Dear CE:
I just got finished reading your article “the right tools for the job”. Great job…good insights. It reminded me of what we as Catholics are really called to do. It had the flavor of Opus Dei, we in the work a day world contact so many more people than do our religous. So it must be us who bring Christ to the world and we must let the clergy bring Christ to us.
Thank you for your article…May God truly bless you and all whom you love…You are making a difference in bringing about the kingdom of God…Thank you.
John Estabrook
Dear John:
Thanks so much for your kind words! I was, I hope, not very original. Just repeating the truths taught by the Holy Father in Christifideles Laici and being disseminated through great apostolates like Opus Dei, the St. Catherine of Siena Institute.
We at Catholic Exchange hope we're making a bit of dent in carrying out our Lord's call for laity to be about the work of carrying the gospel to the world and we're grateful to him for the grace to try.
May God bless your work in the Vineyard!
Mark Shea
Senior Content Editor
Catholic Exchange
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Dear Catholic Exchange:
I just wanted to say thanks for the great article on the laity and true charisms that was presented on Catholic Exchange. It was a spiritual shot-in-the-arm for this follower of the Faith of Jesus Christ. Thanks again.
Tom Franz
St. Andrew Parish
Eagle River, AK
Dear Tom:
Thanks! May God bless your use of your gifts as you labor in the Vineyard and may you bear abundant fruit!
Blessings!
Mark Shea
Senior Content Editor
Catholic Exchange
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Dear Mark,
Have admired your work for a long time, but I think this is my first reply.
I have been fortunate indeed to have been active in the Cursillo Movement the last 4 years, to have helped bring the Catherine of Sienna organization to our Parish, to have read many of the writings of St. Jose Maria Escriva and to have read and heard Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Marcus Grodi and yourself. This most recent column of yours, to my reading, drew from all these sources.
I have also been fortunate enough to have read/studied and tried to implement in our parish the U.S. Bishops' statements: Go and Make Disciples, Communities of Salt and Light and Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. This effort, however, has been, overall, frustrating and ineffective. Any suggestions? How can we set our dwindling numbers of “Sunday Catholics” aflame with the love of the Lord that is the foundation of evangelization? How can we get our priests to understand how important adult faith formation is in renewing the spiritual lives of our parishes? How can we get “Sunday Catholics” to desire spiritual growth? As a convert, it brings me nearly to tears to know how rich an authentically lived Catholic life is (not that I am fully there yet), but to observe that most “cradle Catholics” don't even know the elements of such a life, much less its joys (and demands).
Keep up the good work.
In the love of the Lord, I am,
Cordially yours,
Bill Brockman
Hi Bill:
Thanks for your kind words. My gifts don't lie in the pastoral realm much, so I'm probably not the best person to turn to in this. I find that the best experiences I've had in what you are aiming for usually involve small groups. One such success was in the founding of a bunch of small groups devoted to fostering the vocation of marriage. We formed a bunch of small “married couples groups” with about four or five families in each group.
They would get together once a month or so to read and discuss stuff like
the Pope's “Letter to Families” or some other book of choice. (Sundays after Mass with a common meal is nice, especially in somebody's home). Then,
every quarter, we'd have a Mass and potluck with all the groups coming together.
Reading groups are also a good idea. Or Bible studies (using CE's Catholic Scripture Study) are also a good idea.
The trick is to focus on the people who are the most interested in growth, not fret about the people who are coldest to the idea. A fire starts where it's hottest. Find the people who are most interested in growth in your parish and try to get them involved. Teach them how to lead small groups themselves and ask God to provide the increase. And, of course, try to make use of people's charisms (whatever they may be) as much as possible. We'll see what happens.
Mark Shea
Senior Content Editor
Catholic Exchange
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Dear Mark,
I enjoy very much your articles in the Catholic Exchange web site, but I especially enjoyed today's article, entitled, “The Right Tools for the Job”. I agree with what you say in it very much. Your work truly is a gift to the Church!
I ask you to keep me in your prayers. I've just been accepted to Blessed John XXIII National Seminary at the age of 55 for the school year beginning in August. As I'm sure you know, they train second career candidates for the priesthood. The caliber of people there is amazing. There are retired military officers, doctors, sales people and many others desiring to serve Christ and His Church at a time in their lives when they could be enjoying their middle and later years doing something less demanding.
My discernment began when I was meeting with my pastor about my desire to be accepted into the Permanent Diaconate program when the bishop announced the formation of another class. Msgr. asked me, “Why stop there? Why not consider the priesthood?” I had considered it as a child, as many children do at some point in their lives, and again about 7 years ago. That got me thinking about the circumstances of my life and I began discerning because I felt that things were just leading me in that direction.
My point in telling you this is that I think it's critically important that priests and men and women religious, as well as parents, encourage vocations in our young people and those like myself who are in a position to accept the Lord's call. I've received nothing but support from my family and friends. I would still do it without their support, but it's such a blessing to have it. Know that I will keep you and your ministry in my prayers daily. May God continue to bless you.
Yours in Christ,
Bob Stellini
Dear Bob:
Thanks so much for your very thoughtful note! People like you give me great joy and hope for our Church! Truly he has given us his “riches in the inheritance of the saints”. May God bless your desire to serve him with great fruit and may he bless your work in the Vineyard with eternal life for you and all those you will serve!
Mark Shea
Senior Content Editor
Catholic Exchange
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