|
PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN BY ST. EPHREM, (Known as "Lyre of the Holy Spirit" who died in A.D. 373)
O Immaculate and wholly-pure Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of the world, hope of those who are in despair; thou art the joy of the Saints; thou art the peacemaker between sinners and God; thou art the advocate of the abandoned, the secure haven of those who are on the sea of the world; thou art the consolation of the world, the ransom of slaves, the comfortress of the afflicted, the salvation of the universe. O great Queen, we take refuge in thy protection: 'We have no confidence but in thee, O most faithful Virgin.' After God thou art all our hope. We bear the name of thy servants; allow not the enemy to drag us to Hell. I salute thee, O great Mediatress of peace between men and God, Mother of Jesus our Lord, who is the love of all men and of God, to whom be honor and benediction with the Father and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
|
Spiritual Sense of Scripture
"The spiritual sense may be defined as the meaning derived from the biblical text when 'read under the influence of the Holy Spirit,' in the context of the Paschal Mystery of Christ and of the new life which flows from it" according to the Pontifical Biblical Commission document, "Interpreting the Bible in the Church" (1994). It is the passion, death and resurrection of Christ which provides a fresh context in which the ancient biblical texts can be seen as fulfillment and consummation in Christ. As Pius XII observed:
For God alone could have known this spiritual meaning and have revealed it to us. Now our Divine Savior points out to us and teaches us this same sense in the Holy Gospel; the Apostles also, following the example of the Master, profess it in their spoken and written words; the unchanging tradition of the Church approves it; and finally the most ancient usage of the liturgy proclaims it . . .
One example given by the Pontifical Biblical Commission (PBC) was the covenant oath which established David's throne forever, which the New Testament revealed is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The PBC speaks of the new context as "life in the Spirit."
Old Testament texts that relate directly to the pashcal mystery of Christ may have a spiritual sense as their literal sense. This is frequently the case in the New Testament. Hence there isn't always a distinction between the two senses.
On the other hand, John 19: 33-36 records that the two soldiers did not break the legs of our Lord on the Cross because he was already dead and says that this was so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled, referring to Exodus 12: 46. However, this latter passage refers to the Passover of the lamb that God required the Israelites to celebrate annually. It is only when we reflect on the Exodus passage in light of the paschal mystery that we see the spiritual sense emerge according to Fr. Bernard Orchard.
What is important here is that the principle of coming to know and see the spiritual sense of Scripture, which was rejected by the "reformers" during the Reformation, was annunciated by Vatican II as a "revival of the great patristic tradition" (Dei Verbum 12c). Perhaps we should remember the injunction of St. Jerome, "Whoever interprets the gospel in a spirit and mentality other than those in which it was written disturbs believers and perverts the gospel of Christ . . ." (quoted by Pope Leo XII in Providentissimus Deus 5).
|
|
Young Adults Join the City on a Hill ministry in Kansas City today.
Contact Allison Keegan for more information at keegan@diocesekcsj.org
The Catholic Career Roundtable
offers those looking for employment a chance to network with employers. For more information, phone
(816) 582-1809
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis,
20 W. 9th St.
Kansas City, Mo. 64105
Phone: (816) 714-2308
|
Quick Links Catholic On the Web
|
|
|
A Year of Faith:
Deacon Keith Fournier writing for Catholic Online recently observed:
Many Catholics do not know what the Catholic Church actually teaches. Others practice a 'cafeteria Catholicism'--choosing what parts of the faith they will follow. Some profess the Creed but confine its influence only to participation in the Liturgy on Sunday. This has led to what the fathers of the Second Vatican Council warned of--"the greatest error of our age, the separation between faith and life.'
Next year has been declared a Year of Faith by Pope Benedict XVI in his apostolic letter Porta Fidei (The Door of Faith). It is designed to encourage Catholics to appreciate the greatness of the gift of faith, make the effort to deepen their relationship with God and strengthen their committment to sharing the faith with others.
The Holy Father said in his homily on October 17th, "It will be a moment of grace and committement to an ever fuller conversion to God, to reinforce our faith in him with joy to the people of the world." He urged the use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a handbook for helping Catholics rediscover the truths of the faith and deepen their understanding, and hence their love, of the Christ. This, he noted, must include more acts of charity and service since faith helps us recognize him in those who are suffering or poor.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will be drawing up a Note, providing the Church and individual believers with some guidelines on how to best live this Year of Faith at the service of belief and evangelization. As Cardinal Peter Erdo, president of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences said, "through her doctrrine, art and liturgy, the Church offers the world a look at the mystery of God capable of opening the human heart and reason."
This serves to reinforce the Holy Father's efforts to host a synod of bishops on the New Evangelization in October, 2012. The theme for this synod is "The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Catholic Faith."
It is well known that not only is Europe suffering from a demographic crisis (i.e., they not having enough children to maintain their declining populations) and an economic crisis, but also from a crisis of faith. But the New Evangelization, orginally announced by Pope John Paul II, is not limited to the crisis of faith in Europe or even the West. It has a "global perspective" accord to Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.
The Year of Faith was launched also with an eye to the observance of the fiftieh anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and thus provides an opportunity for better understanding the documents of that great Council, which our last two popes have been dedicated to implementing. In view of this observance, the diocese will be sponsoring a Vatican II Commemorative Conference of its own. Look for more information on this in upcoming newsletters.
|
|
That Man is You Minstry for Men
That Man is You is a dynamic program for men's ministry offered through the Family Life Office. This is a DVD program currently being used in eight parishes, but growing by word of mouth and spreading to additional parishes each year. It is a critical tool in helping men form into better Catholic leaders and family men. Scholarships to assist parishes in funding the 26-week program have been offered to parishes since 2008 through the family life office. Parishes currently using the program include:
St. Thomas More
St. Gabriel the Archangel
St. John LaLande
Holy Family
St. Columban in Chillicothe
St. Francis Xavier in St. Joseph
St. James in St. Joseph.
St. Therese North
Click here to see their web site. In a way our own parishes acknowledge, it states, "That Man is You! is transforming men, families and society as it presents the vision of man fully alive! Combining the teachings of the Church and wisdom of the saints with the best research from modern science in an interactive, multimedia format, That Man is You! puts this vision within the grasp of every man."
To find out more information phone Deacon Ken Greene, 816-756-1850 ext .551 or email greene@diocesekcsj.org.
|
Book Signing by Fr. Carl G. Schulte, C.M. and Presentation by Erin von Uffel
Fr. Carl G. Schulte, C.M. is a Vincentian priest who resides at the Franciscan Prayer Center in Independence. He is the author of a new book from Tan publishing entitled, The Life of Sr. Marie De Mandat-Grancey & Mary's House in Ephesus. In reviewing the book Christoph Cardinal Shoenborn observed:
Mary's House in Ephesus is one of the most extraordinary places in the world which is loved by Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims. We owe this venerable place to [Servant of God] Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey, D.C., who uncovered this hidden treasure for all of us. Today it is a special place of Christian-Muslim dialogue so urgently needed.
There will be a special book sale and signing for Fr. Schulte's new book at the Catholic Center on January 5, 2012 from 12:00-2:00 P.M. Fr. Schulte, who is 92 years of age, will be speaking about his book and signing books.
In the evening from 7:00-9:00 P.M. there will be a talk by Erin Von Uffel, who is largely responsible for the cause of Sr. Marie being brought to the attention of the Church. She is a New Yorker who travelled the world to gather materials on the life of Sr. Marie. In the process she witnessed many extraordinary events and people and she will share this with us all that evening. She will be speaking about Sr. Marie and Mary's House at Ephesus, which she shared with the beloved disciple, St. John. Fr. Schulte's book will be available!
Both events will be held in the Cardinal Baum room of the Catholic Center on January 5th. Refreshments will be served. Please join us! There is no charge.
For more information phone 816-714-2308 or email dowdy@diocesekcsj.org
|
|
|
Adult Faith Formation (AFF) Team Formation and Training
Since the diocese developed its pastoral plan for training adult faith formation teams, sixteen parishes have formed and trained new adult faith formation teams. Each parish received a package of dvd's, videos, audios and books valued at $2400.00.
These include such recognized and successful programs as the Great Adventure Bible programs, the new series of Fr. Robert Barron entitled "Catholicism," which was previewed at World Youth Day in Madrid, the Association of Cateuchemal Ministry's Leader's Manual, Catechist's Manual and Participants Handbook, Joy-filled Marriage, and many others.
Three more parishes are beginning the process this month or in January 2012. Schedule a "Come and See" event for your parish and begin the process of letting us recruit and train an AFF team for the parish.
To schedule your parish please contact sasso@diocesekcsj.org or phone (816) 714-2308.
|
Men of Valor, Women of Virtue and Youth For Truth Conferences
Catholics and Protestants come together to learn how to live Christian lives amidst an X-rated culture at the above conferences. Christian are values shared and learned. Come and become part of the solution to a problem plaguing our society.
The 2012 Men of Valor Conference, Friday and Saturday, January 27-28th, will feature Dr. Janet Smith, Jason Evert and Dr. Doug Weiss and the Women of Virtue Conference (January 27th, February 3-4, 2012) with Patty Schneier, Leslie Vernick and Dr. Todd Frye with a host of other great speakers.
This year we will also featured a Youth for Truth Conference (January 27-28th) with speaker Jason Evert, Molly Sanborn and Dr. Janet Smith with the theme, "Real Love: I'm Worth it" for Junior High and High School youth. Some 2000 youth turned out last year for a very successful conference.
These conferences are one of the best means of preserving purity in the home and combating the challenges to chaste and holy living in our society and culture
There were over 20 speakers at a variety of breakout sessions including a number of our priests. The conference is to teach how to protect the vulnerable, restore the broken and engage the culture. Audio CD's are available by phoning JMJ Communciations at (913) 339-6465.
For more information, phone the Family Life Office at 816-756-1850 ext 551 or email sasso@diocesekcsj.org. |
|
Hispanic Ministry
The diocese is looking for a new directory of Hispanic ministry because our current director, Joann Roa has obtained a position with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. We are very grateful to Joann for her many efforts to improve Hispanic ministry in the diocese from teaching Bishop Helmsing classes to sacramental preparation, catechist training, adult faith formation and working with Catholic radio and the Charismatic prayer group. Joann will be missed!
For more information on the job posting online go to http://www.catholicjobs.com. |
|
|
|
|
