Keep them in your prayers!
1/21/10
This just in: March for Life Pilgrimage Photos
Our iphone correspondant, Candice Steichen, reports in with photos from their first stop on the March for Life pilgrimage: Mass and breakfast at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville, KY.
Keep them in your prayers!
Keep them in your prayers!
1/18/10
Incredible Collection!
John O'Neill, Volunteer Coordinator at Catholic Charities, challenges our ROCKsolid youth to collect items for Madonna House and Holy Child Assistance Shop. We've started a competition between Middle School youth and High School youth for who can bring the most items by February 3rd. Those with the most items will win an "all-expenses paid" trip to Incredible Pizza for your age group. Bring items each ROCKsolid Wednesday, or drop them off in Candice's office in the Annex. Put faith into action...starting...NOW!
1/13/10
Free Will
"I don't understand how we can really have free will if God already knows what we are going to do."
If we look at the creation story in the book of Genesis (GN 1-2:3) God created all things and put them in motion... In other words, he set them in motion to be as they were created to be... Cows to be cow, creeping things to be creeping things, wild animals to be just that, wild animals. When it came to the creation of the human race he gave them a command... "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all the living things that move upon the earth etc."
If we look at the second story of creation (GN 2:15) we hear the following... "The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. The Lord gave man this order: "you are free to eat any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and bad. From that free you shall not eat, the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die." Just look at how God created...water, light, land, oceans, vegetation, day and night, fish, animals, human beings, placing humans over his creation as their steward. God not only set the humans over his creation, he gave them responsibility. Care for the garden and my creation doing as you see fit in all things except one thing... Do not eat from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. One can see from this story line the development of "Free Will"
Although God is all knowing he let human beings participate in his knowledge to a point. He tried to prevent our first parents from choosing something he already knew would bring them death and devastation, not only their relationship with himself, but ultimately with one another. However, even in the midst of knowing what they would choose, He let them choose, for their ability to reason and make decisions was the very thing that made them different from the animals.
Yes, God knows at the moment of our creation what will happen in our life, but he does not treat us like pawns on a chess board. This is why a life of faith, rooted in prayer is essential! Through living a life rooted in prayer, grounded in a Christian community, nourished and strengthened by the sacraments, we strengthen our communion with God and become more aware of what is of God and what is not of God.
This holy rhythm of life then forms and shapes our consciences to the point where we consistently choose those things which are of God and not of this world. God desires nothing more than to draw all creation back unto himself, but yet in an act of Love, God wants his children to freely and lovingly choose to come back to their source and creator. God himself!
If we look at the creation story in the book of Genesis (GN 1-2:3) God created all things and put them in motion... In other words, he set them in motion to be as they were created to be... Cows to be cow, creeping things to be creeping things, wild animals to be just that, wild animals. When it came to the creation of the human race he gave them a command... "Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all the living things that move upon the earth etc."
If we look at the second story of creation (GN 2:15) we hear the following... "The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. The Lord gave man this order: "you are free to eat any of the trees of the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and bad. From that free you shall not eat, the moment you eat from it you are surely doomed to die." Just look at how God created...water, light, land, oceans, vegetation, day and night, fish, animals, human beings, placing humans over his creation as their steward. God not only set the humans over his creation, he gave them responsibility. Care for the garden and my creation doing as you see fit in all things except one thing... Do not eat from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. One can see from this story line the development of "Free Will"
Although God is all knowing he let human beings participate in his knowledge to a point. He tried to prevent our first parents from choosing something he already knew would bring them death and devastation, not only their relationship with himself, but ultimately with one another. However, even in the midst of knowing what they would choose, He let them choose, for their ability to reason and make decisions was the very thing that made them different from the animals.
Yes, God knows at the moment of our creation what will happen in our life, but he does not treat us like pawns on a chess board. This is why a life of faith, rooted in prayer is essential! Through living a life rooted in prayer, grounded in a Christian community, nourished and strengthened by the sacraments, we strengthen our communion with God and become more aware of what is of God and what is not of God.
This holy rhythm of life then forms and shapes our consciences to the point where we consistently choose those things which are of God and not of this world. God desires nothing more than to draw all creation back unto himself, but yet in an act of Love, God wants his children to freely and lovingly choose to come back to their source and creator. God himself!
1/7/10
There's an App for that.
Have an iPhone? Did you ever think that it could actually help you participate in the Catholic Faith? I've listed a few of my favorite Catholic apps below, but there are many more!
3 Minute Retreat (.99): This app by Loyola Press plays music, gives you a daily theme, related Scripture on which to reflect, and prayer. You can go through the retreat at your own pace, and it's a great way to take just a couple of minutes of your day to devote to being with God!
Catholic Calendar (Free): This app by Universalis Publishing gives you access to Liturgy of the hours, as well as listing solemnities, Holy Days, information about the Saint of the Day.
Catholic Cheat Sheet (.99): This is a great way to carry the essential reminders of our Catholic faith with you. Click on "beliefs" to find the Creeds, the commandments, the Sacraments, the Beatitudes, etc. Under "prayers" you'll find tons of the prayers common to many Catholics all over the world, and click "The Mass," for great quotes on why we should go, learn more about its structure, and see prayers related to Mass.
Catholic Mass Times Church Directory (Free): An app to help you find the nearest churches, Mass times, Websites, directions, and more. It has bonus features that include, Saint of the Day, Daily Readings, and even Daily Mass Videos. It's a great one to have when you're traveling!
You can also find Bibles, the compendium to the Catechism, Rosary apps, a Breviary that allows you to pray Liturgy of the Hours...and much, much more!
3 Minute Retreat (.99): This app by Loyola Press plays music, gives you a daily theme, related Scripture on which to reflect, and prayer. You can go through the retreat at your own pace, and it's a great way to take just a couple of minutes of your day to devote to being with God!
Catholic Calendar (Free): This app by Universalis Publishing gives you access to Liturgy of the hours, as well as listing solemnities, Holy Days, information about the Saint of the Day.
Catholic Cheat Sheet (.99): This is a great way to carry the essential reminders of our Catholic faith with you. Click on "beliefs" to find the Creeds, the commandments, the Sacraments, the Beatitudes, etc. Under "prayers" you'll find tons of the prayers common to many Catholics all over the world, and click "The Mass," for great quotes on why we should go, learn more about its structure, and see prayers related to Mass.
Catholic Mass Times Church Directory (Free): An app to help you find the nearest churches, Mass times, Websites, directions, and more. It has bonus features that include, Saint of the Day, Daily Readings, and even Daily Mass Videos. It's a great one to have when you're traveling!
You can also find Bibles, the compendium to the Catechism, Rosary apps, a Breviary that allows you to pray Liturgy of the Hours...and much, much more!
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