In this recent video Father Robert Barron reflects on a survey that polled Catholics who left the Church, asking them why they departed.
Happiness School
March 31, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
As we “enter Jerusalem” tomorrow, Palm Sunday, we may want to assess the degree to which our life’s journey is truly a spiritual pilgrimage, a pilgrimage that includes contemplation designed to lift us out of our false selves, contemplation designed to help us transcend our worldly nature.
Evil and Human History
March 28, 2012 by | 1 Comment
Without the Gospel promise that he delivered, fresh and relevant and alive in the present, we would not have the courage or reason to engage in reconciliation work.
The Spiritual Conversation
March 21, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
However, most of us have given little serious thought to our spiritual journey. It is possible we have never engaged in a spiritual conversation; we may have never had the opportunity to share our deepest concerns with others.
Saint Peter Stumbles
March 17, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
Faced with conflict, like Peter, we may become drowsy and inattentive until our enemy arrives and provokes us into violent action. Peter, lacking the perspective of the Resurrection, became drowsy when Christ summoned him to vigilance with the words, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch.” [Mk 14:33-34]
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 8
March 14, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
Thus, we see the heart–centered approach of Francis has evolved into an approach to the New Evangelization. A Franciscan recognizes the image of God in the other — and thus gives the gift of Divine Face. This Face of a Franciscan that sees God in the other person becomes the cornerstone of the New Evangelization.
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 7
March 14, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
We must build the peace with the same passion we expended in the fight. Fighting may be easier than making peace, winning easier than transforming the world. But making peace and transforming the world are our goals.
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 6
March 13, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
Though we aspire to bring peace to a troubled world, we first must achieve solidarity within the Church through robust conflict resolution programs consistent with Vatican II.
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 5
March 12, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
Within the culture of the Church, typically we handle conflict in three ways: we exercise power; we seek adjudication based on our rights; or we negotiate with our brother and seek to satisfy both our interests. We turn to power, rights, or interests.
Holy Thursday Contemplation
Unbeknownst to many, especially the laity, there has been a constant search for new processes that protect and honor the rights of the faithful while preserving sacred Tradition.