There is nothing like the smell of Ecclesiology in the morning

I opened my email this morning and found from the Vatican Information Service a document that was released by the Vatican about Church doctrine. I felt like I was in Fr. Stevens' Ecclesiology class! (actually more like the final in the class) It answered five common questions about the Catholic Church:
1. Did the Second Vatican Council change the Catholic doctrine on the Church?
2. What is the meaning of the affirmation that the Church of Christ subsists in the Catholic Church?
3. Why was the expression 'subsists in' adopted instead of the simple word 'is'?
4. Why does the Second Vatican Council use the term 'Church' in reference to the oriental Churches separated from full communion with the Catholic Church?
5. Why do the texts of the Council and those of the Magisterium since the Council not use the title of 'Church' with regard to those Christian Communities born out of the Reformation of the sixteenth century?

It can be viewed here. I am happy to say that I already knew the answers to these questions, so THANK YOU FR. BUD and St. Mary's!

Speaking of St. Mary's (well it is a bit of a stretch), one movie night we were supposed to watch Night at the Museum, but by some small miscommunication, I was not able to watch it. I actually tried twice to see it and never got a chance. Well, thanks to Blockbuster Total Access, the movie was delivered to me yesterday and I watched it last night. Pretty good movie, I have always liked Ben Stiller and Carla Gugino ever since Son-In-Law (yes, I watch Paulie Shore movies). I think everyone knows the premise of the story so I will not even get into it here, but if you haven't seen it yet, I recommend it (well I recommend it even if you have seen it, but you get the idea). Enjoy!

I am still trying to figure out John from Cincinnati... this last episode was kind of dull. It seemed to put all of the characters into place for a big occurrence but I felt that Cissy was a little over the top and wanted to get rid of her more than Tony's Sister, Janice, from the Sopranos (and anyone who knows me knows that is huge)... Actually, this person's take on the show was pretty much on target with my exact feelings.

Well, I think that is all for now, but considering that it is now the all-star break in baseball and if you are like me and dislike all-star games, you have nothing sporty to do but wait. So, while you are waiting you may want to think of the peace and happiness that college football brings you and enjoy this moment of zen. If you ever wondered how your football team did against any other team now you know, let the smack talk begin! GO RU!

Pauline Year announced!

The Vatican issued a statement on June 28 that there will be a Pauline Year to celebrate the 2000 anniversary of his birth which most historians claim to be between 7 AD and 10 AD. The year will start on June 28, 2008. While this may not seem like much to many people, I am very enthusiastic that the possibility of my diaconate year will be dedicated to this great apostle. I am quite interested in the ecumenical movement, and I believe there is way too little emphasis on the writings of Paul and what they can translate into today.

Speaking of things from the Vatican, a few days ago my moment of zen had a website about driving, interestingly enough, this document aboutPastoral Care of the Road came out and helped me realize that I still have a long way to go in my practice of true Christian charity. :) I specifically enjoyed reading section III on human aspects and IV Moral aspects of driving. I loved this quote: "Coexistence is a fundamental aspect of human beings and roads should therefore be more human. Motorists are never alone when they are driving, even when no one is sitting beside them. Driving a vehicle is basically a way of relating with and getting closer to other people"(especially when I drive) ", and of integrating within a community of people. This capacity for coexistence, of entering into relations with others, presupposes certain specific qualities in a driver: namely self-mastery, prudence, courtesy, a fitting spirit of service and knowledge of the Highway Code. Selfless assistance should also be provided to those who need it, by giving an example of charity and hospitality." Part two of the document talks about the importance of pastoral ministry for the liberation of street women, which shares an important perspecitve on prostitution as "a form of slavery." Please continue to pray that we continue to try to assist these people rather than judge them.

Well, guess that is all for now, talk to you all soon. Oh and to my friends from the great white North, Happy Belated Canada Day, eh! Pax et bonum!

Sts. Peter and Paul pray for us

ok, ok, I know it was yesterday, but I was very busy... Anyway, I have always loved this feast day, not only because it celebrates two of the greatest apostles, but because of the different paths they took to become apostles. Especially, today when we tend to focus on everything that is wrong with "the other", the fact that these two men are celebrated together despite their different approaches is powerful. I think that it is telling that the Church makes us celebrate these two men together. Catholics have usually been associated with Peter through the power of the keys while Protestants usually look to Paul and his fervant evangelization, but the Church reminds us all that we are followers of Christ and there is something missing when we deny the Christian name to others because their focus is not identical to ours. I also take solace in the fact that the people that Christ chose were not perfect, Peter would be extremely successful at times and then would fail, Paul started out persecuting Christians but then became one of its greatest advocates. Through the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul may we become more aware of Christian Unity.