Parish Retreat 2008 ~ Decide to become a Saint!
Isn't it true that when we decide on a particular career or a specific vocation, we go to a lot of trouble to plan the type of education we will need. We are also willing to prepare ourselves to do whatever it takes to reach that goal. What about deciding to be a saint?
This is a question that Fr. Matthias Lusembo, Parochial Vicar at St. Bridget Church and our retreat facilitator, put to us today. Why is it that we usually don't think that something as fundamental as becoming a saint is something we should decide for ourselves? This was a question that many of us had not thought of before. Of course, we realize that we are all called to holiness; but to be a saint seemed to be so far "above" who we are or who we can become, that we were momentarily at a loss to think that he meant US! Fr. Matthias reminded us that the people canonized by the Church are not the only saints that ever lived!
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After breakfast and a prayer service, Fr. Matthias spoke a little about his own journey to the priesthood and how he came to be in Richmond. He told us about the importance of discovering what God's Will is for ourselves through prayer and meditation on the Scriptures. That surrendering ourselves to God's Will is what will be pleasing to Him.
Fr. Matthias then developed our theme for the day, "How to be a Catholic in our changing times" by comparing what Catholics believe with the beliefs of the many other Christian denominations around us. There are many differences between Catholics and Christians of other denominations. For instance, Catholics believe in the authority of Peter and his successors, the popes, and Fr. Matthias showed us the scriptural basis for this belief; noting that God's Will becomes manifest through the Church.
Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; whereas most other Christians see the bread and wine they offer as mere symbols and only a remembrance of Jesus' last supper with His friends.
He also cited differences in how we view the Scriptures. Most other Christians use the Bible as the sole authority in their churches. Catholics respect not only the Scriptures, but also Tradition handed down through the centuries of the Church's existence.
Other areas that Fr. Matthias touched on included the Scriptural basis for Penance/Reconciliation, our veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary (not worship, as some Christians believe of us) and the differences in the Catholic belief about abortion and the view of other Christian denominations.
In the afternoon session, Fr. Matthias asked for questions and discussions from those of us attending the retreat. Questions included the following: How do you discern God's Will for yourself? Why don't Catholics use the individual communion cups used by other Christian denominations, especially because of the possibility of catching the flu or other illnesses caused by drinking from the same cup? There was discussion about how to deal with moral issues that seem to be in the gray area, rather than completely right or completely wrong.
We want to thank Fr. Matthias for his presence with us today. Perhaps, after reflecting on his words, we may be able to make that decision to strive to become the saints we are called to be.
This is a question that Fr. Matthias Lusembo, Parochial Vicar at St. Bridget Church and our retreat facilitator, put to us today. Why is it that we usually don't think that something as fundamental as becoming a saint is something we should decide for ourselves? This was a question that many of us had not thought of before. Of course, we realize that we are all called to holiness; but to be a saint seemed to be so far "above" who we are or who we can become, that we were momentarily at a loss to think that he meant US! Fr. Matthias reminded us that the people canonized by the Church are not the only saints that ever lived!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After breakfast and a prayer service, Fr. Matthias spoke a little about his own journey to the priesthood and how he came to be in Richmond. He told us about the importance of discovering what God's Will is for ourselves through prayer and meditation on the Scriptures. That surrendering ourselves to God's Will is what will be pleasing to Him.
Fr. Matthias then developed our theme for the day, "How to be a Catholic in our changing times" by comparing what Catholics believe with the beliefs of the many other Christian denominations around us. There are many differences between Catholics and Christians of other denominations. For instance, Catholics believe in the authority of Peter and his successors, the popes, and Fr. Matthias showed us the scriptural basis for this belief; noting that God's Will becomes manifest through the Church.
Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist; whereas most other Christians see the bread and wine they offer as mere symbols and only a remembrance of Jesus' last supper with His friends.
He also cited differences in how we view the Scriptures. Most other Christians use the Bible as the sole authority in their churches. Catholics respect not only the Scriptures, but also Tradition handed down through the centuries of the Church's existence.
Other areas that Fr. Matthias touched on included the Scriptural basis for Penance/Reconciliation, our veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary (not worship, as some Christians believe of us) and the differences in the Catholic belief about abortion and the view of other Christian denominations.
In the afternoon session, Fr. Matthias asked for questions and discussions from those of us attending the retreat. Questions included the following: How do you discern God's Will for yourself? Why don't Catholics use the individual communion cups used by other Christian denominations, especially because of the possibility of catching the flu or other illnesses caused by drinking from the same cup? There was discussion about how to deal with moral issues that seem to be in the gray area, rather than completely right or completely wrong.
We want to thank Fr. Matthias for his presence with us today. Perhaps, after reflecting on his words, we may be able to make that decision to strive to become the saints we are called to be.
Labels: retreat, spirituality
posted by mary ann @ Saturday, November 29, 2008
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