Lesson Thirteen Update

No notes this week, but I do have a few things for you. If you weren't able to make it today, we spent quite a bit of time trying to define pride and humility. This evening I did some searching on the Internet and found an article on this subject that I think everyone will enjoy. It is written from the perspective of a Catholic mom. Let me know what you think of it. Maybe we can talk about it the next time that we get together.

Cultivating Humility

If that doesn't do it for you, maybe you'll like this:

Litany of Humility

I also thought that I would make a list of the suggested books that we could consider for our summer read. If you click on the picture of each book, it should take you to Amazon. You can read the descriptions and reviews on that site to help you decide. We'll make a decision soon.

1. In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden (Fiction)
I'm reading this novel right now, and enjoying it very much. It's interesting getting an inside view into a convent. It's a light read with well developed characters whose stories unfold slowly. Definitely a Catholic chick novel.

2. Joan of Arc by Mark Twain (Fiction)










3. Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles by Raymond Arroyo (Nonfiction)










4. The Way of a Pilgrim by Helen Bacovcin (Nonfiction)










5. Silence by Shusaku Endo (Fiction)

Lesson Thirteen: Spiritual Gifts I

Sorry that this is so late, but it's the best I could do this time. We did have a really great vacation. Lent in Sin City. Las Vegas did have their first stretch of 80 degree weather for the year while we were in town. What are the odds of that? And then it cooled back down the day after we left. Spring break hasn't always been so kind to us when we stay in the 48 contiguous.

Oh yeah, the Bible. Well, better late than never, I say. This lesson and the next one are all about spiritual gifts. We learn about their origin and their purpose. We also learn that we all have them--yes, it's true. And we learn that every spiritual gift is important in the total health of the living body of Christ, the Church. I think that you will enjoy these lessons as much as I have.

We are quickly winding up our 2008-09 study of Paul's letter, and so we need to come to an agreement about which book we would like to read over the summer. I will be happy to place a book order for the group, but we should try an do it soon to ensure delivery by the time we wrap things up. Remind me to discuss this at our meeting this week.

See you all on Thursday.

Study Guide: Lesson Thirteen Spiritual Gifts I

Lesson Twelve Update

Today's lesson provided some interesting conversation. I've got to say, I think I got the best response when I mentioned that, technically speaking, a woman could be Pope. Since that got such a rise out of everyone, I thought I should check my facts. If you click on the link below, you can listen to the podcast where I initially heard a priest(!) say this, but I couldn't find a quick answer online. (The priest speaking in this program, Fr. Dave Dwyer, is very trustworthy in matters of doctrine and canon law.) As we discussed today, while it may be technically true that our Pope could be selected from someone who is not ordained, the likelihood of that happening--male or female--is darned slim. For as long as I can remember, the Holy Father has been selected from the Cardinals who are, of course, all ordained priests. In my mind, it's like the presidency--who would want the job?!
Busted Halo Podcast

Since spring break starts next week, you might have to be a little more patient than usual in waiting for the next study guide. I'll get it here as soon as I can--and still manage to have a fun vacation.

Before we meet again, do some thinking about our summer book. If there's something else that someone would like to suggest, please speak up. We'll try and get that order together soon.

If you're interested, here are my notes from this lesson:
Lesson Twelve Notes

Lesson Twelve: Propriety in Worship

Once again, I'm going to predict that you aren't going to be too crazy about the start of this lesson, but stick with it. It gets much better.

As you read the opening verses of this chapter, try and look past the cultural differences to discern what parts of Paul's teaching can speak to us today. When you come right down to it, the members of the Corinthian church aren't that different from us. People are people.

See you on March 12.

Study Guide: Lesson Twelve Propriety in Worship