If ritual or liturgy is to maintain meaning from one generation to another, the balance between rhythm and content must constantly be adjusted. By rhythm, they mean that it recurs in the same or nearly the same form with some regularity. As an example, they refer to the Second Vatican Council prescribing the use of the vernacular for Mass. The content of the ritual had been preserved but the change remained controversial; some found the vernacular Mass less satisfying. “Virtually all rituals must maintain this delicate balance, between permanence and impermanence,” they write.

Therefore, as we all move closer towards the implementation towards the latest edition of the Roman Missal, we have our work cut out for us in addressing all the generations. FDLC will be offering a workshops for priests and diocesan leadership towards this effort.

The percentage of Americans who call themselves Christians has dropped dramatically over the past two decades, and those who do are increasingly identifying themselves without traditional denomination labels.

The faithful have scattered out of their traditional bases: The Bible Belt is less Baptist. The Rust Belt is less Catholic. And everywhere, more people are exploring spiritual frontiers—or falling off the faith map completely.

The third largest “faith” group now are the “Nones,” those who do not affiliate with a denomination.  And, as the culture becomes to more hostile to religious beliefs, we seem to be “losing our home court advantage.” 

Ed Stetzer, who is a major player with the Southern Baptist and is featured in this report from Knoxville’s  WKRN News 2 recently shared this news report.  It’s 11minutes but worth the view.

I know that this is the second day in a row of less than uplifting news, but . . .

This week, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien announced plans to revitalize Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The plan, detailed in a new report entitled, “Preserving the Tradition, Transforming the Future: The Rebirth of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore,”  is a culmination of more than 12 months of analysis and input from 1,500 individuals. The report announces the consolidation 13 schools, the creation of several new academic programs and initiatives, the enhancement of educator professional development, and the initiation of a new model for how Catholic schools are governed… and the promise that if a student was displaced in these moves that there was a seat waiting for them in a list of nearby “receiving schools.”

It offers the promises of resurrection and new life and new ways of living out the mission.  In the middle of a long Lent, it is the promise of Easter.  All that being said, it has also been a Good Friday experience for the staffs and students and alumni of 13 schools.  Your prayers are invited for all.

Sorry for the delay on this. As has been noted earlier, this has been a few weeks in the works.

In January, the Pope released the Message for World Communications Day.

“But this development (of the new technologies) likewise represents a great opportunity for believers. No door can or should be closed to those who, in the name of the risen Christ, are committed to drawing near to others. The new media offers us ever new and far-reaching pastoral possibilities, encouraging us to embody the universality of the Church’s mission, to build a vast and real fellowship, and to testify in today’s world to the new life which comes from hearing the Gospel of Jesus, the eternal Son who came among us for our salvation.”

The presentation runs slightly over four minutes. See other Soapbox messages.

Greg Thompson might be short in stature but he has casts an extensive shadow in utilizing media on behalf of Catholic Youth Ministry.  He serves as the coordinator of Youth Ministry at St John’s Catholic Church in Madison, Alabama.

As part of a National Association of Catholic Youth Ministry Leadership’s OnCourse program facilitated by the Ministry Training Source, he set up his long-running on-line GregCast series to take a look at Confirmation.Some of the issues that Greg addresses include people who drag their feet in preparing for the sacraments; the need to collaborate with Catholic School, our dependence upon the Bishop’s schedule as well as the kids’ social schedules (confirmation and prom on the same night???); and not underestimating the kids who actually take it seriously. Here is part two.

But, slideshare wasn’t really working for me in the past snow-bound days, and I tripped across video. (h/t to American Papist, Thomas Peters) This is a scene from a German movie about Hitler has been re-dubbed countless times for comedy’s sake.

While the video’s message does get ever so slightly jingoistic in a time and on a site where we have been encouraging spiritual bipartisanship, one does have to appreciate the humor found in that Pope Benedict has defied expectations.

You gotta love the Pope. I know I do.

He is a fascinating source of quotes – that really speak to the heart of the faithful.  He writes and speaks of complex thoughts in a simple manner.

Ultimately, one can see that he would have happily had chosen the life of a university professor. Teach on, your Holiness!

The fact that fewer Americans say they have a religious identity does not necessarily mean there has been a decrease in overall religiosity in America. It is possible that some proportion of those who don’t identify with a specific religion are still personally or spiritually religious. A Gallup survey conducted last year showed that 93% of all American adults said they celebrated Christmas.

But, Ed Stetzer of the Southern Baptist’s Lifeway Research, ponders: If three out of four Americans call themselves Christians, we’re all in big trouble – because three out of four Americans don’t live like Christians. Christianity becomes confused when everyone is a Christian but no one is following Christ… The story of American Christianity today, in Stetzer’s view, is that we are seeing the abandonment of nominal Christianity by some but the retention of a robust, authentic Christian faith by many.

Encourage those who will be involved in the March for Life; help them to walk closely with God and to give voice to the cry of the oppressed, in order to remind out nation of its commitment to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all people.

O Virgin Mother of God, present our petitions to your Son and ask Him to bless us with abundant life. Amen. (Prayer from USCCB)

Now an automatic response might to review these and criticize how young people are not living up to their aspirations, but (as you remove the plank from your own eye) you might consider how well as a culture we are doing with the original ten.

Anyway, this list of ten promotes accountability, positivity and passion above all else. They reflect the declining impact of churches on young people in Europe, but each of these “commandments” can by quickly drawn into the Christian message:

1. Have faith in yourself.
2. Respect your parents.
3. Be honest.
4. Take responsibility for your own life.
5. Live life to the fullest and be passionate.
6. Keep your promises.
7. Work hard to succeed but not to the detriment of others.
8. Be tolerant of others’ differences.
9. Be happy and optimistic, even in adversity.
10. Create, don’t destroy

Is there one or more of these that you found surprising?