Catholic Teens 1-9-07
Hey All—
We are called to proclaim the Good News of Christ everywhere. That’s Jesus’ command (see Matthew 28:19-20). Today there are more ways then ever before to spread that message. The internet is one of those forums for spreading the Good News. Check out the Vatican website sometime www.vatican.va It’s one of the best sites out there. It’s also one of the more popular ones on the internet.
The next frontier is “blogging.” And we now have our first Cardinal with his own blog. Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston has launched his own blog. In it he shares reflections, stories and commentary. Yet another way for him, as a shepherd, to connect with his flock and help spread the Good News.
I had to smile when I saw this posting of his. It’s a true story from when he was a younger priest:
As I mentioned before, I was a prison chaplain for two years in the 1960s in Butler County, Pennsylvania. I always tell the story about giving my first sermon in prison. I was very nervous and searching for a topic when I had this inspiration of great escapes in the Bible. So I talked about Daniel in the lion’s den, the three lads in the furnace, St. Paul going over the wall in the basket and St. Peter in chains. I had their rapt attention, but the problem was, that night six prisoners escaped from the prison. I thought my first prison assignment was going to be my last!
http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/
Question O' The Week:
“How do we know if everything is true?”
That’s an age old question. Recall that even Pontius Pilate asked Jesus that same thing, “What is truth?” Well Jesus answered it “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light.” But how do you “know”? You look at the evidence. You look at the history. You look at what the teachings are. You look to what people you trust have to say. As one of my favorite professors used to say, “God gave you a brain, use it.” J
The beautiful thing about Christianity is that it makes sense. You can look at the history and discover that it really happened. You can look at the “experts” (the saints) and learn from them. If Christianity were not True, do you think Mother Teresa would’ve been so amazing? Everything she did was based on her faith. Unlike a lot of religions, Christianity puts forth everything it teaches and invites people to look at it, study it, critique it, and then act accordingly. And in the end, billions have found it to be True.
Many, many, many books have been written to answer the question you ask. To name a few, CS Lewis wrote “Mere Christianity” as an explanation regarding the truth of Christ. St. Augustine’s “Confessions” details his own discovery of the Faith. “The Case for Christ” details the story of a reporter who was an atheist. He decided to study the history behind Christianity from a journalist’s perspective. In the end he discovered it was true and converted to Christianity. Another book out there is “Rocked by God,” which came out of the Steubenville Conferences. That one is more geared specifically to teens. And of course, there is the popular book by Matthew Pinto, “Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons” which answers all sorts of questions from teens.
Christianity is true, but don’t take my word for it—look at the evidence…after all, “God gave you a brain, use it.” J
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Intentions:
-For “Aunt Irene” who just had surgery this week, we pray to the Lord.
-For a couple starting the process of divorce that they may find healing, we pray to the Lord.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Announcements:
Fr. John Amsberry from Oregon will be coming Tuesday, February 13th to St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel Church in Fancher. 6:00-9:00PM All students grades 7-12 are invited. There will be music, food, and Fr. John’s presentation. Fr. John is a graduate of Stuebenville and even spoke at the Stuebenville Conference in San Diego this past summer. Some of you may remember him from when he came to St. Bronislava a few years ago.
He takes as his motto this quote from St. Therese of Lisieux “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth. My mission is to make God loved…”
Check out his website at www.uareloved.com
Even more cool, is that a teenager, Samantha, is coordinating this event. Check it out!
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting will likely be at the end of January. Stay Tuned!
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com
Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.
We are called to proclaim the Good News of Christ everywhere. That’s Jesus’ command (see Matthew 28:19-20). Today there are more ways then ever before to spread that message. The internet is one of those forums for spreading the Good News. Check out the Vatican website sometime www.vatican.va It’s one of the best sites out there. It’s also one of the more popular ones on the internet.
The next frontier is “blogging.” And we now have our first Cardinal with his own blog. Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of Boston has launched his own blog. In it he shares reflections, stories and commentary. Yet another way for him, as a shepherd, to connect with his flock and help spread the Good News.
I had to smile when I saw this posting of his. It’s a true story from when he was a younger priest:
As I mentioned before, I was a prison chaplain for two years in the 1960s in Butler County, Pennsylvania. I always tell the story about giving my first sermon in prison. I was very nervous and searching for a topic when I had this inspiration of great escapes in the Bible. So I talked about Daniel in the lion’s den, the three lads in the furnace, St. Paul going over the wall in the basket and St. Peter in chains. I had their rapt attention, but the problem was, that night six prisoners escaped from the prison. I thought my first prison assignment was going to be my last!
http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/
Question O' The Week:
“How do we know if everything is true?”
That’s an age old question. Recall that even Pontius Pilate asked Jesus that same thing, “What is truth?” Well Jesus answered it “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light.” But how do you “know”? You look at the evidence. You look at the history. You look at what the teachings are. You look to what people you trust have to say. As one of my favorite professors used to say, “God gave you a brain, use it.” J
The beautiful thing about Christianity is that it makes sense. You can look at the history and discover that it really happened. You can look at the “experts” (the saints) and learn from them. If Christianity were not True, do you think Mother Teresa would’ve been so amazing? Everything she did was based on her faith. Unlike a lot of religions, Christianity puts forth everything it teaches and invites people to look at it, study it, critique it, and then act accordingly. And in the end, billions have found it to be True.
Many, many, many books have been written to answer the question you ask. To name a few, CS Lewis wrote “Mere Christianity” as an explanation regarding the truth of Christ. St. Augustine’s “Confessions” details his own discovery of the Faith. “The Case for Christ” details the story of a reporter who was an atheist. He decided to study the history behind Christianity from a journalist’s perspective. In the end he discovered it was true and converted to Christianity. Another book out there is “Rocked by God,” which came out of the Steubenville Conferences. That one is more geared specifically to teens. And of course, there is the popular book by Matthew Pinto, “Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons” which answers all sorts of questions from teens.
Christianity is true, but don’t take my word for it—look at the evidence…after all, “God gave you a brain, use it.” J
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intentions:
-For “Aunt Irene” who just had surgery this week, we pray to the Lord.
-For a couple starting the process of divorce that they may find healing, we pray to the Lord.
-For all the other intentions you hold in your hearts, we pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Announcements:
Fr. John Amsberry from Oregon will be coming Tuesday, February 13th to St. Mary’s of Mount Carmel Church in Fancher. 6:00-9:00PM All students grades 7-12 are invited. There will be music, food, and Fr. John’s presentation. Fr. John is a graduate of Stuebenville and even spoke at the Stuebenville Conference in San Diego this past summer. Some of you may remember him from when he came to St. Bronislava a few years ago.
He takes as his motto this quote from St. Therese of Lisieux “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth. My mission is to make God loved…”
Check out his website at www.uareloved.com
Even more cool, is that a teenager, Samantha, is coordinating this event. Check it out!
The Youth Group, Generation JPII:
-The next meeting will likely be at the end of January. Stay Tuned!
God bless you!
Phil Lawson
For more information on St. Peters check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com
Catholic Teens is a weekly email from Phil Lawson to Catholic Teenagers. To receive these weekly reflections, send an email to lawsphil@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you’d like to be removed from this list, please send an email indicating that.
posted by Phil Lawson at 8:58 AM
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