Our Lady of Refuge RCIA

01/30/2025

As of January 30, 2025, this page is closed. There will be no more posts.

11/14/2024

Here's another interesting article that was posted on today's Angelus News. I have to admit, having grown up in the 1970's, I thought our society was finally moving toward an equitable understanding when it comes to the rights and freedoms of women and how men should behave. Yet somehow in the 21st century I see the growing phenomenon of toxic masculinity alive and well in our modern society. My mother was extremely independent and progressive in her thinking, and taught her 4 sons well how to respect the dignity of girls and women. And as a father of daughters, I taught them all to take care of themselves, no different than I would have taught a son. Yet somehow this "boys will be boys" attitude is acceptable? Take a moment to read what columnist Greg Erlandson has to say.

“Why do men become beasts?” The question was asked by South African Archbishop Buti Joseph Tlhagale. In a speech last August, he was warning men that they will be held […]

11/14/2024

Here's a very thought provoking article from today's Angeles News. I'm not usually one for backtracking when it comes to having the church move forward, but when you read why Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia thinks this is a good idea, I have to admit, it requires serious consideration. Sometimes a new and sustainable approach needs to have us look bak on some traditions for positive solutions.

“A return to Friday abstinence would be good for the soul and for the planet, uniting our devotion to the Lord and reverence for the Lord’s creation.”

10/22/2024

A very thought provoking piece from today's Angelus News. John L. Allen Jr. of Crux Now discusses the changing demographic of our church and the imbalance of influence between the "west" and the rest of the world. I think we in the US need to stop looking inward so much and expand our understanding of the greatrer church.

The Synod of Bishops on Synodality may be notable for the focus in Church priorities from Western to global.

07/09/2024

Before I took up adult initiation ministry, I was involved with youth ministry and young adult ministry, so whenever I see a new book or "program" targeted towards youth, I get interested. Today I got an email from Ignatius Press about a catechism targeted for high school students called "Youcat". I have to say, whoever thought up this name needs to rethink it, becuase in my experience catchy names created by adults that try to tap into the zeitguist of youth culture tend to tragically miss the mark. That said, the discrption caught my attention. Among other things, it claims to explain, "What Catholics believe and why (doctrine)."

There are two things that our young people want from the church. The first is action. These young people have heard enough lectures, they want to go out there and do stuff - to make a difference. To see how action speaks louder than the words they've been hearing for far too long. A very close second to that is the "why." But not a childish "why" they've always heard ("because the church says so") but an actual thoughtful introspection into how the church came to these teachings.

The "why" is the part the church gets wrong so often - turning to doctrinal statements rather than reasoned arguement. For this alone I will be getting this book so I can do a more thorough review. I'm hoping it's more than it seems - a chance to speak with our youth instead of speaking at them.

07/02/2024

It's a rare day when I agree with Angelus News columnist Robert Brennan, but I have to praise his most recent column about George Washington being an ecumenical prophet. George Washington, by most accounts, was a religious man, but was quite keen on making sure his religiousity was not part of our new government. He saw the turmoil caused in Britain with a state religion and like all the founding fathers, saw strength in our diversity and freedom. We should never forget what chaos can ensue when religion starts dictating national policy and law - a lesson exceptionally prescient today.

Washington was a man of firsts: He was the nation’s first president, the first general of a new army, and one of the first promoters of religious liberty.

07/02/2024

A very interesting article from John L. Allen Jr. of Crux Now in today's Angelus News - how we might learn to better distribute our resources (especially our clergy) as a church. While Mr. Allen acknowledges that church is not a business, we as church have much to learn from business as we go about our managing our limited resources. I think perhaps we the church - that is, us in the pews - have not taken sufficient responsibility for maintaining our church, financially or through local vocations. We have to stop waiting for someone else to do it - whether a parish thrives or dies is up to us!

Redistributing clergy from the global south to the north is not without controversy.