Minnesota road trip, part 0

Tomorrow starts the road trip to Catholic Boot Camp...The School of New Evangelization. It's going to be intense, and I can't wait to see how it pans out. However, I have a problem. I haven't packed yet. Clearly it's not going to be hard for me to pack because it's just a matter of throwing clothes in a bag, but that should still probably be done. Oh, and I need to buy pants. Admittedly, the day before we leave is probably the wrong time to go about doing these things...

The Godless Delusion

“The Godless Delusion” by Kenneth Hensley and Patrick Madrid was by far the most enlightening book I read all last summer. The authors look at all Atheistic attacks on the belief of Deism (Or belief in a God) and reveal the holes in these arguments against God.

It appears that this book is mostly written by Kenneth Hensley with a few tidbits and almost supplementary sections written by Patrick Madrid leading me to believe that his cooperation in this title was mostly for sales. Even if that was not the intent, it was most certainly why I purchased this book. Patrick Madrid is one of the Catholic Church’s best modern day defenders (Apologists) and his work is always something to be respected. As it turns out, Kenneth Hensley is actually an eloquent writer also, and his well-rounded approach to Apologetics (specifically defending the belief in a God) was hard to argue against.

I’m not saying that this book will eventually lead hundreds of Atheists back to the Church, because the reason Atheists leave is not intellectual at all. Typically, atheists have been severely hurt in some way and denying God's existence is an emotional response. But, an intellectual response to their attacks and prayer will go a long way in bringing people back to God.

This book approaches the topic of the existence of God in a Theological and Scientific way, and both authors are very generous in giving examples from their personal life to prove their points. References to the Catechism are clearly stated, and the major points of the authors are driven home effectively. What was most impressive was the relentless use of science to suggest that a belief in God is a more sound philosophy than not. No shortcuts were made in getting their point across making this one book I will read again in the very near future, and I highly recommend this book to any Catholic who has ever found themselves unable to concisely answer the simple question of God's existence.

I'm bringing Chastity back.

I've been reading a lot of Theology of the Body books and books on chaste relationships as well. I think I've been through just about a book a week, which isn't bad for me. Most of the time these books say just about the same thing but find a new way to say them, which is crucial. When you are backed up into a corner and asked about your faith and why you live the way you do, it's good to have the most concise answer possible, that cuts straight to the heart of your arguement for living a better life.

Last week I read a book called "Christian Courtship in an oversexed world: A Guide for Catholics" by Fr. Tom G. Morrow, and I honestly couldn't put it down. It was the most practical book I've ever read on the subject of relationships because it wasn't just theological in content, but also provided the reader with real advice on dating and how to keep a relationship going.

The book starts by defining a lot of necessary terms and also enlightening the reader on the beauty of being single. He then discusses topic to topic that slowly but surely leads the reader through the steps of how to meet a guy/girl, how to start a relationship, how to keep a relationship going, how to know he/she is the one, how to propose, and how to even plan a wedding. This book is definitely a heavy hitter in terms of the type of advice Fr. Morrow gives, but this book would probably be suited for men rather then women. I think everyone should read this book (except for grammer nazi's. They'll hate this book), but I would ESPECIALLY recommend this book to men because a great deal of his advice is on how a man should act while providing examples of how we should definitely NOT act. Basically, How To Treat A Woman 101.

The things Fr. Morrow suggests are extreme in some cases but he also suggests that there are other certain Christian Dating Guru's that suggest too extreme a reaction to the cultural side of dating. For example, he discourages waiting till the altar to kiss which several others actualy recommend. Fr. Morrow's approach to relationships maintains chastity and purity, encourages modesty, and in no way diminishes the amount of affection shared by a couple. This is the most well-rounded book to relationships I've ever read.

Tomorrow's forecast: Stealthy with a chance of Mass. -Catholic Ninja

Chaste, Modest, and tons of views.

I've spent the great deal of my summer on Youtube watching videos and now know of enough entertaining videos to get me through the next school year, no problem. I had no idea that Youtube could be a substitute for tv, but low and behold it is.

A great deal of my time has been spent on looking up Catholic videos, and I'm surprised to see just what sort of Catholic videos I find. Blogs by young Catholics in college, videos by relationship gurus like Jason Evert and Christopher West, and even videos by Catholic Fashion Model, Leah Darrow from America's Extreme Top Model (her target audience is mostly women, but she still speaks out to men in a lot of her videos). Good videos are hard to find, but they are out there. Women seem to be way more into making Catholic blogs then men are, but the videos are still entertaining, to be sure.

There's not really a point to this blog. I just felt like posting and Youtube was one the brain. Hopefully I'll actually have more of a point next time.

Marriage and the culture. It finally makes sense.

I heard on Kim Ivorson (or however you spell her last name) not so long ago that she understands why people would look at marriage and think that it's getting outdated. She's had several guests on the show that actually encouraged people to consider NOT getting married to their significant other. And I can't help but wonder why?

I come across similar viewpoints on Youtube. I looked up Fr. Tom Morrow (Yes, that's his real name) and some of his video's and the side of youtube is riddled with vloggers posting their "original" ideas about how 'stupid' marriage is. It is very commonly referred to as an "empty ritual" in these videos and I finally get why.

They tell you EXACTLY what their qualms are about marriage if only I'd listened. They don't understand what it is. They claim that the reasons for marriage are frivolous, and continue to list the ones they can think of.

1) For the kids
2) For taxation purposes
3) To be able to see your significant other in the emergency room if something were to happen
4) For convenience
5) It was historically a "business agreement" between a man and a woman. A man's income was traded for a woman's fertility. Money for kids. (Wow, I was shocked at this one)
6) Because it would be fun (No seriously, I've heard this one a bunch)
7) To insure that your significant other doesn't leave you

The lists are random and tend to go on forever because every single video I watched included their own statements on why marriage doesn't make sense. And then I said to myself in passing as I was just about to click on another video, "Of course it doesn't make sense. Marriage was meant to direct both the man and the woman to God and reflect His love. If you take God out of the definition, it is GOING to be an empty ritual." I clicked on a few more videos before I realized I had actually stumbled on the answer three videos back. Because that's how I roll.

So, what I'm trying to say here is that the culture isn't turning against marriage. I honestly believe that people are just seeing how much of a shell it is when it doesn't point to something greater. Man, do I love the theology of the Body.

So much for Catholic media

One of John Paul II's big projects near the end of his life was using new media for spreading Christ's message. A new, Catholic media. And we've made strides. There are blogs, youtube accounts, podcasts, websites, etc. all dedicated to authentic Catholic teaching. But it seems you can't really trust these sites anymore. For example, read this blog by Mark Shea (it's long)...

http://markshea.blogspot.com/2011/07/mercy-and-forgiveness-for-fr-corapi-and.html

and then watch this video of Michael Voris...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di538dp9SQk

Yeah, one man by the name of John Corapi (a man formerly known as father, as he puts it) has not only led several people within the Catholic online community away from the Church, but has also turned some of the biggest bloggers and vloggers against each other. Different bloggers take cheap shots at Corapi while denying what they do as they do it. They then take cheap shots at his fans and anyone who has spoken out against them, and just to pour salt on an open wound, try to convince their audience that they are the better Christian, and do a victory dance to make sure that everyone knows that they are the smarter Catholic. I mean this literally. These men are taking shots at each others intelligence. With Catholic leaders like this, who needs Jerry Springer?

It looks like I'm back on the hunt for authentic teaching found online. It seems like it's harder to find then it should be, given the number of efforts. I will be looking for something far less "academic" and more spiritual this time. Intelligint people have a tendency to try and out smart each other. Truly spiritual people would be spotted in an instant, were this to happen. "I'm holier than you are!" "No, I'm holier!" sounds a bit ridiculous, no? Sad to say that's where we're at now. :(

New Liturgy? Why not?

Okay, so I was contacted by Fr. Brian the other day and he told me that those with higher authority have deemed it necessary to make me work harder. The new Mass parts will be installed over a long period of time starting September, and not in late Novemeber/Early December as the original plan suggested.

I haven't even gotten the music for the new Mass parts yet. Honestly, I haven't even CHOSEN a new setting for the Mass. I kind of have some but it's hard not having everybody I need to talk with within a reasonable distance. Idk. I'm looking into this new app I've heard about for my phone where everyone get's there own set of numbers and you punch them into the phone and you get to talk to people. It might help with the communication issues.

Okay, so I'm mostly complaining. Honestly, it's not going to be that bad. I still have to choose music for an entire semester's worth of Sunday's, but that'll go by easiily. I also now have to select the songs and contact the choir to get them the MP3's, but that's other easy business to take care of. The part of the Mass I'm really concerned about is having learning the new words to the prayers. Considering I hardly know all the words to the prayers and responses we currently say, I don't see how my little brain is going to handle it.

That's about all I have to say, today. Nothing really all THAT interesting. Oh well.
Peace I leave with you my friends!