love, your need to love and be loved. Looking at her, following her obediently, you will discover the beauty of love - not a throwaway love, fleeting and deceptive, imprisoned in a selfish and materialistic mentality - but true and profound love.

Time change?

2007-08-27T04:45:00.000-07:00

It was suggested by a couple of you that we change the time of our meetings from 7:00 - 9:00 to 6:00 - 8:00.

I'm in favor of the change; are there any objections?

Please let me know what you think.

Last minute notice

2007-08-26T13:53:00.003-07:00

The Dead Theologians Society will meet again - after a very long break - tonight (Sunday) at 7:00 p.m. in the parish center.

No meeting Sunday and words from the Pope

2007-05-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

This Sunday being Mother's Day and I being out off of the continent, the Dead Theologians Society will not meet Sunday evening.

In place of our meeting, I offer you the words the Holy Father Benedict XVI spoke to the youth of Brazil today:

My dear young friends!

"If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor … and come, follow me" (Mt 19:21).

1. I was particularly eager to include a meeting with you during this my first journey to Latin America. I have come to inaugurate the Fifth General Conference of the Bishops of Latin America which, according to my wish, will take place at Aparecida, here in Brazil, at the Shrine of Our Lady. It is she who leads us to the feet of Jesus so that we can learn his teachings about the Kingdom, and it is she who stirs us up to be his missionaries so that the people of this "Continent of Hope" may have full life in him.

In their General Assembly last year, your Bishops here in Brazil reflected on the theme of the evangelization of youth and they placed a document into your hands. They asked you to receive that document and add your own reflections to it in the course of the year. At their most recent Assembly, the Bishops returned to the theme, enriched now by your collaboration, in the hope that the reflections and guidelines proposed therein would serve as a stimulus and a beacon for your journey. The words offered by the Archbishop of São Paulo and the Director of Pastoral Care for Young People, both of whom I thank, confirm the spirit that moves your hearts.

While flying over the land of Brazil yesterday evening, I was already anticipating our encounter here in the Stadium of Pacaembu, anxious to extend to all of you a warm Brazilian embrace and to share with you the sentiments which I carry in the depths of my heart, and which are very appropriately indicated to us in today's Gospel.

I have always felt a very special joy at these encounters. I remember especially the Twentieth World Youth Day at which I was able to preside two years ago in Germany. Some of you gathered here today were also present! It is an emotional memory for me on account of the abundant fruits of the Lord's grace poured out upon those who were there. Among the many fruits which I could point to, there is little doubt that the first was the exemplary sense of fraternity that stood as a clear witness to the Church's perennial vitality throughout the world.

2. For this reason, my dear friends, I am certain that today the same impressions I received in Germany will be renewed here. In 1991, during his visit to Mato Grosso, the Servant of God Pope John Paul II, of venerable memory, said that "youth are the first protagonists of the third millennium … they are the ones who will be charged with the destiny of this new phase in human history" (16 October 1991). Today, I feel moved to make the same observation regarding all of you.

The Christian life you lead in numerous parishes and small ecclesial communities, in universities, colleges and schools, and most of all, in places of work both in the city and in the countryside, is undoubtedly pleasing to the Lord. But it is necessary to go even further. We can never say "enough", because the love of God is infinite, and the Lord asks us -- or better --requires us to open our hearts wider so that there will be room for even more love, goodness, and understanding for our brothers and sisters, and for the problems which concern not only the human community, but also the effective preservation and protection of the natural environment of which we are all a part. "Our forests have more life": do not allow this flame of hope which your National Hymn places on your lips to die out. The devastation of the environment in the Amazon Basin and the threats against the human dignity of peoples living within that region call for greater commitment in the different areas of activity than society tends to recognize.

3. Today I would like to reflect on the text we have just heard from Saint Matthew (cf. 19:16-22). It speaks of a young man who ran to see Jesus. His impatience merits special attention. In this young man I see all of you young people of Brazil and Latin America. You have "run" here from various regions of this Continent for this meeting of ours. You want to listen to the words of Jesus himself -- spoken through the voice of the Pope.

You have a crucial question -- a question that appears in this Gospel -- to put to him. It is the same question posed by the young man who ran to see Jesus: What good deed must I do, to have eternal life? I would like to take a deeper look at this question with you. It has to do with life. A life which -- in all of you -- is exuberant and beautiful. What are you to do with it? How can you live it to the full?

We see at once that in the very formulation of the question, the "here" and "now" are not enough; to put it another way, we cannot limit our life within the confines of space and time, however much we might try to broaden their horizons. Life transcends them. In other words: we want to live, not die. We have a sense of something telling us that life is eternal and that we must apply ourselves to reach it. In short, it rests in our hands and is dependent, in a certain way, on our own decision.

The question in the Gospel does not regard only the future. It does not regard only a question about what will happen after death. On the contrary, it exists as a task in the present, in the "here" and "now", which must guarantee authenticity and consequently the future. In short, the young man's question raises the issue of life's meaning. It can therefore be formulated in this way: what must I do so that my life has meaning? How must I live so as to reap the full fruits of life? Or again: what must I do so that my life is not wasted?

Jesus alone can give us the answer, because he alone can guarantee us eternal life. He alone, therefore, can show us the meaning of this present life and give it fullness.

4. But before giving his response, Jesus asks about a very important aspect of the young man's enquiry: why do you ask me about what is good? In this question, we find the key to the answer. This young man perceives that Jesus is good and that he is a teacher -- a teacher who does not deceive. We are here because we have the very same conviction: Jesus is good. It may be that we do not know how to explain fully the reason for this perception, but it undoubtedly draws us to him and opens us up to his teaching: he is a good teacher. To recognize the good means to love. And whoever loves -- to use a felicitous expression of Saint John -- knows God (cf. 1 Jn 4:7). The young man in the Gospel has perceived God in Jesus Christ.

Jesus assures us that God alone is good. To be open to goodness means to receive God. In this way, he invites us to see God in all things and in everything that happens, even where most people see only God's absence. When we see the beauty of creation and recognize the goodness present there, it is impossible not to believe in God and to experience his saving and reassuring presence. If we came to see all the good that exists in the world -- and moreover, experience the good that comes from God himself -- we would never cease to approach him, praise him, and thank him. He continually fills us with joy and good things. His joy is our strength.

But we can only know in an imperfect, partial way. To understand what is good, we need help, which the Church offers us on many occasions, especially through catechesis. Jesus himself shows what is good for us by giving us the first element in his catechesis: "If you would enter life, keep the commandments" (Mt 19:17). He begins with the knowledge that the young man has surely already acquired from his family and from the synagogue: he knows the commandments. These lead to life, which means that they guarantee our authenticity. They are the great signs which lead us along the right path. Whoever keeps the commandments is on the way that leads to God.

It is not enough, however, simply to know them. Witness is even more important than knowledge; or rather, it is applied knowledge. The commandments are not imposed upon us from without; they do not diminish our freedom. On the contrary: they are strong internal incentives leading us to act in a certain way. At the heart of them we find both grace and nature, which do not allow us to stay still. We must walk. We are motivated to do something in order fulfil our potential. To find fulfilment through action is, in reality, to become real. To a large extent, from the time of our youth, we are whatever we want to be. We are, so to speak, the work of our own hands.

5. At this point, I turn once more to you, young people, because I want to hear you give the same response that the young man in the Gospel gave: all these I have observed from my youth. The young man in the Gospel was good. He kept the commandments. He was walking along the way of God. Jesus, therefore, gazing at him, loved him. By recognizing that Jesus was good, he showed that he too was good. He had an experience of goodness, and therefore of God. And you, young people of Brazil and Latin America, have you already discovered what is good? Do you follow the Lord's commandments? Have you discovered that this is the one true road to happiness?

These years of your life are the years which will prepare you for your future. Your "tomorrow" depends much on how you are living the "today" of your youth. Stretching out in front of you, my dear young friends, is a life that all of us hope will be long; yet it is only one life, it is unique: do not let it pass it vain; do not squander it. Live it with enthusiasm and with joy, but most of all, with a sense of responsibility.

Many times, we who are pastors feel a sense of trepidation as we take stock of the situation in today's world. We hear talk of the fears of today's youth. These fears reveal an enormous lack of hope: a fear of death, at the very moment when life is blossoming and the young are searching to find how to fulfil their potential; fear of failure, through not having discovered the meaning of life; fear of remaining detached in the face of a disconcerting acceleration of events and communications. We see the high death rate among young people, the threat of violence, the deplorable proliferation of drugs which strike at the deepest roots of youth today. For these reasons, we hear talk of a "lost youth".

But as I gaze at you young people here present -- you who radiate so much joy and enthusiasm -- I see you as Christ sees you: with a gaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you have found the true way. You are the youth of the Church. I send you out, therefore, on the great mission of evangelizing young men and women who have gone astray in this world like sheep without a shepherd. Be apostles of youth. Invite them to walk with you, to have the same experience of faith, hope, and love; to encounter Jesus so that they may feel truly loved, accepted, able to realize their full potential. May they too may discover the sure ways of the commandments, and, by following them, come to God.

You can be the builders of a new society if you seek to put into practice a conduct inspired by universal moral values, but also a personal commitment to a vitally important human and spiritual formation. Men and women who are ill-prepared for the real challenges presented by a correct interpretation of the Christian life in their own surroundings will easily fall prey to all the assaults of materialism and secularism, which are more and more active at all levels.

Be men and women who are free and responsible; make the family a centre that radiates peace and joy; be promoters of life, from its beginning to its natural end; protect the elderly, since they deserve respect and admiration for the good they have done. The Pope also expects young people to seek to sanctify their work, carrying it out with technical skill and diligence, so as to contribute to the progress of all their brothers and sisters, and to shed the light of the Word upon all human activities (cf. Lumen Gentium, 36). But above all, the Pope wants them to set about building a more just and fraternal society, fulfilling their duties towards the State: respecting its laws; not allowing themselves to be swept along by hatred and violence; seeking to be an example of Christian conduct in their professional and social milieu, distinguishing themselves by the integrity of their social and professional relationships. They should remember that excessive ambition for wealth and power leads to corruption of oneself and others; there are no valid motives that would justify attempting to impose one's own worldly aspirations -- economic or political -- through fraud and deceit.

There exists, in the final analysis, an immense panorama of action in which questions of a social, economic and political nature take on particular importance, as long as they draw their inspiration from the Gospel and the social teaching of the Church. This includes building a more just and fraternal society, reconciled and at peace, it includes the commitment to reduce violence, initiatives to promote the fullness of life, the democratic order and the common good and especially initiatives aimed at eliminating certain forms of discrimination existing in Latin American societies: avoiding exclusion, for the sake of mutual enrichment.

Above all, have great respect for the institution of the sacrament of Matrimony. There cannot be true domestic happiness unless, at the same time, there is fidelity between spouses. Marriage is an institution of natural law, which has been raised by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament; it is a great gift that God has given to mankind: respect it and honour it. At the same time, God calls you to respect one another when you fall in love and become engaged, since conjugal life, reserved by divine ordinance to married couples, will bring happiness and peace only to the extent that you are able to build your future hopes upon chastity, both within and outside marriage. I repeat here to all of you that "eros tends to rise . . . towards the Divine, to lead us beyond ourselves; yet for this very reason it calls for a path of ascent, renunciation, purification and healing" (Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est , 5). To put it briefly, it requires a spirit of sacrifice and renunciation for the sake of a greater good, namely the love of God above all things. Seek to resist forcefully the snares of evil that are found in many contexts, driving you towards a dissolute and paradoxically empty life, causing you to lose the precious gift of your freedom and your true happiness. True love "increasingly seeks the happiness of the other, is concerned more and more with the beloved, bestows itself and wants to 'be there for' the other" (ibid., 7) and therefore will always grow in faithfulness, indissolubility and fruitfulness.

In all these things, count upon the help of Jesus Christ who will make them possible through his grace (cf. Mt 19:26). The life of faith and prayer will lead you along the paths of intimacy with God, helping you to understand the greatness of his plans for every person. "For the sake of the kingdom of heaven" ( Mt 19:12), some are called to a total and definitive self-giving, by consecrating themselves to God in the religious life -- an "exceptional gift of grace", as the Second Vatican Council expressed it (cf. Decree Perfectae Caritatis, 12). Consecrated persons, by giving themselves totally to God, prompted by the Holy Spirit, participate in the Church's mission, bearing witness before all people to their hope in the heavenly Kingdom. I therefore bless and invoke divine protection upon all those religious who have dedicated themselves to Christ and to their brothers and sisters within the vineyard of the Lord. Consecrated persons truly deserve the gratitude of the ecclesial community: monks and nuns, contemplative men and women, religious men and women dedicated to apostolic works, members of Secular Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life, hermits and consecrated virgins. "Their existence witnesses to their love for Christ as they walk the path proposed in the Gospel and with deep joy commit themselves to the same style of life which he chose for himself" (Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life, Instruction Starting Afresh from Christ, 5). I pray that in this moment of grace and profound communion in Christ, the Holy Spirit will awaken in the hearts of many young people an impassioned love, prompting them to follow and imitate Jesus Christ, chaste, poor and obedient, totally devoted to the glory of the Father and to love for their brothers and sisters.

6. The Gospel assures us that the young man who went to meet Jesus was very rich. We may understand this wealth not only on the material level. Youth itself is a singular treasure. We have to discover it and to value it. Jesus appreciated it so much that he went on to invite the young man to participate in his saving mission. He had great potential and could have accomplished great things.

But the Gospel goes on to say that this young man, having heard the invitation, was saddened. He went away downcast and sad. This episode causes us to reflect further on the treasure of youth. It is not, in the first place, a question of material wealth, but of life itself, and the values inherent in youth. This wealth is inherited from two sources: life, transmitted from generation to generation, at the ultimate origin of which we find God, full of wisdom and love; and upbringing, which locates us within a culture, to such an extent that we might almost say we are more children of culture and therefore of faith, than of nature. From life springs freedom, which manifests itself, especially in this phase, as responsibility. There comes the great moment of decision, in a twofold choice: firstly, concerning one's state of life, and secondly concerning one's profession. It is about providing an answer to the question: what do I do with my life?

In other words, youth appears as a form of wealth because it leads to the discovery of life as a gift and a task. The young man in the Gospel understood that his youth was itself a treasure. He went to Jesus, the good Teacher, in order to seek some direction. At the moment of the great decision, however, he lacked the courage to wager everything on Jesus Christ. In consequence, he went away sad and downcast. This is what happens whenever our decisions waver and become cowardly and self-seeking. He understood that what he lacked was generosity, and this did not allow him to realize his full potential. He withdrew to his riches, turning them to selfishness.

Jesus regretted the sadness and the cowardice of the young man who had come to seek him out. The Apostles, like all of you here today, filled the vacuum left by that young man who went away sad and downcast. They, and we, are happy, because we know the one in whom we believe (cf. 2 Tim 1:12). We know and we bear witness with our lives that he alone has the words of eternal life (cf. Jn 6:68). Therefore, we can exclaim with Saint Paul: Rejoice always in the Lord! (cf. Phil 4:4).

7. My appeal to you today, young people present at this gathering, is this: do not waste your youth. Do not seek to escape from it. Live it intensely. Consecrate it to the high ideals of faith and human solidarity.

You, young people, are not just the future of the Church and of humanity, as if we could somehow run away from the present. On the contrary: you are that young man now; you are that young man in the Church and in humanity today. You are his young face. The Church needs you, as young people, to manifest to the world the face of Jesus Christ, visible in the Christian community. Without this young face, the Church would appear disfigured.

My dear young people, soon I shall inaugurate the Fifth Conference of the Bishops of Latin America. I ask you to follow its deliberations attentively; to participate in its discussions; to receive its fruits. As was the case with earlier Conferences, the present one will also leave a significant mark on the next ten years of evangelization in Latin America and the Caribbean. No one must stay on the sidelines or remain indifferent in the face of this ecclesial initiative, least of all you young people. You are full members of the Church, which represents the face of Jesus Christ for Latin America and the Caribbean.

I greet the French speakers who live on the Latin American continent, and I invite them to be witnesses of the Gospel, and to be actively engaged in the life of the Church. My prayer is addressed to you young people in a particular way: you are called to build your lives on Christ and on fundamental human values. Everyone should feel invited to work together in order to build a world of justice and peace.

My dear young friends, like the young man in the Gospel who asked Jesus: "What good deed must I do, to have eternal life?", you are all seeking ways to respond generously to God's call. I pray that you may listen to his saving words and that you may become his witnesses for the peoples of today. May God pour out upon all of you his blessings of peace and joy.

My dear young people, Christ is calling you to be saints. He himself is inviting you and wants to walk with you, in order to enliven with his Spirit the steps that Brazil is taking at the beginning of this third millennium of the Christian era. I ask the Senhora Aparecida to guide you with her maternal help and to accompany you throughout your lives.

Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ!

[Original text: Plurilingual]

© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice VaticanaZE07051001

Afternoon at the movies

2007-03-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Afternoon at the Movies was a good success. Some fifty people came out, of all walks of life and all ages, to watch Padre Pio: Miracle Man.

As the intermission started, one of the attendees asked me, "When's the next one, Father?" "We're working on it," I replied.

When all is said and done, I think we'll have raised about $350.00 for the Dead Theologians Society.

A few pictures:

An afternoon at the movies

2007-03-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder about the showing of the movie Padre Pio: Miracle Man Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the parish center.

If you could be present at 1:30 to help set up snacks and things that would be great. Also, if you can bring some goodies to offer that would also be most welcome. Craig is in charge of the refreshments.

Because of the movie, we will not meet at 7:00 p.m. for our usual meeting. Perhaps we could go out together for supper after the movie.

Chrism Mass

2007-03-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

Fr. Joe Carlos, O.F.M., is organizing a bus trip to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. The cost will be $15.00 per person, which is quite reasonable.

The Chrism Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 2nd. If you have never been to the Chrism Mass, it is certainly worth attending!

At this Mass, the Bishop asks the priests of the Diocese to renew the promises they made at their ordinations. The Bishop also blesses the sacred oils that will be used throughout the coming year: the Oil of Catechumens, the Oil of the Sick, and the Sacred Chrism.

If you want to come on the bus trip - or on your own - let me know soon and I'll get more details for you.

Putting on the gold leaf

2007-03-10T11:31:00.000-08:00

Stirring the paint...

Pouring the paint...

Stay within the lines...

Rolling on the gold...

Rollin', rollin', rollin' on the gold...

I like this picture...

A few finishing touches...

Who's hungry?

Painting prep work

2007-03-10T11:21:00.000-08:00

Putting down the plastic drop sheets...

Melting the wax off of the wall...

Melting the wax out of the fabrics...

Washing down the wall...

Taping the lines...

Someone has to supervise...

The painting plans

2007-03-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

Here are the basic plans that Ann has designed for the painting of the Dead Theologians Room:

The icon and candles will remain and the painting will occur around them.

Several Saints will be painted processing toward the icon of Mary, the Life-Giving Spring.

The logo of the Dead Theologians Society will be placed above the stairs.

Painting Party

2007-03-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

The Dead Theologians Society will meet tonight at 7:00 p.m. to begin the painting of the DTS meeting room in the parish center.

Either bring or wear clothes that you won't mind getting paint on. We'll have brushes, paint and other supplies on hand and Ann will direct our efforts.

We might even order pizza...

Tonight's meeting

2007-02-25T08:57:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to meet at the T-town KC Hall at 6:00 p.m. for their Soup Supper. From the soup supper we'll return to St. Anthony's for the usual meeting.

Several questions I have for you are:

1. Who is planning on coming on the St. Louis trip? I need to know SOON for I can work more on funding.

2. Who can help on March 18th at 2:00 p.m. for the movie night? We'll need people to work with Craig about baking some goodies to sell and people to help sell/serve them and some drinks. We'll also need some to help clean up afterwards. Fr. Leo said whatever we make from the movie event we can keep. I'm rather hopeful about it.

3. Would anyone want to serve a Holy Hour (it's easy) Monday night at 7:00? Two or three people would be great (one for incense and one for a book).

Meeting cancelled

2007-02-18T13:40:00.001-08:00

Due to unforeseen circumstances (Fr. Daren's has a brilliant opportunity to go home to Quincy briefly) tonight's meeting of the Dead Theologians Society has been cancelled. I apologize for the late notice.

We will meet next Sunday - February 25th - at 6:00 p.m. at the T-town KC hall for the soup supper, which will be followed by our regular meeting.

Trip to St. Louis

2007-02-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

I am currently working on organizing a trip to St. Louis on March 30th and 31st. If you are interested in coming along, please let me know as soon as possible so I can firm up reservations and costs, etc.

Soup Supper

2007-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

The Dead Theologians Society will be attending the soup supper sponsored by the Teutopolis Knights of Columbus on Sunday, February 25th. The proceeds of this supper will benefit the Diocesan seminarians who will be going on a mission trip to Peru.

We will meet at the T-town KC hall at 6:00 p.m., prior to our usual meeting at 7:00 p.m.

No meeting Sunday

2007-02-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder that we will not be meeting this Sunday, 4 February. If you watch the Super Bowl, enjoy it. If you're like me and will be reading a good book, enjoy that, too.

We will meet again on Sunday, 11 February.

Scripture Study at Shumway

2007-01-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

I will be leading a Scripture Study on the Gospel of Luke at Annunciation Parish in Shumway. We will meet on the following Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the basement of St. Mary's church:

Janary 15
January 29
February 5
February 19
March 5
March 19
April 2

Some of you have already voiced an interest in this. If you would like to attend, you are more than welcome. Forty-one people have already signed. You can come to as many sessions as you can. If you want to purchase the book we will be using they are $10 (you won't need a book to attend).

Bearing gifts we traverse afar (reminder)

2007-01-06T18:03:00.000-08:00

Just a brief reminder that the Dead Theologians Society gift exchange will be Sunday, 7 January, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Bring your gift to the meeting for the happy recipient! If you don't bring a gift to the meeting, you're still welcome to attend!

A choir of angels?

2006-12-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Dead Theologians will be Christmas caroling on Thursday, 28 December, the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

We will meet for supper at Steak 'N Shake at 5:30 p.m. and will carol at St. Anthony's hospital at 7:00 p.m. Song sheets will provided.

Join us as we spread the message of salvation as we celebrate the Savior's birth!

Bearing gifts we traverse afar

2006-12-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

The Dead Theologians Society gift exchange will be held during our meeting on the Solemnity of the Epiphany when the Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Names for the gift exchange were drawn at the meeting held on 10 December; if you were unable to attend that meeting but still want to participate in the gift exchange, let me know and I will arrange it.

If memory serves, I believe we settled on a $5.00 limit and elected for "gag" gifts. If this is incorrect, please correct me.

Meeting reminder

2006-12-16T05:45:00.000-08:00

The Dead Theologians Society will meet Sunday, 17 December 2006, in the parish center of St. Anthony of Padua parish at 7:00 p.m.

In the news again

2006-11-24T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Effingham Daily News published a second story about the Dead Theologians Society. The second article is in today's issue of the paper, on page D6.

Pictures from the Bishop's visit

2006-11-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

Braden asks a question of the Bishop

Bishop Lucas with his DTS sweatshirt

Bishop Lucas blesses the rosaries

Hoods up, by popular outcry
The Dead Theologians Society

Pie baking pictures

2006-11-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

Paul and Drew form pie crusts

Craig fills pie crusts

Albert prepares a crust

Braden supervises

Allie delivers a few pies

Continued prayers for Brian

2006-11-24T15:05:00.000-08:00

Please continue to keep Brian Schuette and his family in your prayers in the next several days. The doctors have placed Brian on new medication and are observing him closely to note any effects the medicines might have.

No meeting Sunday

2006-11-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

N.B.: The Dead Theologians Society will not meet Sunday, 26 November 2006, the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King.

The DTS will meet again Sunday, 3 December 2006, the first Sunday of Advent.

Please pass the word along to fellow members.

Making the news

2006-11-24T09:33:00.000-08:00

The recent pie baking made the newspapers, both in the Effingham Daily News and the Catholic Times.

The CT article is here.

Message from the youth to the youth

2006-11-21T16:53:00.000-08:00

Interreligious Youth Meeting
Nov. 4-8, 2006
Assisi, Italy

Message from Youth, to Youth

We came together in Assisi, called from nearly 30 nations and representing 13 religious traditions, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the historic Day of Prayer for World Peace in 1986. Invited by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and sent by our religious communities and organizations, we young people came here to carry forward the flame of peace ignited by our spiritual leaders 20 years ago in these same sacred spaces.

We encountered one another with honesty and sincerity to build up the bonds of fraternity that unite us all as brothers and sisters in our humanity, fashioned by and in God. From our commonly held desires for happiness, justice and truth, we entered into genuine dialogue.

We shared and learned about each other's cultures and beliefs, not to minimize or ignore our differences, but to grow in mutual respect, esteem and understanding. Though we do not share the same religious convictions, we have all inherited the same earth and share a common responsibility to be faithful citizens of society and to be good stewards of creation.

We prayed according to our respective religious traditions, imploring from God the precious gift of peace. While our prayers were offered in different places, languages and ways, we were united in a single purpose: praying for peace. In this way, we testified to the truth that "prayer does not divide but unites and is a decisive element for an effective pedagogy of peace, hinged on friendship, reciprocal acceptance and dialogue between different cultures and religions" as Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his message for the 20th anniversary of the first Assisi meeting.

We walked as pilgrims to the site of St. Francis of Assisi's conversion 800 years ago, when God called out to Francis "Go, rebuild my house." Likewise today, in the spirit of our respective religions, we young people hear the call to "Go, rebuild our world," which is too often broken by violence and war.

We appeal to all people that peace is not something only to be sought in halls of government, but also in the halls of our synagogues, our churches, our mosques, our temples, our pagodas, our gurudwaras, our atash berhrams, our schools, our workplaces, our homes and most importantly in our hearts.

We will strive to follow the path to peace, guided by the precepts of our respective religious traditions. In the "spirit of Assisi" and with a united voice, we echo the words of that great ambassador of peace, the Servant of God Pope John Paul II, as we cry out:

Violence never again!
War never again!
Terrorism never again!

In the name of God,
may every religion bring upon the earth
Justice and Peace,
Forgiveness and Life,
Love!

We young people represent a new generation and a new hope. We resolve to return to our families and communities, to be advocates for interreligious and intercultural understanding and respect. We accept the responsibility of continuing the dialogue begun here in Assisi and we fully commit ourselves to working for justice and to be instruments of peace in our homelands and in every corner of the earth.

The visit of the Bishop

2006-11-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

Here follows the press release I sent to the media regarding the Bishop's visit last night.

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, met with Chapter 517 of the Dead Theologians Society Sunday, 19 November 2006. His visit coincided with his Pastoral Visitation to St. Anthony of Padua parish in Effingham.

Bishop Lucas spoke to the youth about his life and ministry as a Bishop. He also stressed the purpose of the Church and the local parish as the place to encounter Jesus Christ.

Speaking on the lives of the saints, he reminded the youth that a saint is someone “who follows Jesus to the end” and that “each of us is called to be a saint.” He also told the youth that they are not simply the church of tomorrow, but also the church of today.

At the same meeting, ten new members were received into the Society and were given a black hooded sweatshirt with the DTS logo and a rosary made in the Holy Land for the Society. The Dead Theologians Society in Effingham now numbers sixteen, with several more to be received in the coming weeks. Membership requires either attendance at three consecutive meetings or five meetings overall.

The Dead Theologians Society formed at St. Anthony of Padua parish on Sunday, 1 October 2006. The Society, which is open to high school-aged youth, meets weekly from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings in the parish center. Each meeting includes games and snacks, with time for a teaching about the life of a particular Saint, questions and discussions, shared prayer, a decade of the Rosary, and the Divine Praises. Through the saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow.

Pies for Charity

2006-11-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

Some of the members of the Dead Theologians Society will meet Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in the parish center to bake pumpkin pies that will be donated to Catholic Charities. If you are free, come on down!

They have arrived

2006-11-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that the sweatshirts finally arrived today.

Nov. 12th meeting canceled

2006-11-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

The meeting of the DTS on Sunday, 12 November 2006, has been canceled. We will resume meeting on 19 November 2006 when Bishop Lucas will be with us.

The Bishop is coming

2006-11-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Bishop George J. Lucas has graciously accepted the invitation to attend the meeting of the Dead Theologians Society on Sunday, 19 November 2006 and will speak on his ministry as a Bishop and Successor of the Apostles.

His Excellency was ordained and installed on 14 December 1999 as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. To read more about Bishop Lucas go here and here.

Bishop Lucas invited to attend meeting

2006-11-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Only moments ago I sent an invitation to His Excellency, the Most Reverend George J. Lucas, Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, to attend the meeting of the Dead Theologians Society on Sunday, 19 November 2006.

When I receive word of his availability - either positive or negative - I shall let you know.

Please remember Bishop Lucas in your prayers each day.

Photo: Bishop Lucas institutes then Mr. Daren J. Zehnle, into the Ministry of Acolyte.

October 5th

2006-11-03T05:38:00.000-08:00

At the meeting of the Dead Theologians Society this Sunday at 7:00 p.m. we will have a discussion about the movie The Dead Poets Society and how it relates to the DTS.

It is also my hope to be able to finally induct more new members. As of this morning, the additional rosaries I ordered have arrived but the sweatshirts have not. Apparently there is a bit of a delay with the manufacturer. I am, however, hopeful that the sweatshirts will arrive today or tomorrow.

We hope to see you there!

Ministry Fair help requested

2006-11-03T05:29:00.000-08:00

After the 11:00 a.m. Mass at the high school this Sunday - November 5th - Msgr. Enlow will present his State of the Parish Address. A Ministry Fair will be held after the Address to help parishioners discover the various ways they assist others and be assisted by others.

The Dead Theologians Society will have a booth at the Ministry Fair from roughly 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Brian Schuette will be staffing the booth to help field and answer questions people might have about the DTS.

If any of you would be willing and free to help out at the booth, we would be very grateful. Adults can talk about what youth ministry is up to but it always means more when it comes from the youth. If you can stay for a fifteen minute slot, great; if you can stay for an hour, great.

I will prepare a display and have some brochures ready. The rest will simply be talking with people. If you want to help with the Ministry Fair, simply let me know or just show up on Sunday.

Calling all artistic types

2006-10-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

The DTS will have a booth at the Ministry Fair held in conjuction with Msgr. Enlow's State of the Parish Address following the 11:00 a.m. Mass at the high school on Sunday, November 5th.

As part of the booth we will need a display to give information about the DTS. Would anyone be willing to help put a display together if I give you some information to include?

Meeting with Knights of Columbus

2006-10-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, November 15th, I plan to meet with the Knights of Columbus in Effingham to beg them for additional financial support to help the Dead Theologians Society. Their meeting is at 7:30 p.m. and I can speak either at the beginning, the end or in the middle of the meeting.

Might I ask a couple of our members to join me for the meeting to talk about DTS? Any takers? I might even be willing to buy dinner.

Mural idea

2006-10-25T15:17:00.001-07:00

What if we painted something like this on part of the wall? Or do you have in mind something like individual saints? Advise me.

October 29th

2006-10-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we will watch the movie The Dead Poet's Society, starring Robin Williams. It is an excellent film and I think you'll enjoy. We will watch it in the rectory living room on the big screen.

We will have popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate and maybe even something else, too.
The movie is 128 minutes so we will not have our usual meeting, unless, of course, you really want to.

Creative juices

2006-10-18T19:19:00.000-07:00

Several people have suggested possible ideas for the painting of the DTS room. Options thus far offered are:

1. Paint the room a dark red

2. Paint the room with pinstripes

3. Paint the room checker board style with baby blue and royal blue

4. Paint a mural on the wall

Give the ideas some thought and let me know what you think.

DTS opts for weekly meetings

2006-10-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

The Dead Theologians Society voted to meet each Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua parish during their meeting last night.

The DTS is open to all high school aged youth in the Effingham area. Please come as often as you are able.

After attending three meetings in a row (or five meetings overall) you will be eligible for membership in the DTS. Membership provides you with a black hoodie with the logo of the Society embroidered on it, an olive wood rosary made for the Society in the Holy Land, along with a few other goodies.