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Monthly Archives: February 2018
Aparecida 343: University Campus Ministry
The Aparecida bishops make a case for a comprehensive campus ministry: 343. There must be a university ministry accompanying the life and journey of all members of the university community, promoting personal and committed encounter with Jesus Christ and multiple … Continue reading
The Holy Almighty Gun
From Exodus 32:2-4: Aaron said to them, ‘Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.’ So all the people took off the gold rings from … Continue reading
Aparecida 341-342: Catholic Higher Education
With this post we move from schools for children and teens to Universities and advanced institutes of Catholic education. Universities have a few more connecting threads to the larger culture than schools for children, which usually only reach into the … Continue reading
Ash Wednesday
Roman Missal #2 offered a hymn as an alternative to the usual texts for the distribution of ashes. This rubric accompanied: The following song is an alternative, metrically rhymed version of the Ash Wednesday antiphons and responsory. It is provided … Continue reading
Posted in Lent, Liturgy
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Aparecida 340: The Role of the State In Education
State guarantee, a plus: 340. Because of its significance and scope, this non-transferable right, which entails an obligation and expresses the freedom of the family in the realm of education, must be firmly guaranteed by the state. State funding, a … Continue reading
Aparecida 339: Freedom of Education
Which preposition fits better: of or for? 339. Freedom of education is an unrelinquishable principle for the Church. Broad exercise of the right to education in turn requires, as a condition for its authentic realization, the full freedom that ought … Continue reading
Germs
My boss asked me to craft an announcement for the beginning of Mass. It tags to the welcome of newcomers and visitors and the stand-and-greet we encourage before the first song. It goes something like this: We are aware of … Continue reading
Aparecida 338: Comprehensive Discipleship
Some details on schools: 338. Our proposal is that in Catholic institutions education in faith be comprehensive and across the curriculum, taking into account the formation process for encountering Christ and for living as his disciples and missionaries and introducing … Continue reading
On My Bookshelf: The Planet Factory
When I was a boy, I read of Peter van de Kamp‘s insistence on having discovered two planets in orbit around Barnard’s Star, a small red orb in our galactic neighborhood. The promise was that being so “close” to us–a … Continue reading
Posted in Astronomy, On My Bookshelf
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VNO 32: For Refugees and Exiles
Possibly never before have so many people been on the move, driven out of home, work, and their own culture. Political and economic instability, climate change, organized crime, or the simple aspiration to better education, jobs, or other opportunities for … Continue reading
Posted in Liturgy
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Aparecida 337: Schools And Missionary Impulse
Would parents get nervous the point is not to get their kids into college, but to make them missionaries in the world? And that parental participation in that mission is also key? 337. Catholic schools are called to deep renewal. … Continue reading
Aparecida 336: Encounter With The Living Christ
It could be a mission statement, and why would one want to spend time thinking of something else: 336. Therefore, the goal that the Catholic school sets for itself is to lead children and youth to the encounter with the … Continue reading
VNO 31: In Time of War or Civil Disturbance
This Mass is considered to be closely related to VNO #30. The Lectionary gives this rubric: Readings from the Mass for Peace and Justice may also be used, nos. 887-891 That said, I would interpret the need for celebration for … Continue reading
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Aparecida 335: Christ, Foundation of Catholic Schools
If only this were true: 335. Thus we are in a position to affirm that in the educational project of the Catholic school, Christ, Perfect Man, is the foundation in whom all human values encounter their full realization, and accordingly … Continue reading
Job In Anguish
I read the book of Job when I was in 8th grade. I have few memories of it. Perhaps my assessment as an adolescent was one chapter of ills, one of patience, and forty at a pity-party. These days, I … Continue reading
Posted in Scripture
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Catholic Sensibility 