P
PeterJohn
Guest
I just finished Diane Moczar’s new book “Converts & Kingdoms, how the church converted the pagan west and how we can do it again.” I, being a “new evangelization” enthusiast, couldn’t put it down. Great book. I kind of gathered that when our saints and missionaries traveled into pagan territory to evangelize, with much braveness I might add, did not just preach the gospel and leave, they set up a better way of life by building schools and universities and taught better farming techniques and such. It dawned on me that today in the USA we have those things already available and we need some new ways to help people, and provide a better way of life. But what could make this life better? What is wrong with our society (aside from the obvious corruption and immorality we see in abortion and the government and the like)? CONSUMERISM! Everywhere you turn someone is trying to sell you something, even something as simple as water or advice. Everything costs you something. There is not much that is offered for free. We have lost the tight knit communities that were so prevalent in the days of old, where you absolutely needed your neighbors to simply survive the winter.
Perhaps we have also lost the sense that we are supposed to edifiy the church(people in the church) with our gifts of the Holy Spirit. We each are specialists nowadays, whether it be roofers or foot doctors or even lawyers, our ability to learn these things are gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps within our parishes we could setup counciling ministries that can benefit each other in many ways. Are there any lawyers in your parish? Perhaps they could be available to lend advice even if it is for a discounted price within the church. Is there anyone in your parish with a pshycology degree( one of the most popular in the US) that could help you work through a loss of a loved one. Is there anyone who is good with budgeting in your parish who would be willing to lend some advice to people 18-35 who struggle with credit card debt and mortgages?(many times, seniors and those who are in later stages of life have dealt with these things and mastered them) wherever people struggle, there are other who have found ways to solve those problems. We could help each other succeed in life, and possibly make life easier for one another. As Christians we need to help one another. Just because the bible only tells stories of helping starving people doesn’t mean we aren’t starving for help somehow in today’s age. Times have changed yet we can still help one another in a lot of ways. By creating a community where we can benefit one another, we can be inviting to new and old(returning) Catholics. “Preach the gospel always, use words when nescisary”(attributed to St Francis, who built and taught those he evangelized) FINALY I see a practicle way of doing this. Our actions within this mutually beneficial community ARE preaching the gospel AND inviting! How many old women are there in your parish? Perhaps they love children and could watch your children while you and your wife/husband go on a much needed date! Or they could watch your kids while you help out at a fundraiser!
Any other sugjestions?
God bless.
Perhaps we have also lost the sense that we are supposed to edifiy the church(people in the church) with our gifts of the Holy Spirit. We each are specialists nowadays, whether it be roofers or foot doctors or even lawyers, our ability to learn these things are gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as knowledge and wisdom. Perhaps within our parishes we could setup counciling ministries that can benefit each other in many ways. Are there any lawyers in your parish? Perhaps they could be available to lend advice even if it is for a discounted price within the church. Is there anyone in your parish with a pshycology degree( one of the most popular in the US) that could help you work through a loss of a loved one. Is there anyone who is good with budgeting in your parish who would be willing to lend some advice to people 18-35 who struggle with credit card debt and mortgages?(many times, seniors and those who are in later stages of life have dealt with these things and mastered them) wherever people struggle, there are other who have found ways to solve those problems. We could help each other succeed in life, and possibly make life easier for one another. As Christians we need to help one another. Just because the bible only tells stories of helping starving people doesn’t mean we aren’t starving for help somehow in today’s age. Times have changed yet we can still help one another in a lot of ways. By creating a community where we can benefit one another, we can be inviting to new and old(returning) Catholics. “Preach the gospel always, use words when nescisary”(attributed to St Francis, who built and taught those he evangelized) FINALY I see a practicle way of doing this. Our actions within this mutually beneficial community ARE preaching the gospel AND inviting! How many old women are there in your parish? Perhaps they love children and could watch your children while you and your wife/husband go on a much needed date! Or they could watch your kids while you help out at a fundraiser!
Any other sugjestions?
God bless.