Apostasy and Advent

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

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Blogged by James Preece on 3rd December 2008

Fr Dwight Longenecker says...

The major problem in the church today is when Christians exchange the Divine and supernatural economy of redemption for an attempt to change the world. Many Catholics have forgotten that the Church is established for the forgiveness of sins and the proclamation of the gospel, and believe instead that the Church is here to make the world a better place, and that this needs to be accomplished by all sorts of educational, social welfare, political and even revolutionary activities.

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Reader Comments

Alan and Angeline (Torch of The Faith) said...

This is spot on!

We recently heard Fr. Stephen Langridge give an excellent talk on the theme of vocations.

He said that 'Youth work' too often falls into one of two approaches which in themselves are clearly insufficient.

The first is Entertainment... and the second is Exploitaton of their good nature in causes.

That's not to say that getting involved in good causes is a bad thing, but rather that we are called to be Christ and to bring them into His Presence. Fr. Stephen does this by promoting Adoration and prayer for young people and the fruits are conversions of hearts, growth in faith and increased vocations.

We liked the approach that your Fr. Massie took. Time for socialising and sports etc. And the focus on Christ and His teachings. As Mr. Punch used to say 'That's the way to do it!'

For too long people in the Church have turned people off the faith by giving them an impoverished version of it; or worse a mutilated version of it.

It's time to let Jesus Christ be the centre that He truly is. As John Paul II said; when Christ is presented to young people as He really is they can, and do, respond to Him in love, faith and hope.

Of course that goes for all generations and all cultures.

Thanks for sharing all these blog posts with us all.
In Christ
Alan and Angeline

Mark Dobson said...

Why the heading 'Apostasy and Advent'?

James said...

It's the title of the blog entry I was quoting (click the link)

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.