Married, Priest, Religious...Single? There was a time (for a very long time) when the general trend was to finish school and decide within a couple of years if you felt called to marriage or the religious life, and follow that vocation sooner rather than later.  It is no news that we are no longer in those times (at least in the Western World).  Life decisions are most often delayed until the late 20's, early 30's or later still.  Advances in medicine leading to longer life spans, the sexual revolution and a growth in higher education are just some of the many reasons this trend has occurred. 

 

For some it is their desire to make a vocational choice later in life, but for a lot of young people it is a delay they are not overjoyed about. And it is not just 'religious' people who are worried.  Visit the magazine aisle at the supermarket and you will find article after article, telling you how to meet your man or woman.  Those who have a more supernatural outlook of vocation though, may not feel a club or bar is always the best place to meet a potential spouse who shares their faith and values.  All this leads to the obvious question...what about the single life?  How do we align that reality with the human yearning to give ourselves completely to another person?

 

Mary Beth Bonacci, a well known Catholic writer and speaker, addresses the question is her article, 'Is the Single Life a Vocation?'

 

 

Note: You will find a whole list of further article by Mary Beth on her website Real Love Incorporated.

 

At the end of last month we hosted our quarterly Archdiocesan Family and Life Network (AFLN) meeting. One aim of the AFLN is to enable members from all parishes to share their collective insights with respect to marriage and family issues and to hear about what is happening at a diocesan level.  Our central purpose is work collectively to promote life, marriage and family within the Church and the wider society.

 

We have about 30 parishes with members in the Network and we would love to increase this.  Have a look at our flyer and if you are interested in being involved in this important initiative you would be welcome. Our next meeting is in May.

 

 

I've never understood why John Paul II spent so much time talking about the feminine genius, and paid no real attention to the "masculine genius."

Don't get me wrong - I'm not about to argue with a bona fide, certain-to-be-canonized saint.  I'm sure he had his reasons.  But I for one would love to have heard his insights into masculinity and the male "nature."

I hope it goes without saying that I am a big fan of men.  I have been very blessed to have some particularly wonderful men in my life - my father and my brothers, as well as a multitude of really terrific friends and co-workers.   But even beyond that, I (like most women, I suppose) am intrigued by "guys."  I like their straightforwardness.  I like their strength.  I like that they're so very, very different from me.

Read the complete article here 

 

Vatican City, Feb 23, 2009 - On Saturday the Holy Father met with participants of a congress titled, "New frontiers of genetics and the dangers of eugenics."  In his address, the Pontiff cautioned against the threat of eugenics and encouraged his audience to love those often rejected by society.

 
Speaking to a congress sponsored by the Pontifical Academy for Life on the occasion of its 25th general assembly, Pope Benedict first praised the scientific progress made in the world of health, and then discussed "genetic reductionism," a term which refers to identifying "individuals exclusively in terms of genetic information and its interaction with the environment."

Through the collaboration among the various branches of science, said Pope Benedict, it is possible to avoid the risk of genetic reductionism.  He also stressed that man will always be greater than his genetic information and his interactions.  "He has, in fact, the power of thought which always tends towards the truth about himself and the world."
 

 

There was a 15th century theologian named Desiderius Erasmus who was quoted as once saying "When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes."  From the time of the printing press and before, the Catholic Church has been a great lover of books and of knowledge. After all, the Church proclaims the essential link between faith and reason.

 

Each morning I sit on the train coming into work, and am amused (and somewhat  saddened) to see the devotion that some people give to reading magazines such as 'Cleo', 'New Idea', 'Woman's Weekly', 'TV Week' etc etc etc.  I think some people are more aware of how Princess Mary is (allegedly) feeling than someone in their own family.  There is another saying that what we read today, walks and talks tommorrow.  Our minds need to be fed and what they are fed with enables us to make judgements and decisons about everything from how many sugars will go in our tea to the most delicate moral and ethical questions.

 

That is the reason we need to read good and helpful books.  If we wish to grow in our love and understanding of God, the Church and ourselves we need to read spiritual books. If our information about our faith comes only from the media, we are being starved.  After all we can't love what we do not know or understand.  Now I'm not talking about sitting down with a dusty old book on theological principles.  I think it may surprise some people to know but there are great catholic books of all sorts that continue to be written and published. Books on spirituality, love, the sacraments, virtue, sexuality, the saints and a thousand other topics. Books that are uplifting, serious, amusing and fascinating.  Plus magazines, CD's and DVDs on all different aspects of the faith.  There is a whole world in a Catholic Bookshop that many people don't even know exists. (Hint: Never buy 'religious' books from a secular bookshop, they are generally only into sensationalism).

 

Why this whole spiel on books?

 

Because books are terrific and I want to point you towards some great Catholic bookshops that exist right in our own Archdiocese.

 

One is The Mustard Seed Bookshop located in Lidcombe. They are extremely well stocked, with lots of interactive media as well and helpful staff. You can visit them in Lidcombe or browse and buy online. 
 

The other is a brand new book shop right in the heart of the city. Portico Books is an independant Catholic bookseller which has just branched out from Pennant Hills into their second store located in Sydney CBD.  They have a great selection on faith, family and parenting with a very accesible and friendly website.

 

You will also find books and catechetical resources in the Polding Centre in the city at Sydney Catholic and Resources, and also at Pauline Books and Media in Castlereagh Street.

 

Lent is a great time to start on a book on your faith, one that will really inspire.  Even if you only read a page a day, you will get through them.  And books, CDs and DVDs from stores like this are also excellent gifts that can really help people in their lives.

 

And if you don't know where to start at all...one priest has developed what he calls the Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan which will certainly keep you busy!

 

Happy Reading :)

 

Following from the article on the gift of masculinity (above), is this article, also on men, but specifically looking at them in the role of Father.  Often the role of the father is overlooked and under appreciated, yet despite all our advancements, the role of father remains a vital one in the development of children. 

 

Professor Helen Alvaré offers this story on the issue.

 

There are a host of different events coming up and here are a few that you should know about.  Like the books we spoke about in the article above, activities like these are more great interactive ways to grow in faith and love.

 

MEN ALIVE, a Catholic ministry to men, are holding holding a non residential weekend retreat for men of all ages on 21-22 March.  Their retreats are inspiring and challenging and a real experince of spirituality for men.  Check out the information here. (Don't worry that the registration deadline has passed, I checked and are still accepting).

 

A retreat for young women in coming up on 24-26 April.  The Retreat is entitled 'Mary, Model of Women'. Have a look here for information.

 

A seven week course for Women and Men 'On the Dignity and Vocation of Women: Discovering the Feminine Genius' is beginning on 19 March.  This course will be presented by Sr Mary Madeline OP and it looks great. Read all about it here.

 

A group of Australians are travelling to the USA in September to undertake a week-long course learning about the Theology of the Body with Christopher West.  This is an amazing week and it is open to anyone, any age and in any vocation. Their video with information is here.

 

The Day of the Unborn Child will be commemorated again this year with a Mass and procession led by Bishop Terry Brady.  This day with joy the annunciation when the Son of God came to our world beginning as a tiny unborn child. The flyer with details is here.

 

Catholic Youth Services (CYS) have three youth camps just around the corner:

17-19 April: Extreme - Youth Camp for Students years 9-12
20-22 April: 1Timothy - Youth Camp for Students years 6-8
24-26 April: Resurrected - A Retreat for Young Adults 18-35 years old 
For camp flyers and registration forms click here.

 

As we move through another lent we thought it would be a good time to make you aware of a free little book that is available online.  Published by the Catholic Truth Society the booklet is called A Rule of Life for Daily Christian Living and offers advice and inspiration at getting better at those 'basics' that make up our Christian life, prayer, devotions, spiritual reading etc. 

 

Of course, advancing in virtue and holiness is a lifetime exercise but if every lent we use the foundational tools we will find ourselves - with the grace of God - swiftly advancing along the path towards sainthood!

 

Wishing you a Blessed Lent.

 

Download A Rule of Life for Daily Christian Living here.

 

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The Holy See is offering online sacred music to help people worldwide to live this Lent with a spirit of prayer and reflection.

 
In a special Lenten section of the Vatican Web site, one can listen to liturgical hymns performed by the Musical Chorus of the Sistine Chapel, which for centuries has interpreted music for the Pope's liturgical celebrations. It is directed by Monsignor Giuseppe Liberto, and the oldest choir of its genre.

The site offers five Lenten hymns with lyrics and music and also offers passages interpreted by the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, a scientific and academic institution founded by the Holy See.

 

You can listen to the beautiful Lenten music here.