Bishop Robert Barron's "Letter to a Suffering Church"
What does the Bible say about the sexual abuse crisis?
This week we continue with the video series about Bishop Robert Barron’s new book, Letter to a Suffering Church, by exploring Chapter 2, titled “Light from Scripture”.Bishop Barron notes how this terrible abuse crisis has been analyzed from numerous perspectives: psychological, interpersonal, criminal, cultural, etc.
These are each important, but the problem will not be adequately investigated until we see it in the light coming from the Word of God.
As it turns out, the Bible has a great deal to say about human sexuality and the myriad ways that sin twists and distorts it.
Watch this short video from Bishop Barron on how the Bible sheds light on our current crisis:
An excerpt from
CHAPTER FOUR
IN COMMUNITY
140. When we live apart from others, it is very difficult to fight against concupiscence, the snares and temptations of the devil and the selfishness of the world. Bombarded as we are by so many enticements, we can grow too isolated, lose our sense of reality and inner clarity, and easily succumb.
140. When we live apart from others, it is very difficult to fight against concupiscence, the snares and temptations of the devil and the selfishness of the world. Bombarded as we are by so many enticements, we can grow too isolated, lose our sense of reality and inner clarity, and easily succumb.
Deacon Dave's Homily
August 10 & 11
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle C
St. Luke’s Gospel offers a powerful vision about the unexpected ways things can change and moreover about the need to always live in readiness for the 2nd Coming of Jesus. The end of the liturgical year leading into Advent is the time when we most often think about the Parousia – the 2nd Coming of Christ. Luke’s Gospel is great message here in the middle of Ordinary Time.
What kinds of events come to our minds in this context? Were you ever involved in a serious car accident? Did you experience a near miss because of a fall? Did you become lost when hiking in the woods? Did you contract a serious illness with a protracted recovery and great uncertainty? Were you faced with a major decision about whether to undergo a surgery with less than favorable odds for survival? Each of us will face situations in this journey of life that pull us up from the day to day events and remind us of the uncertainties and even fragility of life.
In the mornings. Chris and I routinely rise early, take our dogs for a few-mile walk, and pray the Rosary while walking. Afterwards, I go running for a few more miles. One of the things that I have discovered about my body over the years is that I am subject to passing out if not properly hydrated. A few years ago, I came home from running on a hot summer morning, mentioned to Chris that I was not feeling very well and proceeded to pass out. No control. No stopping this from happening. Just the shear look of shock on Chris’ face and awaking minutes later with EMTs attending to me in our bathroom. After a few hours in the ER, I was released with the painful reminder to drink plenty of fluids when exercising or working strenuously.
These scary events are forceful reminders of the fragility of life - that serious accidents, injuries and even death can happen in the blink of an eye.
Reflecting further on Luke’s Gospel about living in readiness for the end of our lives on earth and journeying to Heaven, Jesus gives us some caring and insightful words. First, he says “do not be afraid.” Then he tells us to live in readiness continually – always. Further, he tells us we are to do the part for which we are called in building the Kingdom of God. Finally, he stresses that much will be expected of those to whom much is given. We have all been given much.
The horrible, deadly shootings in recent days in Gilroy, CA; El Paso, TX; and Dayton, OH rip us apart. Senseless killing. Lives forever damaged and torn apart. The shock waves that course through all of us when acknowledging that these kinds of terrors can happen anywhere, at any time.
There is a great article about this by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia. Archbishop Chaput was the prelate of Denver 20 years ago when the Columbine High School massacre occurred. Archbishop Chaput says that the problem goes far beyond availability of guns. It goes to a culture of accepting hatred and violence as the way we live. He says we need to look deeper. We need to look to becoming a people that hold life – all life - as sacred. We need to become a people seeking to build the Kingdom of God by the way we live.
We pray for those who have had their lives torn apart and especially those who have died. We pray for a solution to these kinds of horrific acts. We pray that as a society, as people of faith, we can find ways to live in peace with one another.
In Hebrews, we read “faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not passive. Faith is actively seeking to build the Kingdom of God. Each of us is given gifts which if used as intended enable us to do our part in building the Kingdom, in following God’s will for our lives, in living in readiness for the 2nd Coming of Jesus – whenever that may be. Through faith, we are seeking a homeland – Heaven. That is our great hope as Christians.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - begins in mid-August
RCIA is the process through which adults come into the Church. It is a restoration of an ancient process for incorporation unbaptized persons into Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
The process is designed for:
1. those who are unbaptized,
2. those who are baptized but uncatechized, and
3. those seeking full Communion with the Church.
Just asking a non-Catholic person if they have ever considered taking part in RCIA can lead them on a journey into full communion with the Church. Please consider asking your non-Catholic friends and family to consider participating in this process. If you would like further information, please call the church office at 812-425-3369.
August 10 & 11
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Cycle C
St. Luke’s Gospel offers a powerful vision about the unexpected ways things can change and moreover about the need to always live in readiness for the 2nd Coming of Jesus. The end of the liturgical year leading into Advent is the time when we most often think about the Parousia – the 2nd Coming of Christ. Luke’s Gospel is great message here in the middle of Ordinary Time.
What kinds of events come to our minds in this context? Were you ever involved in a serious car accident? Did you experience a near miss because of a fall? Did you become lost when hiking in the woods? Did you contract a serious illness with a protracted recovery and great uncertainty? Were you faced with a major decision about whether to undergo a surgery with less than favorable odds for survival? Each of us will face situations in this journey of life that pull us up from the day to day events and remind us of the uncertainties and even fragility of life.
In the mornings. Chris and I routinely rise early, take our dogs for a few-mile walk, and pray the Rosary while walking. Afterwards, I go running for a few more miles. One of the things that I have discovered about my body over the years is that I am subject to passing out if not properly hydrated. A few years ago, I came home from running on a hot summer morning, mentioned to Chris that I was not feeling very well and proceeded to pass out. No control. No stopping this from happening. Just the shear look of shock on Chris’ face and awaking minutes later with EMTs attending to me in our bathroom. After a few hours in the ER, I was released with the painful reminder to drink plenty of fluids when exercising or working strenuously.
These scary events are forceful reminders of the fragility of life - that serious accidents, injuries and even death can happen in the blink of an eye.
Reflecting further on Luke’s Gospel about living in readiness for the end of our lives on earth and journeying to Heaven, Jesus gives us some caring and insightful words. First, he says “do not be afraid.” Then he tells us to live in readiness continually – always. Further, he tells us we are to do the part for which we are called in building the Kingdom of God. Finally, he stresses that much will be expected of those to whom much is given. We have all been given much.
The horrible, deadly shootings in recent days in Gilroy, CA; El Paso, TX; and Dayton, OH rip us apart. Senseless killing. Lives forever damaged and torn apart. The shock waves that course through all of us when acknowledging that these kinds of terrors can happen anywhere, at any time.
There is a great article about this by Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia. Archbishop Chaput was the prelate of Denver 20 years ago when the Columbine High School massacre occurred. Archbishop Chaput says that the problem goes far beyond availability of guns. It goes to a culture of accepting hatred and violence as the way we live. He says we need to look deeper. We need to look to becoming a people that hold life – all life - as sacred. We need to become a people seeking to build the Kingdom of God by the way we live.
We pray for those who have had their lives torn apart and especially those who have died. We pray for a solution to these kinds of horrific acts. We pray that as a society, as people of faith, we can find ways to live in peace with one another.
In Hebrews, we read “faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not passive. Faith is actively seeking to build the Kingdom of God. Each of us is given gifts which if used as intended enable us to do our part in building the Kingdom, in following God’s will for our lives, in living in readiness for the 2nd Coming of Jesus – whenever that may be. Through faith, we are seeking a homeland – Heaven. That is our great hope as Christians.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) - begins in mid-August
RCIA is the process through which adults come into the Church. It is a restoration of an ancient process for incorporation unbaptized persons into Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
The process is designed for:
1. those who are unbaptized,
2. those who are baptized but uncatechized, and
3. those seeking full Communion with the Church.
Just asking a non-Catholic person if they have ever considered taking part in RCIA can lead them on a journey into full communion with the Church. Please consider asking your non-Catholic friends and family to consider participating in this process. If you would like further information, please call the church office at 812-425-3369.
Coming Up...
Holy Day of Obligation
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday, August 15th
Masses at 6AM, 9AM, 12:10PM, 5:30PM
Hen Prep for Chicken and Dumplings - No Experience Necessary
August 24th at 9:30am. Questions? Call Rosanna Evans at 812-618-7052.
Dance Lessons at St. Ben's!
Thursday evenings at 7pm in August. See the flyer above for details.
St. Ben's SUMMER SOCIAL
Saturday, September 7, 2019, Noon-8PM.
Please call the parish office or click here for the FaceBook page (St. Bens Summer Social) to sign up. This is a great opportunity for us to meet new people as we work together for the good of our parish and school.
Religious Education, First Communion & Confirmation Registration
August 18th after the morning Masses
A copy of the child's baptismal certificate is required for registration
Photo: Mimi Steele