Topic for January 14

Posted below is the content for the discussion next week, a link to an article by Mark Shea on Catholic Exchange.  I was quite taken with the content of this, and Jimmy and I discussed it some before the session on Baptism today.

I think that it is a wonderful analysis of the situation that we find ourselves in today in our country and in our culture.  I am sure there is a good bit in here for you to resonate with, and likely some things that you might disagree with.  If so, good!  Hopefully this will spark a lively discussion!

Oh....the items on the web page are liked to other material on the web. Pull it up if you have a desire to check out some of these links....like Jesus was a woman, and items 10-25!?!?!?!?.  Anyway, have some fun with this, print it out, read it and mark it up and come, as always, with your thoughts!

http://catholicexchange.com/2010/01/06/125113/

Have a Blessed Week!

Steve

Archbishop Wilton Gregory Visits St. Katherine Drexel Mission Church

We did have to cancel the class today on Baptism due to circumstances beyond our control, so we will hold that topic until next week, January 17.

I had the privilege of attending Mass at St. Katherine Drexel Mission in Trenton and to shoot some images of the event and of the Archbishop's hands for our project.  It was a very moving service con-celebrated by Archbishop Gregory and Msgr. Herbert.  This little parish is at the far end of the frontier of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, and the event was one of celebration complete with dinner in the parish hall following mass.

Baptism will be our first topic of 2010

Folks
I will be down in Trenton this Sunday for our Photo project and will be unable to see you at Adult Bible Study which resumes this Sunday, January 10. Hal Hill has graciously agreed to take the class and you will be discussing Baptism.  Below is an outline that I have suggested to Hal, but he will take the discussion in whatever direction he (and you all ) wish to.  Sorry to miss it.
Have a Blessed week, and do try to  "read up" a little on this using Oatis, the CCC and some of the other materials if you have access to the internet.
Yours in Christ
SLG



Adult Bible Study

January 10, 2010

Baptism

It is through Baptism that we are brought into the family of God and are made his children.  “ Baptism is not merely a ceremony, not merely a rite of passage.  It is our entry into a New Covenant bond, a new family, a new life, a new birth, a new creation.”  Dr. Scott Hahn Signs of life pg. 34  Baptism makes us “partakers of the divine nature” (2Pt 1:4).

Most Protestants in reality deny the sacramental nature of Baptism and so cannot appreciate the importance that it has in the lives of those in the Catholic Church.

Catholic Answers:

http://www.catholic.com/library/Necessity_of_Baptism.asp

http://www.catholic.com/library/Infant_Baptism.asp

http://www.catholic.com/library/Early_Teachings_of_Infant_Baptism.asp

New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm#XI

CCC:
         1213-1284

Regarding infants see:
         1252,1261**,1283

** regarding children who have died without Baptism