tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post7556387519673416802..comments2024-03-27T13:12:39.343-04:00Comments on A Concord Pastor Comments: Keeping the Faith in Challenging TimesConcord Pastorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-88103832447034200502007-10-09T14:33:00.000-04:002007-10-09T14:33:00.000-04:00Seeker's comment prompts this one...I am sometimes...Seeker's comment prompts this one...<BR/><BR/>I am sometimes asked by people why they should remain Catholic. I answer as Rich Erikson answered, buy speaking of why I remain Catholic. I'm not sure how to tell another person why he or she "should" stay Catholic without seeming to impose expectations or even demands. <BR/><BR/>Similarly, I would not tell someone who is not Catholic why he or she "should" become Catholic. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps, sometimes but certainly not always, there is implicit in the "should" question a dare or challenge: "I challenge you to show me any reason to remain Catholic."<BR/>That challenge may be less about the reasonable choice to remain Catholic and more about other issues - and important issues they are.<BR/><BR/>As one who has listened to chancery voices for over 3 decades, I found the VG's presentation simple, genuine and personal - and that's a big change from the past. My hope would be that others would hear in his testimony things that touch one's Catholic memory, heart, experience and faith and in some way begin to remember why, on the basis of their own faith and experience they "should" remain Catholic.Concord Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-34872231176484833762007-10-08T08:01:00.000-04:002007-10-08T08:01:00.000-04:00While I plan to attend more sessions, I was disapp...While I plan to attend more sessions, I was disappointed in the first one. I was impressed and encouraged that someone like Father Erikson has the ear of the Cardinal, but I would have been more interested in learning why I should stay a Catholic than hearing about his spiritual journey. The program was advertised as answers to hard questions but I didn't hear any hard questions and the only good question was not answered. Yes, it was postponed until next time, but Fr. Erikson will not be there next time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-69538950774149968432007-10-05T15:45:00.000-04:002007-10-05T15:45:00.000-04:00An interesting mix, Anonymous: you left feeling em...An interesting mix, Anonymous: you left feeling empty but very impressed with the presenter. Can you elaborate on that?Concord Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-55941055070712858892007-10-05T10:10:00.000-04:002007-10-05T10:10:00.000-04:00Sad to write that I was disappointed and left feel...Sad to write that I was disappointed and left feeling empty (although very impressed with the Vicar General). Perhaps I expected too much. On my evaluation I wrote that I might come again and I might but I would encourage others to attend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-59091686672432607062007-10-04T16:47:00.000-04:002007-10-04T16:47:00.000-04:00Thanks, Rosemary - I'm glad to read an endorsemen...Thanks, Rosemary - I'm glad to read an endorsement of Tuesday night and the program from someone outside the ranks of the clergy!Concord Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18322127779647130869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4808375493800890797.post-24778538867914895342007-10-04T15:35:00.000-04:002007-10-04T15:35:00.000-04:00From Sunday's 1st reading: "For the vision still ...From Sunday's 1st reading: "For the vision still has its time..." I think this phrase is a good one to keep in mind by anyone who attended last night's program in Carlisle. I believe Fr. Erikson said, "much has been done, but much needs to be done." I had been wanting to hear Fr. Erikson since he arrived in Boston to become the new Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. Everything I had read of him or his own writing gave me a favorable impression. After hearing him speak and then talking with Fr. Erikson briefly at the end of the meeting, I remain favorably impressed! He is very approachable, seems willing to listen, and, I think, will convey concerns he heard last evening to Cardinal Sean and the Bishops. I would definitely encourage more members of Holy Family, as well as people from surrounding area parishes to come to the next event in the series at St. Irene's. I think the whole series promises to be an excellent Adult Religious Education experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com