Dear Villagers,
Hope you all had a beautiful Christmas with quality family time. The Christmas message is deeply moving- God has not abandoned us! He draws near to us, entering into our humanity and offering us forgiveness for our sins. Year after year we are reminded of this great mystery: that the God of the universe became flesh and dwelt among us.
There is a universal longing in all of us to be given a fresh start, a new beginning. Jesus promised that He would make all things new in the book of Revelations, saying "Behold, I make all things new!" As we approach New Year's Eve and the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us look to our Mother who -through her surrender to God's will- allowed all of us to have a new beginning in Christ.
You're all invited to join the Village for our 4th Annual New Year's Eve Overnight! In past years we've had 20-35 teens and young adults come together for great food, board games, Mafia, huge games of Freeze Tag, Sardines, and Dodge ball!
In addition to all the fun, we will be beginning the new year with thoughtfulness and prayer. There is no better way to begin the New Year than prayer! We will be praying Night Prayer and Morning Prayer, and celebrating the last Mass of the calendar year, fulfilling the Mass Obligation for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The cost for participation is $15. Permission slip (attached) and money are due by Tuesday, December 29th. Parish Offices are open 8am-8pm both today- Monday 12/28 and Tuesday 12/29. Parent Volunteers are wanted to help with Overnight, see permission slip!
Merry Christmas and God Bless,
--
Fourth Annual Village New Year's Eve Overnight
Join the St Thomas High School Youth Group for an amazing New Year’s Eve Party! Our fourth annual New Year’s Eve party will feature great food, board games, Mafia, huge games of Freeze Tag, Sardines, and Dodgeball! In addition to all the fun, we will be beginning the new year with thoughtfulness and prayer. We will be praying Night Prayer and Morning Prayer, and celebrating the last Mass of the calendar year, fulfilling the Mass Obligation for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
All men will be sleeping in Room 250, the Youth Room. All women will be sleeping in the South School Building. Bring a sleeping bag & pillow, pajama’s, and any necessary toiletries. Showers will not be available during this overnight. Lights out will occur no later than 1:30am. Wake up and Morning Prayer will occur no earlier than 8:30am.
The cost for participation is $15 and helps offset costs to St Thomas. Final registration deadline is Tuesday, December 29th. [Parish Offices are open 8am-8pm both Monday 12/28 and Tuesday 12/29] In order to ensure a healthy ratio of adults to teens, there will be no exceptions to the final deadline. Teens are asked to bring a snack to share.
Schedule for New Year’s Eve Overnight:
10pm: Open Gym & Snacks outside Gym
11pm: Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
11:45pm: Watching the Ball Drop & Celebrating!
12am: Games in the Youth Room
1am: Night Prayer
1:30am: Lights Out
————————
8:30am: Wake up
9am: Morning Prayer
9:30am: Breakfast
10am: End of Overnight! :(
Packing List:
Snack to Share
Sleeping Bag & Pillow
Pajama’s
Toiletries– toothpaste, etc
Upcoming Village Events
There will be no regular Village Meetings or Dead Theologians Society Meetings until after Christmas Break.
Sunday night Village Meetings as well as weekly Dead Theologians Society Meetings will begin again starting Sunday, January 10th!
Stay tuned for the full calendar of Village events for January-June!
28 December 2009
02 December 2009
Fall Retreat!
Dear Village Family,
Hope you are all well and had a brilliant Thanksgiving! I'm grateful that Thanksgiving led us into the Season of Advent, so we can properly prepare for our Lord's coming again.
Some of you have asked questions about our Retreat Center for next weekend's Fall Retreat. We are headed to Somerset Beach Campground, and will be staying in the Red Oak Lodge. Somerset Beach Campground owns a large expanse of land and has a number of large conference centers on site, as well as a separate Cafeteria Hall. We go to this site every other year for our Fall Retreat- and it has been great!
We will all be staying together in the Red Oak Lodge, which is carpeted, has internal heat & AC, as well as a fireplace in the main meeting space. The main meeting space is bordered on two sides by hallways (that do not touch). We designate one hallway for guy's rooms and one hallway for girl's rooms. All rooms have their own attached bathroom. For safety reasons- it's nice to have everyone under the same roof. We have never had a problem on retreat having the boys and girls under the same roof, and communicate clear and strict rules about no boys/girls being allowed in the room of the opposite gender. In order to avoid any future difficulties with this, I sleep in the main meeting space which separates the hallways.
Teens, if you aren't sure about whether or not to join us- let me just say I have seen some amazing transformation through Retreats! One teen said that when he came on our retreat he heard God's voice for the first time- and his life has been different ever since. So many teens have been overwhelmed by the realization of God's personal love for them. And in addition to taking your relationship with God to the next level, you'll have some quality time with other teens to develop solid friendships!
---The deadline for Fall Retreat registration is Monday, 12/7, after which there will be an additional $10 fee if space is available.
---This Thursday: St Francis Xavier @ The Dead Theologians Society!
---Your Question of the Week: "Mary and Joseph were seriously chaste their whole lives?"
You are in my prayers!
--------------------------
The Village News
This Thursday: St Francis Xavier @ The Dead Theologians Society
St Francis Xavier is known for being the greatest missionary in the history of the Church! St Francis Xavier once baptized over 40,000 people in just one month! Join us tomorrow as we celebrate his Feast Day by discovering the life he lived for God’s greater glory. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us next week on Thursday from 6:30-8pm.
--6:30pm: social time in the Parish Offices
--7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks
This Sunday: St John Vianney & the Year of the Priest
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that this is the Year of the Priest– in celebration of the 150th death anniversary of St John Vianney, patron of all parish priests. Our Pope called on our priests to follow in the footsteps of St John Vianney– to let themselves be captivated by Christ. Stop on by this Sunday from 5-6:30 as we discover the life of St John Vianney– explore the daily demands of our priests– and find practical ways to support our priests!
Fall Retreat, Next Weekend, 12/11-12/13
Village Retreatants escape from the stress and hectic schedule of everyday life to be welcomed into the rich prayer life of the Church with Morning Prayer and Night Prayer, in addition to Holy Mass. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration.
As G.K. Chesterton once said, “Seriousness is not a virtue!” Village Retreats are also packed with free time, prize giveaways, and games. Past favorites have included Mafia, Jenga Tournaments, Epic ERS Battles, Catch Phrase, and Ultimate Frisbee. Of course the staple of every true Village Retreat; we’ll be going on our late-night Taco Bell run Saturday night!
The name of our Retreat Center- Somerset Beach Campground- can be a bit misleading. They own a large expanse of land and have a number of large conference centers on site, as well as a separate Cafeteria Hall. We will all be staying together in the Red Oak Lodge, which is carpeted, has internal heat & AC, as well as a fireplace in the main meeting space. The main meeting space is bordered on two sides by hallways (that do not touch). We designate one hallway for guy's rooms and one hallway for girl's rooms. Each room has a private attached bathroom. We stayed at the Red Oak Lodge just two years ago for our Fall Retreat and had a great time!
Final registration for Fall Retreat is due Monday, 12/7, after which there will be an additional $10 late fee if space is still available.
Your Question of the Week: Mary and Joseph were seriously chaste their whole lives?
All Christians believe that Mary was a virgin before and at the time of the birth of her son Jesus. In fact, the Virgin Birth was promised by God through the Prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament: “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” The Gospel of Matthew confirms that Mary conceived Jesus when she was yet a virgin and she and Joseph did not have marital relations before Jesus was born- see Matthew Chapter 1, Verses 18-25.
Now that said, some Christians believe that after Joseph and Mary were married they had children other than Jesus.
---To support this belief some will point to various scripture passages that refer to “Jesus’ brothers.” The trick is, Jesus and his contemporaries spoke Aramaic. The Aramaic language uses the same word to describe both brothers and cousins. In fact there is no way to distinguish a true blood brother in the language. That said, these passages cannot be used to prove that Joseph and Mary had children aside from Jesus.
---Some people believe Mary and Joseph had children aside from Jesus because the Gospel writers use the term “first-born” to describe Jesus. The first-born son had legal rights according to the Mosaic Law, so this would have been used to refer to an only child as well as the eldest of brothers. So there isn’t any real evidence here suggesting marital relations.
Neither the Gospels nor the accounts of the early Church suggest that Mary had any other children besides Jesus. In fact, the faithful have always held that Jesus was Mary’s only child and that she remained a virgin for her whole life. You can also check out a historical document called the Protoevangelium of James which was written around 120AD that supports this teaching of Mary’s perpetual virginity. As early as 293AD the Church Fathers explicitly spoke about Mary being ever virgin.
Today some Protestants are unaware of the early Church’s confidence regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity and the proper interpretation of "the brethren of the Lord." Yet even so- many of the Protestant Reformers themselves—Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli—honored the perpetual virginity of Mary and recognized it as the teaching of the Bible.
There have been a number of other marriages throughout history in which the husband and wife maintained perpetual virgins. For example, St Cecilia and her husband Valerius chose to live a married celibate life together! Their intention was to live a life focusing mostly on prayer and charitable works. In fact St Therese of Lisieux’s parents lived a married celibate life together for some time, until their parish priest encouraged them to bear children! Now that we know so much more about the proper role of sexual love in marriage, men and women are discouraged from living together as perpetual virgins. However God’s plan for Mary, the Mother of God, who held the Word Incarnate within her womb was pretty special, and according to His plan for her, she remained ever-virgin!
Here’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say:“The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary's real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ's birth "did not diminish his mother's virginal integrity but sanctified it." And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the "Ever-virgin". (#499)
Hope you are all well and had a brilliant Thanksgiving! I'm grateful that Thanksgiving led us into the Season of Advent, so we can properly prepare for our Lord's coming again.
Some of you have asked questions about our Retreat Center for next weekend's Fall Retreat. We are headed to Somerset Beach Campground, and will be staying in the Red Oak Lodge. Somerset Beach Campground owns a large expanse of land and has a number of large conference centers on site, as well as a separate Cafeteria Hall. We go to this site every other year for our Fall Retreat- and it has been great!
We will all be staying together in the Red Oak Lodge, which is carpeted, has internal heat & AC, as well as a fireplace in the main meeting space. The main meeting space is bordered on two sides by hallways (that do not touch). We designate one hallway for guy's rooms and one hallway for girl's rooms. All rooms have their own attached bathroom. For safety reasons- it's nice to have everyone under the same roof. We have never had a problem on retreat having the boys and girls under the same roof, and communicate clear and strict rules about no boys/girls being allowed in the room of the opposite gender. In order to avoid any future difficulties with this, I sleep in the main meeting space which separates the hallways.
Teens, if you aren't sure about whether or not to join us- let me just say I have seen some amazing transformation through Retreats! One teen said that when he came on our retreat he heard God's voice for the first time- and his life has been different ever since. So many teens have been overwhelmed by the realization of God's personal love for them. And in addition to taking your relationship with God to the next level, you'll have some quality time with other teens to develop solid friendships!
---The deadline for Fall Retreat registration is Monday, 12/7, after which there will be an additional $10 fee if space is available.
---This Thursday: St Francis Xavier @ The Dead Theologians Society!
---Your Question of the Week: "Mary and Joseph were seriously chaste their whole lives?"
You are in my prayers!
--------------------------
The Village News
This Thursday: St Francis Xavier @ The Dead Theologians Society
St Francis Xavier is known for being the greatest missionary in the history of the Church! St Francis Xavier once baptized over 40,000 people in just one month! Join us tomorrow as we celebrate his Feast Day by discovering the life he lived for God’s greater glory. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us next week on Thursday from 6:30-8pm.
--6:30pm: social time in the Parish Offices
--7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks
This Sunday: St John Vianney & the Year of the Priest
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that this is the Year of the Priest– in celebration of the 150th death anniversary of St John Vianney, patron of all parish priests. Our Pope called on our priests to follow in the footsteps of St John Vianney– to let themselves be captivated by Christ. Stop on by this Sunday from 5-6:30 as we discover the life of St John Vianney– explore the daily demands of our priests– and find practical ways to support our priests!
Fall Retreat, Next Weekend, 12/11-12/13
Village Retreatants escape from the stress and hectic schedule of everyday life to be welcomed into the rich prayer life of the Church with Morning Prayer and Night Prayer, in addition to Holy Mass. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration.
As G.K. Chesterton once said, “Seriousness is not a virtue!” Village Retreats are also packed with free time, prize giveaways, and games. Past favorites have included Mafia, Jenga Tournaments, Epic ERS Battles, Catch Phrase, and Ultimate Frisbee. Of course the staple of every true Village Retreat; we’ll be going on our late-night Taco Bell run Saturday night!
The name of our Retreat Center- Somerset Beach Campground- can be a bit misleading. They own a large expanse of land and have a number of large conference centers on site, as well as a separate Cafeteria Hall. We will all be staying together in the Red Oak Lodge, which is carpeted, has internal heat & AC, as well as a fireplace in the main meeting space. The main meeting space is bordered on two sides by hallways (that do not touch). We designate one hallway for guy's rooms and one hallway for girl's rooms. Each room has a private attached bathroom. We stayed at the Red Oak Lodge just two years ago for our Fall Retreat and had a great time!
Final registration for Fall Retreat is due Monday, 12/7, after which there will be an additional $10 late fee if space is still available.
Your Question of the Week: Mary and Joseph were seriously chaste their whole lives?
All Christians believe that Mary was a virgin before and at the time of the birth of her son Jesus. In fact, the Virgin Birth was promised by God through the Prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament: “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” The Gospel of Matthew confirms that Mary conceived Jesus when she was yet a virgin and she and Joseph did not have marital relations before Jesus was born- see Matthew Chapter 1, Verses 18-25.
Now that said, some Christians believe that after Joseph and Mary were married they had children other than Jesus.
---To support this belief some will point to various scripture passages that refer to “Jesus’ brothers.” The trick is, Jesus and his contemporaries spoke Aramaic. The Aramaic language uses the same word to describe both brothers and cousins. In fact there is no way to distinguish a true blood brother in the language. That said, these passages cannot be used to prove that Joseph and Mary had children aside from Jesus.
---Some people believe Mary and Joseph had children aside from Jesus because the Gospel writers use the term “first-born” to describe Jesus. The first-born son had legal rights according to the Mosaic Law, so this would have been used to refer to an only child as well as the eldest of brothers. So there isn’t any real evidence here suggesting marital relations.
Neither the Gospels nor the accounts of the early Church suggest that Mary had any other children besides Jesus. In fact, the faithful have always held that Jesus was Mary’s only child and that she remained a virgin for her whole life. You can also check out a historical document called the Protoevangelium of James which was written around 120AD that supports this teaching of Mary’s perpetual virginity. As early as 293AD the Church Fathers explicitly spoke about Mary being ever virgin.
Today some Protestants are unaware of the early Church’s confidence regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity and the proper interpretation of "the brethren of the Lord." Yet even so- many of the Protestant Reformers themselves—Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli—honored the perpetual virginity of Mary and recognized it as the teaching of the Bible.
There have been a number of other marriages throughout history in which the husband and wife maintained perpetual virgins. For example, St Cecilia and her husband Valerius chose to live a married celibate life together! Their intention was to live a life focusing mostly on prayer and charitable works. In fact St Therese of Lisieux’s parents lived a married celibate life together for some time, until their parish priest encouraged them to bear children! Now that we know so much more about the proper role of sexual love in marriage, men and women are discouraged from living together as perpetual virgins. However God’s plan for Mary, the Mother of God, who held the Word Incarnate within her womb was pretty special, and according to His plan for her, she remained ever-virgin!
Here’s what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say:“The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary's real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ's birth "did not diminish his mother's virginal integrity but sanctified it." And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the "Ever-virgin". (#499)
23 November 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dear Villagers,
What a blast we had last night with the ultimate Man versus Food Challenge! Together, we consumed copious amounts of Grass-flavored Jello, Squid (beefless) jerky, Lychee Gelatin Mounds, and of course- the iconic Durian Fruit from southeast Asia. As everyone discerned from the beginning, it was going to be a gross food challenge, and it was!
In addition to eating some sticky things, we talked about some pretty sticky things- Self-Harm, Alcohol Abuse, and Drug Abuse. We gave some practical tips to understand and support a friend in crisis. Please don't promise total confidentiality to a friend before you know what they're dealing with, it really is not in their best interest! To be a true friend, promise to keep total confidentiality except for cases where they are at risk of harming themselves or others. You are not a professional counselor, and it may be in their best interest to get help from a trained professional. See the bottom for a list of Resources to Help in Crises.
Self-Harm, Alcohol Abuse, and Drug Abuse are often used as an outlet to deal with a deeper emotional problem. Using these as an outlet in teen years can become addictive, creating an unhealthy behavior pattern that’s really hard to break! Never judge a friend who is dealing with these things, but encourage them that there are better outlets for the stress they're feeling. When God is faced with the 99 sheep who are fine and the 1 sheep who is lost, He will always go after the one lost sheep. Even though these behaviors can be sinful, know that God's love is passionate and forgiving. God's mercy is waiting for each of us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
---Registration forms for The Village Fall Retreat (12/11-12/13) are online at findthevillage.com. Get yours in by the Early Bird Registration Deadline- December 2nd, and you could win 5 lbs of Trolli sour gummy worms!
---Your Question of the Week: "Jason Evert really made me think…How do you say no when you’ve already said yes before?"
You are in my prayers,
-------------------------------
The Village News
Resources to Help in Crises:
Crisis Pregnancies 24-hour Hotline: 1-800-57WOMAN
Ozone House 24-hour Crisis Hotline: (734) 662-2222
National Addiction Assistance Helpline: 1-800-559-9503
Alcoholics Anonymous-Alateen: 1 (888) 4AL-ANON
Christian Teen Line: 1-800-394-HOPE [Mon-Sun 6pm-5am]
Contact Youth Minister Beth Spizarny at (734) 545-0827
Find a local Therapist at psychologytoday.com
This Thursday: No Dead Theologians Society
Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us next Thursday from 6:30-8pm when we'll be discussing St Francis Xavier.
This Sunday, 11/29: No Village Meeting
Enjoy your Thanksgiving! Check in with us next next Sunday 12/6 for "St John Vianney & the Year of the Priest!"
Fall Retreat 12/11-12/13: Overview & Early Bird Deadline
Okay, the votes are in, and our longsleeve Fall Retreat t-shirts are going to be black with green and blue text! Thank you for your votes.Check out the RSVP and Guest List for Fall Retreat by visiting 'The Village @ St Thomas' on Facebook. Retreats are unique opportunities to take friendships to the next level through explosive games, incredible speakers, small group sharing opportunities, and copious amounts of food. Village Retreatants escape from the hectic schedule of everyday life to be welcomed into the rich prayer life of the Church with Morning Prayer and Night Prayer, in addition to Holy Mass. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration. Register by Wednesday, December 2nd and you will be automatically entered into our early bird prize giveaway, nearly 5 pounds of Trolli Sour Gummy Worms!
Your Question of the Week: "Jason Evert really made me think…How do you say no when you’ve already said yes before?"
Dating in high school is so hard! Men and women are not fully developed, and insecurities on all sides can easily lead a couple to use one another rather than truly love one another. Know that you are not alone in trying to figure out how to say no when you’ve already said yes before. Typically what happens in most dating relationships gone bad is this: the boy pressures the girl to go further physically (for his own physical pleasure, or maybe because he thinks this is what he is supposed to do), the girl agrees to go further (so that she feels loved even if it’s just for a moment, or because she thinks this is what she is supposed to do). Friends, this is not real love! This is the worldly counterfeit love- in which men and women simply use one another to feel good without experiencing the meaningful depths of real love that loves the other for his or her own sake and not because of what the other can give.
Jesus was always really loving and forgiving towards men and women who had fallen into some unhealthy dating pattern. Think of the woman at the well who had been with many men, and Jesus looked on her with loving compassion and opened up for her the truth that God alone could quench her thirst for love! Remember how Jesus defended and forgave the woman caught in adultery when the crowd threw her at his feet? Know that if there is any sense of shame or fear of God seeing you differently- know that God waits for all of us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to embrace us in His forgiving love and give us a clean fresh start.
Okay, now on to your question!! The easiest way to say no when you’ve already said yes before- is to avoid the “near occasion of sin” by avoiding the circumstances in which you are likely to be tempted altogether. For example, in high school my friends would get together at someone’s house to “watch movies” which actually meant they were going to have a makeout session with their significant others. SO in this case, avoiding the movie night altogether is the easiest way to say no!!
Other ways to avoid temptation: 1. Ask some legit Christian friends to pray for you, to help you make good decisions. 2. Develop more friendships with those who are rejecting the empty worldly counterfeit of love. Having friends who are like-minded can give you more healthy outlets for fun social hangouts. 3. Tell anyone who pressures you to say yes that you are worth waiting for! Remember Jason’s line- love waits to give but lust can’t wait to take. If you are truly loved, they will wait to show you their love in a physical way. If they keep pressuring you, END IT. (A good friend of mine is on to Man #3 in her adult life- she’s walked away from 2 who said they would wait but still pressured her not to. Be strong! You are worth it!)
Here are a couple other ways to rebuild a Christian understanding of dating. Spend some time thinking about what physical affection means- for starters, affection is intended to be an outward sign of an inward reality. Secondly, make a list of physical boundaries that you would want to use in a dating relationship that would be pleasing to God. This way when the next situation comes along, you’re prepared!
16 November 2009
Village News: Purity & Peer Counseling
Dear Villagers,
Great to see so many of you out at Jason Evert's talk last night! It was neat to hear Jason cover so many different topics from a Catholic perspective- the real side effects of birth control, the proper role of sex in marriage, and real love versus lust. I highly recommend that you check out his website www.chastity.com, for more Q&A on Dating, How Far is Too Far, Pornography, Homosexuality, Birth Control, STD's, Starting Over, How to Stay Pure, and Vocations. Purity can be hard, so we must pray even harder asking God to help us- to make us the men and women that we are called to be!
At this Sunday's Village, we'll be discussing some tough issues, alcohol abuse- drug abuse- and self-harm. Research has shown that teens are much more likely to go to someone their own age when facing a crisis, rather than an adult. Are you prepared to be the Good Samaritan to a friend dealing with these hard situations? Have you struggled with any of these yourself? You are not alone! Join us Sunday for prayer along with practical tips to understand and support those you care about.
--Join us this Thursday for the Dead Theologians Society, meditating on the life of St Elizabeth of Hungary.
--Register for The Village Fall Retreat (12/11-12/13) by the Early Bird Registration Deadline- December 2nd, and you could win 5 lbs of Trolli sour gummy worms!
--Your Question of the Week: "How far can you go in a dating relationship without going against the Catholic Faith?"
You are in my prayers!
----------------------------------
The Village News
Recap: Service Day
Thank you to those who came out this past Saturday to help collect the donations for the Pregnancy Help Center! Last month, a number of Villagers and Volunteers flyered 400+ homes, requesting donations that would be picked up this past Saturday, 11/14. We raised awareness for the Pregnancy Help Center, and were able to collect nearly 5 boxes worth of supplies! Thank you, Villagers, for being Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
This Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary @ Dead Theologians Society
Saint Elizabeth was born a real Princess, and lived a life of piety and sacrifice- an awesome Catholic Disney film! Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us this Thursday.
-6:30pm: social time in the Parish Offices
-7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
-8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks
This Sunday's Village, 11/22: Peer Counseling Workshops
Most teens experiencing a crisis are more likely to go to a friend their own age for support, than an adult. Are you ready to be the Good Samaritan to a friend struggling with alcohol abuse, drug use, or self-harm? Have you struggled with any of these yourself? You are not alone! Join us this Sunday for an introduction to these tough topics from a Catholic perspective, and some tips to help you support a friend in the midst of some pretty nasty stuff.
Fall Retreat 12/11-12/13: Overview & Early Bird Deadline
Retreats are the high point of all youth ministry activity! Retreats are unique opportunities to take friendships to the next level through explosive games, incredible speakers, small group sharing opportunities, and copious amounts of food. Village Retreatants escape from the hectic schedule of everyday life to be welcomed into the rich prayer life of the Church with Morning Prayer and Night Prayer, in addition to Holy Mass. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration. Register by Wednesday, December 2nd and you will be automatically entered into our early bird prize giveaway, nearly 5 pounds of Trolli Sour Gummy Worms!
Your Question of the Week: "How far can you go in a dating relationship without going against the Catholic faith?"
Okay, first of all- there are Four Domains of Dating Relationships.
1. Spiritual: Pray together, Go to mass together, Talk about your prayer life together
2. Intellectual: Watch the news together, Read a book together! Talk!
3. Emotional: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) “Keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) Use all five Love Languages: Quality Time, Acts of Service, Verbal Affirmation, Gifts, Physical Affirmation
4. Physical: Commit yourself to living chastely! The great gift of sex is stripped of all meaning when it is given without life commitment of marriage
Okay, so within that framework, let’s talk about what physical affection means. Physical manifestations of affection are meant to be outward signs of inward realities. What are you expressing to your significant other through your affections? When our physical actions are an end in themselves, we are not treating the other as a person created for his or her own sake, but as a means to our own selfish physical satisfaction. Are we kissing the other person for our own physical gratification, or are we speaking to them of their goodness, and our affection for them? We are called to love the other person for their own sake- not to use them.
Sometimes we can give away too much of ourselves without realizing what it means. Sexual love represents the deepest intimacy you can have with another person! As Catholics, we are called to safeguard Chastity and the sanctity of marriage by avoiding all physical activities designed to sexually arouse the other person.
My last preface to the physical boundaries I’m going to give is this: We need to change our perspective from how much can I get away with, to how can I honor God and my future spouse with this dating relationship?
Here are some dating boundaries that have been passed on to me that I believe to be helpful in safeguarding against sin. First: avoid premarital sex, it is a mortal sin. Avoid passionate kissing. Always stay above the waist (oral sex is a mortal sin). Always keep all of your clothes on. Lying down together is a bad idea, it can lead to badness. Talk openly about the boundaries you find helpful- consider always keeping the door open, or only hanging out exclusively when someone else is nearby.
Again, let your physical actions be a reflection of your affection for the other, but keep the physical aspect of your relationship balanced with other domains. Know that in Christ there is always forgiveness, and there can always be a new beginning, a fresh start. If you fall, make sure you get to Confession to repent and receive Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy!
Great to see so many of you out at Jason Evert's talk last night! It was neat to hear Jason cover so many different topics from a Catholic perspective- the real side effects of birth control, the proper role of sex in marriage, and real love versus lust. I highly recommend that you check out his website www.chastity.com, for more Q&A on Dating, How Far is Too Far, Pornography, Homosexuality, Birth Control, STD's, Starting Over, How to Stay Pure, and Vocations. Purity can be hard, so we must pray even harder asking God to help us- to make us the men and women that we are called to be!
At this Sunday's Village, we'll be discussing some tough issues, alcohol abuse- drug abuse- and self-harm. Research has shown that teens are much more likely to go to someone their own age when facing a crisis, rather than an adult. Are you prepared to be the Good Samaritan to a friend dealing with these hard situations? Have you struggled with any of these yourself? You are not alone! Join us Sunday for prayer along with practical tips to understand and support those you care about.
--Join us this Thursday for the Dead Theologians Society, meditating on the life of St Elizabeth of Hungary.
--Register for The Village Fall Retreat (12/11-12/13) by the Early Bird Registration Deadline- December 2nd, and you could win 5 lbs of Trolli sour gummy worms!
--Your Question of the Week: "How far can you go in a dating relationship without going against the Catholic Faith?"
You are in my prayers!
----------------------------------
The Village News
Recap: Service Day
Thank you to those who came out this past Saturday to help collect the donations for the Pregnancy Help Center! Last month, a number of Villagers and Volunteers flyered 400+ homes, requesting donations that would be picked up this past Saturday, 11/14. We raised awareness for the Pregnancy Help Center, and were able to collect nearly 5 boxes worth of supplies! Thank you, Villagers, for being Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
This Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm: Saint Elizabeth of Hungary @ Dead Theologians Society
Saint Elizabeth was born a real Princess, and lived a life of piety and sacrifice- an awesome Catholic Disney film! Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us this Thursday.
-6:30pm: social time in the Parish Offices
-7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
-8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks
This Sunday's Village, 11/22: Peer Counseling Workshops
Most teens experiencing a crisis are more likely to go to a friend their own age for support, than an adult. Are you ready to be the Good Samaritan to a friend struggling with alcohol abuse, drug use, or self-harm? Have you struggled with any of these yourself? You are not alone! Join us this Sunday for an introduction to these tough topics from a Catholic perspective, and some tips to help you support a friend in the midst of some pretty nasty stuff.
Fall Retreat 12/11-12/13: Overview & Early Bird Deadline
Retreats are the high point of all youth ministry activity! Retreats are unique opportunities to take friendships to the next level through explosive games, incredible speakers, small group sharing opportunities, and copious amounts of food. Village Retreatants escape from the hectic schedule of everyday life to be welcomed into the rich prayer life of the Church with Morning Prayer and Night Prayer, in addition to Holy Mass. Together we will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and be blessed by God’s Real Presence in Eucharistic Adoration. Register by Wednesday, December 2nd and you will be automatically entered into our early bird prize giveaway, nearly 5 pounds of Trolli Sour Gummy Worms!
Your Question of the Week: "How far can you go in a dating relationship without going against the Catholic faith?"
Okay, first of all- there are Four Domains of Dating Relationships.
1. Spiritual: Pray together, Go to mass together, Talk about your prayer life together
2. Intellectual: Watch the news together, Read a book together! Talk!
3. Emotional: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) “Keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) Use all five Love Languages: Quality Time, Acts of Service, Verbal Affirmation, Gifts, Physical Affirmation
4. Physical: Commit yourself to living chastely! The great gift of sex is stripped of all meaning when it is given without life commitment of marriage
Okay, so within that framework, let’s talk about what physical affection means. Physical manifestations of affection are meant to be outward signs of inward realities. What are you expressing to your significant other through your affections? When our physical actions are an end in themselves, we are not treating the other as a person created for his or her own sake, but as a means to our own selfish physical satisfaction. Are we kissing the other person for our own physical gratification, or are we speaking to them of their goodness, and our affection for them? We are called to love the other person for their own sake- not to use them.
Sometimes we can give away too much of ourselves without realizing what it means. Sexual love represents the deepest intimacy you can have with another person! As Catholics, we are called to safeguard Chastity and the sanctity of marriage by avoiding all physical activities designed to sexually arouse the other person.
My last preface to the physical boundaries I’m going to give is this: We need to change our perspective from how much can I get away with, to how can I honor God and my future spouse with this dating relationship?
Here are some dating boundaries that have been passed on to me that I believe to be helpful in safeguarding against sin. First: avoid premarital sex, it is a mortal sin. Avoid passionate kissing. Always stay above the waist (oral sex is a mortal sin). Always keep all of your clothes on. Lying down together is a bad idea, it can lead to badness. Talk openly about the boundaries you find helpful- consider always keeping the door open, or only hanging out exclusively when someone else is nearby.
Again, let your physical actions be a reflection of your affection for the other, but keep the physical aspect of your relationship balanced with other domains. Know that in Christ there is always forgiveness, and there can always be a new beginning, a fresh start. If you fall, make sure you get to Confession to repent and receive Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy!
11 November 2009
Village News: Jason Evert!
Dear Villagers,
Thanks to everyone who came out to Village last Sunday! The girls had an *epic* marshmallow fight, and I hear that the guys built something out of duct tape and boxes that made it to the ceiling before being totally demolished. In addition we had some great dialogue about the "ideal man" and "ideal woman" put forward by the media. It was awesome comparing those false ideals with the ideal presented in the Scriptures by the lives of Jesus and Mary.
I've got some incredible news for you! This Sunday, the St Thomas Respect Life Committee is bringing in renown speaker Jason Evert to address Villagers, Grown-Up Soda teens, and teens from across the diocese. Jason and his wife Crystalina are known for handling sticky issues such as chastity, dating, Theology of the Body, and the struggle for purity- with wit and charm! Check them out online at www.chastity.com! Instead of our regular meeting this week, join hundreds of teens from our area as we gather to hear Jason Evert in the School Gym. Come early, as parking will be scarce! If possible, please bring the suggested $10 donation. Villagers, we're meeting in the Parish Hall for pizza at 6:30pm, and listening to Jason from 7pm to 8pm!
---Join us this Thursday for the Dead Theologians Society, meditating on the life of St Padre Pio...
---Join us this Saturday from 9am-1pm for our last Service Day of the semester!
---Your Question of the Week: "What is the Paraclete?"
-------------------------
The Village News
This Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm: Saint Padre Pio @ The Dead Theologians Society
This week our dead theologian is Padre Pio! He passed away just 40 years ago, a holy man in our own times. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us this Thursday.
--6:30pm: social time in the Parish Offices
--7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks
This Saturday, 9am-1pm: Service Day
Last month 10 Villagers dropped fliers at over 300 homes, asking them to participate in our Collection Drive this Saturday, 11/14! At our Service Day Saturday (11/14, from 9-1pm!) we’ll celebrate morning Mass with the Parish, invite God’s blessing on our service with a prayer, collect donations for the Pregnancy Help Center, drop them at the Pregnancy Help Center, and have a short time for debriefing back at St Thomas over a pizza lunch.
Sunday 11/15, 6:30-8:30pm: Jason Evert, in place of Regular Village Meeting
Nationally renowned Catholic Speaker Jason Evert is coming to speak here at St Thomas, sponsored by the Respect Life Committee! Hundreds of teens are coming from across the Diocese of Lansing to hear him speak on Chastity, Dating, and Theology of the Body. Meet us in the Parish Hall for pizza at 6:30pm, and listen to Jason from 7pm to 8pm! Come early, parking will be scarce! If possible, please bring the suggested $10 donation.
Fall Retreat 12/11-12/13
Last year’s Fall Retreat was a blast! Brendan won 5lbs of Fun Dip, we had go-cart races, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Father Selvam celebrated Holy Mass for us on Sunday morning…Stay tuned for more on this year’s Fall Retreat!
Your Question of the Week: "What is the Paraclete?"
Translated, Paraclete means Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Teacher, Helper. ‘Paraclete’ is another word for the Holy Spirit that is used in John’s Gospel. According to St. John the mission of the Paraclete is to remain with the disciples after Jesus has withdrawn His visible presence from them; to inwardly reveal to them the teaching externally given by Christ and thus to be a witness to the doctrine and work of the Saviour.
At our Baptism, Catholics receive a share of the Holy Spirit, and when we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit! We receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit- wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, fear of the Lord, knowledge.
The Holy Spirit is a Person really distinct as such from the Father and the Son; He is God and consubstantial with the Father and the Son. When we close our monthly Village Adoration, we pray the Divine Praises together. Let’s close with the line on the Holy Spirit: “Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete!”
Thanks to everyone who came out to Village last Sunday! The girls had an *epic* marshmallow fight, and I hear that the guys built something out of duct tape and boxes that made it to the ceiling before being totally demolished. In addition we had some great dialogue about the "ideal man" and "ideal woman" put forward by the media. It was awesome comparing those false ideals with the ideal presented in the Scriptures by the lives of Jesus and Mary.
I've got some incredible news for you! This Sunday, the St Thomas Respect Life Committee is bringing in renown speaker Jason Evert to address Villagers, Grown-Up Soda teens, and teens from across the diocese. Jason and his wife Crystalina are known for handling sticky issues such as chastity, dating, Theology of the Body, and the struggle for purity- with wit and charm! Check them out online at www.chastity.com! Instead of our regular meeting this week, join hundreds of teens from our area as we gather to hear Jason Evert in the School Gym. Come early, as parking will be scarce! If possible, please bring the suggested $10 donation. Villagers, we're meeting in the Parish Hall for pizza at 6:30pm, and listening to Jason from 7pm to 8pm!
---Join us this Thursday for the Dead Theologians Society, meditating on the life of St Padre Pio...
---Join us this Saturday from 9am-1pm for our last Service Day of the semester!
---Your Question of the Week: "What is the Paraclete?"
-------------------------
The Village News
This Thursday, 6:30-8:30pm: Saint Padre Pio @ The Dead Theologians Society
This week our dead theologian is Padre Pio! He passed away just 40 years ago, a holy man in our own times. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us this Thursday.
--6:30pm: social time in the Parish Offices
--7-8pm: gather in the Church choir loft for prayer (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--8-8:30pm: return to Parish Offices for hot cocoa & snacks
This Saturday, 9am-1pm: Service Day
Last month 10 Villagers dropped fliers at over 300 homes, asking them to participate in our Collection Drive this Saturday, 11/14! At our Service Day Saturday (11/14, from 9-1pm!) we’ll celebrate morning Mass with the Parish, invite God’s blessing on our service with a prayer, collect donations for the Pregnancy Help Center, drop them at the Pregnancy Help Center, and have a short time for debriefing back at St Thomas over a pizza lunch.
Sunday 11/15, 6:30-8:30pm: Jason Evert, in place of Regular Village Meeting
Nationally renowned Catholic Speaker Jason Evert is coming to speak here at St Thomas, sponsored by the Respect Life Committee! Hundreds of teens are coming from across the Diocese of Lansing to hear him speak on Chastity, Dating, and Theology of the Body. Meet us in the Parish Hall for pizza at 6:30pm, and listen to Jason from 7pm to 8pm! Come early, parking will be scarce! If possible, please bring the suggested $10 donation.
Fall Retreat 12/11-12/13
Last year’s Fall Retreat was a blast! Brendan won 5lbs of Fun Dip, we had go-cart races, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Father Selvam celebrated Holy Mass for us on Sunday morning…Stay tuned for more on this year’s Fall Retreat!
Your Question of the Week: "What is the Paraclete?"
Translated, Paraclete means Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Teacher, Helper. ‘Paraclete’ is another word for the Holy Spirit that is used in John’s Gospel. According to St. John the mission of the Paraclete is to remain with the disciples after Jesus has withdrawn His visible presence from them; to inwardly reveal to them the teaching externally given by Christ and thus to be a witness to the doctrine and work of the Saviour.
At our Baptism, Catholics receive a share of the Holy Spirit, and when we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit! We receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit- wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, piety, fear of the Lord, knowledge.
The Holy Spirit is a Person really distinct as such from the Father and the Son; He is God and consubstantial with the Father and the Son. When we close our monthly Village Adoration, we pray the Divine Praises together. Let’s close with the line on the Holy Spirit: “Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete!”
02 November 2009
Lies in the Media!
Dear Villagers,
Last night we got into Catholic Philosophy in some very practical ways! First we all competed in The Amazing Race which went all through the parish offices and school, and included some unethical ways to get ahead. Next, drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis Splendor, we studied a number of basic principles that can be used to determine the morality of various actions in everyday life.
Here are 6 principles for moral decision making:
---Principle 1: Good is to be done, evil is to be avoided.
---Principle 2: Some acts are objectively wrong all of the time.
---Principle 3: It is not acceptable to do evil in order to achieve some good end. (The ends don’t justify the means.)
---Principle 4: Avoid acts which are permissible for you but may cause scandal to others.
---Principle 5: The object, motive and circumstances must all be good for an act to be good.
---Principle 6: In certain cases, it is permissible to do a good action that causes a negative side effect. (Double Effect)
This Sunday, we're focusing on Lies in the Media. Those in marketing find your weaknesses, your insecurities, and exploit them to their advantage– to sell magazines, makeup, clothes, anything! This Sunday we’re having some quality men’s and women’s time to deconstruct some of the lies put forward by today’s media about who we are called to be as men and women!
----Join us Thursday from 7-8pm for the Dead Theologians Society, meditating on the life of St Therese of the Little Flower!
----Your Questions of the Week are: "Why did God make the Trinity?" and "What is a Novena and Where can I find one?"
You are in my prayers!
---------------------
The Village News
This Thursday: Dead Theologians Society
This week our dead theologian is Saint Therese of Lisieux! She is one of the most beloved Saints of all time. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us this Thursday!
--At 6:30pm we have social time in the Parish Offices
--From 7-8pm we gather in the Church choir loft for prayer with the Saints! (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--Stay as late as 8:30pm enjoying hot cocoa, a yummy baked good and more snacks!
Next Sunday: Lies in the Media- Men’s and Women’s Time
Those in marketing find your weaknesses, your insecurities, and exploit them to their advantage– to sell magazines, makeup, clothes, anything! This Sunday we’re having for some quality men’s and women’s time to deconstruct some of the lies put forward by today’s media about who we are called to be as men and women! Inspired by a speaker at the Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conference, we’re going to strip away the myths we’ve been fed about what we should strive to be like– replacing the untruths with the truth found in our identity as men and women of God!
Upcoming Events
-----Service Day, Saturday 11/14, 9am-1pm:Last month 10 Villagers dropped fliers at over 300 homes, asking them to participate in our Collection Drive this Saturday, 11/14! At our Service Day Saturday (11/14, from 9-1pm!) we’ll celebrate morning Mass with the Parish, invite God’s blessing on our service with a prayer, collect donations for the Pregnancy Help Center, drop them at the Pregnancy Help Center, and have a short time for debriefing back at St Thomas over a pizza lunch.
-----Jason Evert, Sunday 11/15 in place of Regular Village Meeting: Nationally renowned Catholic Speaker Jason Evert is coming to speak here at St Thomas, sponsored by the Respect Life Committee! Teens will be coming here from across the Diocese of Lansing to hear him speak on Chastity, Dating, and Theology of the Body. Meet us in the Parish Hall for pizza at 6:30pm, and listen to Jason from 7pm to 8pm! Come early, parking will be scarce! Volunteers are needed to help setup for this event, serve food, direct visitors, and provide general hospitality- contact Barbara Grant-Yopko at bgyopko@att.net.
-----The Village Fall Retreat, December 11-13th:Did you know that there is a big ridiculous give-away for those who attend Fall Retreat? In ’06 we gave away 70 pounds of Tootsie Rolls, and in ’07 it was 20lbs of Big League Chew!! Last year we gave away 5 pounds of Fun Dip and 8 pounds of Bugle Chips!
Your Questions of the Week: Why did God make the Trinity?
God did not make the Trinity. God simply is three distinct persons in one essence. God the Father was not created- He existed from eternity. Similarly, the Son was not created- He was eternally begotten from the Father. Finally, the Holy Spirit was not created- He eternally proceeds from the Son and the Father.
Now if your question was why is God triune? We simply cannot know why God is triune, any more than we can know why God decided on a blue sky instead of a yellow one. The Holy Trinity is a deep mystery- what we do know we must hold fast, lest we stumble into untruth! We know that: God is One, God is three persons in one essence. We know that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are co-equal, and we know that The Trinity is a mystery that cannot be grasped by reason alone.
Your Questions of the Week: What is a Novena, and Where Can I find one?
A novena is a prayer/devotion that is repeated for nine days to obtain special graces. Novena’s are encouraged by the Catholic Church, and are a beautiful form of prayer. The goal of going through a novena is to ask for grace, and to deepen one's spiritual connection with God. Novenas are especially useful when one has a specific prayer request or needs help discerning a life decision.
Typically, people pray to specific saints when they make a novena. Someone who has lost something might pray to Saint Anthony, for example, asking for assistance with finding the item again. People can also pray to the Virgin Mary or to God. There are hundreds of novenas published in various collections of Catholic prayers and meditations, and people can also make up their own prayers. The prayer may be said at home or in Church, and some people meditate on the rosary as they say their novenas.
One of the most popular novenas is the Novena to the Little Flower- to Saint Therese of Lisieux. (She is our Dead Theologian this Thursday from 7-8pm in the Church choir loft!) It is a beautiful prayer of joining in the total surrender of Saint Therese, and asking God for spiritual purification and an answer to a specific question. Many who have prayed the Novena to Saint Therese have their prayer answered in the affirmative on the 9th day by receiving roses!
Here is the opening prayer to the Novena to Saint Therese: St. Thérèse, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach you with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before you my desires, and beg that through your intercession they may be realized. Did you not promise to spend your heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.
Great places to find a Novena- www.ewtn.com www.fisheaters.com
Last night we got into Catholic Philosophy in some very practical ways! First we all competed in The Amazing Race which went all through the parish offices and school, and included some unethical ways to get ahead. Next, drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis Splendor, we studied a number of basic principles that can be used to determine the morality of various actions in everyday life.
Here are 6 principles for moral decision making:
---Principle 1: Good is to be done, evil is to be avoided.
---Principle 2: Some acts are objectively wrong all of the time.
---Principle 3: It is not acceptable to do evil in order to achieve some good end. (The ends don’t justify the means.)
---Principle 4: Avoid acts which are permissible for you but may cause scandal to others.
---Principle 5: The object, motive and circumstances must all be good for an act to be good.
---Principle 6: In certain cases, it is permissible to do a good action that causes a negative side effect. (Double Effect)
This Sunday, we're focusing on Lies in the Media. Those in marketing find your weaknesses, your insecurities, and exploit them to their advantage– to sell magazines, makeup, clothes, anything! This Sunday we’re having some quality men’s and women’s time to deconstruct some of the lies put forward by today’s media about who we are called to be as men and women!
----Join us Thursday from 7-8pm for the Dead Theologians Society, meditating on the life of St Therese of the Little Flower!
----Your Questions of the Week are: "Why did God make the Trinity?" and "What is a Novena and Where can I find one?"
You are in my prayers!
---------------------
The Village News
This Thursday: Dead Theologians Society
This week our dead theologian is Saint Therese of Lisieux! She is one of the most beloved Saints of all time. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow! Come on out and join us this Thursday!
--At 6:30pm we have social time in the Parish Offices
--From 7-8pm we gather in the Church choir loft for prayer with the Saints! (the Elizabeth St door is always open)
--Stay as late as 8:30pm enjoying hot cocoa, a yummy baked good and more snacks!
Next Sunday: Lies in the Media- Men’s and Women’s Time
Those in marketing find your weaknesses, your insecurities, and exploit them to their advantage– to sell magazines, makeup, clothes, anything! This Sunday we’re having for some quality men’s and women’s time to deconstruct some of the lies put forward by today’s media about who we are called to be as men and women! Inspired by a speaker at the Franciscan University of Steubenville Youth Conference, we’re going to strip away the myths we’ve been fed about what we should strive to be like– replacing the untruths with the truth found in our identity as men and women of God!
Upcoming Events
-----Service Day, Saturday 11/14, 9am-1pm:Last month 10 Villagers dropped fliers at over 300 homes, asking them to participate in our Collection Drive this Saturday, 11/14! At our Service Day Saturday (11/14, from 9-1pm!) we’ll celebrate morning Mass with the Parish, invite God’s blessing on our service with a prayer, collect donations for the Pregnancy Help Center, drop them at the Pregnancy Help Center, and have a short time for debriefing back at St Thomas over a pizza lunch.
-----Jason Evert, Sunday 11/15 in place of Regular Village Meeting: Nationally renowned Catholic Speaker Jason Evert is coming to speak here at St Thomas, sponsored by the Respect Life Committee! Teens will be coming here from across the Diocese of Lansing to hear him speak on Chastity, Dating, and Theology of the Body. Meet us in the Parish Hall for pizza at 6:30pm, and listen to Jason from 7pm to 8pm! Come early, parking will be scarce! Volunteers are needed to help setup for this event, serve food, direct visitors, and provide general hospitality- contact Barbara Grant-Yopko at bgyopko@att.net.
-----The Village Fall Retreat, December 11-13th:Did you know that there is a big ridiculous give-away for those who attend Fall Retreat? In ’06 we gave away 70 pounds of Tootsie Rolls, and in ’07 it was 20lbs of Big League Chew!! Last year we gave away 5 pounds of Fun Dip and 8 pounds of Bugle Chips!
Your Questions of the Week: Why did God make the Trinity?
God did not make the Trinity. God simply is three distinct persons in one essence. God the Father was not created- He existed from eternity. Similarly, the Son was not created- He was eternally begotten from the Father. Finally, the Holy Spirit was not created- He eternally proceeds from the Son and the Father.
Now if your question was why is God triune? We simply cannot know why God is triune, any more than we can know why God decided on a blue sky instead of a yellow one. The Holy Trinity is a deep mystery- what we do know we must hold fast, lest we stumble into untruth! We know that: God is One, God is three persons in one essence. We know that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are co-equal, and we know that The Trinity is a mystery that cannot be grasped by reason alone.
Your Questions of the Week: What is a Novena, and Where Can I find one?
A novena is a prayer/devotion that is repeated for nine days to obtain special graces. Novena’s are encouraged by the Catholic Church, and are a beautiful form of prayer. The goal of going through a novena is to ask for grace, and to deepen one's spiritual connection with God. Novenas are especially useful when one has a specific prayer request or needs help discerning a life decision.
Typically, people pray to specific saints when they make a novena. Someone who has lost something might pray to Saint Anthony, for example, asking for assistance with finding the item again. People can also pray to the Virgin Mary or to God. There are hundreds of novenas published in various collections of Catholic prayers and meditations, and people can also make up their own prayers. The prayer may be said at home or in Church, and some people meditate on the rosary as they say their novenas.
One of the most popular novenas is the Novena to the Little Flower- to Saint Therese of Lisieux. (She is our Dead Theologian this Thursday from 7-8pm in the Church choir loft!) It is a beautiful prayer of joining in the total surrender of Saint Therese, and asking God for spiritual purification and an answer to a specific question. Many who have prayed the Novena to Saint Therese have their prayer answered in the affirmative on the 9th day by receiving roses!
Here is the opening prayer to the Novena to Saint Therese: St. Thérèse, privileged Little Flower of Jesus and Mary, I approach you with childlike confidence and deep humility. I lay before you my desires, and beg that through your intercession they may be realized. Did you not promise to spend your heaven doing good upon earth? Grant me according to this promise the favors I am asking from you. Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favors we ask through your intercession. Amen.
Great places to find a Novena- www.ewtn.com www.fisheaters.com
26 October 2009
Village News: Catholic Philosophy 101
Dear Villagers,
Thank you to our faithful Director of Faith Formation, Monica Pope, for an inspiring talk on the Holy Trinity last night! Father Eric Weber, a past parochial vicar of St Thomas once said that it is nearly impossible for anyone to speak for more than 10 minutes on the Blessed Trinity without committing heresy. With that stern admonition, Monica did a beautiful job elaborating on the truths that God has revealed to us about His Trinitarian nature! We must be careful not to lose the gift and mystery of the Trinity by trying to reduce it into our own terms. The Church has continuously called the Holy Trinity the central mystery of the Christian faith! For your further meditation, please see the attached scriptural meditations on the Trinity.
Here are a few truths we talked about last night:
1. In the unity of the one God, there are three distinct Persons. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #253, 254)
2. The Triune God consists of three Persons who are but one essence. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #202)
3. The end of all things is the inclusion of God's creatures into God's Trinitarian unity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #260)
This Sunday, we're focusing on Catholic Philosophy. Catholic Philosophy presents us with a set of basic principles with which to determine the morality of various actions. Drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis Splendor, we’ll be examining some tough ethical questions through the lens of Catholic Philosophy and Moral Theology! Join us next Sunday from 5-6:30 for another great Village meeting!
---This Thursday Night from 7-8pm, our Dead Theologians Society is focusing on St Francis of Assisi.
---Your Question of the Week is, "What does the Church officially teach on homosexuality?"
You are in my prayers!
--------------------------------
The Village News
This Thursday: Dead Theologians Society
This week our dead theologian is Saint Francis of Assisi! Join us this Thursday from 7-8pm for our (now) regular DTS meeting! We will gather in Beth’s office for snacks and social time starting at 6:30, move to the Church Choir Loft at 7pm, and have more snacks and social time from 8 to 8:30pm. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow!
Next Sunday: Catholic Philosophy 101
Catholic Philosophy presents us with a set of basic principles with which to determine the morality of various actions. Drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis Splendor, we’ll be examining some tough ethical questions through the lens of Catholic Philosophy and Moral Theology! Join us this Sunday from 5-6:30 for a great Village meeting!
Next Sunday: Youth Council Meeting at 4pm Before Village
Attention Youth Council Members: Nealia Fil, Melissa Shelcusky, Erica Wells, Marina Argiero, Brendan Hufnagel, Tony Pilon, Ellen Dowling, Mike Megargle, Will Chavey, Sebastian Renteria, Tom Pilon, Danielle Arsenault, Chris Silva, Emma McClory, Robert Peters, Thomas Donahue, James Pope, and Isabel Pope.
Come by 4pm next Sunday, for the second (and last) Youth Council Meeting of the semester. The Youth Council meets 2x each semester to provide youth input to guide upcoming Village events. All those serveing as Team Leaders are a part of the Youth Council, as well as a number of teens who are not on any particular Team.
The Village Fall Retreat, December 11-13th
Did you know that every single Village Retreat has a late night Taco Bell run? This semester our retreat theme is “Lord, to whom shall we go?”! These words come from the Gospel of John Chapter 6, after Jesus promises to give His Body in the Eucharist. Many of his disciples think he has lost it, and stop following him. Jesus turns to his remaining disciples with the question- “Do you also want to leave?” The Apostle Peter replies, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Your Question of the Week: What does the Church officially teach on homosexuality?
Having same-sex attractions does not change who someone is in God’s eyes! Even if you have had feelings of same-sex attraction, this does not change who you are. You are not the sum of your thoughts or feelings- you are God’s Beloved Son or Daughter. Let’s start with the very meaning of sex- our very bodies show that man and woman are made for each other. Sexual love is a participation in God’s work as Creator, and is a gift of self to the beloved, in marriage. It is designed to be a total, faithful, and fruitful gift of self. Sex outside of the marriage vows is not a total, faithful, and fruitful gift of self- therefore the sexual act becomes the antithesis of love- use.
Those with homosexual desires are called, like all Christians, to live the virtue of chastity. Chastity means abstaining from sex outside of marriage, adopting a lifestyle that recognizes the true meaning of sex, and recognizing the goodness of being made male and female in God’s image. Homosexual desires are not in themselves sinful- it is only when one acts on the desires, or encourages the desires, that they become sinful. The homosexual act, acts intended to arouse or stimulate a sexual response from a person of the same sex, is opposed to God’s plan.
Sexual love is designed for a man and a woman in the context of marriage for two reasons. 1. We’re Called to be Fruitful: “God has willed to give the union of man and woman a special participation in his work of creation…“Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). Homosexual acts close the sexual act to the gift of life. 2. We’re Called to be Complementary: “Man, the image of God, was created “male and female” (Gen 1:27). Men and women are equal as persons and complementary as male and female. Marriage is instituted by the Creator as a form of life in which a communion of persons is realized involving the use of the sexual faculty.” (PBenedict)
Old and New Testament consistently condemn the homosexual act- Genesis 19:13, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-28, 32. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" -1 Cor 6:9-10
Scientific studies on what leads people to embrace a gay lifestyle have produced mixed results. Some suggest there may be a genetic predisposition- so the actions cannot be sinful or unnatural, but many are born with a genetic disposition to alcoholism, but that does not mean these desires should be fulfilled. Some say that they were born with the desires; so the actions cannot be sinful or unnatural, but we are all born with many desires that are unnatural- alcoholism, masturbation, self-centeredness, etc. Having these desires is not wrong- but acting on them is.
Therefore, we are called to LOVE: those who have same-sex attractions and those who act on them “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (Catechism 2358) Still, the Church’s effort to love and accept those with homosexual desires does not mean approving of their choices to act on these desires.
More Support + Resources: Courage- an outreach of the Church that ministers to those with same-sex attractions. Encourage- an apostolate of the Catholic Church which ministers to relatives and friends of persons with same-sex attractions. Check them out online!
Thank you to our faithful Director of Faith Formation, Monica Pope, for an inspiring talk on the Holy Trinity last night! Father Eric Weber, a past parochial vicar of St Thomas once said that it is nearly impossible for anyone to speak for more than 10 minutes on the Blessed Trinity without committing heresy. With that stern admonition, Monica did a beautiful job elaborating on the truths that God has revealed to us about His Trinitarian nature! We must be careful not to lose the gift and mystery of the Trinity by trying to reduce it into our own terms. The Church has continuously called the Holy Trinity the central mystery of the Christian faith! For your further meditation, please see the attached scriptural meditations on the Trinity.
Here are a few truths we talked about last night:
1. In the unity of the one God, there are three distinct Persons. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #253, 254)
2. The Triune God consists of three Persons who are but one essence. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #202)
3. The end of all things is the inclusion of God's creatures into God's Trinitarian unity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #260)
This Sunday, we're focusing on Catholic Philosophy. Catholic Philosophy presents us with a set of basic principles with which to determine the morality of various actions. Drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis Splendor, we’ll be examining some tough ethical questions through the lens of Catholic Philosophy and Moral Theology! Join us next Sunday from 5-6:30 for another great Village meeting!
---This Thursday Night from 7-8pm, our Dead Theologians Society is focusing on St Francis of Assisi.
---Your Question of the Week is, "What does the Church officially teach on homosexuality?"
You are in my prayers!
--------------------------------
The Village News
This Thursday: Dead Theologians Society
This week our dead theologian is Saint Francis of Assisi! Join us this Thursday from 7-8pm for our (now) regular DTS meeting! We will gather in Beth’s office for snacks and social time starting at 6:30, move to the Church Choir Loft at 7pm, and have more snacks and social time from 8 to 8:30pm. Through the Saints of yesterday, the Dead Theologians Society, or DTS, inspires the youth of today to become the saints of tomorrow!
Next Sunday: Catholic Philosophy 101
Catholic Philosophy presents us with a set of basic principles with which to determine the morality of various actions. Drawing from St Thomas Aquinas, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Veritatis Splendor, we’ll be examining some tough ethical questions through the lens of Catholic Philosophy and Moral Theology! Join us this Sunday from 5-6:30 for a great Village meeting!
Next Sunday: Youth Council Meeting at 4pm Before Village
Attention Youth Council Members: Nealia Fil, Melissa Shelcusky, Erica Wells, Marina Argiero, Brendan Hufnagel, Tony Pilon, Ellen Dowling, Mike Megargle, Will Chavey, Sebastian Renteria, Tom Pilon, Danielle Arsenault, Chris Silva, Emma McClory, Robert Peters, Thomas Donahue, James Pope, and Isabel Pope.
Come by 4pm next Sunday, for the second (and last) Youth Council Meeting of the semester. The Youth Council meets 2x each semester to provide youth input to guide upcoming Village events. All those serveing as Team Leaders are a part of the Youth Council, as well as a number of teens who are not on any particular Team.
The Village Fall Retreat, December 11-13th
Did you know that every single Village Retreat has a late night Taco Bell run? This semester our retreat theme is “Lord, to whom shall we go?”! These words come from the Gospel of John Chapter 6, after Jesus promises to give His Body in the Eucharist. Many of his disciples think he has lost it, and stop following him. Jesus turns to his remaining disciples with the question- “Do you also want to leave?” The Apostle Peter replies, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Your Question of the Week: What does the Church officially teach on homosexuality?
Having same-sex attractions does not change who someone is in God’s eyes! Even if you have had feelings of same-sex attraction, this does not change who you are. You are not the sum of your thoughts or feelings- you are God’s Beloved Son or Daughter. Let’s start with the very meaning of sex- our very bodies show that man and woman are made for each other. Sexual love is a participation in God’s work as Creator, and is a gift of self to the beloved, in marriage. It is designed to be a total, faithful, and fruitful gift of self. Sex outside of the marriage vows is not a total, faithful, and fruitful gift of self- therefore the sexual act becomes the antithesis of love- use.
Those with homosexual desires are called, like all Christians, to live the virtue of chastity. Chastity means abstaining from sex outside of marriage, adopting a lifestyle that recognizes the true meaning of sex, and recognizing the goodness of being made male and female in God’s image. Homosexual desires are not in themselves sinful- it is only when one acts on the desires, or encourages the desires, that they become sinful. The homosexual act, acts intended to arouse or stimulate a sexual response from a person of the same sex, is opposed to God’s plan.
Sexual love is designed for a man and a woman in the context of marriage for two reasons. 1. We’re Called to be Fruitful: “God has willed to give the union of man and woman a special participation in his work of creation…“Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). Homosexual acts close the sexual act to the gift of life. 2. We’re Called to be Complementary: “Man, the image of God, was created “male and female” (Gen 1:27). Men and women are equal as persons and complementary as male and female. Marriage is instituted by the Creator as a form of life in which a communion of persons is realized involving the use of the sexual faculty.” (PBenedict)
Old and New Testament consistently condemn the homosexual act- Genesis 19:13, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-28, 32. “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" -1 Cor 6:9-10
Scientific studies on what leads people to embrace a gay lifestyle have produced mixed results. Some suggest there may be a genetic predisposition- so the actions cannot be sinful or unnatural, but many are born with a genetic disposition to alcoholism, but that does not mean these desires should be fulfilled. Some say that they were born with the desires; so the actions cannot be sinful or unnatural, but we are all born with many desires that are unnatural- alcoholism, masturbation, self-centeredness, etc. Having these desires is not wrong- but acting on them is.
Therefore, we are called to LOVE: those who have same-sex attractions and those who act on them “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (Catechism 2358) Still, the Church’s effort to love and accept those with homosexual desires does not mean approving of their choices to act on these desires.
More Support + Resources: Courage- an outreach of the Church that ministers to those with same-sex attractions. Encourage- an apostolate of the Catholic Church which ministers to relatives and friends of persons with same-sex attractions. Check them out online!
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