Thursday, July 15, 2010

What's Wrong With Normal Catholic Words?

One of the things Fr. Meyer and myself did on the way down to the Shrine in Alabama (see post below) was to stop in to the Cathedrals along the way. We first went to Louisville's and prayed Daytime Prayer while there. We also grabbed a bulletin on the way out because Fr. Meyer is still obsessing that his bulletin doesn't look quite right.

Anyways, I came across this little announcement in the bulletin -

"Michael Morwood, a well-known presenter on theological issues with more than 30 years experience in retreat, education, parish and youth ministries, will lead a retreat Aug. 8-14 at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods(northwest of Terre Haute, Indiana). The retreat is hosted by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, a ministry of the Sisters of
Providence. The theme is “God, Jesus, Prayer and Liturgy in a new story of the universe
.”

Now I have the deepest love for Providence Sisters - Sr. Marie Grace and Sr. Theresa Clare both gave me a first class education and taught me to love Christ's Church. I've preached on my love for them on numerous occasions. However, I must ask here, what in the world is a Center for Eco-justice? Also, I must say that I wouldn't let a loved one go within two hundred miles of a retreat titled "God, Jesus, Prayer and Liturgy in a new story of the universe." The two titles baffle me so much, I'm not sure where to start.

It got me thinking - what is wrong with traditional Catholic words? I list some of my favorite - Virtue, Sin, Heaven, Hell, The Trinity, God The Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit, Papacy, Redemption, Our Blessed Mother, the Eucharist - this could go on for days. The reason I mention all this is that heresies usually spring up over disagreements over words and end up being, well, heresies. If you want to know if something is authentically Cahtolic, you can usually tell right away. Let's pray for people who invent a new lexicon that they come to realize that the words we've been using for some 2,000 years have been working just fine.

4 comments:

  1. I don't know what upsets me more - Michael Morwood and his "Center for Progressive Christianity" or the fact that the retreat is actually being held at St. Mary of the Woods! I looked up the "former" Father Morwood (that should tell you something from the start) and couldn't believe some of the things I read. Of all the wonderful speakers available, ie: Scott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Fr. Corapi, Karl Keating, Patrick Madrid, the list goes on and on, that they could have someone with Michael Morwood's philosophy, just boggles the mind!!!
    Patty

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  2. I just received the current edition of the "HOPE" Publication from St. Mary of the Woods. The Sisters of Providence are setting up a booth this November at the "Call To Action" Conference. This is the same group which the Vatican has supported excommunication of its members due to its Anti-Catholic stance.
    A talk being presented during this conference is, "ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW: The lives of LGBTQ. (I looked up the abbreviations which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning)!

    I can't quite understand why they would want to set up a booth HERE? Are they promoting this type of lifestyle and a group which denies Church teachings that are sacred and true?

    How sad!
    Bev





    Bev

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  3. You just nailed it. Oh, the manipulation of language really bothers me. Didn't Jesus say to let our Yes mean Yes and our No mean No, an anything else if from the evil one? Three cheers for clarity! Thank you!

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  4. Fr. Michael Morwood was silenced by Bishop Pell and ALL of the Australian bishops in the 1990's due to his heretical teachings on the divinity of Jesus and the Holy Trinity. In essence, Fr. Morwood is teaching all of the heresies addressed by the first four Church Councils! ...Since he could no longer preach in Australia, he turned his back on priestly ministry and came to the USA. He is married and currently making the lecture rounds with his wife.

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