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Polycarp of Symrna
St. Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155 A.D.) was an apostolic Fathers who heard the Apostle John preach and became his disciple about 80 A.D. Along with St. Ignatius of Antioch and St. Clement of Rome, he was one of the key links between the Apostolic and Patristic eras. As one scholar put it, "His career spanned that critical era of the Church's development which witnessed, after the passing of its apostolic founders and missionaries, the menacing growth of persecution by the Roman State and the emergence of the Docetic and Gnostic heresies."
He became Bishop of Smyrna about 96 A.D, ordained by the Apostle John according to Tertullian. He may have been him whom St. John addressed in Revelation 2: 11, as the "angel of the church in Smyrna," to whom the Master says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." He was a strong opponent of the Marcionite (Gnostic philosopher who reduced Bible largely to the Gospels and Paul) and Valentinian (an influential Gnostic) heresies.
Irenaeus says he had direct intercourse with John and loved to recall the words of the Apostles. He also records that he had a meeting with Pope Anicetus concerning the date to celebrate Easter, which ended amicably (though it was not solved). Finally he records that he converted many heretics. St. Ignatius of Antioch thought highly enough of him to single him out for one of his seven letters on the way to his martyr's death.
We have only one of his letters which centers on the theme of righteousness. Like St. Ignatius of Antioch he displays his concern for unity. He began, "Polycarp and the presbyters who are with him," thus showing the unity of the bishop and his presbyters. He later urged the Philippians to "be subject to the presbyters and deacons as to God and to Christ" (5:3), which was a major theme of Ignatius.
Polycarp was martyred in Rome about 154-155 A.D.. The proconsul ordered the 86 year bishop burned, but according to eyewitnesses, as recorded in the Martyrdom of Polycarp:
"At length, when those wicked men perceived that his body could not be consumed by the fire, they commanded an executioner to go near and pierce him through with a dagger. And on his doing this, there came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished; and all the people wondered that there should be such a difference between the unbelievers and the elect, of whom this most admirable Polycarp was one, having in our own times been an apostolic and prophetic teacher, and bishop of the Catholic Church which is in Smyrna. For every word that went out of his mouth either has been or shall yet be accomplished."
His feast day is celebrated on February 23rd.
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Angels and Demons
The Apostles' Creed professes that God is "creator of heaven and earth" and in the Nicene Creed makes this more explicit. God is the "maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible."
St. Augustine notes that the creation of "the things of Heaven' includes the creation of the angels who are the 'partakers of the eternal Light which is the immutable Wisdom of God' (City of God, XI, 9). He writes that 'angel 'is the name of their function or office and not of their nature. "In respect of what they are, such creatures are spirits; in respect of what they do, they are angels" (En. in Ps 103, 1, 15).
The word angel means "messenger." As St. Stephen replies to his accusers, "You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it" (Acts 7:53). St. Paul writes that the law "was promulgated by
angels at the hand of a mediator" (Galatians 3:19). These ministering spirits "always look upon the face" of our Heavenly Father (18:10) and are described as "mighty in strength" "attentive" and "obedient" to God's every command, "ministers who do God's will." (Psalm 103:20).
Come learn more about this 'invisible' realm, which includes God's ministering spirits, at the upcoming BHI on the Rocks talk, Angels and Demons, by Scott McKellar, at the Grandfallon on the Country Club Plaza, 608 Ward Parkway, KCMO.
Phone 816-714-2328 for more Information.
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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
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Quick Links Catholic On the Web
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That Man is You Workshop
February 15, 2012
Eight parishes currently are using the Paradisus Dei program, "That Man is You" and all are enthusiastic about the three year program that is designed to strengthen the spiritual leadership of men. It combines the teaching of the Church with the wisdom of the Saints and the best of modern science to tackle the challenge of spiritual formation in today's secular culture. It has created a great enthusiasm in the men who rise very early in the morning to attend the multimedia video and discussion, which follows a hot breakfast at each parish.
At the recent Men of Valor conference representatives from the eight parishes got together to host a breakout session at which each parish gave testimonials and some of the series promotional videos were shown. The result was that nine parishes from our diocese and the Kansas City in Kansas Archdiocese have indicated their interest in attending a workshop at the Catholic Center at 7:00 PM on February 15th, that is designed to provide a step by step training process to those parishes desiring to implement "That Man is You."
Please join the Family Life Office in this endeavor and bring "That Man is You" to your parish. Phone Deacon Ken Greene at 816-756-1850 exension 551.
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BHI Course on the Crusades
About fifty Bishop Helmsing Institute students completed a popular four week course on the Crusades this past week. Students learned about the perceived need for the crusades, Pope Urban II's call for warriors to free the oppressed Holy Land, and a myriad of details about the men, motives, accomplishments, and failures of this important medieval religious and cultural movement.
The course instructor, Dr. Tim Brennan, who studied the history of crusading ideology in graduate school, made a special effort to dispel the modern myths surrounding the crusades and the motivations of crusaders. For example, many people assume that all crusaders were motivated by greed, and undoubtedly some were, but there is ample evidence that most were, in fact, inspired by religious devotion to take up the cross and dedicate themselves to such a dangerous task of liberating the Holy Land.
In course evaluations the students expressed their enjoyment of the course. One student wrote, "I absolutely loved the class!" After Dr. Brennan suggested offering a similar course on the history of the Inquisition in early 2013, a student wrote, "I cannot wait for the inquisition course! Thank you." Responding to popular demand, ("Please have this class again."), the BHI will offer the Crusades course again later this Spring at a parish in the metro area.
For more information online go to http://www.mybhi.org or phone 816-756-1850 ext. 243.
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Adult Faith Formation (AFF) TeamTraining
Coronation of our Lady parish in Grandview, Missouri just finished their AFF team training. They had 20 parishioners volunteer for their team, which will now be divided into a core team and several sub-committees. The sub-committees include areas like intercessory prayer, marketing and hospitality.
Team members expressed their thanks for the training and shared a sense of excitement that they are about to embark on an exciting journey of service to their parish. After the pastor names a team leader, they will begin to meet on their own and plan their next steps, which include becoming known to the parish, assessing parish needs and planning for the future. They now have a library of programs from which to choose, including the Great Adventure Bible Timeline, the new Catholicism DVD series and Epic, a twenty part DVD series that takes you on a journey through Church history.
To schedule your parish please contact sasso@diocesekcsj.org or phone (816) 714-2308.
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Adult Faith Formation Workshop
News and Information
The workshop, which was hosted by St. Therese parish on January 26th, featured presentations by adult faith formation team members from Holy Spirit in Lee's Summit, St. James in St. Joseph and the Cathedral in St. Joseph. The participants learned more about parish initiatives ranging from the Catholicism DVD series Fr. Robert LeBarron to an Advent evening in story and song.
There was also considerable discussion about the Matthew Kelly book, Rediscovering Catholicism which many parishes have ordered in large numbers and are using in various innovative ways as a parish study. One of the parishes announced that Matthew Kelly will be coming to Kansas City in November 2012.
St. James discussed how they had improved their RCIA program by using some of the resources they have learned through their AFF training and by developing their sense of mystagogy. This included taking the cateuchmen and candidates on field trips to learn more about the Church by witnessing the beauty and variety of her liturgy and by seeing Catholic social teaching in practice.
The quarterly workshops generally have representatives from ten to twelve parishes, which makes for lively discussion and fruitful sharing. The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, which sponsors the workshops, is planning another in April of 2012. If your parish or team would like to host, please contact us at sasso@diocesekcsj.org or dowdy@diocesekcsj.org. Or phone us at 816-714-2308.
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From Word on Fire
Catholicism: DVD Series
The ten part DVD series by Fr. Robert Barron, a Chicago seminary professor, is sweeping the country and being shown everywhere. It makes a good parish study if you order the Study Guide and Workbook, which contains questions taken from Scripture and from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you are looking for a new, beautiful presentation of our faith, this is it. The music and photography complement the presentations in a series receiving endorsements from many within the Church.
For more information, phone 816-714-2308 or explore the Word on Fire website by clicking here. The series can be purchased at a discount from the BHI Bookstore or borrowed from the BHI library.
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Men Under Construction
This year's 16th annual Men Under Construction Catholic Men's Conference is scheduled for Saturday, February 25th at the Church of the Annunciation in Overland Park, Ks. The event will feature two well-known Catholic speakers, Fr. Larry Richards and author and apologist, Steven Ray. Both are frequently heard on Catholic radio and television and are inspiring speakers.
The all day event begins at 7:00 AM and ends at 3 PM with time set aside for Mass and Confessions. Archbishop Naumann will also address the men in the afternoon.
Cost of the event, which traditionally draws men from both dioceses, is $15.00 for High school youth, $20.00 for college students and $30.00 for adults. For more information go to http://www.ksmuc.org.
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Catholic Faith and Reason Association Presents
a Talk by Fr. Gregory Lockwood
Fr. Lockwood, who serves as the pastor of Christ the King Parish and as Associate Vocations Director for the Diocese speaks on a topic most Catholics have little knowledge but much interest in. The history of celibate clergy goes back much further than most realized and Fr. Lockwood has a passion and knowledge for this subject that rivals almost anyone.
As one scholar observed, "From the earliest period the Church was personified and conceived of by her disciples as the Virgin Bride and as the pure Body of Christ, or again as the Virgin Mother (parthenos meter), and it was plainly fitting that this virgin Church should be served by a virgin priesthood. Among Jews and pagans the priesthood was hereditary. Its functions and powers were transmitted by natural generation. But in the Church of Christ, as an antithesis to this, the priestly character was imparted by the Holy Ghost in the Divinely-instituted Sacrament of Orders. Virginity is consequently the special prerogative of the Christian priesthood."
Fr. Lockwood will be speaking in the Cardinal Baum room of the Catholic Center on Saturday, February 18th at 10:45 A.M. Discussion and refreshments will follow. For more information phone 816-714-2308.
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Theology of the Body: A New BHI Elective Course
Pope John Paul II's "theology of the body" presents an integrated vision of the human person, which is the antidote to the misunderstood and misused sexuality of Western culture. It is based upon Holy Scripture and is being adopted by Catholics and other Christians alike as a new vision for our society from a divine and human perspective, from a Biblical point of view. It teaches us about giving and receiving a gift, self-donative love or the gift of self on behalf of another person that shows so brilliantly in the love of Jesus Christ. As the Pope John Paul II explained the physical human body has a specific meaning that assists in answering fundamental questions about ourselves and our lives. What is the meaning of our body? What is the spiritual significance of our sexuality? What does it mean that we are made for love?
Meet the Instructor: Michelle Strauss holds an MA in Theology from the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Washington D.C. Recently married, she has taught courses on this subject at the St. Lawrence Center at the University of Kansas.
In this course she will survey the catechesis of John Paul II on the dignity of the human person from a biblical perspective. This course will include an overview of the teachings of John Paul II in this area and their implications for marriage, family, and the dignity of the human person.
For more information, phone 816-756-1850 ext. 243.
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