2-26-08
I was privileged to accompany 2 bus loads of men to the Men of Christ Conference in Milwaukee this past Saturday—the Conference itself attracted over 3,000!
The Men of Christ Conference, held for the 2nd year in a row, is organized by a group of Catholic laymen, including an ex-Marine who happened to be the emcee. Needless to say, we stayed on schedule!
A couple of notes and observations.
-Fr. Larry Richards, who spoke both last year and this year, was again the favorite presenter. Interestingly enough, he was also the most pointed and blunt. No one will ever accuse Fr. Larry of being "soft"! And yet, the men responded heartily to his challenges.
-While the speakers were again excellent, there is a great strength that comes from simply being with that many Men who share your convictions. It's encouraging, inspiring, and invigorating.
-Like last year, the loudest applause was received whenever the men were encouraged to stand up for the Gospel of Life—specifically abortion and the politicians who support it.
-Last year 2,200 men attended the conference and 1,800 of them went to confession. This year, I anticipate a similar number also went. The 50+ priests were kept busy!
-Overall, we were challenged to be authentic Men, Men of Christ, unafraid to be leaders and to stand up for what is True.
One other note, next year they are going to have a "Women of Christ" Conference in addition to the 3rd Men of Christ" Conference. The women's conference will take place at the end of February.
I recently heard of a Catholic college on the East Coast—the head of the Theology department (keep it mind that theology is the study of God)---is an atheist. Someone explain to me how that makes sense?
In a similar vein is this via First Things:
"A prominent professor at an Ivy League school recently wrote on the op-ed page of the New York Times that he tells his students that, 'if they are not more confused and uncertain at the end of my courses than they were at the beginning, I have been a failure.' Imagine that: a well-credentialed and tenured grown-up whose purpose in life is to increase confusion and uncertainty in the minds of undergraduates." -Richard John Neuhaus " A University of a Particular Kind" –First Things, April 2007
My wife and I have had informal discussions on where our kids might go to college—granted we have a few years before that's an issue—I can say with certainty that they will not be going to institutions like the above.
This is an inspiring story—another saint on the way to being declared!
Miracle Approved for "Lolo"
Cause for Beatification of Spanish Journalist Continues
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 20, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A writer who was blind and long confined to a wheelchair, extolled as a model for journalists, has had a cure considered miraculous attributed to his intercession.
Manuel Lozano Garrido, better known as "Lolo," was declared venerable last December when Benedict XVI approved a decree recognizing his heroic virtue.
Last Friday, a commission of theologians appointed by the Congregation for Saints' Causes to study a scientifically inexplicable cure attributed to the journalist voted unanimously for its approval. A meeting of cardinals and bishops will be called in the next few weeks for the continued progress of the beatification cause.
On Jan. 17, a medical commission recognized as "scientifically inexplicable" the cure. The healing involved Rogelio de Haro Sagra who was cured of multiple organ failure from Gram-negative sepsis in 1972, when he was two years old.
Lozano Garrido was born in Linares, Spain, in 1920. He worked for various newspapers, the Associated Press and other outlets.
During his adolescence, Garrido carried the Eucharist clandestinely during the Spanish Civil War. His devotion to the Eucharist became intense when he spent the whole of Holy Thursday night in prison adoring the sacramental Lord, which was given to him hidden in a bunch of flowers.
In 1942 he contracted spondylitis, which deformed his body and left him an invalid. He was totally blind for the last 10 years of his life. Despite his handicap, he dictated nine books to his sister Lucy and to his friends, and founded Sinai, a magazine for the sick.
Lozano was a member of Catholic Action, and worked for numerous Spanish Catholic periodicals. In 1969 he won the prestigious Bravo journalism award.
A nice Lenten reflection via my friend Ardella---and a good answer to so many of the popular trends advertising "easy" ways of life like "The Secret."
His Cross in Your Life by the Rev. Bertrand Weaver, C.P.,
It is only natural to look for formulas that will help to simplify our lives in this complex world. The desire for formulas is so universal that a book with such a title as Happiness through Respiration, Happiness through Dieting, or Happiness through Willpower would have a pretty good chance of making the bestseller lists.... Nobody, however, can offer a valid formula unless he knows the purpose of life. And Christ made it as clear as the light from an atomic explosion that the whole and only purpose of our life on earth is not to rise to the top of the social ladder, not to amass material goods, nor to escape pain and tension for 365 days a year, but to do God's will.
....[A]n authentic formula for successful and happy living can be proposed. The formula is: The only thing that should concern us, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year, is the present, evident will of God. This formula would be more widely accepted if the present, evident will of God did not sometimes involve crucifixion....
A crossless Christianity is a heretical fraud. Those who attempt to offer Christ without his cross are cheating humanity. They are leaving those who accept their spiritual nostrums without sufficient defense against the tragedies which are woven into every human life.
3 Quick Announcements:
1. Our Annual John Paul the Great College-Aged Retreat is this weekend. The retreat focuses on vocation discernment—priesthood, religious life, and marriage and features all-night Eucharistic Adoration Friday and Saturday. For more info, shoot me an email.
2. Dear Friend of Life, I'm asking you to help spread the word about an outstanding event coming up in March. Fr. Tad Pacholczyk of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, will be coming to Milwaukee to speak about "The Science and Ethics of Stem Cells and Cloning" at three different places in free presentations open to the public.
Sunday, March 9, 7:00 pm, St. Robert Church, Shorewood.
Monday, March 10, 9:30 am, Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay, RSVP 414-332-1170, (includes 7th – 12th grade students and adults)
Monday, March 10, 8:00 pm, UW-Milwaukee, Student Union-Wisconsin Room
Besides understandable teaching of the science and ethics involved (with human life beginning at conception), those who hear Fr. Tad will be impressed that: the Church cares deeply about the right use of science and technology in our society, the Church is open to everything that is ethical, and that there are ways to properly think about the big moral questions behind scientific developments. Adults and students 7th grade and above will come away with a clear understanding of the science and morality of these life issues. They will be able to "cut through the spin on stem cells" as reported in the media.
Each of the three places above will publicize this event to their own groups. I've agreed to contact others in the community to invite them and ask them to spread the word. Please excuse this rather impersonal appeal, but there isn't time to contact you all individually. If you've received this via email, please see , print, and distribute the attached flyer. If you send out email announcements or publish a newsletter, please spread the word to your contacts. Feel free to copy this letter. Please see the information below for details about the National Catholic Bioethics Center and Fr. Tad. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Thank you. Jean Linn jlinn@familink.com, 414 962-5459
3. Dear Friends of Life, You are invited to join fellow pro-lifers from across the state of Wisconsin at a prayer-filled retreat being held especially for those in the respect-life movement. The retreat is co-sponsored by "The Servants of our Lady of Guadalupe" and "Vigil for Life" organizations. The retreat will be held from Friday March 15th (5pm) until Saturday March 16th (3:30pm) at the Durward's Glen retreat center http://www.magdalen.edu/durwardsglen/. Fr. Rick Heilman, a Catholic priest from the Diocese of Madison, will be the retreat-master. The purpose of the retreat is to draw closer to Jesus Christ so to love God and neighbor more perfectly through Him.
The retreat is open to anyone who works in any way to promote respect for human life (full-time or part-time). The retreat will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Confession, Eucharistic Adoration and Catholic devotions. Non-Catholics are welcome to attend the retreat and have the option of prayerfully joining all of the liturgical opportunities and participating according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. There will be ample times for silent, individual prayer, as well as social time for interacting with other pro-lifers. Meals and prayer materials will be provided.
Please see the included 3 attachments: retreat schedule (2 formats), and a flyer to promote the event. Feel free to spread the word about this event to any interested parties in the movement.
To register or for more information please call Will Goodman at 608.698.7443 or email Amy Hying at Vigilforlife@gmail.com. The total cost for the retreat is $40. Space is limited, therefore, reservations are strongly recommended to be made as soon as possible. Checks can be made payable to: The Servants of Our Lady of Guadalupe, P.O. Box 92, Stevens Point, WI 54481. If anyone is unable to pay the full cost, scholarships are available (see contact info above).
Take advantage of this Lenten opportunity to be with Jesus Christ and be strengthened in His mission for you of building a culture of life.
+In the Divine Mercy of Jesus,
will goodman.
God bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter's, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!
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