Tag: Retreat

PWJ: S2E8 – Bonus – “What is the point of Christianity?”

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I was in Kansas this weekend speaking at a retreat so I didn’t get a chance to put together an episode with Matt. Rather than deprive you of an episode this week, here is the audio of a talk I gave at the weekend which draws heavily from Lewis and Mere Christianity.

Another speaker had meant to join me that weekend on the retreat, but unfortunately his flight was cancelled due to snow storms. This meant that we had to reorganize the programme, meaning that one of my talks was in the morning – that is the significance of my comments before my introduction.

S2E8: “What is the point of Christianity?” (Download)

If you enjoy this episode, you can subscribe manually, or any place where good podcasts can be found (iTunes, Google Play, Podbean, Stitcher, TuneIn and Overcast).

YCP: Entrepreneurial Faith

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This weekend I gave a talk at the “St. Joseph The Worker” retreat for Young Catholic Professionals in San Diego. My talk was entitled “Entrepreneurial Faith”. The audio is a little crackly, but not too bad… 🙂

Entrepreneurial Faith (Download)

Q&A (Download)

 

— Questions —

• Do we get a book or CD for any question we ask?!

• What is your favourite football team?

• Can you tell us a bit about your conversion story?
If you would like to hear more of my story, you can hear it in my talk, What does it mean to be a restless pilgrim?

• What is your favourite C.S. Lewis CD?

• What are the problems you see in the Church? 
In my answer, I reference my blog series, Catholics Come Home.

Register for free one-day young adult retreat in San Diego!

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Registration is now open for the “Restless” Retreat. This is a free, one day retreat at St. Catherine Laboure on Saturday, April 14th:
SPC

The theme of the retreat is being taken from St. Augustine’s famous line, “You made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts will wander restless until we rest in you”. I swear I did not pick the retreat theme… 🙂

We will have speakers including Jamie Cleaton and Timmerie Millington.

Lunch will be provided. Did I mention this was free?

Brother Lawrence

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At the end of last week I went on another silent retreat. I spent lots of time reading “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence, a lay Carmelite brother. I’ve found it really beautiful. I would like to share with you a portion of Letter Seven:

Lawrence…[God] requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration. Sometimes to pray for His grace. Sometimes to offer Him your sufferings. And sometimes to return Him thanks for the favors He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles. Console yourself with Him the oftenest you can… The least little remembrance will always be pleasing to Him.

You need not cry very loud. He is nearer to us than we are aware. And we do not always have to be in church to be with God. We may make an oratory of our heart so we can, from time to time, retire to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love…

…You are nearly sixty-four, and I am almost eighty. Let us live and die with God. Sufferings will be sweet and pleasant while we are with Him. Without Him, the greatest pleasures will be a cruel punishment to us….

Gradually become accustomed to worship Him in this way; to beg His grace, to offer Him your heart from time to time; in the midst of your business, even every moment if you can. Do not always scrupulously confine yourself to certain rules or particular forms of devotion. Instead, act in faith with love and humility.

Catholic Bucket List #5: Retreat!

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The last Bucket List item was to go on pilgrimage. Today’s Bucket List item is related to the previous one:

Catholic Bucket List #5: Go on a retreat

In modern society we are surrounded by noise and we fill our days with business and it’s extremely easy for God to be squeezed out of our day. This is one of the reasons why retreats are so needed. Setting aside a day, a weekend or week to reconnect with God and spend some time with him in prayer can be so good for reestablishing a healthy life balance.

No two retreats are ever the same and there are many different kinds of retreat which one may attend. I would suggest that everyone should go on a silent retreat at least once. I know that if you have never gone on one before, the thought of spending long periods in silence is a terrifying prospect, but believe me, by the end you’ll love it!

A couple of years ago I was actively discerning the priesthood and, as part of my discernment I went on a silent Ignatian Spiritual Exercises retreat given by the Miles Christi priests:

Finding time to get away on retreat can sometimes be difficult, especially if one has children. If so, you might like to take a 3 Minute Retreat!

Sunday Lectionary: If you want something done properly…

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Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: 22nd July 2012

good shepherd iconThe theme throughout the Readings this week is that of shepherding.

In our First Reading the Prophet Jeremiah berates the leaders of Israel who have failed in their duty to carefully shepherd the people. In response to their failure, God promises that He Himself will gather His people together and that there will come from the line of David an exemplary shepherd.

This good shepherd is, of course, Jesus Christ and this is demonstrated in our Gospel this week when we hear about our Lord’s compassion on the people “for they were like sheep without a shepherd”.

Likewise, in our Second Reading, St. Paul praises the wisdom of God who, through Christ, has “broke[n] down the dividing wall of enmity”, thus uniting two flocks, the flock of the the Jews and the flock of the Gentiles. These two flocks are gathered into the Church under one Shepherd, Christ.

And so in our Psalm we praise the Lord, our Shepherd, who is by our side even though the “dark valley” and who leads us “beside restful waters”  and to “verdant pastures”.

As the Lord “spread[s] the table before [us]”  this week in the Eucharistic feast, let us celebrate our Good Shepherd, who loves so much that He laid down His life for us, His sheep.

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