Many Catholics spend hours a week on Facebook, Instagram, texting, and snapchatting, while only rarely opening the Bible, praying, or reading a book about our faith. In a recent Pew survey of Catholics who attend Mass every week, only 65% reported being aware that the Church teaches that the bread and wine at Mass become Jesus' Body and Blood. . Jesus says, "You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." Perhaps a lack of prayer and study explains why so many are enslaved to their basest appetites and are engaging in compulsive behaviors that hurt themselves and those they love most.
Rather than cursing the darkness, it is for us to light a candle. We will do this very thing in our parish cluster by offering four educational events in the months of June and July. We will be going to summer school! The first will be Spanish retreat on June 1 from 9:30am-4pm in the Saint Paul School cafeteria. I will be giving Spanish versions of the English talks I gave for the Mary's Hidden Gospel mission in March along with opportunities for confession and plenty of food.
The second is a four-part series of talks entitled, "Finding Your Way Home" by our seminarian Mr. Jordan Boone on Wednesday June 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th at 7pm in Reemmer Hall at Holy Family. Jordan will help us to see how living a Christian life is the best way to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. Food and an opportunity for fellowship will be provided after the talks.
The third will be Vacation Bible School on June 26th and 27th from 6-8pm in McCarthy Hall. VBS is for children in preschool through fourth grade. Following the theme "Let God’s Light Shine", children will enjoy songs, crafts, Bible stories, and outdoor play all relating how to make God’s light shine through them.
The fourth and final summer educational opportunity will be with our visiting student priest from Rome, Fr. Lawrence Abanobi, who will be giving a three-part series of talks entitled, "The Truth of Catholicism" on Wednesday, July 17th, 24th, and 31st at 7pm in the Narthex at Saint Paul. Fr. Lawrence will be my guest at Saint Paul from July 8 to August 8.
All of us are called to grow in knowledge of the faith, no matter what our age. Put these educational opportunities on your calendars and be sure to invite your unchurched friends to come with you.