Catholic and Loving it!

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Patricius said...

Looks like a deliberate attempt to convince them of the irrelevance of religion.

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Rocket said...

James. Now you have told us what you don't like, why don't you tell us what you do like. Or is this site just about criticism?

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James said...

Yeah, because in most jobs there is a rule where people can't complain unless they say something nice as well.

Presumably if you ran a restaraunt and I found hairs in my meal I would be forced to inform you that the meal was very tasty before saying anything about the hairs?

You don't even observe your own rule. Where do you say something nice about my blog entry? You don't.

Presumably you would apply the same rule to those complaining about priestly sex abuse? Fr X raped me, but he does do a very good homily on a Sunday. If not - kindly inform me of the situations in which it is and is not acceptable to make a criticism with and without the sugar coating you require.

The fact is that the "can't you say something nice" rule is just another ad hominem attack that people use when they want an excuse to ignore criticism. He never says anything nice, therefore I don't have to listen to him, because he's just a meanie...

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Amanda said...

James, you speak the truth.
All Catholics who are seeking to live in faithful obedience to the Church's teachings will support your sentiments (if not always, the way you express them). Thank you for having the faith and courage to stand up openly, without pseudonyms, and say these things!
Why do some youth workers feel the need to "dumb down" the truths of the Faith f as if the children and yound people were some kind of "half-whits". Or maybe they think they will run of screaming in the opposite direction. We know that it is the truth that sets us free, it follows that our kids are being left in slavery....slavery to our pollitically correct, secular society, whre there is no objective truth, just everyone's individual interpratation which is "right for them"....No thank you!!

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Anony Mouse said...

Amanda, have you actually bothered to look at the website - or, dare I ask, use any of its resources with young people? Lectio, catechesis, adoration, drama, art, social action, and these prayer stations IN CONTEXT - does it look "dumbed down" to you?

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Miss Ellen E said...

I personally wouldn't be too keen on encouraging the eating of sweets whilst reading the word of God. We seem to have enough trouble in our parish trying to get people NOT to eat during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass! For some reason people seem to think it's acceptable to chew throughout the Mass. Sorry, rant over.

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Philip said...

I have actually looked through the website and I am surprised how defensive anony mouse is because this whole post started by James saying that he was pleasantly surprised by the new materials. But this section on prayer (which also happened to catch my eye) is depressingly similar to so much one sees in schools. I do have children, though maybe mine are unusual. However, it is difficult to persuade them that prayer, Mass and so on are cooler than other things they could be doing. Trying to compete with the rest of the world on "coolness" is a non starter for religious upbringing. But it is possible to persuade children that prayer, Mass etc. are important and worthwhile because they take us beyond other experiences and because God is important and deserves attention. For that reason, of course, it makes sense to pray in front of some form of religious image or the blessed sacrament. I cannot imagine doing the above with the food and then my children thinking about the word of God when they ate for any purpose other than being silly.

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Amanda said...

Anthony Mouse,
I'm sorry, my comments were not directed at the website, I should have made it clear. They were general comments about the approach I have seen all too often in some Youth Ministry. I have now looked at the web site, I agree with what you, and others, have said. There is fine stuff on it. No I don't find it "dumbed down", but I do agree that the particular section James has pointed out is a "low point", as he put it. My comments, I suppose, were also largely prompted by the exchange that you &and James, Jingly and Rocket had a few days ago, most regretable!

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Anony Mouse said...

Thank you, Amanda, that is very gracious of you. I think everyone will find something on the website to use and adapt for their particular group - if, as you say, the prayer stations are a "low point" for you then I can only assume you are more likely to use something else instead.

I would note that sensory prayer is not unknown in the Church. On the contrary - we've been using candles, incense, water, oil, posture, labyrinths, etc. for centuries! The accompanying "breaking bread / breaking the Word" image seems quite apt, and for me at least doesn't have that negative connotation of simulating a sacrament, as the "Jacob's Creek" swipe suggests.

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Anony Mouse said...

Philip, I am defensive because the prevailing attitude is one of attack - and an unjustified one at that. All I am trying to do is bring some balance. The introduction to the page from which the material here is quoted seems to give quite a good explanation of the aim of that particular resource. It is not about (trying to (be)ing) cool, it is simply another "way in" to scripture.

Miss Ellen E, given that this is not for Mass (surely not the only other situation in which we encounter scripture in our lives as Catholics?!) I hardly think the temptation to chew through the Liturgy of the Word is any more fostered by this activity...

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Philip said...

Anony mouse - well I thought that James was being constructive in praising other aspects of the liturgy and homing in on one part which he thinks (and I think) is not really a great idea. Anyway, I look forward to one of your comments beginning with, "You have a point there James", rather than being critical of him!

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