I had a list of topics that I’ve wanted to blog about and couldn’t decide which one to pick so I thought I’d address them all! Here goes:
- They came back! Kudos, once again to my DRE, Arlene, for making it clear that Confirmation is not the end. All of my students (save for one absentee) returned last night for their first class after Confirmation!
- Their biggest comment about Confirmation? “The bishop put SO much oil on my forehead!” I told them that this was a symbol of the abundance of the Spirit and of the outpouring of the Spirit’s gifts.
- My blog has been nominated for a Catholic Blog Award! My category is Best Individual Catholic Blog. Thanks to whomever it was that nominated me.
- Here’s some feedback about report cards in religious education from a DRE:
Dear Joe,
You asked for the results or feedback concerning the use of report cards in our program this year. In general it went well. I think the catechists liked the opportunity to use report cards for feedback. I didn’t receive negative comments from any of them.
We gave about 150 report cards. I heard of only six negative comments by parents. Only two were directed to me. They boiled down to saying there should be no report cards for religious education. One thought it puts too much pressure on children. The other wasn’t happy with one of her child’s marks.
What I hope to find out from catechists is whether or not a significant number of children begin to strive to do well and improve their weak areas. In other words, was this effort motivational.
- Lots of stories on the news about the Vatican announcing “new sins.” I find it amusing how many newscasters introduced this story with a smirk on their face as though to imply “that wacky old Church…still hung up on the idea of sin while we know better.”
- Another thought about the “new sins.” There’s a saying about heresies that goes like this: “there are no new heresies…just old ones in new packaging.” The same can be true of the “new sins” identified by the Church. They really are not new but the same old “seven deadly sins” in new packaging.
- Best quote related to the “new sins” story: “Father Antonio Pelayo, a Spanish priest and Vatican expert noted that it is time for both sinners and confessors to get over their obsession with sex and think about other ways humans hurt each other in the world in which they live.” Well said, Fr. Pelayo.
- If I have time today, I’ll watch Oprah’s second session on spirituality and offer some thoughts tomorrow or the next day.
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