Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 481

April 17, 2011

Christians March thru Jerusalem – link fixed

It is Palm Sunday and Christians in the Holy Land (only 1.5%of the population) are making their presence felt today. Moving, uplifting, joyous – celebrating the Life and Passion of Christ. Palm branches everywhere!


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Published on April 17, 2011 15:23

Day 6: Gethsemane, Western Wall & more

In Jerusalem on Palm Sunday!


Day 6, Part I



Part II (coming soon)

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Published on April 17, 2011 12:54

April 16, 2011

Day 5: Bethlehem

Today was spent all day in Bethlehem centering on the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a great day, profound experiences, tears and laughter, good food and fun, biblical and historically profound. Enjoy!


Part 1



Part II


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Published on April 16, 2011 17:30

April 15, 2011

Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church

The following is from my Charismatic Catholic pastor at Christ the King parish in Ann Arbor Michigan. And before you begin to question him and criticize the Charismatic Movement in the Church, let me tell you that Fr. Ed has been there almost 20 years, received our whole family into the Catholic Church. He now has 23 marvelous men from our small parish in the seminary! Our parish has more men in the seminary than any other parish in the Western hemisphere!


At the talk I gave at the parish mission during our weekly prayer meeting, I pointed out several useful sources that should be studied by those interested in penetrating more deeply the wisdom of the Church concerning the Catholic charismatic renewal.   First and foremost is the crucial speech that Pope John Paul II gave to leaders in the renewal. The link for that speech is: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1998/may/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19980530_riflessioni_en.html.  However, it is also attached to this email.


Another very valuable reference is the crucial book by Cardinal Suenens, that was personally recommended by Pope Paul VI: Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens, A New Pentecost?, (New York: Seabury Press, 1975).


A very helpful resource for charting the use of the charismatic gifts in the early rite of initiation in the Church is: Christian Initiation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Evidence from the First Eight Centuries, by Kilian McDonnell and George T. Montague, 2nd, revised edition, (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1994).


Finally, there is a wonderful compilation of papal speeches on the charismatic renewal: Pesare, Oreste, compiler. "Then Peter stood up…" Collection of the Popes' Addresses to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal from its Origin to the Year 2000. (Vatican City: International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services, 2000.)  May the Lord Jesus bless you as you study the presence and power of His Spirit in His Church!


Fr. Ed


P.S. If you didn't get to hear this talk, it's available online at our audio Web site. Just go to ctkcc.libsyn.com and click on the April 1 talk, or on the category "Parish Mission 2011."

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Published on April 15, 2011 19:29

Day 4: Capernaum, Primacy, Boat ride & Up to Jerusalem

Today we finished up the Galilee area with Mass at the House of Peter (and Jesus) in Capernaum, my talk on the Eucharist, a visit to the Primacy of Peter, my talk on John 21, lunch of St. Peter's Fish and a our drive to Jerusalem. Before checking into the Notre Dame Center near the entrance into the Old City Walls, we stopped at Ein Kerem to visit the Church of the Visitation.


Everyone is now going down for dinner and a free evening.


Everyone is enjoying your comments and emails. I read them every day on the bus. Keep the comments coming!


Part 1



Part II


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Published on April 15, 2011 15:23

April 14, 2011

Day 3, Part I: Beatitudes, to Banias, to Golan

A great day but too much for one video so I cut today in half. Here is the first half. Enjoy! All is well.


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Published on April 14, 2011 13:37

April 13, 2011

Bill Boards, and mailers, and websites, oh my!!

Northridge_billBoard
I put on my emergency flashers when I saw it on I-275. I had to pull over for a quick picture because I had never before seen a church advertise like it was a casino. Northridge+Easter="Winning!"



Next, a similar looking mailer came in the mail saying, "Easter comes once a year…" And I realized this is more than a typical protestant mega church…this is a brand-name, money-making, marketing machine. Their website sports trendy graphics, a young guy who may not have shaved recently, and some cryptic videos about inviting people…but what is this all about, really?
Northridge_Mailer


There is no traditional Christian symbolism, no Cross, indeed you have to dig deep on their website and get out your decoder-ring to discover they're Christian and not some fancy entertainment complex. Are they trying to trick people into thinking Jesus is hip?

Jesus is NOT hip. The world is hip. Jesus did not promise a our youth a "Red Carpet and your own paparazzi" if you serve Him. Jesus told us,"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you. If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don't have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that is why the world hates you." (John 15:18-19 GWT)







I am not hopeful that people who would come for the flashing lights, plush seats and mocha lattes will seek anything different when they are finished being entertained. But I hope that I am wrong.


Lets pray during this last week of lent that more people would discover the true beauty, real history, and powerful sacraments in the Catholic Church this Easter.


And for your enjoyment, if you haven't seen if already, check out this mega-church youtube video.




screen-capture-12





~Jesse Ray

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Published on April 13, 2011 17:30

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