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Question of the week | May 14-21, 2010
May 14-21, 2010 edition
 Last week, we got so into the panel discussion with converts to the Catholic faith that we didn’t want to stop. So we didn’t!
This week, be sure to tune in for Part II of the Perspectives “convert” panel discussion where we get up close and personal with three young converts. As you heard, Lawrence Floucault, Lindsey Homeyer and Anthony Yeow each have unique stories to tell about how they found the Church (or more like how the Church found them!).
Make sure to tune in this Friday at 7 and 11pm ET (8pm PT) to hear how each of our guests dealt with the complications that awaited them when they arrived “home” (professional and vocational crises not excepted).
blogand our facebook page for updates as they happen.
Comments
Marion Bridge Aussenegg The living presence of our Lord in the sacrifice of the Mass.
David Cunningham Amen to that!
Pj Van Nest quiet meditation and then prayer with the focus on Jesus brings me peace and makes me stronger.
Lawrence Floucault If anyone has been away from home for a long time they understand the feeling when they return. It's a feeling of peace--a deep and penetrating peace. A familiarity that brings true joy and fulfillment. Every time I go to mass, pray, or spend time with my Catholic brothers and sisters I have this experience. The Catholic Church is my home.
Stefanie Romano I agree with Lawrence. No matter where I am in the world, the feeling of being "home" among my Catholic brothers and sisters brings me the most joyful peace. In that instance my heart feels like a balloon filling with air too quickly, as if it might burst.
Shirley Kargakos I too when I enter the church all my worries are gone I'm so at peacr at home with the Lord and brothers and sisters.
Elena Razzoli I consider myself a greatly blessed person. There are many wonderful things which fill my heart with joy: the love of my family, friends and boyfriend, the unforgettable travels I had, my job (which I love) and many beautiful daily things. However, there is something which gives me a joy which is greater and deeper than everything else: GOD'S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE (for everyone and) FOR ME. A few days ago, a friend of mine told me: <But God's love is something abstract>, I told him that I have experienced God's love in a concrete, true, real, unequivocal way. An example of that which is very clear in my heart and mind happened on August 2007, while I was in Poland for a pilgrimage to the places of JP II with 150 young Catholic friends of mine. One day we had a private audience with Cardinal Dziwisz, then we had a retreat in Kalvaria, followed by Confession, Adoration and Mass. I remember that that night I truly (literally) felt MY HEART BURN WITHIN ME. It was 3am and the friends who were sharing my room had been sleeping for a few hours already. I wanted to sleep too, but my heart was so full of joy that my heart and my lips could not stop praying and praising the Lord. I have experienced God's great and unconditional love many times. I experience it every time I receive Communion, every time I do adoration and every time I confess myself. A few years ago I got to know some of the basketball players of the Italian National Male Team. On the surface, it seemed that they had everything they could ask for to be the happiest people in the world: one of them once told me: <I am young, handsome, rich, popular and I can have all the girls I want>. But I noticed that none of them was truly happy and satisfied. In fact, they did not have the most important and the most beautiful thing: the faith. I compared some popular basketball players with some Catholic friends of mine (who used to go to Mass everyday, and had 'God at the centre of their every choice and action') and I told myself: my Catholic friends have found something which is greater, more joyful and more important than everything else: God's unconditional love.
Salt + Light TV Pedro here: That's great that you've experienced God in the Church, but sadly, so many don't. Would you say that you can only experience God in the Catholic Church?
Elena Razzoli I believe people experience God not only in the Catholic Church, but also in other religions (eg. Anglican Church,…). In my opinion, the main difference between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church for example is that Catholics enter in a relationship with a real person: Jesus. In fact, Jesus is risen, Jesus is alive and He is amongst us. Anglicans only believe in the SPIRITUAL presence of Jesus 'in the heart of those who receive Him', while Catholics believe the REAL presence of Jesus in the Consecrated Bread. Also the United States' first Saint (Elizabeth Ann Seton) felt something burn within her heart and burst into tears when she attended a Catholic Mass (she used to be Anglican) and she experienced that Jesus is really present in the Sacrament of Bread and Wine. Pedro, I'm not sure if I understood your question well. In case I misunderstood what you wanted to ask me, I apologise. Ciao : ) Elena
Salt + Light TV Kris here. Thanks to all our Facebook friends for having shared your experiences, both good and bad, from your Catholic school. (I attended a public school, so I have none.) But instead of determining our support for publicly-funded Catholic schools based on anecdotal evidence, should we not be basing it on the potential for what Catholic schools could be? In this era when church and state tend to be kept far apart, our constitutional rights are truly remarkable: at present, Ontario Catholics enjoys both government funding and minimal interference in their curriculum. How can we make the most of these rights? Watch tonight's program, then tell us!
Stefanie Romano I (a Catholic Secondary School teacher candidate), sat down with my parents (mom - a Catholic Elementary School Italian Heritage teacher and dad- a Catholic Secondary School Vice Principal within YCDSB), and we all felt that the episode was honest and hopeful for the future of Catholic Schools. It was very fluid and comprehensive for those who may not be knowledgeable of the history of our constitution or the origins of the French and English in upper and lower Canada. Thank You.
Jack Liu We should definitely keep publicly-funded Catholic schools in Ontario. In the US, so many Catholic parents dream of sending their children to Catholic schools but simply couldn't afford it.
Brett Salkeld It's vision of the human person.
Lieke Titulaer God Himself: ... Father, creator, who knows me and every body else beter than we know ourselves.
Son, saviour, who died on the cross to make it possible for me and for every body else to go to Father.
Holy Spirit, Love between Father and Son, who helps and leads me and does that with whole the Holy Church on earth.
Caroline Obi
Caroline Obi I second Brett and Lieke
In my perspective, the constant love of God and His son that I feel within me even in my worst despair and suffering; just being able to walk into the church, sit down and stare at the Blessed Sacrament in silence. In the Church I feel God is next to me..saying how much he loves me..and reassuring me not to worry, that He... See More ... See Moreis always with me.
Also,the reality of the lives of the saints..their normal but Godly lives excite me to live a holy life in my daily activities by remembering God in everything I do.
The teachings of the Church about human dignity and love for one another in charity even in the simplest of our doings is another aspect of the Church that makes my heart rejoice. It allows me to witness God's presence among the people who preach and live His word as seen in the likes of charity organizations of the Church and other service organizations, institutions, the Pope, Bishops, priests, nuns, etc and among ourselves.
Shirley Kargakos I feel exactly the same so much love.
Robin Anderson The fact that EVERYTHING Catholic centers around the "kerygma" or proclamation of the Gospel Message! Sacraments, Marian devotion, our belief in authority: the proclamation of Christ crucified, died and risen in all and through all!
Cindy Neil Sharp The Real Presence. The Advocate! The overwhelming love of God!
MaryJane DuPont I think it is the holy spirit that makes my heart burn, it's a feeling of joy, a hunger for the truth, a desire for closeness to Jesus, wanting the mercy of God, and the Love of Mary.
Tony Pelletier Father and Son and Holy Spirit
Harold Joseph Sison The Eucharist.
Teresa Acosta Christ and Christ crucified - the risen Christ, Father and Holy Spirit, the living presence of God in the consecrated bread and wine, the love of my brothers and sisters in the church, social justice...
Jack Liu Everything mentioned above, and chants, incense, icons.
Jacob Bordon The tireless free and self giving. My heart doesn't burn just yet, but I feel a thirst. A thirst like the one of a dry and thirsty land without water.
Jurgita Mataciunaite God my merciful Father, Son my Lord and my Friend, Holy Spirit my souce of joy, sacraments of Love, peace of the gospel, richness of the sacred Tradition, Family of the Church, humility and humble heart.
Adam Regier Christ's life, death and ressurection! The joy that is found knowing that you are created in God's image! Knowing the unfathomable love that God has for me and for every person on earth!
Michelle Walsh No matter how far I wander, The Eucharist is what always brings me back! What else, it IS the body and blood of Christ!
Robin Anderson The fact that EVERYTHING Catholic centers around the "kerygma" or proclamation of the Gospel Message! Sacraments, Marian devotion, our belief in authority: the proclamation of Christ crucified, died and risen in all and through all!
Cindy Neil Sharp The Real Presence. The Advocate! The overwhelming love of God!
MaryJane DuPont I think it is the Holy Spirit that makes my heart burn, it's a feeling of joy, a hunger for the truth, a desire for closeness to Jesus, wanting the mercy of God, and the Love of Mary.
Tony Pelletier Father and Son and Holy Spirit
Harold Joseph Sison The Eucharist.
Teresa Acosta Christ and Christ crucified - the risen Christ, Father and Holy Spirit, the living presence of God in the consecrated bread and wine, the love of my brothers and sisters in the church, social justice...
Jack Liu Everything mentioned above, and chants, incense, icons.
Jacob Bordon The tireless free and self giving. My heart doesn't burn just yet, but I feel a thirst. A thirst like the one of a dry and thirsty land without water.
Jurgita Mataciunaite God my merciful Father, Son my Lord and my Friend, Holy Spirit my source of joy, sacraments of Love, peace of the gospel, richness of the sacred Tradition, Family of the Church, humility and humble heart.
Adam Regier Christ's life, death and resurrection! The joy that is found knowing that you are created in God's image! Knowing the unfathomable love that God has for me and for every person on earth!
Michelle Walsh Now matter how far I wander, The Eucharist is what always brings me back! What else, it IS the body and blood of Christ! |
Question of the week | May 7, 2010
April 30, 2010 edition
May 7, 2010 edition
Do you think it’s fair that the Ontario government funds Catholic education?
This is the question we posed for this week’s episode of Perspectives.
This week, Ontario’s Catholic schools are celebrating Catholic Education Week. So we thought: what better time to reflect on our nation’s Catholic education system?
It is no secret that Canada’s Catholic schools have been pumping out remarkably well-rounded individuals for centuries- from human rights activists to politicians, fashion designers, writers and news anchors.
CTV News anchor, Rosie Del Campo, says that it was her solid Catholic education that gave her the confidence to pursue her career goal, according to a recent York District School Board communiqué.
But some say that Catholic Education in Ontario is being threatened.
The social climate in Canada at this time is not always easy to reconcile with Catholic teaching. As questions about homosexuality, abortion, and contraception pile up, children and parents alike look to the Catholic school system to fill in the blanks.
Some parents, however, are unhappy with the way certain issues are being handled and have jumped ship altogether by opting to home-school or send their kids to a private Catholic school.
Join us on Friday at 7pm and 11pm ET (8pm PT) as we sit down with Les Miller a Religious Education Co-ordinator at York Catholic District School Board and Daniel Reidy, an Academic Co-ordinator at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board to discuss the battle that is Catholic education in Ontario. Make sure to tune in as they share their vision for engineering the future of our nation.
As always, don’t forget to visit our blog and our facebook page for updates as they happen.
Comments
Gérard Byamungu this same topic was debated recently in my Politics class!!!!
David Tim Thurton yes if other faith based schools don't receive the same funding.
Celia Oliveira Sorry, I really missed on the question! Can u ask it again but like if I didn't know much about education systems in canada? Txs
Salt + Light TV Do you think it's fair that the government (Cdn tax dollars) pays for Catholic education?
MaryJane DuPont Yes! Tax dollars are actually my money
Gérard Byamungu ha ha! Good point MaryJane! Yes it is fair. This money is educating all Canadians regardless of their different religions indiscriminately. I am not an expert in Canadian history but I understand that the Catholic Church has been in charge of public education in Canada for many years.....I understand the situation is changing nowadays...
It shouldn't surprising then that in Ontario the Church the tradition (Church manning public education) is still practiced. In as much as people want to secularize everything, we would be making mistakes by ignoring historical/traditional facts which made Canada what it is today. I.e. The role of the church in such areas like Education and Health.
David Goulet I believe Catholics, as a community, would be better served with non publically funded schools. It would require more sacrifice and parental involvement and more coordination with parishes. Too many parents are expecting Catholic schools to provide faith formation which is first and foremost a parental obligation.
Marion Bridge Aussenegg How many kids do you have David? We couldn't send our 6 children to partially funded Catholic schools. I went to gov't funded RC school in Calgary and wished that my children could have attended here. Who's to say what kind of sacrifices people make? You saying I didn't make any because I didn't cough up the funds to do this. Still haven't paid my home off and almost retired. Gov.'t should pay equally for each child in this country.
Salt + Light TV Kris here. To give you some more background, we prepared a Catholic Focus episode on the subject during the Ontario provincial election in 2007. Recall that the Conservative candidate proposed extending public funds to schools of other faiths to address the perceived inequity.
Pj Van Nest When I went to RC school, our pastor gave my parents almost 0% owing. I really wanted to attend and I did go from Grade 1 to Grade 8 and grade 10-12. I had 7 siblings at the time.
Tara Fernandez I know that Catholic schools traditionally have been funded for hundreds of years in Canada, and that many people from lower and middle class families could never afford to send their children to private catholic educational institutions... However, you can't deny that more privately funded Catholic schools (I know at least one in Toronto) are more committed to faith formation, give their kids the opportunity to go to mass regularly and really educate children on the church's teachings... My entire elementary and highschool education was through publicly funded Catholic schools, but I definitely did not receive my faith formation from there and continue to meet teachers in the Catholic school board who are Catholic in name only educating our children, the future of the church. Its only by the grace of God that I started going back to church in my twenties...
Janet Bosco Yes...its been like that for more than 100 yrs...when catholic population dwindle it's ought to change...i know some catholic schools have been closed as not many kids to attend...its a sad reality...
David Cunningham It's a question of parental choice for their child's education. Some portion of the taxes a parent pays for public education should be redirected, at their request, to the educational institute of their choice. Anything above that amount, parents should be responsible for. They shouldn't have to pay public school taxes twice.
Salt + Light TV Kris here again. Interesting point, David, that this can be seen as a question of justice--forcing parents to pay twice, especially in situations where parents feel their local public school is unsuitable, for any number of compelling reasons.Is anyone aware of a reliable analysis showing the real cost of allowing a tax diversion from the public system, as David proposes? Also, are there some educational choices that we would not want the government to sanction through tax credits? |
Question of the week | April 30, 2010
April 30, 2010 edition
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What does the defeat of Bill C-384 (Euthanasia bill) say about Canadian society?
In a landslide 228-59 vote, the Canadian House of Commons effectively silenced the ‘Great Canadian Euthanasia debate’ last week, even if only temporarily. This victory follows months of vigilance on the part of concerned Canadians from all walks of life. Throughout the past year, we have seen dozens of prominent physicians, pharmacists and bioethicists, not to mention grassroots movements all over the country band together in the effort to educate and warn the public of the perils (literally) of legalized Euthanasia and assisted suicide.
This week we will be joined by Dr. Moira McQueen, moral theologian, bio-ethicist and director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute and Dr. Bridget Campion, who is also a bioethicist and moral theologian, also with the CCBI and also an advisor to The deVeber Institute of Bioethics and Social Research.
Tune in on Friday at 7pm or 11pm ET/8pm PT, or Sunday May 2nd at the same times as we discuss what the recent turn of events in Parliament says about Canadians and as we clarify some issues which may still be confusing to many of us about euthanasia, assisted suicide, end-of-life care and organ donation.
What does the defeat of Bill C-384 (Euthanasia bill) say about Canadian society?
David Cunningham I think this is indeed good news! Humans are not animals to be put down when termnally ill. Our doctors don't need to participate in any more killing than they already do through abortion. Proper palliative care is what's needed, not early exits which are primarily designed to save tax dollars.
Del Myers I'm not sure that it says a lot about Canadians as a society. I think that it speaks more about the many Canadian doctors who stood up and courageously said that they are unwilling to be an agent of death. They spoke truthfully about how euthanasia and assisted suicide do not help people. What will really speak for Canadian society is if we take their lead and invest in helping our health care system become more caring once again. |
Question of the week | April 24, 2010
How far would you go to answer the call?
Michael Miller Interesting question. I'm assuming the call you're referring to is your personal vocation? I would hope that I'd go as far as God asks me to. However, I believe He would not ask us to jump through many difficult hoops to answer that call if it was truly His will. So to answer your question, I would spend a good amount of time to figure out the call (priesthood, marriage, deaconate, single life, etc.), and once I am lead down one specific path, I would expend a good deal of effort to confirm the call. After said time & effort are given, if there still isn't peace or confirmation from God that this is the right path, I would move on to a different path.
Ben Lazarus Great question! For me, how far all depends on how much we've abandoned ourselves into the hands of God. If we trust Him and believe He knows what is best for us, then i think anyone would do whatever it takes to pursue it. And to echo, what michael said, God doesn't ask us to do impossible things so what seems like a daunting task initially may end up being one where we say 'hey, that wasn't so bad!"
Dorothy Cummings McLean Well, I moved to Scotland.
Salt + Light TV well done!
Sue-Anne Hess Canada..
Salt + Light TV Have you ever not done something because you're scared it may ask of you more than you can give?
Dorothy Cummings McLean Um...sometimes that's a good thing.
Salt + Light TV Moving to a new country is hard. How else have you gone to great lengths (i.e. sacrificed a lot) for what you knew was the right decision? Do you feel like you place restrictions on your "yes" at times?
Lawrence Floucault I have always viewed God's call as the fulfillment of our deepest desires. God is not a sadist. He would never give us a deep desire for something and then snatch it away right when it is within our grasp. Jesus tells us, "If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him." All we need to do is ask and He will provide. To follow God's will is true joy and wherever He calls us--be it Scotland or the seminary--our "yes" will bring us true joy and fulfillment.
Dorothy Cummings McLean Oh, I see. Well, I gave up my PhD studies in Boston in 2007, and the disappointment just about killed me. I thought becoming a theology professor was my call, and that I should be willing to overcome anything to follow it. However, a year-and-a-half later, when I was on a trip to Scotland, and met my now-husband, I realized that THIS was my call, along with my work of writing for Single people and writing in the Catholic Register, which up until then was "just a hobby." Saying "Yes" to the call to move to Scotland was not at all difficult, even though I knew from living in Toronto that immigrants often feel they have it rough and that I would miss my family and that decades of building up contacts and a reputation would mean squat in Scotland. Saying "Yes" to the call to leave Boston was much, much harder because of all the hard work I had done to get there, my ambitions, my dreams of academic fame and fortune...! And I must say THIS call--which took the form of illness--was a rather rough one! Not a TAME lion, let's just say. |
Question of the week | April 16, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI will soon celebrate his 5th anniversary as Pope. What are your reflections on his papacy so far?
Barbara Ann MacMahon-Firestone: My reflections on Pope Benedict XV1 papacy are truly mixed. I thank our Blessed Mother for this inspiring
and beautiful experience of Salt & Light TV. Father Thomas inspires me to be more than I am. To contribute more than I have done previously. He inspires me to participate in the life of The Church. Perhaps I am not good enough. To be perfectly honest,
I feel Pope Benedict XVI is intellectually remote from every day life. I think this calling to follow Peter must be very painful and difficult for him if you will. He is a profound intellectual. A writer of thousands of words and hundreds of articles and books. The average person needs someone more engaging. He is undoubtedly a great, & holy Man. I simply feel he is rather remote. God Bless, Salt & Light and Father Thomas Rosica, for all he does for all of us. Lovingly yours in Christ
Cherrie de Guzman i will pray for you, wherever you are right now that's where you're suppose to be, that's God's blessing and will, He chose you to lead the church and we accept His will so we support you. I LOVE THE POPE! CONGRATULATIONS!
Massimo Mangione He's Big!!! W THE POPE, W Benedict XVI
Salt + Light TV According to an in-house Italian translator: W=viva. Thanks for your comments!
Tony Pelletier he's truly a humble man, a servant of the people entrusted to him by the Lord
Dorothy Cummings McLean I didn't know that much about him before he became Pope, but my convert husband loves him so much he took "Benedict" as his confirmation name. That and the fact that there had been a "Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club" online tipped me off that the man was somebody special!
Jenny Otis He was the theologian whom I could understand best during the years in theology school. He speaks my language.
Massimo Mangione yes,that's right!!!I'm sorry...:-) |
Question of the week | April 2, 2010
Why do more people go to church on Good Friday than on Easter Sunday?
Kevin Reid: Maybe people feel it more important to commemorate his death, although in some parts of ottawa, there seems to be a tie in terms of attendance between the 2 days. Also, on good Friday there is usually only one mass per church, whereas on Sundays there are multiple masses.
Natasha Bermudez: It the day that also non active Catholics want to miss,maybe because is the commemoration mass for Jesus death,same happen on Christmas mass,but in my opinion every single mas is important to us.People need to be active and attend to mas more than once in a week.We need to be familiar with the Catholic church and our Faith,going to mass only Sundays is something but it is not all,we can become invisible Christians during the week.God bless
Stefanie Romano: that is a GOOD question. Perhaps people find Good Friday as a day of atonement, where guilt is heavier laden.
Kevin Reid: are there specific stats pointing to there being greater attendance on friday over sunday? as mentioned in my previous post, the fact that there's one mass on friday compared to anywhere between 2-5 masses on sunday could skew the results, as attendance is spread over the day on the sunday as opposed to one time on the friday. (or at least that ... See Moreseems to be my experience at the two parishes I've attended on easter, where the two back to back masses aren't always completely full, but are significantly full, around the 3/4 - 90% full range.)
Tony Pelletier: my guess is (only a guess 'cause I don't know their hearts and minds) there are more than one Mass on Easter day but just one Office of the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday.
Matt Farnand: Because people who do not go to mass on Sundays go to mass on Good Friday. It's a day off where everything is closed. They can't do anything else so they go to church. They think it's supposed to be sad and they know it's mandatory. (but ignore the fact that so is every Sunday!) On Sunday it's "family time", which today somehow mostly excludes religious practice.
Dorothy Cummings McLean: I'd be really surprised if more people attended the one Good Friday liturgy than all the people who crowd into 3-4 Masses on Easter Sunday put together.
Janet Bosco: Easter mass is tooooooo long
Salt + Light TV: Pedro here: It would be interesting to look at stats - however, from Priests who celebrate all the Easter Masses, we hear that more people go on Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Good Friday, than on Easter Sunday. That's more people on the one Good Friday Service than on all Easter Masses combined...
However, fact or fiction that's not the point - the point is... ask your non-Mass-attending-Catholic friends, many will say that they will go on Friday but not on Sunday.
Why is that?
Janet Bosco: My Husband who does not attend regular sunday mass if forced wld attend Chirtmas mass and Easter mass but not good friday...may be i shld ask him... |
Question of the week | March 22, 2010
Should Catholics celebrate the Seder meal (the Passover)?
MaryJane DuPont: Why not it's part of our history, and Jesus is the fulfillment of the passover.
Cheryl Caron: agreed
Laura Ieraci: No, precisely because we believe Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover. It's one thing to celebrate the Seder as a memorial, as many Christians have done, myself included. We have a meal, modeled on the Seder, to learn about the Jewish feast day. While we share a similar history and heritage with our Jewish brothers and sisters, Passover is not a Christian holiday and should not be Christianized.
Tony Pelletier: Out of respect for our Jewish brothers and sisters' ritual, I wouldn't (anymore).
Rick Riccioli: It's one thing to be invited to a Jewish home's celebration. It's another for Christian's to "play" Seder. This is a faith-community's sacred ritual and tradition.
David Cunningham: I've been a lifelong Catholic and have never celebrated a Seder meal. I know that some of my Jewish friends have done so as that is particular to their religious celebrations. On things Jewish, and for profound insights into our common heritage, I trust Rabbin Daniel Lapin on the Toward Tradition website.
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Question of the week | March 15, 2010
Guys: what do you look for in a woman? Girls: What do you look for in a man?
Angela Santana: I look for strength and humility, intelligence and humor, determination and sensitivity, faithfulness and great potential as a father. And I found it!
Lawrence Floucault: I feel like this is a bit of a trap....however let me be completely honest. The following is my personal list of attributes I am looking for in a wife (woman is too vague). First of all she must be attractive, guys and girls lets be honest this is important and God made us attracted to one another for a reason, namely reproduction. This leads me...
See more
Paddy Mott: Lawrence is my hero for changing "woman" to "wife". Too many people get into relationship with no intention of using this as a stated "end goal"...and they have no clue what they're missing.
Stefanie Romano: there is nothing more devastatingly beautiful than a man who prays
Salt + Light TV: Kris Dmytrenko says: She's gotta be a little mysterious. Guys dig mystery.
Chris Pietraszko: She should be a fire-cracker! Full of love and joy
Kamil Tracz: Attractive, intelligent, loyal, good sense of humour, open to life, and enjoys my cooking.
MaryJane DuPont: a job
Ann Sanford Drogo: That they love God with their whole heart, mind and soul and that they love their neighbor as themselves.
Ana Vargas: He has to be a Catholic who goes to Sunday mass and frequents the confessinal. And that is just the beginning... I should add that he would partake in the sacraments, wholeheartedly out of piety and devotion to God.
David Cunningham: Praying my girl ends up looking for a guy like that too!
Robert Frederick Brewer: great personality, honesty, love for God and Mary. Pretty much I look for a Serious Catholic girl who i can relate to.
Daniel Giraud: Honesty;love for God,faithfullnes;friendship;loyalty.
Dorothy Cummings McLean: Good teeth.
Dianne Wood: Qualities that would make a great dad.
Anna Vencio: He must love Jesus! Who is living in the fruit of the Holy Spirit! Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Galatians 5:22. I look for what is in the heart of man. God bless
Haiku Hamu: Someone who is safe to talk to about anything and will love you no matter what. Even if I totally mess up or ruin things. Especially when I mess up and ruin things! That's when I most need his love - not his criticism, suggestions, or evaluation, no matter how well meaning.
Salt + Light TV: Kris from S+L here. A few comments... Good point Dianne. I think you're the only one who's touched on this goal of a relationship: ultimately, preparing to raising a family. Haiku: I think we're all looking for this non-judgmental acceptance that you describe. But do you think that we can ever really find unconditional love, apart from God? Dorothy: While I second you on the teeth requirement, didn't you just move to Great Britain? ;)
Elena Razzoli: Hi Kris, I fully agree with you and Dianne. I remember when I was 14 and one of my friends 'fell in love' with a guy, and said that what she liked about him was the fact that he was good looking and funny. I remember I told her that, in my opinion, the most important thing about a guy was to imagine (and try to understand) how he would be as a husband and father. Now, ten years later, I still think the most important thing in a man is that he will be a deeply loving and faithful husband and father.
To sum up, what I look for in a man is: a future wonderful father, who daily does his best to love with unconditional love (I know only God never fails to love us with unconditional love; however, I believe we also have to do our very best to try to love with unconditional love) his children, his wife and all the people he meets and that he lives his daily life in holiness, and with true humility, great generosity and deep joy. |
Question of the week | March 8, 2010
Does praying require effort?
Angela Santana: I wonder how my friends would feel if I asked whether keeping in touch with them should require effort...
Matt Farnand: I'd probably be praying right now if it didn't. The effort is part of the journey and the blessing of the result.
Mélissa Fleurent: I agree with Matt. Nicely said.
Mary Joy Rile: e.g. as to setting a fix time of prayer, yes it does require an effort. but praying per se, one needs only grace for a meaningful prayer experience... :)
Ana Vargas: I don't think there is a "should" I think that everyone goes through different stages in their prayer life and as long as one keeps it up God will take care of the rest.
David Tim Thurton: My prayer certainly does! But I don't think it should become a chore or that we should feel that minute we don't pray God will abandon us.
Ana Vargas: I kind of feel the other way around. When I don't pray I feel I'm the one who has walked away. I really do feel God's absence when I don't pray and that is usually what makes me go back and pray, I miss him too much.
Chantal Leger: Prayer is prayer no matter what it requires. If it comes easy for me than bonus, if I need to sacrifice in order to do it than well I have the ability to become holier.
Del Myers: Good question. If prayer is defined simply as communion with God, that leads to the question: does the Beatific Vision require effort? It doesn't seem that it would require any effort on our part. But, as I am not in Heaven, I can't really answer that one. But, as long as we live in this world, it doesn't matter whether or not praying _should_ require effort. It is a fact that praying _does_ require effort. Even the simple act of breathing requires effort. We can't expect prayer to be any different. Life is a wonderful journey, and the work that we put into every aspect of life is part of what helps us to understand its meaning. Our effort in life and in prayer helps to bring joy into life.
Mary Swanson: Yes
Cheryl Caron: sometimes it does and sometimes it is easier.....
Angie Myatt: I think all relationships require a certain level of effort
Janet Bosco: yes for kids...then it becomes habit and it is more like conversing with God...there are some standard prayers we keep saying without even thinking and then there is an effort to do more...i make an effort to read Bible in my commute to work and say a small prayer eventually it would become a habit....
Dave Wood: If not effort, at least concentration. Sometimes that concentration is on silent waiting.
Mary Swanson: well u should out in an effort as u put in the effort to talk to a friend because pray is talking to a friend and that friend is God
Haiku Hamu: Is there ever any genuine value in the things that are effortless?
Salt + Light TV: well said, everyone! Thank you for your reflections. Has anyone ever read "Time for God" by Fr. Jacques Phillippe? Excellent book on this very topic.
Devin Watkins: no. it's an open line of communication between you and God, who is powerful enough to hear your prayers without effort.
Connie Robinson Spuria: Praying: The act of praying: no, it can be done anywhere.
Prayer itself: Yes, you're deep in thought and contemplation; their is an emotional investment. |
Question of the week | March 1, 2010
Is nationalistic pride un-Christian?
Dave: Why would pride in your country be un-Christian? Perhaps putting down another country in favour of your own would be un-Christian, but no - patriotism, nationalistic pride, whatever you want to call it, is not inherently un-Christian.
Ana Vargas: I don't think so as along as it is a positive sentiment. It's when you start behaving crossly and uncharitable when it is un-Christian. IMO.
Jacob Bordon: I agree Ana. A Nation's Pride should be built on charity and love, reaching out to the world in need.
Dave LeRoss: I agree Ana. If you are putting down another country in favour of your own, that is uncharitable, but there's nothing wrong with being patriotic. In the case of the Olympics, there's plenty of healthy competition going on, but I have yet to see anger or pettiness directed at other
David Cunningham: Christian first, Canadian second: that should keep any exaggerated national pride in check.
Bob Hall: As long as you remember where you came from and who your Creator is...there should be no issues with being nationalistic (in my opinion).
Edgar Barreto: When nationalism turns into hatred for other countries and an ideology of superiority then it is unchristian.
Haiku Hamu: Like fire, the item itself is neither good nor bad. It's all about how you use it. We'd all agree that a cozy campfire with roasting marshmallows and a family singing together is a marvelous thing. We'd also agree that arson is not.
Todd Doucette: Go Canada Go!!!!! No it's not un Christian. It's Christian if anything. I'm not talking about the hate on for other countries but to be proud of your heritage, culture, language and your people, there is nothing wrong with that. People should be proud of where they are from. Thank God I am Acadian, Nova Scotian and Canadian! |
Question of the week | February 22, 2010
Is it easier get to heaven nowadays than it was in the past?
Michael Huynh: I think there are lots of challenges we face now in our more globalized, pluralistic world. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The number of Catholics in the world has increased, which is partly due to how easy it is to spread the Gospel message through the Internet these days. To get to heaven we all still have to go through the daily struggles with faith, morality, etc.--but we have Holy Mother Church to help us with that :-D.
Gabriel Chow: Jesus promised the kingdom of God to those who are simple as a child. Being simple seems to be harder nowadays than in the past. Nowadays the society teaches us to have a materialistic mentality; to live a better life means to own more. Choices that distract us from God are abundant. It is now more necesssary to follow Jesus's example of self-emptying to be simple again.
Lawrence Floucault: A wise friend of mine reminded me yesterday that God's graces are available to all people of any period in history. I must concur. It is neither harder nor easier to follow Jesus in our time, we simply face different obstacles on our way to sainthood.
Devin Watkins: no, it's more difficult nowadays because our culture is poison for the soul
Lawrence Floucault: Despite the temptations of our society we have the ability to choose between good and evil, between what God calls us to and what the world offers us. With all that may appears to be disordered in the world we should not have trouble finding ways of living the Gospel. So let us be in the world and not of the world. Let us be the salt of the earth and light of the world.
Devin Watkins: well said!
Marie-Pierre: Is God more merciful and forgiving nowadyas than He was in the past?
Susan MacDonald Mouris: God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. His mercies are unchanging and unending.
Janet Bosco: I agree...the temptations are more but the oppurtunity to know more about God is also more...several decades ago we wouldn't have had an opputunity to discuss this issue...i guess getting to heaven is upto each person...the word of God is the same in the past,present and future...there are only 2 main pinciples of christianity , Love your neighbour as yourself and there is only one God our lord...i think getting to heaven has been the same and has never changed its upto each individual...lets all pray that our faith grows more and we all meet in heaven oneday...
Jacob Bordon: Each day we are as far from Hell as we are from Heaven; each day we can choose to do either right or wrong. With God's Mercy and our ability to seek and accept God's forgiveness, holiness remains timeless.
Del Myers: I don't know if the question is an apt one, to be honest. The "work" for us to get to heaven has been accomplished by Christ. It is the pascal mystery that accomplishes our entrance into heaven. As St. Athanasius said: God became man that man might become god. Our work consists simply in allowing our wills to become passive to the love and mercy of Christ: to answer his call to himself and to accomplish what it is that he designs for us. The greatest obstacle to this work is now, and has always been, human pride. Looking back on history, it has always been the same and I don't think that it will ever be different until the end of time.
Salt + Light TV: These are all great responses; exactly the kind of conversation we had hoped to generate! I was reading St Faustina's diary this morning and she confirms all of this---for those who ask, there are torrents of graces readily available. More than we can carry! She goes further to say that the Lord desires that we "load up" and take enough for everyone we know. Our God is the God of Abundance!
Cheryl Caron: God's graces are always equivalent or more than the trials we endure.
Ben Lazarus: My perspective on this question is similar to that of Lawrence and Del. Getting into heaven is really about dying to self and allowing Christ to live through us and get us there. So then, no matter what era of history we live in (aside: I do think this is a more evil period of man's history), God's grace always provides for and sustains us in our journey to Him. In the words of Saint Paul, "... where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." [Rom. 5:21 (RSV)]
Salt + Light TV It's Pedro here - these comments are all so cool. Thank you all so much. Be sure to tune in for the show tomorrow (Friday) night, 7 and 11pm ET. It'll be good with Fr. Charles Sousa of the Missionaries of the Poor and Maire Javora of Madonna House, Toronto - we're going to talk about how to achieve holiness in our day - and we will read some of these on the air - hope you can watch it!
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Question of the week | February 15, 2010
Is merely writing a cheque to a charity really giving?
GS: Yes, because some of us are blessed to be workers, and some of us are born to be the givers to support the workers
Chris Radford: It depends upon the spirit in which it was given, and who you're donating to. Often finding out more about whom you're giving money to is necessary to ensure your giving is actually achieving something good and tangible, and not for other purposes. It also depends upon the spirit of those you're giving to.
Stefanie Romano: I feel like writing a cheque to charity is PART of giving. You are offering a financial sacrifice to someone who needs it more, but in turn, you are not affected by it because it doesn't require any physical sacrifice. I think that those who make physical sacrifice, something tangible, active and concrete, feel the essence of "giving" more clearly than those who offer monetarily.
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Question of the week | February 8, 2010
What do you think is the best way to communicate the pro-life message to the secular world?
| David: There best way to communicate the pro-life message is to live it! Aside from our personal conduct, this also means we should never shy away from engaging in conversations about life issues - be it abortion, stem-cell research, the death penalty, euthanasia, or those that sometimes get lost in the debate: poverty, human trafficking, and, to a lesser extent, stewardship of the earth. |
| Edgar Barreto: It begins in the family, then getting involved in a pro-life apostolate and not voting for pro-abortion politicians. |
| Eric Kyfiuk: Be part of a pro-life club at a Canadian University. You'll be accused of sexism, racism and hate-speech and you'll have your funding and status revoked. But don't put the lamp under a bowl - keep it on the lamp-stand. |
Christa MacDonald: It starts with being very clear on our position. The pro-life argument is received much better by the secular community if we stress our belief in the dignity of every human being and abstain from bigotry of those we don't agree with. If we are clear, concise, and educated in our position, the ignorance of the pro-abortion stance becomes glaringly evident.
What I've found has worked best with the secular is to approach the issue initially from a scientific perspective. Science is a language understood by all and life clearly begins at conception by scientific definition. Once the person is following hard logic and is on board with the scientific understanding, I then explain that my faith compels me to respect the dignity of each and every human life, therefore abortion is intrinsically evil (I adjust language depending on the person and their acceptance of Christianity as driving home a point using the faith perspective can work against you with some).
After one has excepted the scientific argument re: life beginning at conception, which is usually an easy endeavour, as ignorance is an epidemic and people just need to be informed of the facts, the only arguments left are viability and legalities. The viability issue can easily be contested by arguing that a child outside of the womb could not survive without being provided with food, shelter, and warmth either. Development and gestation can be argued by using the case of the disabled and prematurely born and how we don’t consider then to be any less human. Finally, the legalities can be argued, first in that we don’t have any abortion legislation to begin with, but secondarily because just because something is legal doesn’t make it right…the same women who are pro-abortion will be the first to tell you that they don’t believe in laws that restrict the rights of women in many middle eastern countries, yet try and argue that because it’s legal in Canada, it’s ok to abort a child. Slavery was legal and that doesn’t make it right…This is just an illogical argument in any context.
Another aspect of the educational approach is to discuss the fall-out for women after abortion. To explain that there are repercussions for the woman as well, whether immediately or down the road when they start having children, assuming they still can. I wrote my psychology paper last year on mental fall-out post abortion and the statistics are appalling, with these women having no idea what they’re getting themselves into. This argument especially carries over into the Ignatief argument that we should provide abortions to the third world and provide condoms rather than abstinence education. Is he also planning on doing psych evaluations on these women and treating them for the 94% increase in manic depression and 97% increase in schizophrenia afterward (These stats were taken from medical journals during my research) ? Would he then like to address infertility issues and explain to the parents the elevated suicide rate?
The last way to make an impact on the secular community is witness. Often we talk the talk, but don’t walk it. If we believe that abortion is murder why aren’t every one of us doing something about it. How can we claim to be pro- life and vote for a pro-abortion politician because we like their economics…How do we say we don’t want these misguided women to abort when we’re not supporting the resources that support the young pregnant mother? When we’re not supporting post-abortive services to prevent these women from doing this again?
So, I guess the short answer to all that rambling is to educate and set an example through our actions. The only catch is that we have to educate ourselves first and do something about it!
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Question of the week | February 1, 2010
Should Priests have a Facebook profile?
| Dave: I think it's a valuable resource for reaching the laity. The fact is more and more young people - the future of the church - are on social networking sites such as facebook or twitter, and in many cases it has replaced email. To keep in contact with younger parishioners, organizing youth events - it's an invaluable resource. Priests ought to be on facebook in a semiofficial capacity. |
| Fr. Jonathan Blake: I think they should, since i do have one (bias). however, as Sister mentioned, it should no longer be purely about the man as Christian, but rather about the man as priest. as St. Paul would say, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. this must affect the priests' activity on the internet as well. therefore, his facebook profile should be reflective of preaching the Gospel, rather than himself. |
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Tune in Monday through Thursday at 7pm ET for our 5-minute daily current affairs edition of “Perspectives”.
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