[103] St. Gregory the Great, Hom. In a world where the lessening of distance makes the world increasingly smaller, the Church community ought to strengthen the bonds among its members, exchange vital energies and means, and commit itself as a group to a unique and common mission of proclaiming and living the Gospel. Since the Church's task in our day is so great its accomplishment cannot be left to the parish alone. In the course of its work, the Synod made constant reference to the Second Vatican Council, whose teaching on the lay faithful, after twenty years, has taken on a surprisingly contemporary character and at times has carried prophetic significance: such teaching has the capacity of enlightening and guiding the responses that today must be given to new situations. Baptism is the door and the foundation of communion in the Church. 0000005561 00000 n We can make a further application of the comments of Saint Gregory the Great to the extraordinary variety of ways the Church becomes "present" in life; one and all are called to work for the coming of the Kingdom of God according to the diversity of callings and situations, charisms and ministries. With this work, you will find yourself diving deep into the character and life of King David. We now turn our thoughts to ministries and charisms as they directly relate to the lay faithful and to their participation in the life of Church-Communion. Dr. Kevin Leman gives advice to two dozen moms who join Jim Daly and John Fuller for this fast-paced, humorous-but-practical look at how you can regain control in your home by disengaging from fights with your child. It goes without saying that Christian parents are the primary and irreplaceable catechists of their children, a task for which they are given the grace by the Sacrament of Matrimony. X Mt 13:38), which is to be transformed according to the plan of God in view of the final coming of the Kingdom of God. In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. As friends, he suggests we learn to play and laugh together. [40] "Full members of the People of God and the mystical body, they participate, through Baptism, in the threefold priestly, prophetic and kingly mission of Christ; the lay faithful express and exercise the riches of their dignity through their living in the world. Thus, for example, Pius XI in the encyclical Casti Connubii addressed Christian spouses in the following words: "In whatever state they might be and whatever upright way of life they might have chosen, all must imitate the most perfect example of holiness, proposed by God to humanity, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the help of God to even reach the highest stage of Christian perfection, shown in the example of the many saints": AAS 22 (1930), 548. Click here to register. Precisely for this reason, the most common and widespread way, and at the same time, fundamental way, to assure this coordinated and harmonious presence of men and women in the life and mission of the Church, is the fulfilment of the tasks and responsibilities of the couple and the Christian family, in which the variety of diverse forms of life and love is seen and communicated: conjugal, paternal and maternal, filial and familial. animal) sacrifices have to be made with salt. Involve the youth in planning all their activities. Dr. Patti Giebink is an OB-GYN who serves on the board of the Alpha Center, a well-known pregnancy center located in Sioux Falls, S.D. Getting parents involved and serious about their own faith is the best way to get youth involved and serious. The ecclesial community, while always having a universal dimension, finds its most immediate and visible expression in the parish. Involved in the task is their determination to overcome the temptation of taking refuge in a nostalgia in a never-to-return past or fleeing from present responsibility because of difficulties encountered in a world of one novelty after another. Service to society is expressed and realized in the most diverse ways, from those spontaneous and informal to those more structured, from help given to individuals to those destined for various groups and communities of persons. While this "Christian newness of life" given to the members of the Church, constitutes for all the basis of their participation in the priestly, prophetic and kingly mission of Christ and of their vocation to holines in love, it receives expression and is fulfilled in the lay faithful through the "secular character" which is "uniquely and properly" theirs. It is now necessary to look more closely at the communion and participation of the lay faithful in parish life. The Lay Faithful and Their Secular Character. These also are called to proclaim the gospel that brings salvation. Hebrew Names Version, Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights-for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture- is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination. How great are the possibilities and responsibilities of woman in this area, at a time when the development of science and technology is not always inspired and measured by true wisdom, with the inevitable risk of "de-humanizing" human life, above all when it would demand a more intense love and a more generous acceptance. This opposition takes the form of violence, of terrorism, and of war. They carry out their own part in the mission of the whole Christian people with respect to the Church and the world"[15]. Church communion, already present and at work in the activities of the individual, finds its specific expression in the lay faithful's working together in groups, that is, in activities done with others in the course of their responsible participation in the life and mission of the Church. Therefore-with humility and trust I beg and implore you-allow Christ to speak to the person in you. We refer you to the paragraph in the Catechism that speaks of the sanctorum communionem, 'the Communion of Saints'. As an abortion doctor at Planned Parenthood, Dr. Patti Giebink believed she was helping women. At the same time it insisted on the unique character of their vocation, which is in a special way to "seek the Kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and ordering them according to the plan of God"[14]. [19] St. Augustine, Ennar. 32. The illustration given by Bahya is instructive: that God had to compromise on Gods initial plan to allow a place for humans in the world. She does this most of all by her healing and elevating impact on the dignity of the human person, by the way in which she strengthens the bonds of human society, and imbues the daily activity of people with a deeper sense and meaning. The extensive treatment by the Second Vatican Council of the rapport between the Gospel and culture represents a constant historic fact and at the same time serves as a working ideal of particular and immediate urgency. From its opening lines, the Constitution Lumen Gentium summarizes this doctrine in a wonderful way: "The Church in Christ is a kind of sacrament, that is, a sign and instrument of intimate union with God and of the unity of all the human race"[58]. [204] Cf. One of the reasons he suggests for this tradition is that it might be an omen for fulfilling this mitzvah for many years to come as the Torah refers to salt as an eternal covenant. (Halakhot, Year 1, Tzav, 6). In fact, for the believer the Gospel, namely, the word and example of Jesus Christ, remains the necessary and decisive point of reference. Pentateuch By a logic which looks to the divine source of this giving, as the Council recalls[80], the gifts of the Spirit demand that those who have received them exercise them for the growth of the whole Church. Dialogue among religions has a preeminent part, for it leads to love and mutual respect, and takes away, or at least diminishes, prejudices among the followers of various religions and promotes unity and friendship among peoples"[129]. Certainly the command of Jesus: "Go and preach the Gospel" always maintains its vital value and its ever-pressing obligation. It is necessary that this most precious heritage, which the Church has received from Jesus Christ, "Physician of the body and the spirit"[201], must never diminish but always must come to be more valued and enriched through renewal and decisive initiatives of pastoral activity for and with the sick and suffering. In a certain way, then, it thus happens that with head and body the whole Christ is formed"[19]. However, they all come together in an all-inclusive and profound convergence when viewed from the perspective of their common purpose, that is, the responsible participation of all of them in the Church'smission of carrying forth the Gospel of Christ, the source of hope for humanity and the renewal of society. The vineyard is the whole world (cf. Through the Church we abide in Christ, without whom we can do nothing (Jn 15:1-5)"[12]. 0000055852 00000 n In no other moment in history is this fact more fruitful and innovative. The term secular must be understood in light of the act of God the creator and redeemer, who has handed over the world to women and men, so that they may participate in the work of creation, free creation from the influence of sin and sanctify themselves in marriage or the celibate life, in a family, in a profession and in the various activities of society"[39]. Along the same line the Second Vatican Council states: "This lay spirituality should take its particular character from the circumstances of one's state in life (married and familylife, celibacy, widowhood), from one's state of health and from one's professional and social activity. Therefore, it is a gradual process; in a certain sense, one that happens day by day. God entrusted the human being to woman. WebThemes and Templates. 0000055112 00000 n But besides these three kinds of devotion, there are several others adapted to bring to perfection those who live in the secular state"[207]. We will be praying with you!. Meltdowns. You and your child will have fun while learning about God's love. The lay faithful ought to be ever more convinced of the special meaning that their commitment to the apostolate takes on in their parish. In such cases, the questions and formidable enigmas posed by these situations, if remaining without responses, expose contemporary people to an inconsolable delusion or to the temptation of eliminating the truly humanizing dimension of life implicit in these problems. For this reason the Code of Canon Law provides for forms of collaboration among parishes in a given territory[96] and recommends to the bishop's care the various groups of the Christian Faithful, even the unbaptized who are not under his ordinary pastoral care[97]. 23. With this Exhortation the lay faithful are invited to take up again and reread, meditate on and assimilate with renewed understanding and love, the rich and fruitful teaching of the Council which speaks of their participation in the threefold mission of Christ[22]. In order that "the civilization of love" can flourish and produce fruit in this vast world of human pain, I invite all to reread and meditate on the Apostolic Letter, Salvifici Doloris, from which I am pleased to again propose the lines from its conclusion: "There should come together in spirit beneath the Cross of Calvary all suffering people who believe in Christ, and particularly those who suffer because of their faith in him who is the Crucified and Risen One, so that the offering of their sufferings may hasten the fulfilment of the prayer of the Saviour himself that all may be one. Combat cliquishness. 25. Youll see why ALL life is precious to God and why choosing life is always the right decision! In fact, their formation itself expresses the social nature of the person and for this reason leads to a more extensive and incisive effectiveness in work. It is, rather, the original plan of the Creator who from the "beginning" willed the human being to be a "unity of the two", and willed man and woman to be the prime community of persons, source of every other community, and, at the same time, to be a "sign" of that interpersonal communion of love which constitutes the mystical, intimate life of God, One in Three. Is it possible to practice a deep sense of awe and an attitude of gratitude in the ordinary moments of marriage? A proper understanding of these aspects, however, can be found only in the living context of the Church as communion. The Particular Churches and the Universal Church. If you feel at a loss when these conversations come up, this video series, 8 Lies About Abortion, can help equip you with the truth, and the confidence to engage in the discussion. After completing her medical training, Dr. Giebink worked for Planned Parenthood from 1995-1997, during which she was the only abortion-provider in the state of South Dakota. For one and all the earnest prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper, "That all may be one" (Jn 17-21), ought to become daily a required and undeniable programme of life and action. POST-SYNODALAPOSTOLIC EXHORTATION CHRISTIFIDELES LAICIOFHIS HOLINESSJOHN PAUL IION THE VOCATION AND THE MISSIONOF THE LAY FAITHFULIN THE CHURCH AND IN THE WORLD, To Bishops To Priests and Deacons To Women and Men Religious and to All the Lay Faithful. Once again we find ourselves before many persons, our sisters and brothers, whose fundamental rights are being violated, owing to their exceedingly great capacity for endurance and to the clear injustice of certain civil laws: the right to life and to integrity, the right to a house and to work, the right to a family and responsible parenthood, the right to participation in public and political life, the right to freedom of conscience and the practice of religion. Such communion is the very mystery of the Church, as the Second Vatican Council recalls in the celebrated words of Saint Cyprian: "The Church shines forth as 'a people made one with the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit'"[52]. Invest in youth ministry. The vocation of the lay faithful to holiness implies that life according to the Spirit expresses itself in a particular way in their involvement in temporal affairs and in their participation in earthly activities. For this reason the Council says that the particular Churches "are constituted after the model of the universal Church; it is in and from these particular Churches that there come into being the one and unique Catholic Church"[85]. On the contrary, this belonging guarantees and fosters the profound sense of that uniqueness and irrepeatability, in so far as these very qualities are the source of variety and richness for the whole Church. These solemn and unequivocal affirmations of the council repropose a fundamental truth of the Christian faith. Give teens permission to ask questions and talk about their doubts. These are just little irritants though, right? WebAt the core of who we are is our mission to inspire each student to maximize his or her God-given potential. 0000005896 00000 n Nevertheless, this social doctrine of the Church is dynamic; that is, adapted to circumstances of time and place. is a 4-class series, starting the first week of each month, designed to, Boot Camp provides hands-on experience for your teens in working as a team and sharing the Gospel. Through the sacrament Jesus unites the baptized to his death so as to unite the recipient to his resurrection (cf. Implement policies and procedures to prevent child abuse. Her husband, Guy, is a former TV, feature film, and VFX development and production executive who has worked on popular TV shows and films. Immorality is celebrated. MacLaren, a dear friend of Nicholl, contributed three volumes on Psalms and one on Colossians and Philemon. For nearly 25 years, he was Vice President of Student Personnel Services, Dean of Students, and a professor of pastoral counseling at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind. Slamming doors. "To evangelize", writes Paul VI, "is the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her most profound identity"[123]. In them he prays and bears witness that they are adopted sons (cf. The words of the apostle Paul ought to become their approach to life or, better yet, cast an illumination to permit them to see the meaning of grace in their very situation: "In my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church" (Col 1:24). This Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation intends to take into account all the richness of the Synod work, from the Lineamenta to the Instrumentum Laboris, from the introductory report, the presentations of individual bishops and lay persons to the summary reports after discussion in the Synod hall, from the discussions and reports of the "small groups" to the final "Propositions" and the concluding "Message". Each person should take into account what he does and consider if he is labouring in the vineyard of the Lord"[2]. The lay faithful, in turn, must acknowledge that the ministerial priesthood is totally necessary for their participation in the mission in the Church[68]. [149] For the relationship between justice and mercy, see John Paul II, encyclical letter Dives in Misericordia, 12: AAS 72 (1980), 1215-1217. Eph 4:23), he has shared with us his Spirit who, existing as one and the same being in the head and in the members, gives life to, unifies and moves the whole body. The images taken from the gospel of salt, light and leaven, although indiscriminately applicable to all Jesus' disciples, are specifically applied to the lay faithful. Get equipped to reach out to your community with reason, truth, and love. 2022 Hill Country Bible Church. [141]John Paul II, Message for the Twenty-first World Day of Peace, "Religious Freedom: Condition for Peace" (December 8, 1987): AAS 80 (1988), 278, 280. Despite every difficulty, delay and contradiction caused by the limits of human nature, by sin and by the Evil One, the Church knows that all the forces that humanity employs for communion and participation find a full response in the intervention of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of man and of the world. Therefore. I, XIX, 2; PL 76, 1155. In this way the Church carries out her mission and in that very act she stimulates and makes her contribution to human and civic culture. Mothers of boys have the special calling to shape future men of God. 0000006230 00000 n Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation: Reply to Certain Questions of the Day Donum Vitae (February 22, 1987): AAS 80 (1988), 70-102. The civil and social right to religious freedom, inasmuch as it touches the most intimate sphere of the spirit, is a point of reference for the other fundamental rights and in some way becomes a measure of them"[141]. Most important, youll learn how to get people thinking about Jesus. The Pontifical Council for the Laity has the task of preparing a list of those associations which have received the official approval of the Holy See, and, at the same time, of drawing up, together with the Pontifical Council for the Union of Christians, the basic conditions on which this approval might be given to ecumenical associations in which there is a majority of Catholics, and determining those cases in which such an approval is not possible[118]. In this context what does communion mean? Students will learn leadership skills and teamwork, make new friends, and have a blast as they prepare to lead Back Yard Bible Clubs. 57. The lay faithful participate in the life of the Church not only in exercising their tasks and charisms, but also in many other ways. 228; 229 par. Is 61:1-2). As partners, he equips us with solid ways to handle conflict and communication. By so doing, they will infuse culture and human works with a moral value"[194]. Drawing from years of experience, this inspirational resource will revive the faithfulness and fortitude a woman needs to partner with God as they shape the character and heart of a future godly man. At this moment the suffering individual is the way of the Church because that person is, first of all, the way of Christ Himself, who is the Good Samaritan who "does not pass by", but "has compassion on him, went to him bound up his wounds took care of him" (Lk 10:32-34). At this time the Synod Fathers expressed the desire that "the motu proprio Ministeria Quaedam be reconsidered, bearing in mind the present practice of local churches and above all indicating criteria which ought to be used in choosing those destined for each ministry"[78]. This fact, fully understood by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, recurred with renewed clarity and increased vigor in all the works of the Synod: "Indeed, Pastors know how much the lay faithful contribute to the welfare of the entire Church. At the same time, the Synod has pointed out that the post-conciliar path of the lay faithful has not been without its difficulties and dangers. Christian Standard Bible, We do so by providing opportunity for every student to thrive in their specific area of interest in an environment that is physically, intellectually, and spiritually safe, founded on Judeo-Christian values. Such pastoral initiatives find most meaningful expression in sacramental celebrations with and for the sick, as a source of strength amid pain and weakness, hope amid despair, and as an occasion of joyful encounter.
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