The Upper Room?

Ella and James Preece are a Catholic couple living in Kingston Upon Hull in Yorkshire in the UK. This is our blog.

Blogged by James Preece on 12th June 2008

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand it's useful for Catholics to be able to meet other Catholics online. On the other hand, you can do that already with, um, the Internet.

I can't help but think Catholics should just go be Catholic via existing social networking structures like Facebook.

I'm just not cool with the whole Catholic Youth Ghetto thing.

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Reader Comments

Mark said...

I have some mixed feelings too, but I think that a "safe-place" on the interweb might be very valuable.

You and I have much less excuse to be ashamed and embarassed about our faith than the youthy types here addressed. One hopes that this sort of initiative might give them more reasons to be confident about their faith in the big, bad, real world.

Mhari said...

Hello hello,

I'm an occasional browser of your blog, and was pleased to see you'd mentioned Xt3. While I agree with you about Catholic Ghettos, I think your friend Mark has a good point about some people not feeling able to be themselves, and I don't think Xt3 will (or should) replace facebook, it certainly won't for me.

I was concerned that there was no real need for Xt3 (and I've been working on it for nearly 2 years!) but I've been so touched by the many thousands that have registered this week. I think it must be similar to the experience of attending WYD (I haven't yet) and being encouraged by the volume and diversity of young Catholics desiring to celebrate their faith.

Anyway, God bless you :)

James said...

When I say "mixed feelings" I don't mean "I'm against it until somebody proves it's a good thing", I simply mean't my feelings are mixed.

Clearly, there is no problem with a "safe-place" (Mark put it in quotes for some reason?). The Church has always had and encouraged "safe-places" for believers to meet and explore the faith. From the Catacombs of Ancient Rome to the Parish Youth Group, the Family and even Xt3.

I am more concerned about a model of Catholic Youth Ministry that places a huge emphasis on fellowship and disregards catechesis. CS Lewis in his Screwtape letters describes the trap whereby a believer is told "Believe this, not because it is true, but for some other reason".

I am concerned that our Youth Ministry says "Believe this, not because it is true, but because of how exhilarating you found it at World Youth Day. Because of how much fun you had a Lourdes. Because lot's of other Young People believe it."

I'm not saying Xt3 holds that view of Youth Ministry. I daresay you do not. But there are those that do and they give me cause to hesitate whenever I see an initiative of this kind.

Maybe I'm just a miserable git.

Mark said...

I don't think anyone was assuming that's what you meant James.

In quotes because there's nothing you can do to guarantee that a place is safe.

There is such a thing as healthy cynicism. S'fine.

To the Blessed Virgin Prayer for England

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee.

By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross.

O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home.

Amen.

Couple's Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day.

Grant that by thy mercy, neither of us may ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other.

Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, and devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then, we pray thee, add to our common life such virtues as only thou canst give.

And so, O Father, consecrate our life and love completely to thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom thou hast appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.