Lesson Four Update

I'm afraid this was another one of those sessions when I did most of the talking.  Sorry about that, but I couldn't let this catechism chapter on morality go by with just a passing mention when it's such an important part of how we live our lives as Christians.  How are we ever supposed to discern good from evil, right from wrong if we aren't given some objective direction by which to do that?

As I said during the course of our discussion, we've become of society of people who have forgotten how to think.  Unfortunately, more focus is placed on people--our government, our media, etc.--telling us what to think without giving any solid, rational reasons.  And if reasons are given, they're reasons that are based on purely subjective ends: personal happiness, temporal gains, false "tolerance" (which really means that we are just supposed to look the other way when we see sin).

Christian moral code is based on something greater than personal whim or current political or cultural trends.  Christian moral code comes from our Creator and is based on the inherent dignity all humans have by being created in the image of God.  Christian moral code is constant, eternal, and knowable.  We do not have to be slaves to the "dictatorship of relativism."  We can live in the freedom of seeking out the will of God which ultimately leads us to fulfill the potential we have to become saints!

Whether you attended our December meeting or not, I would encourage you to download a copy of my notes from that lesson in addition to the study guide that is linked in the post just below this one.  I did quite a considerable amount of research for this lesson and wrote it out as clearly as I could hoping that my notes would make some kind of sense even if I was unable to articulate it as well as I had hoped I could during our meeting.  This is a big and complex topic, so if you have questions about what you have read, please bring them to our next meeting, and we'll do our best to try and clear things up.  Moralality, ethics, and philosophy can be endlessly fascinating topics to discuss.  One day is hardly enough.

Lesson Four Notes: Morality and Worthy Conduct

Our next meeting will be held on January 10.  Enjoy your break.  Have a wonderful Advent and a Blessed Christmas! 

One last thing...Before we meet again, the 33 Days to Morning Glory Retreat that we discussed during our November meeting is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 2.  Meetings will be held every Wednesday morning from 9-10:30 from January 2-February 6.  You can register at the church, and the materials for the retreat are being sold at St. Patrick's Book & Gift.  The packet sells for $35+Tax.  This packet includes the book 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley, a companion workbook, a rosary, and a Miraculous Medal.  The members of this session will prepare for Marian Consecration on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Two of our Bible study members, Kandy and Patti, are organizing this retreat.  It should be a wonderful experience.  You can learn more about the program by Googling the title of the book and by watching the videos below.

 

Lesson Four: Worthy Conduct

Be prepared!  I know that's Advent talk, but it's good advice for our next Bible study lesson as well.  I'm going to shake things up and do things a little differently next week.

You know how we sometimes spend so much time on our scripture study that we neglect the catechism lesson.  Well, this time we're going to start with the catechism lesson.  If we're efficient, we should get to the other as well.  Of course, you know how that goes.

I have good reasons for doing this.  We talk about being good and moral, but do we know how to determine what that means?  Do we understand how we discern that?  Do we understand how we explain Catholic morality to others?

By the way, so sorry I'm late with the study guide.  Time and energy were an issue.  (Blah, blah, blah, you're thinking.)  It also took me a while to do some reading and research to be able to prepare our lesson.  I'll be better next time.

Study Guide Lesson Four

See you December 6th.  Don't forget to leave time to go out to lunch afterwards!
If you can't make it next week, see you in 2013!

Lesson Three Update

Since this year's Letter is a short one, we have been able to spend more time discussing our catechism chapter.  I'm glad.  I sometimes felt that we neglected it in the past.

Yesterday's discussion about sacramentals and devotions was interesting.  I think it's good to think about the way that we pray and worship so that we aren't simply operating in that "pious coma."

I do have a few notes, and you're more than welcome to use them if you'd like.

Lesson Three Notes

Our next meeting won't be until December 6.  I may try and get the study guide up early.  I'm afraid if I let it wait too long that day will slip up on me.  Don't forget to save some time afterwards for our traditional lunch!

Lesson Three: The Important Thing

As a Christian it's so easy to get discouraged.  It seems that all the things that we hold dear are ignored and even mocked by most of society.

In the situation Paul is in, imprisoned and awaiting trial that could very well result in his death, who could blame him for being discouraged.  And afraid.  And yet he writes with great joy.  He knows everything is not up to him.  He knows everything does not rest on his shoulders.  He knows that no matter what happens it will be for God's glory.

In addition to our scripture study, we will also cover Chapter 22 in the US Catechism on Sacramentals and Devotions.  That chapter opens with a short essay on Fr. Patrick Peyton.  You can learn more about Fr. Peyton at Father Patrick Peyton: The Rosary Priest.

Also, if you are interested, you can scroll down to the Update for Lesson Two and find some links that pertain to the discussions we had at our last meeting.

Study Guide: Lesson Three

See you on November 8th.

Lesson Two Update

As promised, here is a link to the homily that I talked about today:

Father Michael Schmitz, "Called to Love"

If you would like to hear more from Fr. Schmitz, you can find an archive of his homilies here:

UMD Newman Center Website

If you're an iTunes user, you can also subscribe to his homilies there and they will automatically download every week.

We also talked about Helen Alvare.  Here is a video from a program recorded earlier this year.  There are many others on YouTube, but I think this one is very good because it touches on most of the issues we discussed during our meeting.





Finally, I have some notes for this lesson that you are also welcome to use if you wish.
Lesson Two Notes

Get out and vote!
See you on November 8.

Lesson Two: A Prayer for Partners

Okay, so I didn't quite make my own deadline.  I'm close.

This week's lesson in Paul's letter ties in nicely with our catechism chapter on marriage.  We are all partners in Christ at different levels of intimacy, but are given the vocation of sharing and growing in our faith with them all.  Not easy!  Especially when we are bombarded with messages that tell us that that kind of thinking is no longer relevant.

In other words, we should have lots to talk about.

Study Guide Lesson Two: A Prayer for Partners

See you on October 25!

Overview and Lesson One Update

The first lesson is jam packed full with information.  Don't get discouraged!  The scope isn't quite as wide for the rest of the year. 

Since there was so much information, I thought it might be helpful if I made my notes available to all of you.  Google has changed the way files get posted, and I'm not exactly sure I'm doing it right.  If you have trouble accessing anything I post, be sure and send me an email or give me a call.

Overview and Lesson One Notes

I will do my best to get the next study guide posted by late Tuesday to early Wednesday.  Check back and see if I'm telling the truth!

Paul and Philippi and Lesson One: Overview

Because the first lesson tends to be a bit time consuming, I wanted to make this study guide available as soon as possible.  Take your time completing this lesson.  The more background material you have regarding this letter, the more sense it will make as we study each passage.

Study Guide Paul & Philippi and Lesson One

Be sure and send me an email if you have problems printing the lesson.  I may be able to help, or I can go ahead and print a copy for you and bring it to our meeting.  Also, if you scroll down the page, I have uploaded the file of the study guide for our book Theology for Beginners that has my personal notes.  You're welcome to print that out if you'd like.

By the way, for those who come early for Mass, there is no morning Mass on October 11.  That day marks the beginning of the Year of Faith, so Mass has been moved to 7pm.  I would encourage you to attend.  It's a great way to kick off this special year.

See you on October 11!

A New Year and We Tackle Theology

It was so great to see everyone today and to feel that life is starting to get back to normal.  Thanks again to everyone for all the cards, calls, emails, and especially for all your prayers during the last few months.  While I was sick I thought of all of you often and prayed for you as well.  Your friendship and support gave me strength when I needed it the most.  I'll be forever grateful for the opportunity to know all of you and share our faith together.

We had a great discussion today on Theology for Beginners.  I'm sure we could spend the whole year talking about this book.  In fact, I'm certain it will come up throughout the year as we talk about Philippians.  If you liked this book, you can find many of Sheed's other books in St. Patrick's Book & Gift.  I've downloaded a couple onto my Kindle, so maybe we'll try another one some other summer.  Hmmmm....

In case you're interested, I have uploaded the file from my computer of the study guide for this book that has my personal notes on it.  You're welcome to print it out if you think it would be helpful.  Just my ramblings about the book.
Theology for Beginners Study Guide w/Leader Notes

I will work on getting the study guide uploaded as soon as possible.  Check back later next week.  Thanks again for a fun day.

Looking Ahead: Philippians

In 2012-2013, the Solid Grounds Bible Study will read St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. Meetings are scheduled on a (somewhat) bi-weekly basis on Thursday mornings from 9:00-11:00 at the Church of St. Patrick. Our first meeting will be held on September 27, 2012. This will mark the 12th year of our study, and while we still have a few charter members, we always welcome any new members who are interested in joining.

Prior to our September 27 meeting, please:
1. Register for the class.  To register, you can leave a comment on this site with contact information or call the church. There are no fees apart from the cost of materials.
2. It's become our tradition to read a book over the summer months and have a discussion about that book at our first meeting of the year. This summer we are reading Theology for Beginners by F.J. Sheed. This is not required, although it is highly recommended. There is a Study Guide available to print that has several questions you may wish to answer to help direct our discussion of the book.
3. Purchase the materials. On this website, just to the right of this copy, are links to Amazon for the materials that we use for our group. You are welcome to purchase them on your own, or we can special order them for you at St. Patrick's Book & Gift. In addition to the two books that we use for the Bible study, we also use the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults.

Any questions? Feel free to leave them in the comments section below, or contact the Church of St. Patrick.

Hope to see you in September!

Good To Be Back!

It was great to see everyone today.  Hope to make it a regular part of my schedule again.  We'll see how the treatments treat me.

I came across something in the news this week.  The story was actually posted in January, but I just heard about it and thought you might be interested, too.  It's a fascinating find.

Forgotten Religious Relic Rediscovered