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July 16th, 2013 - Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Issue: 28

     
In This Issue
Lumen Fidei
Sacramental Life
Summer Reading!
Catholic Apostolate Center Newsletter

Greetings!

 

In God's gift of faith, a supernatural infused virtue, we realize that a great love has been offered us, a good word has been spoken to us, and that when we welcome that word, Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, the Holy Spirit transforms us, lights up our way to the future and enables us joyfully to advance along that way on wings of hope. Thus wonderfully interwoven, faith, hope and charity are the driving force of the Christian life as it advances towards full communion with God. But what is it like, this road which faith opens up before us? What is the origin of this powerful light which brightens the journey of a successful and fruitful life? (Lumen Fidei, 7)  

 

It is with these words that Pope Francis begins his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith) and draws us in by asking us to consider how faith is illuminating each of our individual lives. Perhaps that's something each of us can ponder in the coming weeks. In what ways does faith illuminate our journey in the Christian life? Do we always allow that light to shine or do we sometimes ignore where it may be leading us?

 

If you're looking for a way to grow in this light of faith, take a moment to read the section below on participating in the life of the Sacraments. As Pope Francis also mentions in his encyclical, "The awakening of faith is linked to the dawning of a new sacramental sense in our lives as human beings and as Christians" (40). The Sacraments are a central aspect to our lives as Catholics and engaging ourselves fully in the way of life they offer can lead us closer to that light of faith. 

 

In God, the Infinite Love,

 

The Catholic Apostolate Center Team



On Friday, July 5th the Vatican announced the release of the first encyclical of the pontificate of Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith). The Holy Father has been quick to credit the work of his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in preparing this document calling it the work of "four hands". 


In recognition of this Year of Faith, in each successive newsletter we'll be sharing with you a few additional suggestions and ways in which you can "Live Well the Year of Faith"! For archived editions of this newsletter click here. We welcome your questions, comments and additional suggestions of ways that you have found helpful too! 
 
6. Participate in the Sacramental 
Life of the Church
 
While this is a component of living faith that may seem obvious from the outset, it's still worth revisiting not only the frequency with which we may approach the Sacraments but the quality time and appreciation we devote to them. Through the Sacraments, in a "visible and invisible" way, "God shares his holiness (grace) with us so that we, in turn, can make the world holier." The Sacraments help also to bring us closer together as a community of believers, as Church. Some Sacraments, as we know, are received once (Baptism, Confirmation, Matrimony, and Holy Orders), but they affect those who receive them throughout their lives.  We can and should receive the others such as Eucharist and Penance as regularly as possible since these aid us on our faith pilgrimage.  In the context of the Mass, we receive the Eucharist and this is so key to our lives as Catholics that the Catechism calls it the very "source and summit of the Christian life" (Catechism of the Catholic Church). 

 

From time to time it can be easy to approach these Sacraments as if we are just simply "going through the motions" without really engaging ourselves and paying attention. Even Pope Francis warned against treating Reconciliation as if we were simply visiting the dry cleaners, saying, "Jesus in the confessional is not a dry cleaner: it is an encounter with Jesus" (Homily on April 29, 2013). 

 

Here are some practical tips we suggest to help ourselves become more engaged in the sacramental life:
Summer Reading Corner
With summer in full swing we recently asked our staff to share with us some of their favorite spiritual reading. Perfect for the poolside, beach, or wherever - hopefully one or more of these selections might inspire you!
 
The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
Recommended by Project Management and IT Coordinator Nick Wagman

A classic work by C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters is a masterpiece of religious satire that entertains readers with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life and foibles from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to "Our Father Below." 

New Seeds of Contemplation 
by Thomas Merton
Recommended by Blog Editor Pam Tremblay

"When looking for a book to reawaken my spiritual life, I am continually drawn to Thomas Merton's New Seeds of Contemplation. Similar to the mystic writings of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, the writings of Merton invites you to contemplate the mystical dimensions of your life and aid you in discovering your true self."
 
My Life with the Saints 
by Fr. James Martin, S.J.
Recommended by Communications Coordinator David Burkey

Jesuit priest Fr. James Martin, a well known author, speaker and frequent contributor to national news programs, recounts the saints that have inspired him in his vocation, in this part autobiographical and part biographical memoir. From St. Peter to Dorothy Day, he discusses how these holy men and women can inspire us too!


Do you have any suggested spiritual reading material you would like to share? Send us an e-mail at [email protected] and tell us!
 Wisdom from the Saints   

"Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved."

 
-St. Robert Bellarmine 

 

 

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Catholic Apostolate Center
A Ministry of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines)