tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33278651107871744692024-03-12T19:25:28.640-04:00womanatwellKay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.comBlogger344125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-37717813705884424262024-03-08T01:17:00.001-05:002024-03-08T01:28:24.545-05:00Sixteen Candles<p>On March 8, 2024, I celebrate anniversary number 16 of my
womanatwell blog. In my youth I had vague ideas of wanting to be a writer, but
couldn’t put together what to write about, unlike so many writers who started
making up stories at a young age. On the other hand, a load of life experiences
can be helpful to feed the writing fires, and I have had plenty of those.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My parents stressed education and I had always liked
animals, especially horses, so I thought I might like to be a veterinarian.
Nothing stopped my progress and I indeed graduated in that field and practiced
for several years. But in the meantime, I had experienced several very
difficult personal situations and spent quite a few years searching for some
kind of grounding. I thank the Lord that I eventually came back to my Christian
religion. This experience made me aware of how likely it is that others may be
in the same condition I had been, and it led me to learn more about theology,
the study of God and religion, and evangelization, which is proclaiming the
Truth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I try to explain aspects of my life, God is at the top of
importance, and of course human relationships are a major part. But for interests,
theology and evangelization are main categories, you could say. One result of my
early theological study was writing the booklet called <i>Heaven’s Passport</i>. It’s
small enough to produce on my own printer and I have distributed it in various
places. Once I started my blog, I added the booklet digitally, offering it for
free. Though the term “theology” sounds heavily academic, my booklet describes
various facets of Christianity in what I think to be an understandable way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Womanatwell has not had a lot of traffic like some, and I
don’t have any other media sites. When I’ve commented on a few other websites,
I have noticed an increase in visits here. I’ve mostly been happy doing the
blog and am glad for an outlet for my writing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I started the blog, my overall desire to evangelize
could probably be further categorized to three of my general interests: women’s
issues; Latin America; and Creationism (which started in the form of
Intelligent Design Theory).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I still am interested in women’s place in the Catholic
Church, which is probably why I have posted so many links to the current
project of Pope Francis, the Bishop’s Synod on Synodality. During this process,
women have had a chance to express what they think and feel in a much freer
atmosphere than previously. As I expected, many say that Catholic women need a
much larger role in decision making and influence. I could write much more
about this subject, but have found it is even more of a hot-button issue for me
than the other ones and I know there are many very capable women out there
working to improve this situation. I have made some comments along the way but
have mostly felt it better to let cooler heads prevail.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My concern for problems in Latin America was expressed in a
creative way in one of my fictional books, <i>Unto Others</i>. I care about people
there, many of whom have such a hard life, and in real life I sponsored
children from Colombia and El Salvador for some time through Christian agencies.
I was able to make a few trips to Mexico and one to El Salvador, and I’m
grateful I had these opportunities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, a person can only do so much, and I feel I was
pulled toward the evolution controversy in order to use my gifts, at least for
a time, to the best effect. As years passed, I shifted attention from the first
two subjects much more into the scientific improbability of evolution. I
figured my academic degrees in animal science and veterinary medicine would
come in useful for this subject, and they certainly did. I even gave a few
presentations to groups, although not everyone I approached would have me. The
science can be difficult, but as in <i>Heaven’s Passport</i>, I have tried to explain the
topics as simply as possible. I wrote two non-fiction booklets about Creation
Biology and a fictional book, <i>Biotech Swirl</i>, to provide relevant information and perspective. They are all included on my blog.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But that time to study and promote Creationism came to a
close and I wanted to focus more specifically again on theology, which includes
studying philosophy as well. I have a certificate in theology (one year of
college), but know that there is so much more to learn. I have worked on theology
itself for the past few years, reading St. Thomas Aquinas and other authors,
and have learned a great deal on my own. However, once again I’m feeling some
kind of shift coming which may draw my attention elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Book of James in the Bible, it warns against
announcing what we will do today or tomorrow since we have no idea what will
happen in the future. Instead we should say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will
live and do this or that” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A15&version=NIV" target="_blank">James 4:15, NIV</a>). In other words, we should always
keep our eyes on the Lord, since situations can change in surprising ways. I’ve
had a tendency to project whether I’m going to write more or not on the blog,
but at this point I need to say, “I want to do what the Lord wills for me.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first book I wrote, <i>Mission Faithful</i>, was printed before
I started the blog. I suspected it would not be accepted by a publishing house,
so I self-published it. The story is about a secret group of Christians who
pray together about various situations, seeking God’s direction for their
actions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In a way I feel like I’ve come full circle, because this
first book still sticks with me. Though I’m not a member of a secret prayer
group, or any prayer group at the moment for that matter, I want to pray to
discern God’s will for my path from here.<o:p></o:p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-21265066418212968852024-02-27T11:52:00.002-05:002024-02-27T11:59:05.731-05:00Catholic Women's Webinar<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (<a href="https://wucwo.org/index.php/en/" target="_blank">WUCWO</a>) is starting a webinar series about Synodality in the Catholic Church called “School for Synodality,” February 27-29, 2024. The First Session of the Synodal Assembly 2021-2024 resulted in a synthesis document to which I previously linked (a direct link to the document is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/a-synodal-church-in-mission.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). The WUCWO school will focus especially on Section 9 of the document, which concerns the role of Catholic women in the Church. The link to the website for registration is <a href="https://wucwo.org/index.php/en/training/formation/2123-wucwo-s-school-for-synodality" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’m sorry this post is so late but I only noticed this announcement today, Feb. 27, 2024, on the <i>Vatican News</i> site (and as far as I know today is when it first showed up). The first two days of the webinar are in Spanish and French respectively. The February 29 presentation is in English. I hope you can still register and watch if you are interested.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-77426987742865905262024-02-20T05:30:00.001-05:002024-02-20T07:33:58.708-05:00Synod Groups Formed<p>As I still try to catch up with my various activities from a
very busy 2023, I’ll just add a short post to keep my blog presence alive for
another month.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Further developments have recently taken place concerning
the second session of the Catholic Bishops’ Synod of Synodality (16th Ordinary
General Assembly).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In December, a document was distributed to bishops
world-wide to help them continue the process of synodality. An article
describes it at <i>Vatican News</i> <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-12/preparing-for-2024-synod-toward-a-synodal-and-missionary-church.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just announced, Pope Francis, along with setting the dates
of Oct. 2 to Oct. 27 2024 for the second session, is creating study groups to explore themes from the
first session of the Synod. More details can be found at <i>Vatican News</i>
<a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-francis-synod-synodality-study-groups-chirograph.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-58755452239147353762024-01-31T02:35:00.002-05:002024-01-31T02:42:27.899-05:00HNY 2024!<p>A very belated Happy New Year 2024 to all! </p><p>I'm still catching up. Last year was a
very busy one for me, with a lot of traveling to relatives at different times and
places. They were for the important life passages of a significant birthday and
a wedding as well as two surgeries. The relatives all live hundreds of miles
away and I drove all of it since I dislike flying and didn’t want to rent cars or
depend on others at the destinations. It was worth it, but I’m hoping
I’m home more this year. I’m grateful to friends who oversaw my home while
I was gone.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve started a few resolutions this year, one of which is to
cut out TV almost totally. I still have a connection, and there might be a few
things I’ll want to see, but daily hours are out. After only a few weeks,
instead of missing being entertained (which was getting more questionable by
the year), I very much like my extra free time. I think I’m already a little
more productive because of it, and hope to stay that way. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In fact, another resolution was to get some of my notebooks
in more order and that is pretty much done, for the time being anyway. I’m so
glad to feel more organized. We had a big snowstorm in the middle of January,
so that helped to keep me home and working on these books, along with a lot of
shoveling. I thank the electric company for keeping at least our part of the
state in electricity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t have much more to add right now. I
wanted to get a post in for January, and am just squeaking by. Last month I brought
my husband’s blog to an end. Even though he passed away several years ago, I felt people were still referring to it for a while, but I felt the time had come. But I hope to keep mine going for a while. It may
be rather sparse for now, but it is still a nice outlet for my writing, and perhaps I’ll
pick up speed again some day.<o:p></o:p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-88494431122693034612023-12-15T01:02:00.001-05:002023-12-15T01:02:36.385-05:00Memories<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am giving notice that I plan to remove the blog Muskegon Memories (muskegonmemories) within the next few weeks. It was the blog of my husband, Thomas Carlson. He loved the history of Muskegon and posted many, many pictures and stories of this Michigan city. Tom passed away in 2017 and his last post in the blog was over 10 years ago. I had left it up for persons interested in Muskegon history. I believe they referred to it for some time.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5b1dadc2-7fff-9e35-bac0-dbe2fe0df7e1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tom had helped the Lakeshore Museum Center to scan historical pictures of Muskegon, and now their archive center is the place to go for information and photos on this subject. Their website starts with this paragraph:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><blockquote>The Muskegon County Archive & Collection of the Lakeshore Museum Center contains around 58,000 items pertinent to the natural and cultural history of Muskegon County. Our changing exhibits cover a variety of themes and we welcome research inquiries on Muskegon history topics.</blockquote></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The link to the Archive Center is <a href="https://lakeshoremuseum.org/our-collection/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I know Tom would be happy to have you take a look at their collection.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Thanks for the wonderful memories, Tom!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Kay Carlson</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-37860488528084848572023-11-03T06:39:00.000-04:002023-11-03T06:39:19.231-04:00Synod Synthesis 2023<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am pleased to say that the Synthesis Report of the Vatican Bishops’ Synod on Synodality is available at the Synod website <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/a-synodal-church-in-mission.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The meetings were officially the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, First Session.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-296c463b-7fff-ae82-778d-9fb22c66bc11"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The report is the culmination of many meetings initiated by Pope Francis, from local to world levels, to determine how the Catholic Church can best unite to do the mission assigned by our Lord, Jesus Christ.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The report lists existing convergences and problems, and gives proposals for moving forward. After a full year of further reflection and some experimentation of how these proposals play out, the synod will reconvene for </span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the second session</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> in 2024 for more analysis.</span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-40140230128223067042023-10-09T04:10:00.005-04:002024-02-19T05:07:37.457-05:00Synod at Vatican News<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have found that ongoing news of the current Bishops’ Vatican Synod on Synodality is as well found on the <i>Vatican News</i> website (link <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) as the Synod website. <i>Vatican News</i> is "the news portal 9f the Holy See," and you can read more about it <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/about-us.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The main page of the <i>Vatican News</i> is a collection of many happenings, but streaming is possible for live synod events from there. For articles, using the same website, go to the heading of “Vatican” for the synod (although that also has other news). You can move from page to page at the bottom to catch up with what has been going on since the Bishops' Synod on Synodality opening on Oct. 4. The link for the "Vatican" page of <i>Vatican News</i> is <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br /><br />The news is mostly in the form of briefings given by Paolo Ruffini, President of the Commission for Information of the Synodal Assembly, although sometimes he is accompanied by other participants. Pope Francis had said before the synod began that he wanted an atmosphere of prayer during the proceedings which he felt would not be maintained if the press were physically present.<br /><br />Still, Catholic websites for news and blogs have been watching the synod, as I have, and making comments along the way. A Google search for “Synod on Synodality” brings many results, as probably would other browsers. A variety of opinions about the meetings come from various worldviews.<br /><br />At one of the synod’s briefings, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of the Symposium of the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (Secam), was asked about “so-called LGBT” issues (article <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-10/synodality-not-a-concept-but-an-experience-of-listening.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). I liked his answer: “On the LGBT issue, the Lord Himself through collective discernment will show us the direction.”<br /><br />Though the Catholic Church has had a long, ongoing journey, Cardinal Besungu expresses the idea the pope is trying to get across concerning all the current issues with which Christians are grappling. The present walk of synodality is an attempt to include all Catholic Church members in seeking direction from the Holy Spirit, the Lord, for where we go from here.</span><br />Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-38426834770717033612023-10-01T05:30:00.016-04:002024-03-06T14:53:15.482-05:00Pope Quote, Theologians<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">At a mass celebrating the Holy Spirit's approach to mankind after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, Pentecost on May 28, 2023, Pope Francis related that event to the upcoming Bishops' Synod on Synodality (link <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament" target="_blank">HERE</a> to the article, and first reference at bottom of post):</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7fb7255a-7fff-177f-a29a-27a2baafb14a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p></span><span><blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Catholic Church's current Synod of Bishops should not be a "parliament for demanding rights," but a journey in accordance with the Spirit.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He emphasized, "the Holy Spirit is the heart of synodality and the driving force of evangelization."</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But from the same homily, Francis warned, "We often hear so many so-called thinkers and theologians who give us cold doctrines that seem mathematical because they lack the Spirit."</span></span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Pope covers at least three themes in his statements: the Holy Spirit; Church synods; and "cold" (assuming bad) doctrines of theologians. I'd like to address the third in my last post on these quotes. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">First, I don’t know if Pope Francis meant the doctrines or
the theologians “lack the Spirit,” but I will not speculate directly on whether
a specific individual has the Spirit or not.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Simply put, Catholic doctrines are defined as all Church
teaching in matters of faith and morals. Heresies are ideas contrary to
accepted, approved religious beliefs. Theologians study God and write about
their findings and their thoughts can be very complex. Many of us don’t
understand them and thus lies one of the problems. We trust in our educated
Church leadership, many themselves theologians, to sort through the opinions of
others through the ages and then tell the rest of us what we need to know. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Popes and bishops sometimes need to actively oppose false doctrines, as we
saw in the Arian heresy (described in my last post <a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2023/09/pope-quote-synod.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>), where our Nicaean Creed was drawn, so that all
Catholics can know the clear beliefs of the Church. Yet, as we saw in the same
Arian heresy, many leaders were misled for a long time. So much so, that St.
Jerome at one point said the world “awoke with a groan to find itself Arian.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some theologians resist what the pope and magisterium teach.
At times, popes have required Catholic professors to sign pledges to teach
orthodoxy (Church approved beliefs). That does not always stop their
resistance, however. And, to be fair, the Church does change for the better
sometimes due to new realizations, such as the injustice of slavery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Holy Father didn't name any theologians and neither will
I, but I will mention two extremes of intellectual thought that, if not at this
point can even be called Christian theology, have influenced theology and therefore
culture in general. I’m not an expert and I’m defining these theories very broadly,
so anyone out there who reads this and can add or correct, feel free. But I
think these labels will fit well enough to be recognized and cover some of what
is going on in minds both inside and outside the Church. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One theory is called “Naturalistic Modernism” (or some form of the term), where all of existence is
from natural laws and material substance. The other theological theory is the “Supernatural Existential,” where all people who in some sense know they are human are infused supernaturally and ultimately called
by God to the Divine Nature so that pretty much every person, no matter what they believe
about God or have even heard of Him, end up with Him in Heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Naturalistic Modernism started centuries ago and involved
so-called intellectuals denying miracles, mostly because, I think, of the
increase of understanding of nature and scientific method. They wanted to look
at Christ in the sense of a simple human teacher but transformed in stories by what
his disciples thought of Him. The theory led to the elimination of all
supernatural phenomena, including God Himself. And, of course, this is where
many people stand.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Concerning the Supernatural Existential, as I understand it,
individuals, even avowed atheists, do not have to believe in Christ in order to
be Christian. If they accept their own essence as human beings, with an innate
transcendent consciousness open to God as the Other, they are Christian even if
they don’t know it. As far as I can tell, if the theory is right, no one would
be eliminated from Heaven. There is more to this than I can describe here or
fully understand, so I refer you to a book by Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, linked
below, called, <i>Gethsemane: The Origins and Rise of the Intellectual
Revolution in the Church</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Cardinal Siri did not flinch in denouncing this theory.
Another negative analysis came from none other than Pope Emeritus Benedict,
previously Pope Benedict XVI, also known as a brilliant theologian. In an
interview <a href="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=11197" target="_blank">HERE</a> (reference below), the Pope Emeritus pointed out that
simply accepting oneself as human does not explain the “drama of change and
renewal that is central to Christianity.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And this theory is not what is laid out in the Bible. In the
first book of Romans, a letter by the Apostle Paul to citizens of that city,
Paul first describes those faults of Gentiles which Jews point out. But in the
second chapter, he accuses the Jews of the very same faults. In the third
chapter he spells out, with verses marked under the Bible’s New International
Version (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 3, NIV</a>): <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">9 What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not
at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are
all under the power of sin. </p><p class="MsoNormal">10 As it is written:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">“There is no one righteous, not even one;<br />11</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> there is no one who understands;<br />
there is no one who seeks God.<br />12 </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">All have turned away,<br />
they have together become worthless;<br /> there is no one who does good,<br />
not even one.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Paul continues after naming more human faults:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has
been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This
righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There
is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of
atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith…</blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Though all have sinned and are justified by the grace that
comes through Christ’s sacrifice, this redemption is only received by faith.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, the Supernatural Existential thinking has permeated the Catholic Church,
leaders and laity, to the point where evangelization is damaged. Why exert
yourself if everyone is saved anyway? Evangelization can be very challenging.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Are people saved who never heard of Christ? It is up to God
if He wants to make exceptions for His own reasons. It is our job to make sure
all persons in our day hear the Gospels loudly and clearly. Are atheists or
persons from other religions saved who have heard the Word and strongly deny either
that God exists or that Christ is God and has atoned for our sins as long as we
believe in Him? I very much don’t think so unless they change, no matter how
much they accept themselves as human or transcendently spiritual they
feel. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Most of us are familiar with the verse, “For God so loved
the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall
not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16). This is stated by Jesus Christ
Himself. But the next two verses, especially 18, are not as familiar in our
culture: 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,
but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not
believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (NIV). (Though the wording “they
have not believed” may imply “at any time in our lives,” I think that as long
as we are alive, we can realize and accept the truth of Christ and subsequently
be saved.) </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Only Christ leads to God, which He distinctly told us,
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me" (John 14:6). We consider the Bible to be inspired by
the Holy Spirit, and although the Bible itself can be challenging for the
laity, it is not impenetrable. We also have faith that the Holy Spirit lives
within Christians and leads us to Truth. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The “cold doctrines” Pope Francis mentions are those that lead
us away from Truth, from understanding and therefore from a right
relationship with God. There are intellectual and theological ideas floating
around right now which openly and obviously counter to what we seek in prayer, hear in our
consciences, read in the Bible, and of what Christ Himself
taught. These can be analyzed by sincere believers, theology professionals or
not, in our reason and our hearts, and should be called out for the "cold doctrines" that they are.<o:p></o:p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I hope all Catholics will be willing to seek the
Lord's will together, throughout the Bishops' Synod on Synodality
and its aftermath.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">References</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Justin McClellen, "Pope on Pentecost: Synod is a journey in the Spirit, not 'a parliament,'" <i>Catholic News Service</i>, May 28, 2023.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-df58973a-7fff-b887-9328-c438e1075c97"></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament</span></span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gethsemane: The Origins and Rise of the Intellectual Revolution in the Church</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Franciscan Herald Press, 1981). </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(This book is again <a href="https://sophiainstitute.com/product/gethsemane/" target="_blank">available in a reprint by Sophia Institute Press, 2022</a>.) </span></p></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><br />Fr. Jacques Servais, SJ, “Faith is Not an Idea but Life: 2016 Interview with Pope Emeritus Benedict,” Catholic Culture website, Proceedings of the residency of Gesu on Justification by Faith, accessed Sept. 9, 2023.<br /><a href="https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=11197" target="_blank">https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=11197</a><br /></span><span><br /></span>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-12876866441698335292023-09-30T06:18:00.006-04:002023-10-04T02:32:20.073-04:00Pope Quote, Synod<p>In my previous post
(<a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2023/09/pope-quote-holy-spirit.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>), I commented on Pope Francis's quotes at a mass celebrating the Holy
Spirit's approach to mankind after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, Pentecost.
On May 28, 2023, the Pope related that event to the upcoming Bishops' Synod on Synodality
(link <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament" target="_blank">HERE</a> with reference at bottom of post):</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">The Catholic
Church's current Synod of Bishops should not be a "parliament for
demanding rights," but a journey in accordance with the Spirit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">He
emphasized, "the Holy Spirit is the heart of synodality and the driving
force of evangelization."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">But from the same
homily, Francis warned, "We often hear so many so-called thinkers and
theologians who give us cold doctrines that seem mathematical because they lack
the Spirit."</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">I mentioned that
the Holy Father's comments brought out three major themes: the Holy Spirit;
Church synods; and certain theologians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">Though these themes
are interwoven, in my second post, I'll address Church synods, along with a
closely related subject, Catholic Church councils. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">Since it began around 2000 years ago, the Catholic Church has had 21 official ecumenical (worldwide) councils,
listed in <i>Catholic Answers Website</i> <a href="https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-21-ecumenical-councils" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The Pope doesn't have to attend these meetings
of bishops but has to approve their concluding documents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">In addition, there
are other meetings of bishops that are known as synods. They can be restricted
to a certain geographical location. Also, a synod can be a meeting of bishops
called by a pope to discuss a topic of theological or pastoral significance in
order to prepare a document of advice or counsel to him. In an effort to keep the spirit of
Vatican II </span>(concluded in 1965) alive, Pope Paul VI enacted regularly
spaced bishops' synods since then.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">Though we might
expect all meetings of Catholic bishops, many of whom have advanced to
cardinals at this stage, to be smooth going, history shows this was not the
case. Two particular situations were especially contentious for long periods of
time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">One was the Arian
heresy. It started when a man named Arius claimed that Jesus Christ was not a
Person of God but rather made by God to be somewhere between God and humans as
a mediator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">For a very in-depth
report of that controversy, you can refer to a book, entirely online, by John
Henry Cardinal Newman called, <i>Arians of the Fourth Century</i> (link <a href="https://www.newmanreader.org/works/arians/index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). You can also read a shorter summary under “Arian controversy” at </span>Wikipedia <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_controversy" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">There were many synods between the two
Councils that are considered the ones that officially condemned Arianism (which were Nicaea in 325 AD and Constantinople I in 381
AD). A list of the intervening meetings </span>is found in <i>Note 6</i> of Cardinal Newman's book (link <a href="https://www.newmanreader.org/works/arians/note6.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). These sometimes pronounced in favor of Arianism. There
were various locations of all the synods due to various factors, even prevailing
illnesses, so the events can be hard to follow. But in one of these Catholic
Church synods the Arian heresy was supported even by a pope's signature (Pope
Liberius at the Synod of Sirmium in 357 AD).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">In those days,
emperors got involved with religion, so some of the divisions were due to their
interference. However, there were genuine disagreements between leaders of the
Church, especially along what were considered geographical lines of East
(Constantinople) and West (Rome). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">It is relevant to the current synod to say that the laity were intimately aware of the Arian heresy over these years and actively fighting it. Cardinal Newman felt free to give his view (Note 5 <a href="https://www.newmanreader.org/works/arians/note5.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) in <i>Arians of the Fourth Century:<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">The episcopate, whose action was so prompt and concordant at Nicæa on the rise of Arianism, did not, as a class or order of men, play a good part in the troubles consequent upon the Council; and the laity did. The Catholic people, in the length and breadth of Christendom, were the obstinate champions of Catholic truth, and the bishops were not.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"> After mentioning exceptions</span> on both sides<span style="font-family: inherit;">, such as Athanasius, he adds to the above quote:</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a very remarkable fact: but there is a moral in it. Perhaps it was permitted, in order to impress upon the Church at that very time passing out of her state of persecution to...her long temporal ascendancy, the great evangelical lesson, that, not the wise and powerful, but the obscure, the unlearned, and the weak constitute her real strength. It was mainly by the faithful people that Paganism was overthrown; it was by the faithful people, under the lead of Athanasius and the Egyptian bishops, and in some places supported by their Bishops or priests, that the worst of heresies was withstood and stamped out of the sacred territory.</span></blockquote><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">Another example of
Councils that did not bring immediate solutions were those of Pisa in 1409 and
Constance in 1414 to 1418. In 1309, the geographical center of the Catholic
Church had been moved from Rome to Avignon, France, largely due to political
interactions with the pope and the king of France at the time (info <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_Papacy" target="_blank">HERE</a>). In 1377, it returned
to Rome, led by Pope Gregory XI. When he died and a new pope, Urban VI, was
elected, he was critical of the cardinals who had lived in luxury in France. Some of them then returned to France
in 1378 and elected an anti-pope, Clement VII. About 30 years later, some of the leadership got the
Church into even more of a bind when they attempted to replace 2 popes at a
meeting in Pisa in 1409, when they elected a new Pope. However, instead of the
desired result of a total of one pope, the election was contested and the Church now had 3
popes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">At Constance (info <a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Constance" target="_blank">HERE</a>), the
participants eventually emerged with one pope. However, they claimed supremacy
of Church councils over the pope in certain cases, and pronounced that councils
should be held every 10 years. This is known as conciliarism and was declared heretical by Pope Pius II in 1460.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">I hope you have
seen it can take time to work out where the Holy Spirit is truly leading us
when it comes to Catholic Church councils and synods.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN">References</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">Justin McClellen, "Pope on Pentecost: Synod is a
journey in the Spirit, not 'a parliament,'" <i>Catholic News Service</i>,
May 28, 2023. </span><a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament">https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN">Karl Keating, "The 21 Ecumenical Councils," <i>Catholic
Answers</i>, 6/1/1993. </span><a href="https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-21-ecumenical-councils">https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-21-ecumenical-councils</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN">John Henry Newman, <i>Arians of the Fourth Century</i>,
(Longmans, Green and Co., 1908). </span><a href="https://www.newmanreader.org/works/arians/index.html">https://www.newmanreader.org/works/arians/index.html</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN">“Arian controversy,” Wikimedia Foundation, last modified March
1, 2023, 12:41 (UTC). </span><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_controversy">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arian_controversy</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN">“Council of Constance,” Wikimedia Foundation, last modified
July 12, 2023, 05:28. </span><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Constance">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Constance</a></span></p>
Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-55535375596733511742023-09-29T16:03:00.008-04:002023-10-27T08:51:29.009-04:00Pope Quote, Holy Spirit<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">At a mass celebrating the Holy Spirit's approach to
mankind after Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, called Pentecost, on May 28,
2023, Pope Francis related that event to the upcoming Bishops' Synod on
Synodality</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">(link <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament" target="_blank">HERE</a>, the article is first reference at bottom of post)</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">The Catholic Church's current Synod of Bishops should not
be a "parliament for demanding rights," but a journey in accordance
with the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">He emphasized, "the Holy Spirit is the heart of
synodality and the driving force of evangelization."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">But from the same homily, Francis warned, "We often
hear so many so-called thinkers and theologians who give us cold doctrines that
seem mathematical because they lack the Spirit."</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">I'd like to comment on the Pope's statements in a very
abbreviated way. As Francis often does, I'll point out three themes. Though the
subjects are intertwined, it is perhaps easier to think about them distinctly:
the Holy Spirit; Church synods; and certain theologians. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">To learn about God, we use the Bible, which has records
of Christ's life on Earth and early Church development. All Christians should
read the Bible, with studies available through Church, schools, and other
sources. <o:p></o:p></span> (This separate link to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops website Bible, the New American Bible, Revised Edition, <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible" target="_blank">NABRE HERE</a>, can be used for Bible verses given below and further reading).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">That said, God is a Trinity of one essence and three
Persons: the Father; Jesus Christ the Son; and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is
one Person with two natures, human and divine. Though He is God, He came to
Earth and took on flesh in order to live a perfect life and die in atonement
for our sins, so that a just God would accept us into His presence in Heaven
(to read more, click <a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2023/03/good-news-gospel.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">To learn about the Holy Spirit, we can see what Christ
said about Him. In the Bible's book of John, chapter 14, Jesus was talking with
His disciples. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I
will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate to be with you
always, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither
sees nor knows it. But you know it, because it remains with you, and will be in
you (<a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/14" target="_blank">John 14:15-17</a>, <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible" target="_blank">NABRE</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">This is an exciting promise since the Holy Spirit is God
Himself! It should make us pay close attention to what Christ means.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">What are Christ's commandments? One is to love one
another, as He tells the same disciples in the previous chapter (John
13:34). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">But this is not all, as some seem to think. The other
major commandment is to believe in Jesus Christ Himself. Again in the book of
John at an earlier time, Christ answers a question in an exchange with a crowd
following Him: "So they said to him, 'What can we do to accomplish the works of
God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you
believe in the one he sent'” (John 6:28-29). He was referring to Himself as both
God and Son of God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">Most of us are familiar with John 3:16, where Christ
tells a Jewish leader that "God so loved the world that He sent His only
begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
everlasting life.” Belief is crucial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">Throughout the Old Testament, God had a special
relationship with the Jewish people. However, He insisted they worship Him, the
True God, and no false conceptions of other gods. They often failed and
eventually were exiled by God to foreign lands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">Too often today even Christians don't take belief in the Trinity, including Christ, seriously enough. But it is a fundamental element of our relationship with
God. He wants us to know Him, be devoted to Him and worship only Him as the
Lord. Jesus Christ came to Earth, lived a perfect life and died in atonement for our sins,
and our attention should be focused on what this means.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">There are more verses about this subject that could
be quoted. But for now, I want to address the other themes I mentioned, namely
Church Synods and certain theologians.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">References:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN">Justin McClellen, "Pope on Pentecost: Synod is a
journey in the Spirit, not 'a parliament,'" Catholic News Service, May 28,
2023. </span><a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-pentecost-synod-journey-spirit-not-parliament</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Good News – The Gospel!” <i>Womanatwell Website</i>,
March 9, 2023. </span><a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2023/03/good-news-gospel.html" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2023/03/good-news-gospel.html</a></span></p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"></span><p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-53885914554093199632023-08-29T06:56:00.003-04:002023-08-29T06:56:50.920-04:00Synod Press<p> The list of participants for the first session of the
Catholic Bishops’ Synod on Synodality 2021-2024 has appeared, but it is only in
Italian. The organizers have been promising the list in English, but it is not yet
available at this writing. The list in Italian is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/list-of-the-participants-to-the-xvi-general-ordinary-assembly-of.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and I imagine the
English one will be found from that link when it finally is completed. The list of
North American Delegates for the Synod is <a href="https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/us-and-canadian-bishops-conferences-welcome-holy-sees-announcement-north-american" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been reading the <i>Instrumentum Laboris</i> (the working
document) for this general assembly and it is impressive, displaying large
amounts of prayerfulness, thoughtfulness, and hard work of many people.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recently Vatican News reported (link <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-08/pope-francis-journalism-synod-synodality-truth-award-audience.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) that Pope Francis
received an award from Italian journalists for persons who “have shaped the
narrative of current affairs in Italy with objectivity, professionalism and
creativity.” In the article, the Holy Father discusses
problems with the press concerning disinformation and efforts to steer public
opinion. He asked for help from journalists to report on this upcoming Synod on
Synodality. Quoting the Vatican News article: </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>Reiterating that synod
participants want to contribute together to building a Church where everyone
feels at home, where no one is excluded, Pope Francis reiterated his request
“to the masters of journalism” for help to “tell this process for what it really
is, leaving behind the logic of slogans and pre-packaged stories.”</blockquote><p></p><o:p></o:p><p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-45182981308703524072023-08-01T02:21:00.003-04:002023-08-01T02:23:42.133-04:00World Youth Day<p> This year's World Youth Day, a Catholic celebration with and for young persons, starts August 1, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. For more information, you can go to their website <a href="https://worldyouthday.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. </p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-4883750588934473292023-07-07T01:41:00.002-04:002023-07-07T01:43:21.155-04:00Synod IL<p> The <i>Instrumentum Laboris</i> (IL, Latin for Working Document)
for the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of
Bishops (Oct. 4-29, 2023) is now available. Links to the IL are at a Synod
webpage <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/synodal-process/the-universal-phase/documents.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This document is a culmination of input of thousands of
Catholics, from laity to leaders, from local to Rome. As Cardinal Mario Grech,
Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod said, "The IL is
not a document of the Holy See, but of the whole Church” (link to IL Introduction
webpage <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/instrumentum-laboris-a-document-of-the-whole-church.html" target="_blank">HERE)</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The IL synthesizes certain themes that have emerged from all
the work, and provides worksheets for the participants of the Synod to
contemplate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since I have not read the whole thing yet and am
still catching up with other reading, I won’t make more comments now. I just
wanted to get the links into my blog now that they are available.<o:p></o:p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-68972930754312338922023-06-21T06:38:00.003-04:002023-07-05T06:28:41.676-04:00"About" the Synod 21-24<p class="MsoNormal">As often happens when writing, our topics can change
direction from what we originally plan, at least for a while. I was puzzled myself
about why I continue to focus upon the upcoming Bishops’ Synod on Synodality,
to be convened in Oct. 2023 and Oct. 2024, when other Synods of Bishops have
had important topics but did not take my long-lasting attention. (It is also called Synod 21-24, and my
posts about it can be brought up in reverse order by clicking the label “Synod”
at the bottom of any of them).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I thought about this Synod, I realized several things
about it run close to my own interests. I looked up the “About” page on the
Synod’s website (found <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/what-is-the-synod-21-24/about.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>), which describes its goals. “Synodality” is not a
commonly used word, so I’ll quote the first paragraph on the page:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>Synodality denotes the particular style that qualifies the
life and mission of the Church, expressing her nature as the People of God
journeying together and gathering in assembly, summoned by the Lord Jesus in
the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. Synodality ought to be
expressed in the Church’s ordinary way of living and working.</blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am very interested in evangelization, and the above
paragraph expresses the need for proclaiming the Gospel. I am very interested
in faith, and “People of God… summoned by the Lord Jesus in the power of the
Holy Spirit” denotes those who believe in the Trinitarian God: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The webpage then states the aim of the Synod:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>This Synod is intended as a Synodal Process. The aim of
this synodal process is not to provide a temporary or one-time experience of
synodality, but rather to provide an opportunity for the entire People of God
to discern together how to move forward on the path towards being a more
synodal Church in the long-term.</blockquote><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am very interested in discernment, and the aim of the
Synod obviously includes this concept. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Three themes are listed at the bottom of the “About” page of
the Synod website. They are Communion, Participation and Mission. They are
short paragraphs, worth reading at the link given above.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A writer shouldn’t repeat phrases except for poetic
emphasis, I suppose, so to repeat “I am very interested” is perhaps tiresome to
a reader. But it conveys a feeling of clarity for me of why I have taken this
particular Synod of Bishops so seriously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another thing happened to help me connect the dots. I don’t
even remember how I spotted Pope Francis' General Audiences (probably
through a search engine), but two subjects Francis has been talking about
lately are discernment (starting Aug. 31, 2022) and evangelization (starting
Jan. 11, 2023), which you can find from his Audience links pages starting <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html#audiences" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The 10:00 am Wednesday General Audiences are presented by
the pope to crowds at the Vatican, either from a window at St. Peter’s Square
or inside in inclement weather. According to Bing AI, they began in 1975 with
Pope Paul VI and have been continued by his successors. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was aware of General Audiences of popes but had not
followed them. However, I had read some of Pope Francis’ homilies from the beginning
of his pontificate over 10 years ago and found him to be a powerful speaker. His
General Audiences through the years have various subjects, including old age,
works of mercy, and meditations on St. Joseph. Since 2020, the listings are labeled
not only by date but by subject, obviously making it easier to navigate (a few
were labeled in previous years but were not consistent). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I noticed that around the time of the 2014-2015 General
Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, some of the General Audiences
were about the family. Pope Francis has been talking recently not only in Audiences
but in homilies and meetings about how we should seek the Holy Spirit to lead
us to walk together as a Church, especially in relation to the upcoming Synod
of Bishops on Synodality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I also found the present Holy Father continued the series on
the subject of faith by Pope Benedict XVI, who had previously declared a Year
of Faith for the Catholic Church, starting October 11, 2012. Pope Benedict was
giving General Audiences about faith when he resigned as pope in February 2013
(the series started at the link <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/audiences/2012/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20121017.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pope Francis’ first General Audience was March 27, 2013, two
weeks after he was elected. It was in the middle of Holy Week, and he urged
Catholics to get out of their comfort zones for the sake of following Jesus
Christ’s example and speaking on behalf of Him (link <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130327_udienza-generale.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). Then he resumed the
“faith series” the next week (link <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2013/documents/papa-francesco_20130403_udienza-generale.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christians need the Holy Spirit to refine our faith and help us evangelize. But though we may attempt to hear what the Holy Spirit says, do we
really know how to do it? For one thing, I believe it can take time, as in past
Church crises for example, where Church leaders fought over their opinions. I
also think it is very important to try to understand.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have read the Holy Father’s General Audiences on discernment and
am following his series on evangelization. Though Pope Francis may not have all
the answers, I think these Audiences, each of which does not take long to read,
may be worth contemplating in learning to discern the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-21385262596540949572023-05-31T05:07:00.006-04:002023-06-19T08:04:25.809-04:00Synod Heads to Vatican<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Continental Stage of the ongoing
Bishops’ Synod on Synodality is completed. The final stages will meet at the
Vatican: the first on October 4-29, 2023; the second in October 2024. In the
Continental Stage, groups of Catholics, including laity, religious, priests and
bishops, met in small groups, either in person or virtually. They continued the
line of discussions which were started at local levels. The North American
Continental Document, with choice of languages, is available at the USCCB
website at the link <a href="https://www.usccb.org/resources/north-american-final-document-continental-stage-2021-2024-synod" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">At the Vatican News website, the April 20,
2023 article, "Synod Continental Stage: ‘Most innovative aspect of synodal
process'" can be found <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-04/synod-continental-stage-conclusion-press-conference.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As you may tell from my repeated links to
the continued activities of this Synod, I have been quite interested in it.
Part of the reason is that it is the first in which not only the opinions and concerns
of the average Catholic are directly expressed and included in forming the
points of discussion of a Bishops Synod, there will be laity and religious who will be able to vote (comments from laity were sought for the Synod of the Family in 2014, related post <a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2014/12/" target="_blank">HERE</a>). Of course, many of the problems
discussed by the Catholic Magisterium throughout history were to guide and
protect all Catholics about spiritual matters. But somehow, as one bishop
mentioned in the continental document, the organization that the Church has
become seems to have separated the leadership from their very people. From page
17 of the document:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Indeed, the listening sessions in the
local Churches caused bishops to reflect on the structural challenges that make
it difficult to sustain this style in a consistent way. “Has the Church been so
organized that it becomes difficult to speak to it? The Church has organizationally
isolated itself from the people of God” (Session III Group 17).</span></blockquote><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Many have felt there is no turning back
from the Synodal way. However, even when all are asked to participate, much
depends on leadership, for there can be resistance to change. I pray for Pope
Francis to be able to continue his efforts to help us walk with the Holy Spirit.</span></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-26291874821284673332023-05-18T05:37:00.005-04:002023-05-25T04:49:40.843-04:00More Synod Links<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Here are a
few more links to information about the upcoming Bishops Synod on Synodality (Synod 21-24).
Of course, with my blog’s less than systematic posts, I won’t be covering the
Synod like a reporter would. I do follow some of the coverage, though, and
would like to comment on it occasionally. Perhaps the links I provide will help
someone less familiar with the proceedings to get connected.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">An article which reports that the Working Document for
the Synod on Synodality is approved is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/the-project-of-the-working-document-for-the-synod-on-synodality.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">A website
that lists the participants of the General Secretariat of the Synod is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/what-is-the-synod-21-24/the-general-secretariat-of-the-synod.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Content on the Synod website is <a href="http://secretariat.synod.va/content/synod/en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And, again, the main Synod on Synodality website is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The
Vatican website has general information on the Synod of Bishops. Under "The Synod
of Bishops: An Introduction," the first paragraph reads:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Synod
of Bishops is a permanent institution established by Pope Paul VI, 15 September
1965, in response to the desire of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council to
keep alive the positive spirit engendered by the conciliar experience.</span></blockquote><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The link
to this webpage is <a href="https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/synod/documents/rc_synod_01011995_profile_en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></span><p></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-61391294415176477062023-05-05T07:11:00.009-04:002023-07-02T06:09:07.982-04:00Inclusive Synod<p><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The biological
facts of Creationism have been a big part of my blog, along with other subjects
as listed in the right column of the original format. I’m grateful that I’ve
felt free to write facts and opinions, and even some personal journaling, in
the Womanatwell mix. I am still reading some things about the theology of
Creationism but would like to get on with some other topics I’ve just touched
upon or not addressed at all.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">I also want to
keep an eye on the ongoing Catholic Synod on Synodality, as I have done in some
of the past few posts. Another major announcement has been made about the Synod, to which I will link below.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/the-official-logo-of-the-synodal-path.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="566" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_MqyFYsVV0z9THJPv5ZiBajPIWk_CwbwNfqrrP9cbFxZa9f6muWPIUGZoQP-uzII22pHkahgD8-DeaeRLdV7XtFKaiYIjufTHY5dvqXj77hKiWnouRfZRazFDxuj-17xZvdWne2BPn2NWu7xpX7EZ7kdvm4CVDrC5pKxiYtvO7_w6eOYu5ca5gNt/w200-h169/Synod202124.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif">First, I would like to point out that the logo for the Synod is changed slightly, from
2021-2023 to 2021-2024. This is because there will now be two Vatican Bishops’
meetings concerning this work in the Catholic Church, one each in 2023 and 2024.
I’m putting the new logo here with a link to information about it on the Synod
website. Click on the logo for the link.</span><div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">The latest news
is about the participants that will be attending and for the first time able to
vote in a Bishops’ Synod. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face="Arial, sans-serif">From the
<i>Catholic News Agency</i> article, “Vatican announces laypeople, including women,
will vote in Synod on Synodality assembly</span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">,” </b><span face="Arial, sans-serif">dated April 26, 2023 (link <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/254176/vatican-announces-laypeople-including-women-will-vote-in-synod-on-synodality-assembly" target="_blank">HERE</a>):</span></p>
<span face="Arial, sans-serif"></span><blockquote><span face="Arial, sans-serif">The biggest
change announced Wednesday was the removal of the “auditor” role. In past
synods, auditors included priests, religious, and laypeople, who did not have
the right to vote in synod deliberations.</span><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><br /></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif">Now, these 70
members, who may be priests, consecrated women, deacons, and laypeople, will be
able to vote. They will be chosen by the pope from among a list of 140 people
selected by the leadership of this year’s continental synod meetings.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">According to
the synod leadership, it is requested that “50% of [the selected people] be
women and that the presence of young people also be emphasized.”</span></p></div></blockquote><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk134079165"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">I
am pleased about women becoming more a part of the voice and leadership of the
Church. <o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134079165;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">Women are not just physical companions
to men but intellectual and psychological colleagues as well, and that includes
single and married women. This is despite the prevailing philosophy, already in Aristotle's time, that said women are incomplete or deficient men. Thomas Aquinas stated that women had little intellect and were only good for generation (reproduction). Supposedly our inferior sexual status was sometimes brought about by moist south winds at the time of our conception (<i>Summa Theologica</i>, Part I, Q. 92, Art. 1). Science has changed, and although Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas were both geniuses, that doesn't mean they were always right.</span></span> When women are kept from education, they may seem less brilliant than these men, but fortunately we now have that opportunity.</p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134079102;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk134079447"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">A
large part of this Synod is to give voice to all Catholics, not just those who
have been in power in the past and present. Many of the faithful have felt
marginalized, and that has included women, the disabled, young persons and immigrants. Of course, other groups are
important, and, for example, bishops from small countries that were not
previously represented will have at least one voting member included in the
Synod.</span></a></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk134079447;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif">And we must
remember the ultimate goal for us all: Catholics need to carry out the real
purpose of evangelization, which is telling others about God the Father, Holy
Spirit, and Jesus Christ, Who suffered atonement for our sins, rose from the
dead. and is our only way to Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-74802434427393967612023-03-09T02:15:00.011-05:002023-03-09T04:19:32.116-05:00GOOD NEWS -- THE GOSPEL!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirf0Jw3tkrwWehx21Kk9Viy5XdX6tMMeLveBeZWeTWtXmimz5ackDa8ObF5zvdw4miNbLUKvJ5nzDsIsiDjCd3c9sIUhjr0AUMdAYLRDFANa9h3MOcHMb-ppv8xho6URfRG0Dx6hMVFKqM911YvpL1V6XZWBxmxjgvwVnC4OIrp3QGxv2W6tXsWaLZ" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirf0Jw3tkrwWehx21Kk9Viy5XdX6tMMeLveBeZWeTWtXmimz5ackDa8ObF5zvdw4miNbLUKvJ5nzDsIsiDjCd3c9sIUhjr0AUMdAYLRDFANa9h3MOcHMb-ppv8xho6URfRG0Dx6hMVFKqM911YvpL1V6XZWBxmxjgvwVnC4OIrp3QGxv2W6tXsWaLZ=w133-h200" /></a> Does everyone know the good news of Jesus Christ, which is called the Gospel?<br /><br />Though I have referred to the Gospel previously in this blog, I want to give a condensed timeline of it in this post which will be linked to my home page. To clarify, the word “Gospels” can also refer to the first four books of the Holy Bible New Testament, which describe the life of Jesus. <br /><br />The links to Bible references in this post are to the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/">BibleGateway</a> website, since they have the approved version of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE). The Bible references are from NABRE unless otherwise noted. For your information, the Vatican Archives have the New American Bible in five languages <a href="https://www.vatican.va/archive/bible/index.htm">HERE</a> and the USSCB books to the Bible webpage is <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible">HERE</a>. You can probably find Bibles in paper copies almost everywhere. There are many other resources about theology, but the Bible is the best and most available start, and the New Testament Gospels get right into the life of Christ.</p><p>The reader may have questions
arising from the events that took place concerning Jesus Christ. The mysteries
surrounding Him have been debated by persons ever since He appeared on Earth in
present-day Israel over 2000 years ago. Sometimes Church leaders had to meet in
councils over periods of time to make sure they were understanding God
correctly. But first, every person needs to hear about Him. Then I hope you will seek Him by going to a church and speaking with a Christian professional.</p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">The Gospel Timeline:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">First, God, Whom we also call the
LORD, has always existed (many verses in the Bible express this, an example
being <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1%3A19-20&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Romans 1:19-20</a>). God consists of One Essence and Three Persons. These
Persons are the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">God created the Heavens and the
Earth and all the types of living inhabitants of the Earth, and all that He
created was good (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Genesis 1</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">God created humans in His
likeness, meaning we have ability to think and reason more than other earthly
animals, and we can make choices in what we do. God created us as companions
(although He did not have to), and He allows us to choose because He did not
want robot-like friends but those who would be capable of these features of thought,
reason, and choice. He wanted relationship with us as intellectual creatures.
However, with these abilities also came the inevitable link to free will. If
humans are to choose, they must be <i>free</i> to choose right or wrong.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">In the beginning, God made two
humans, Adam and Eve, and they lived perfectly for a while, but then they both
made a choice to disobey a command God had given them (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Genesis 3</a>). This was an
act against God, which is known as sin, and because of the bad choice they
made, all humans came under that burden of sin: “Therefore, just as through one
person sin entered the world, and through sin, death, and thus death came
to all, inasmuch as all sinned” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+5%3A12&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Romans 5:12</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Later, God gave laws to the Jewish
people, including the Ten Commandments, described in the Old Testament of the
Bible (starting at <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+19&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Exodus 19</a>, through Exodus 24). He told them if they kept
these laws, they would flourish, but if they didn’t, they would suffer severe
consequences (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+29&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 29</a>). Unfortunately, time and again they failed to follow the rules.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">So even though humans were made
good, we can and do make some bad choices. Because of this, we are incapable of
living a perfect life with a perfect God in Heaven, which is truly a forever
home. Included in God’s perfection is justice, and as we do with criminals in
our surroundings, He applies justice as deserved. Unfortunately, all humans
(except for Christ) sin and deserve judgment. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">That is why Jesus Christ came to
Earth. He took on human nature in all but sin, also keeping divine nature (one Person, two natures). He lived
a perfect life and pleased God the Father. As God and Son, He could live a
perfect life in Heaven forever. But He came down to save us from the punishment
we deserve. Jesus Himself said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His
only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have
eternal life” (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16&version=NABRE" target="_blank">John 3:16</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">In God’s love for us, Jesus took
on punishment in our place by dying on a cross. God the Father accepted this
act as a sacrifice in atonement for our sins (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A21-26&version=NIV" target="_blank">Romans 3:21-26</a>,
NIV). But not only did He die, but He rose from the dead and eventually ascended into Heaven (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28&version=NABRE" target="_blank">Matthew 28</a>). He showed us that He is the hope for life with God after death.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Jesus Christ, as already quoted
above in John 3:16, tells us that we are to believe in Him in order to benefit
from His redemptive (saving) act. We are to believe He is God (a Person of the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), that He died
for our sins and then rose from the dead.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">This is called the New Covenant. Since humans
failed with the old one, God has supplied the new one. On our part, God
requires us to believe in Him. It is the least we can do, to give credence for
Who Jesus is and credit for what He has done for us.<o:p></o:p></p>
Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-5420766024951402022023-02-20T15:45:00.011-05:002023-06-19T12:54:44.927-04:00Synod 21-24 ContinentalMy last two posts (<a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2022/10/synod.html" target="_blank">starting Oct. 27, 2022</a>) concerned the upcoming Bishops’ Synod on Synodality called by Pope Francis, which now Church media often names a catchier “Synod 21-24.” The official website is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<div><br /></div><div> The Synod started with local groups of any interested persons gathered to pray and discuss their experiences in and concerns about the Catholic Church. The comments were recorded and summarized as well as possible and handed on to levels which represent larger areas; diocese, country and now (early 2023) continent. Links are provided at the end of the post for articles with some details about particular continental meetings. </div><div><br /></div><div> Bishop Daniel Flores is in charge of the US Synodality process and from the North American Continental writing retreat expressed his experiences so far in an <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/bishop-daniel-flores-brownsville-texas-interview-synod-us.html" target="_blank">interesting article</a> from Vatican News. Among many things, he said the local churches have done a good job and should continue with synodality. </div><div><br /></div><div> In my <a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2022/12/synod-2021-2024.html" target="_blank">second post</a> on Synod 21-24, I wrote about my own local Diocese summary, which reported confusion about the mission of the Church itself. Many thought it was to carry out works of mercy, where others said we should get back to the basics of declaring the Gospel. As I reflected on this outcome, I thought of the situation described in the Bible in the Book of Acts, where members of the young Church were living together. It starts in <a href="https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/6" target="_blank">Acts 6 (NABRE)</a>: </div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"> 1 At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3 Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit… [goes on to name others].</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div> The Twelve in verse 2 were 11 original apostles plus Matthias, added after Judas died. Some call this scene the beginning of the Diaconate, but in any case, the passage shows a distinction between designation of activities in the community. And yet, it did not take long for Stephen to show his wisdom in the things he said, and when questioned by authorities, went into a long discourse which ended in describing Christ as the “righteous one” proclaimed by the prophets (Acts 6:8-7:53). He was immediately killed but is now revered as the first Christian martyr. </div><div><br /></div><div> The apostles, on their part, told people everything they could about Jesus Christ but also did healings and other “signs,” as described in Acts. The apostles healed persons “outside” the Christian Church, Jews and Gentiles who had never heard of Christ. Many who experienced and / or saw the signs became Christians, not just because of the miracles but because of hearing the truth of Who Christ is and what He did. </div><div><br /></div><div> What is my point? Though individuals may have certain gifts and bring them to an organized group, the primary purpose of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel, to evangelize. Even those who “serve at table” are called to also “say the Word.” Though helping others is a necessary part of Church activity, it is no excuse to avoid proclaiming the Messiah. And evangelizing does not stop those with that gift from helping others when circumstances call for it. </div><div><br /></div><div> As they should, the Continental reports are reflecting what has been already expressed from local on up. Women feel they do a lot for the Church and yet have little voice, the disabled and minorities feel left out, many divorced persons feel alienated, the youth want more involvement. In general, laity want to be taken more seriously. </div><div><br /></div><div> To some degree many of the laity concerns, legitimate and painful as they may be, seem to be at the level of the Greek vs. the Hebrew widows. They are not to be ignored and we need to serve persons both inside and outside the Church. But there should be no question that the primary job of the Church is that of the apostles—to proclaim the Gospel. That is where we should start in our understanding of the Church’s main role and reevaluate how well it is doing in it, even as we continue to serve others. </div><div><br /></div><div> The secondary roles of the Church are still very important to consider, because when they are not carried out well, the results can be a large deterrent to the success of the primary function. If Catholic counterparts are perceived by secular women, youth or the disabled to not be treated fairly by the Church, I think it is a deterrent for these non-members to seek further involvement. I’m not saying that secular persons should let that stop them, I just think it is a facet of human nature that in many cases is at play. </div><div><br /></div><div> That is why I think the meetings and the Synod will be helpful to all, despite a contingency of resistors. In his article mentioned above, Bishop Flores has expressed well how the process has already helped him see his own Diocese with new eyes and the coming Synod 21-24 will be a hopeful, continuing journey for us all.
</div><div><br /></div><div>Articles of some continental meetings:</div><div><a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/africa/news/2023-01/africa-synod-regional-general-secretaries-meeting-media.html" target="_blank">Africa Continental Stage</a>; <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253580/synod-on-synodality-europe-s-continental-assembly-in-prague-discusses-tensions-in-the-church" target="_blank">Europe Continental Stage</a>; <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/continental-assembly-synod-oceania-fcbco-conclusion.html" target="_blank">Oceania Continental Stage</a>; <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/middle-east-synod-assembly-young-people-engine-change.html" target="_blank">Middle East Continental Stage</a>; <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/cardinal-hollerich-synod-continental-assemblea-asia.html" target="_blank">Asia Continental Stage</a>; <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-03/latin-america-caribbean-continental-phase-synod-church-of-people.html" target="_blank">Latin American Continental Stage</a>; <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-02/bishop-daniel-flores-brownsville-texas-interview-synod-us.html" target="_blank">North American Continental Stage</a>.</div>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-91438248401267242512022-12-30T06:40:00.011-05:002023-02-21T10:24:43.731-05:00Synod 2021-2024<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The Pew
Center for Research reports on religious trends through percentages of the
population. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In December 2021, they
announced, “About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated.”
Self-identified Christians make up 63% of our population, down from 75% 10
years ago.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">This 2021
survey also describes some denominational differences, for instance between
trends among Catholics and Protestants in church attendance. The website for this particular report is <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/" target="_blank">HERE</a> .<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">At one
time there was Catholic growth in the US but proportions are now at a
standstill. The numbers of Catholics who attend mass every week is low. I don’t
want to imply that numbers of persons are what are important like some kind of
quota. The Church is here to evangelize the good news of Jesus Christ to
individual souls. But if there is a decrease of Catholics, or Christians in
general for that matter, it probably means we are not spreading the word
adequately or more and more people are resisting it, or perhaps some
combination of both.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Some point
to places such as Africa where Catholic Christianity is increasing. I am happy
for those believers. But Christianity increased in the West at one time and now
is waning. There is no guarantee it will not decrease in other places when,
inevitably, challenges to belief come along.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://womanatwell.blogspot.com/2022/10/synod.html" target="_blank">LAST POST</a>,
I wrote about the upcoming Bishops’ Synod on Synodality, to be held in Rome at
the Vatican. To describe it again briefly, Pope Francis initiated a Synod on
Synodality in 2021, calling on Church leadership to organize listening sessions
for all members of the Catholic Church. The Pope said he is especially
concerned with those who feel out on the margins, including immigrants, the
disabled and women. The Vatican Synod, which is to be held in October 2023, is
a point in a process that has already started and is to continue from now on.
(I later found there will be a second Bishops’ Synod session in 2024 with an
open plan for possibly more in the future.) The opening web page for the Synod
on Synodality had at first presented a photo of persons on a wooded path that
said, “Let’s Walk Together as a Church with the Holy Spirit.” (It has since
changed in design for a new stage.) The Synod website link is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">The Secretary
General for the Vatican Synod Committee is Cardinal Mario Grech. One of two
undersecretaries is a French nun, Sister Nathalie Becquart XMCJ. A Vatican News
article where she describes the Synod on Synodality 2024 extension is <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-10/synod-extension-discernment-synodality-world-listening.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">When this
whole process started, the Synod Committee presented one main question and 10
related themes to Catholic participants for consideration in listening sessions.
They are all in a booklet called the <i>Vademecum</i>, section 5:3, starting on
page 39 of 60-pages. This instruction booklet was/is to be used with another
booklet, along with other resources. A Synod on Synodality website page for
resources is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/resources.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">A link for
the <i>Vadmecum</i> is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en/news/the-vademecum-for-the-synod-on-synodality.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">To provide
an idea of the main question and first two themes that were presented to
participants of the listening sessions, I’ll give some excerpts:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
Main Question Highlighting Significant Aspects of “Lived Synodality” :</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">This
Synod poses the following fundamental question: </span></b><i style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A synodal Church,in announcing the Gospel, “journeys together.” How is this “journeying together”
happening today in your local Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">To help
people explore this fundamental question more fully, the following themes highlight significant aspects of “lived synodality”:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">1. <b>Companions
on the Journey<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">(Preparatory
Document, nos. 1, 9, 20; Vademecum nos. 1.3, 1.4, 5.3)z<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">• <i>In
the Church and in society we are side by side on the same road.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">• A truly
synodal Church walks together, side by side, along the same road towards renewal in the Spirit and the good of all people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">•
Journeying together requires great commitment to listen to the voices of all
who make up the People of God, but especially those who have often been marginalized, and the openness to discern the path forward that prophetically renews and enlivens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">2. <b>Listening<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">(Preparatory
Document, no. 26, 30; Vademecum, nos. 1.5, 5.3)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">• <i>Listening
is the first step, but it requires an open mind and heart, without prejudice.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">• The
synodal process necessitates that we, as the People of God, first listen with an open heart and open mind to where the Spirit is calling us and discern to whom we are needing to listen and what steps need to be taken to more fully live out our mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">(End of excerpts.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Beyond the
Pope’s heart for the poor and marginalized, he is no doubt aware of the deep
hurt and anger felt by many persons due to the sexual abuse crisis. It’s not
altogether comforting to laity to have the same bishops who brought about the problem assure
us that the same or similar thing won’t happen again.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">And surely
Catholic women are making themselves clearer that they want a voice in Church
decisions. The priest shortage may well reflect mothers who themselves feel
ostracized and hardly motivated to encourage sons until some changes are made.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">To me, the
question and themes present some mixed messages, although they may be ironed
out by the time of the Bishops’ Synod. At least the question mentions the
synodal Church “announcing the Gospel,” but seems to run quickly past it to get
to the concept of “journeying together.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">In the second
point of the second theme, “Listening,” there is direction to listen to the
Holy Spirit for discernment of “whom we are needing to listen.” Yet, there
would be no one presently on Earth better to whom to listen than the Holy
Spirit. If we can discern the Holy Spirit in the first place, then we should
follow His guidance. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In history, after Christ ascended to Heaven, the practice
of the Catholic Church has been to consider the Pope our leader on Earth. Though there have been some less admirable popes, we hope most have been led by the Holy Spirit. Also, along the way there have been Church Counsels and ordained and laity praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit. However, now Pope Francis is telling us to</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">follow the Holy Spirit and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">listen to each other. It seems like there is some kind of loop here. Though I believe the Lord does lead us in the end, my thought is that we could all benefit from attention to how we can discern as closely as possible what the Holy Spirit is saying. In any case, a reference for the Pope's Launch of Synod, Vatican News 10-9-2021, is </span><a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-10/pope-francis-discourse-moment-reflection-eve-inauguration-synod.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">My own
Diocese of Grand Rapids, MI, did have listening sessions and had its own
synopsis of them on its website, the link of which is <a href="https://grdiocese.org/synod-21-23-communion-participation-mission/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I thought the Grand
Rapids Synthesis was professionally done and, given its necessary limits in
length, covered important aspects of the group listening efforts as well as
individual input from an online survey.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">The Grand
Rapids Synthesis reported some persons were perplexed about the Vatican Synod
Committee’s original question and themes for which they were instructed to
respond. It found that persons did not always respond directly to the themes
but brought up their own concerns and considerations. Two of the early
paragraphs were revealing:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .4in; margin-right: .4in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.4in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">When
asked to reflect on how well the Church is living up to its mission call,
participants believe the Church would benefit from clarifying the mission
itself. “Sometimes the Church herself doesn’t know her own mission: we are
given mixed signals, contrary theology among clergy. We need to unify our
mission, make it solid within our own parishes before we can evangelize to
others.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .4in; margin-right: .4in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.4in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .4in; margin-right: .4in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0.4in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Participants
expressed confusion or dissatisfaction with the way that mission is often
understood and lived. Participants’ understanding of the Church’s mission
seemed varied with some investing great importance in what might be called charitable
outreach or corporal works of mercy while others thought “The Church needs to
rediscover its mission for the salvation of souls.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Reading
on, participants report doing spiritually related ministry in such ways as
Communion to the homebound, but more activity seemed to tend toward “social
work,” such as collecting food for the needy or the like. I’m not saying these
acts of mercy are unimportant, but I agree with those concerned about the
salvation of souls. We need to find priority levels for various aspects of the
Church, not just of "social" activities but of faith and necessities for the afterlife.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">I was glad
that the authors of the Grand Rapids Synthesis were forthright in presenting
these concerns, because I think they are valid, serious and not to be ignored.
They run right into fundamental problems of the Catholic Church today. The
Church itself is wonderful: the Bride of Christ. It is the human members who
get into trouble. We need to keep to the straight and narrow of the path God
gives us. Only one person who is fully human and fully divine has been perfect
on Earth. He came here so we could have a happy destiny. He, Jesus Christ, came
to show us who God is and how to spend eternal time with Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">The Pew
report shows us that we have a lot of work to do.</span></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-91815051174806110682022-10-27T06:55:00.012-04:002022-12-17T07:05:23.802-05:00Synod<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv7G68W9onicIFSnU7V1gdM4X67BKMH-6PZmeXh7fSeXAso7urItn9RmazJfhqJeKK08w5wFvRcCho20bQjAEPqM5ksWsWfLk_YK2dz9UdJ4Yr0nu_LE4SruWVAWNqlqosV9xA-Z3iLghLkCyA0LwmR3ODFrgTyHAokiJurAACb6h4-bAUV6oTPziz" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="478" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgv7G68W9onicIFSnU7V1gdM4X67BKMH-6PZmeXh7fSeXAso7urItn9RmazJfhqJeKK08w5wFvRcCho20bQjAEPqM5ksWsWfLk_YK2dz9UdJ4Yr0nu_LE4SruWVAWNqlqosV9xA-Z3iLghLkCyA0LwmR3ODFrgTyHAokiJurAACb6h4-bAUV6oTPziz" width="213" /></a></div><br /> Pope Francis initiated a Synod on Synodality in 2021,
calling on the leadership to organize listening sessions for all members of the
Catholic Church and even those outside the Church. The Pope was especially concerned
with those who felt out on the margins, including immigrants, the disabled and
women. The Synod, which is to be held in October 2023, is a point in a process
that has already started and is supposed to continue from now on. The home page
of the website for the Synod presented a photo of persons on a wooded path that said “Let’s Walk Together as a Church with the Holy Spirit.” The link is <a href="https://www.synod.va/en.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (The home page has since been re-designed for the next "Continental Stage.")<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The Synod committee has provided, through a Boston College
website <a href="https://formaciononline.bc.edu/en/courses/synodal-discernment/" target="_blank">HERE</a>, videos by various speakers about how to conduct a Synodal Church,
including common discernment, decision making, conflict resolution and other
subjects (it was given as a course in summer of 2022, but the videos are still
there as of this writing).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>There are many subjects and thoughts that can flow from this
whole synodality movement. Though unable to
attend a “listening session” myself, I have been interested to read some
comments by those who did.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
recently released a document which is a compilation of the input from all the
US Dioceses. It is called: <i>National Synthesis of the People of God in the
United States of America for the Diocesan Phase of the 2021-2023 Synod: For a
Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission</i>. The 16-page document
can be found at the USCCB website <a href="https://www.usccb.org/resources/us-national-synthesis-2021-2023-synod" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The links to PDF files in English and
Spanish are given at this connecting webpage. The introduction to the document is signed by the
Most Reverend Daniel Flores, STD (Doctor of Sacred Theology).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The introduction to the paper states that hundreds of
thousands of persons have given input through this process. Though many
participants were skeptical at first, they were surprised to find much in
common when they listened to each other. An important aspect of synodality is
for people with various opinions to be able to approach our problems reasonably
and “without intense debate or fear.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>As I understand it, the paper encompassed about 67 million
US Roman Catholics (Eastern Orthodox Catholics reported directly to Rome). An
estimated 700,000 persons participated, so about one per cent of Roman
Catholics took part in this diocesan phase of the synodal process. Though the
percentage seems small for the synodal method, the actual number of people
involved is still impressive, and I think many who did not attend would say
similar things to what were expressed.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The paper reports that participants gave glowing reviews of
the Church as well as criticisms. Catholics love their God, the Church and
fellow Catholics. Many persons said they desire more communion among Catholics
and more personal interaction with priests.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>On the other hand, criticism was evident as well. One was
lack of transparency from the leadership of the Church, an obvious example
being the way the sexual abuse scandal was dealt with. The entire laity, not
only those directly affected, have been hurt by the breakdown of trust that has
come from the whole situation.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Though the idea of the Synod at the laity level is for these
Catholics to be able to express feelings freely without harsh criticism, there
are critics of the “synodal” concept who have made negative comments through
the media, if not by other means. Of course, if one disagrees with the
nay-sayers, it is inevitable to be critical right back.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Christians are called to love each other, which includes
patience for differences. I believe that over time this synodal process has
potential, through the Holy Spirit, to lead us to better understanding of each
other. One person expressed that in this process they felt “heard” (by Church
officials) for the very first time. Even more importantly, I think it can lead
to better discernment of God’s plan for the collective Church in certain
things, such as evangelization by laity in the face of waning faith in the West.
It may be optimistic, but I hope all Catholics will give Church Synodality a chance and then
not give up on it too soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Update: I just discovered there will be an additional session in 2024 with an open plan to continue even further into the future.</p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-4486752258863156592022-09-17T09:51:00.003-04:002022-09-18T07:31:27.418-04:00Heaven's Passport, 2022<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EK4NHl_G8YWQ4u2Q3pfi_dihRas-1jJ1/view?usp=sharing" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3400" data-original-width="2200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQUD_uSqbjV7W7WMol8YcLrzILt6-_3b4Oahm28moxyP4bw_3ozxUwNkA833u-Tbiz1BmelAJt7iT7oIjzAnVmfRjawV399O3w6jR__xD-6Fnr3DajEVZtD4E8MNjEr7b69AinJTO4Is5CMsCCudMwYpS0kkQdqcSLpI60qNC5O0XCVN8G6JPZvKG/w129-h200/kay%20carlson%20cover.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>Since I updated a few of my booklets, I thought I'd take another look at the first one I did, <i>Heaven's Passport</i>. I had already edited it a few years ago, so it didn't take much. But I did find a few places to improve, including a sentence which made no sense. I had just missed one small word and a comma in that one, but it was in the "Science" section which is hard enough to understand. Among the other topics are: Opinion and Religion; So Many Religions!; Goodness, Sin and Redemption; The Bible and its Accuracy; and several more.<div><br /><div> So, I invite anyone who hasn't read it or would like to re-read it to get to it directly at the link on this post's image or <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EK4NHl_G8YWQ4u2Q3pfi_dihRas-1jJ1/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a>. <p></p><p></p><p>The booklet is meant to stimulate thinking about God and some of the questions people have about Christianity. It can be used for evangelization and edification. The afterlife is a subject we all deal with one way or another, whether we believe in it or reject it. And if we do believe, the next step is how we think we can get there. I believe the response of each individual will make a very huge difference in his or her forever happiness.</p></div></div>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-90326871958146959542022-05-30T06:36:00.004-04:002022-09-17T09:52:22.756-04:002022 Creation Biology for Beginners<p></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14dNaaAAtP_BZY9ZMTHfdpD-OI6qVVoDE/view?usp=sharing" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="281" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHlFYEAgIl1LoDnhceGEwIBOHzBxZDSR_clVUz1CZhi8M0qIAKwN68Kb1Yf-DLoCbhoVur4ht3Qtf1U0xUrGA-fg5ZY-_YfrwQDQpabngCa5NNZYK1hOwy-qhe6tMLxie8MO2d29qWMxY5EGdA9JrRlt2ByYO_giNBwqfDXKe636zDbUfGgG6idLS/s320/CBBgCvr01.jpg" width="207" /></a></div></div>I have updated my <i>Creation Biology for Beginners</i> booklet. The booklet is for persons interested in the relationship between biology and religion. The discussions of science and religion in general have brought on a spectrum of opinions, from denial that one is affected by the other at all, to insistence that they are completely intertwined. I invite you to take a look at this FREE, short (16-page) booklet by clicking the link on the image or <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14dNaaAAtP_BZY9ZMTHfdpD-OI6qVVoDE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a>. I hope it will intrigue you enough to continue your educational experience with my 40-page booklet, <i>Creation Biology</i>, found at the link <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yhQzS8JGf9Fw-VgTfWDHconnMzQ5u-h2/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">RIGHT HERE</a>.<p></p><p>Thanks for your visit! </p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-13279885600512800962022-02-26T09:58:00.010-05:002022-03-03T08:54:44.951-05:00Time to Write!<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">When, at the end of February,
I saw “Merry Christmas” on my last blog post, my first thought was that I am behind again. My
life has almost always seemed that way, at least as I remember it. There is
more in it than I can keep up with, and I’m not sure if that’s true for
everyone or just some of us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I won’t go into
details, as all of us know how it is to grow up in an age where there is much
to learn in school, much going on with relationships, much to cope with at
work. I think some roll with situations quickly, where others want to reflect
on them, which takes time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I have been very blessed to have the necessities
of life, although sometimes I had to work for them harder than other times. Even in the times I
haven’t had a conventional type of job, there are many things I’d like to say (and write),
and to read, and to do, but can’t do them all. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I repeatedly go to the Lord to
ask for discernment to put things in order of importance so that I can tackle
what I can without being totally bogged down. Discernment itself can be difficult,
but it involves faith that Jesus hears and helps. I believe He keeps me going even though my rate seems slower, most of
the time, than I think it should be or that others have. Then I must develop the confidence that I am falling in step with God and not really behind at all.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>God can provide the sturdy footing for each
of us to find our best pace.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3327865110787174469.post-28879952066175531352021-12-21T15:10:00.005-05:002022-02-26T09:19:24.855-05:00Have a Blessed 2021 Christmas<p>Christmas is only a few days away, so I thought I'd say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.</p><p>To my regret, I don't think I'll be going to mass on Christmas because of the repeat in COVID number spikes. I'm in the susceptible category, though I am grateful to have avoided it so far. I missed Easter mass last year in the shut-downs. I will watch a service on EWTN from Rome at 4:30 am. I'm an early bird and will be up anyway. I hope that next year will be more normal and we can all attend all the masses and church services we desire.</p><p>God is with us, at home, work and church. We can celebrate the coming of Christ no matter where we are, although Catholics desire the communion which comes when we attend mass. Of course, many Christians get together with food and presents in celebration of Christ's entry to Earth. Sometimes, though, it seems the celebrations don't spell out all that Christ's appearance implies. Don't get me wrong--it is commemoration of a joyous occasion (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202:8-11&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 2:8-11</a>). However, this year, with increased quiet time to reflect, I see Christmas more as the beginning of the most important battle of good versus evil happening on our planet. This war was going on before, but in the critical battle, Christ came to die for us, and also agreed to live a perfect life so He could take our place in the atonement of sins. Neither of these could have been easy even though He is God. </p><p>And the war continues now in our world, but in a different way after Christ's victory. Satan knows he is defeated but tries to fool people away from the Lord. Unfortunately this enemy with his minions has been winning in the US in the last decades. A recent Pew Survey shows the numbers of decreasing Christianity and increasing "nones," people unaffiliated with religion (article <a href="https://www.pewforum.org/2021/12/14/about-three-in-ten-u-s-adults-are-now-religiously-unaffiliated/" target="_blank">HERE</a>).</p><p>The battleground for Christians is in the realm of faith. If we believe in Jesus as our Savior, that He died for our sins to satisfy justice, and that He is God as part of the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we can abide with Him forever. This is our benefit of His great triumph. But for those who don't believe, the future, in this world and beyond, is very bleak. The challenge is to get non-believers to realize the truth and recognize <i>the</i> Truth.</p><p>I pray for everyone's safety and health. I hope you will give time to reflect on Christmas. It is a joyous celebration, but it is also a sober reminder of the circumstances under which Christ was born, what He came to do and then accomplished.</p><p><br /></p>Kay Carlsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899685357831950230noreply@blogger.com0