May 29, 2009 at 8:12 am (Morality & Ethics, News)
Tags: Christopher West, Christopher West controversy, David Schindler, Dr. Janet Smith, Janet Smith, Sex, Theology of the Body
The last post I had on the West-Schindler-VonHildebrand controversy points out some simple but frank points of examination on Christopher West’s work, with link to Jimmy Akin’s reasoned response. Who can top Jimmy Akin?
Dr. Janet Smith, for starters.
I like Janet Smith a lot. Not only is she incredibly smart, but in a debate or discussion, she’s a heat seeking missile of clear thinking. She sums up a lot of things in a relatively short space. She doesn’t demonize David Schindler because she disagrees with him, and even offers that she would be interested in a more sustained explanation/ discussion on his critiques.
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May 22, 2009 at 3:54 pm (Prayer)
Tags: Catholic Saints, Family Planning, NFP, Novenas, Pentecost, Pro Life, Visitation
Today is the beginning of the Pentecost Novena! Providentially, Pentecost falls this year on what would be the feast of the Visitation. You may know that in some countries and liturgical tradition, this day is a celebration of the reality and sanctity of human life in the womb. Additionally, in St. Francis de Sales’ Sermons on Our Lady, he reminds us how Our Lady is a channel through whom the Holy Spirit passes, and that when we ask for the Holy Spirit and His Gifts, such as we do when we pray the Pentecost Novena, we should remember to ask for Our Lady’s intercession and that of the Saints, like Elizabeth. (The Sermons of St. Francis De Sales on Our Lady
reviews and information.)
So, there are tons of novenas you could draw from or use, but I like this one in particular because it speaks of creation, light and darkness and love and life. (H/T Father Frank Pavone)
Holy Spirit,
At the dawn of creation,
You brought order out of chaos,
Light out of darkness,
Life out of nothingness.
Breathe on us once again,
And change this culture of death
Into a Culture of Life.
Inspire in your people
A spirit of generous welcome
For each and every life,
No matter how unexpected or dependent
That life may be.
Holy Spirit,
You are the Advocate.
As you fill us with Yourself,
Make us advocates
For the unborn and all the vulnerable,
Until we are all united
In the endless life and joy
of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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May 22, 2009 at 12:27 pm (Humanae Vitae, Listen to it!, Morality & Ethics)
Tags: Catholicism, Contraception, Family Planning, NFP, Stephen Patton, Talks
I just re-listened to a CD that One More Soul included in an order as a freebie a while back, and wanted to share some thoughts.
About the CD:
Title: “Why Contraception Matters”
Speaker: Stephen Patton, M.A., J.D., with introduction by Bishop Victor Galeone
Sponsored by: Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida
Running Time: 60 minutes
Synopsis:Practically speaking, widespread use of contraception has led directly to massive increases of divorce and abortion. Personal union and yearning for fertility are written physically into the structure of sexual relations, and shutting down one of these aspects hurts the whole relationship. Stephen Patton gives an introduction to the pastoral situation of many–perhaps most–clergy, calling this prototypical priest, “Father Friendly,” giving a humorous but all too true insight into clergy’s general faithfulness but rampant lukewarmness. He likewise gives an introduction to the average Catholic parishioner couple, “Mr. & Mrs. Friendly,” a witty and all-too-accurate description of good intentions and Humanae Vitae ignorance out there. He shows us two things. First, why contraception really is a big deal, and how it is intrinsically linked to the evil of abortion. Second, he asks us all to take an honest look at the contraception crisis in the Church and wider culture today, and invites us to consider what we can do about it. There are practical, workable steps we can take to regain the overflowing life that God desires for us.
Strengths: Mr. Patton is a knowledgeable, educated and very well spoken man, and Director of the Family Life and Respect Life Office for the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida. He is introduced by his Bishop, showing a great sign of respect, faithfulness and approval (although a degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville bodes well also). The introduction is very witty, and a spot-on criticism of the rampant lukewarmness, indifference and ignorance of pastors and parishioners of Catholic (and I think this parallels to some extent non-Catholic Christian parishes as well) serves as a prelude to a deeper pastoral examination of conscience on how well Catholics (clergy and laypeople alike) know and promote the Church’s teachings, and the beauty of NFP.
Weaknesses: This is not necessarily the CD you want to give to someone who’s skeptical about NFP or the Church’s teaching. While this definitely could be useful and thought-provoking to someone with an open heart or a honest seeker, it may come off as preachy or critical to someone who’s first hearing about the teaching. Also, his style is not very animated (I had the sense he was reading his talk), and a bit droll. His message is very powerful, nevertheless, but it may not engage a young adult who’s not educated on this subject. Also, there’s a couple phrases that made me giggle/ cringe, like the marvelous “fertility dance” analogy that certainly is very true but seemed a little over the top and hyperbolic considering the tone and context.
Warning: This could be negative or positive depending on your viewpoint, but Patton, after some introduction, goes into a little detail about the nature of the nuptial union and orgasm. Screen this before giving to a young person or sensitive adult.
Recommendation:He makes some very poignant observations and some very challenging statements that’s worth a listen by every clergyman, DRE, youth director, NFP teacher and NFP apostle. Get it for free with your One More Soul order.
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May 14, 2009 at 1:22 pm (Morality & Ethics, News)
Tags: ABC Nightline, Christopher West, News, Nightline, Sex, The Dawn Patrol, Theology of the Body, TOB
Update: I just spoke with my husband who just heard from personal friends of Christopher West who asked for prayer for West and his family. He’s evidently under personal and spiritual attack in addition to the professional critique he’s received. Please note that while I advocate a healthy and humble dialogue about this controversy, uncharitable remarks or attacks of a personal nature are unacceptable, which, as Fr. Geiger aludes to when he talks about “lock ‘n load comboxing.”
While Mark Shea has closed court on the Chrisopher West/ Nightline controversy (though he admits not having read Christopher West’s work), Father Angelo Geiger, F.I., guest blogs on the Dawn Patrol with a reasoned criticism of West’s portrayal of Theology of the Body with no little admiration for his work. He begins with a review of the current debate context:
“It is likely to turn into something like a Harry Potter debate: the Chris West Haters vs. the Chris West Groupies. Eventually we won’t even remember the real issues at hand.”
His main criticisms center around what appears to be a discontinuity hermeneutic of West’s presentation of TOB, a “concupiscence light” approach–underestimating our weakness in the area of sexuality, and an apologetic approach that doesn’t dig deeper into a catechetical and contemplative approach.
“Is my interpretation of West a bit facile? But this is the problem with trying to popularize a work of deep theology and philosophy. It is not even clear to me whether West is engaged in apologetics or catechesis. The two are not the same thing. Apologetics is a kind of preamble to catechesis that elicits the assent of faith in respect to difficult truths by way of arguments that are easily understood and appealing to someone who has no basic understanding of revelation. Catechesis is sacramental preparation or ongoing education, based on faith already elicited.”
Again, while I am grateful for West’s work in spreading the Gospel with Theology of the Body, I have seen a lot of CW “groupies” who show a real infatuation with Theology of the Body. They’ve experienced an initial conversion, perhaps, but they’ve not dug deeper, and often times continue to make grave mistakes in their spiritual and relational lives. Surely this is not completely West’s fault, but I think we as well as West have take a close look at these criticisms, and do a serious examination of conscience on TOB and our own lives.
Perhaps we’ll see that we’re in a balanced and thriving place, but perhaps we have a lot of room to grow…and suffer.
What do you think?
Update 2: A very reasonable response from Jimmy Akin supportive of West.
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May 13, 2009 at 4:24 pm (Events, Morality & Ethics)
Tags: Catholic Distance University, Catholicism, Classes, Continuing Education, Family Planning, John Paul II, Natural Family Planning, Theology, Theology of the Body
If you’ve been interested in the Theology of the Body, of have studied it but not really dug in, there’s a three-week online course through Catholic Distance University that might interest you:
Marriage and the Complementarity of Men and Women (Noncredit)
Online Seminar – July 13 – Aug. 3, 2009
This online interactive seminar course will focus on the complementarity of man and woman as revealed in marriage, in the roles of motherhood and fatherhood, and in the community of the world, Church, and family. John Paul II’s exhortations, letters, and encyclical related to the family will be integrated with each of the themes. Students who complete this seminar course should be able to describe the complementarity of man and woman in relation to the marital act, to the receiving and welcoming of new human life, and to the locus of authority in the family.
General Information:
This three week interactive online seminar can be accessed day or night at your convenience. Participants will be given a weekly presentation to read, a weekly reflection question to answer, an opportunity to present questions to the instructor, a chapel meditation to consider, and a social area to meet and exchange ideas with participants from all over the English speaking world.
Marriage and the Complementarity of Men and Women (Noncredit)
Online Seminar – July 13 – Aug. 3, 2009
This online interactive seminar course will focus on the complementarity of man and woman as revealed in marriage, in the roles of motherhood and fatherhood, and in the community of the world, Church, and family. John Paul II’s exhortations, letters, and encyclical related to the family will be integrated with each of the themes. Students who complete this seminar course should be able to describe the complementarity of man and woman in relation to the marital act, to the receiving and welcoming of new human life, and to the locus of authority in the family.
General Information:
This three week interactive online seminar can be accessed day or night at your convenience. Participants will be given a weekly presentation to read, a weekly reflection question to answer, an opportunity to present questions to the instructor, a chapel meditation to consider, and a social area to meet and exchange ideas with participants from all over the English speaking world.
The instructor of the course is the distinguished Dr. William May. Now, you may be thinking, how is a man teaching a class on complementarity between men and women? It turns out, behind every great man is a great woman, so even if you don’t see Mrs. May in the classroom, she’s there. 
Click here to find out more information or to enroll.
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May 11, 2009 at 4:37 pm (Articles, NFP Friends, Non-Trad NFP fans)
Tags: Children, Family, Family Planning, Natural Family Planning, NFP, Protestants & NFP
Luther would love NFP
My entry header above is completely unoriginal. I’ve heard it in a couple places, and you know why it’s funny, charming and it sticks? Because it’s true.
In this article by LifeSiteNews via Catholic Exchange, the spreading phenomenon of Protestants turning towards NFP and away from the contraceptive culture is presented and examined:
“Taking a page from Catholic doctrine, Protestants are avoiding artificial contraception for religious reasons,” several Protestant couples are questioned on their choice to wade into what have traditionally been considered Catholic waters.”
The article goes on to describe the experience of a thirty something Protestant whose very mother left the Church over the issue of contraception, but has found herself ironically drawn to this very teaching.
It’s fascinating, isn’t it? Often times we come accross “converts” from contraception to NFP who are religious, but usually their choice is related to the ills of birth controlrather than the meaning of marriage and sexuality. Perhaps more Catholics could take a cue from their separated bretheren? Maybe this could even become a point of unity in ecumenical dialogues?
For more web sites for non-Catholic Christians, see:
Do you have any other favorite web sites for Non-Catholic Christians?
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May 10, 2009 at 3:38 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: Children, Family, LIFE, Love, Mother's Day, Motherhood, Spirituality
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there, biological and spiritual. Fecundity, as it turns out, is not limited to the body, so to all who are consecrated to the Lord, who are unmarried, who are unable to conceive or carry to term–Happy Mother’s Day as well. To the women who love and nurture as way of life: aunts, widows, neighbors, social workers, teachers, youth ministers, nurses and beyond.You are loved and you are fruitful. You know who you are. Thank you for your gift of self.
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