Class Discussion, February 25th

Yesterday, we talked about Gethsemane and Golgotha, and what happened at each place. I briefly talked about the new movie, "Amazing Grace", William Wilberforce and John Newton. Finally, we went through the Stations of the Cross and reviewed the concept of indulgences.

Last Sunday's Class

Last Sundayour discussion centered around the coming of the Lenten season. In particular we focused on the idea of fasting and how the concept of fasting has changed in the Church. During the Middle Ages, fasting was expected every day during Lent. Meat and other animal products were forbidden - which included eggs and lard. So it made sense that the weeek leading up to Lent was a time to clean out the fridge (I know, I know - they didn't have refrigerators). The day before Lent is called Pancake Day in England (gotta use up the eggs!) and Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in a lot of locations. New Orleans throws a big Mardi Gras Carnival. Carnival?

The word carnival has Latin roots - either "carnem" or "caro" for meat and either "levare" for lighten or "vale" for farewell. Either way, it means no meat for a while.

Lent lasts forty days, so we also talked about the symbolism of the number 40 and thought of examples from the bible.

Sunday's class

Yesterday we talked about the Gospels and the men who wrote them. We read the opening lines for each of the gospels. AND we talked briefly about St. Thomas Aquinas.

Remember when we got to the Gospel of St. John? The one who starts out talking baseball (In the big inning...)? And I told you that while we read "In the beginning was the Word" the original word "logos" could be translated to "logic or reason"?

Well, look what the Pope was talking about yesterday:

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2007 / 12:44 pm (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI used this week's Angelus to return to one of his favorite topics: the relation of Faith and Reason. Citing the example of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose feast day was Sunday, Benedict urged the faithful to remember that faith and reason are not exclusionary principles.

"When man limits his thoughts to only material objects . . . he closes himself to the great questions about life, himself and God," the Holy Father said. While modern science has granted mankind numerous benefits, he explained, it has also led many to believe that the only real things are those which can be experimented with.”

According to Benedict, man must "rediscover human rationality in a new way, open to the light of the divine Logos and His perfect revelation that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man."

Class Discussion, January 14

The quiz answers come first. I am especially interested in the answer to the third question. That will be followed with the weekly discussion of the saints.

We'll talk about the readings, especially the Gospel and the wedding feast at Cana. What does it mean?

If there's time we'll talk about the new wallpaper in the church hall. What's that tower in the middle of St. Peter's Square?

Sunday, January 7 Class Plan

We'll start with a quick review of the two American Saints whose Feast Days were celebrated this week. Then we'll find out the answers to this week's quiz. That will wrap up the American history part of the program.

After that, we'll talk about the Mass readings and the Epiphany. What is an epiphany? Why is it important? Who were the "Three Kings"? And why were they smoking exploding cigars?

Sunday, December 17 Class Plan

The readings this week emphasize rejoicing. How come? Why is the Advent candle (and maybe even Father Federico's chasuble) pink? Could it have something to do with Guadete Sunday? Here's a hint...yes, it does!

Does the Lenten season have an equivalent "joyful" Sunday?

We start most classes with a Hail Mary. We'll jump ahead to next Sunday's Gospel reading and find out where the words of the prayer came from.

The saint of the week is St. Peter Canisius, Doctor of the Church. And since there's no PSR next week we'll find out when the Feast of St. Steven is, on which day Good King Wenceslaus looked out.

And lastly - a reminder of the importance of attending mass on Holy Days of Obligation! Another hint...there are TWO coming up very soon!

Class Discussion, December 10

We started with a discussion of the day's readings. We then talked about the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the holy day of obligation which was Friday the 8th. We looked back at feast days from the previous week: Sts. Nicholas, Ambrose, and Juan Diego. Of course, St. Juan Diego led us to discuss Our Lady of Guadalupe who we honor on Tuesday, December 12th. Our discussion of the Immacualte Conception led to a discussion not only of Original Sin, but briefly touched on the philosophers Thomas Hobbs and John Locke. Are we naturally inclined to want to sin?

I also brought up the recent news that the sarcophogus of St. Paul has been restored after being buried when Emperor Theodoseus rebuilt the Church of St. Peter in the year 390 A.D. Theodosius was a friend and benefactor of St. Ambrose! The general consensus of the class is to take a peak inside...

December 3 - Today's Class

After discussing today's Mass readings we'll talk about St. Ambose, whose Feast Day is December 7th. His story allows us to discuss the Arian heresy of the time (Ambrose lived from 340-397). We'll define heresy as best we can, and we'll talk about the Doctors of the Church (of which St. Ambrose was one).

Of course, since today begins Advent we'll begin a more in-depth discussion of the season (time permitting).

Today's Class November 19

Class will begin, as usual, with a discussion of the readings for today's Mass. You can find the readings here. We will talk about the Feast Day of St. Cecilia (November 22).

Last class, we talked about the seasons of the Church. In discussing Advent, we talked about preparing for the coming of Christ - not just the birth of Christ, but also at the final judgement. Today's gospel is relevant to our discussion of Advent - it ends with ""But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

We then will discuss Thanksgiving and what it means to a Catholic. We will review the types of prayers we as Catholics can offer. Of course, one type of prayer is a a prayer of thanksgiving (which ties in rather neatly, don't you think?).