If God Had Texted Moses (5)

Moses: Check your phone!

No 5: You shall not murder. (NIV Dt 5:17)

Courtesy of Sr. Carol Cimino, PhD and Religious Education Consultant for Sadlier Publishers.

The Class of 2011: Message from a Graduate

Four years ago I embarked on a wonderful journey of the Bible through the Catholic Biblical School, which culminated in a lovely and meaningful graduation ceremony this month at St. Thomas Seminary.  Along the way, I learned so much about my faith, met new friends and enhanced my knowledge as a Director of Religious Education. But most importantly, the enrichment I received through the excellent instructors, supplemental reading and outstanding Scripture Days, have brought me closer to Christ in both mind and heart, which for me, is the true journey.

I truly loved every minute and am glad to have been able to earn college credit as well! I appreciate all the hard work that went into accreditation for CBS.

Ms. Kathi Bonner

Director of Religious Education

St. Catherine of Siena, West Simsbury, CT

If God Had Texted Moses (4)

Moses: Check your phone!
No 4: Honor your father and your mother. (NIV Dt 5:16)

Courtesy of Sr. Carol Cimino, PhD and Religious Education Consultant for Sadlier Publishers.

Words Made Flesh—Love, Feel, and Think with the Church

Biblical Reflections on Pentecost Sunday by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB

"Pentecost is considered to be the birth of the Church. Our baptismal consecration in service to Christ cannot be separated from consecration in service to the Church. One of the main themes permeating the thought of St. Ignatius of Loyola is his exhortation 'Sentire cum ecclesia' or 'Think with the Church.' 'Sentire cum ecclesia' also means to feel with the Church and to love the Church.

"Pentecost invites us once again to walk with the Church, breathe with the Church, hope with the Church, feel with the Church, 'sentire cum ecclesia.' What does the Church mean for me as an individual? What is my personal relationship with the Church? Do I love the Church? Do I feel loved by the Church?

"Moving beyond ideology

"...Today, some of us seem to be stuck in the ideological battles that followed the Second Vatican Council. Perhaps we are frozen in categories of left and right; traditional vs. avant-garde; male vs. female; hierarchical vs. lay-led, or prophetic vs. static.

"Our inter-ecclesial and inter-community fixations and polarizations ... can distract us from addressing with requisite depth and discernment the issues facing us today. Whatever is not purified and transformed within us is transmitted to others—especially to the next generation." (emphasis BJ's)

"When we sell ourselves to cynicism and despair, meanness of heart, smallness of spirit and harshness in ecclesial discourse, we betray our deepest identity as bearers of joy, hope and truth. Is joy present in our Christian witness? What prevents me as an individual and us as a community from giving a robust, joyful witness to Jesus Christ, the Catholic Faith and the Church?"



For the rest of Fr. Rosica's commentary on the Feast of the Pentecost, click here.

Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB is CEO of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network in Canada. He is a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications and writes a weekly commentary on the Sunday readings for Zenit.

*ZENIT is a non-profit international news agency comprising a team of professionals and volunteers who are convinced of the extraordinary richness of the Catholic Church's message, particularly its social doctrine. The ZENIT team sees this message as a light for understanding today's world.