But what if...?

When in debate about the morality of homosexuality, one of the most common things that is meant to silence opposition  is the question "What if your son/daughter/etc was gay?"  Naturally, for many of us this would in fact be a difficult and shocking situation, and certainly one worth considering.  However, it isn't nearly as difficult to deal with as many people think.
What would we do if one of our loved ones were an alcoholic?  Would we shun them, keeping them out of our lives because of this fault, this burden that they bear?  Most likely not.  We would love them, pray for them, help them find their way out of their sin and at least get to the point where they can manage the struggle.  Homosexuality can be treated in much the same way.  We continue to love those who suffer from Same Sex Attraction and to pray for them.  Where possible, we can help them with their struggle.
Naturally, this will not satisfy those who see nothing wrong with homosexuality.  But it does serve to illustrate that we are in fact thoughtful people who are not capable of loving those who disagree with us, that we can in fact hate the sin and love the sinner.

Culture of Life Conference - More Details

Here some of the basic details of the upcoming conference.  First off the where and when.

The conference will be held in the Ballroom of the Wege Center at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI.

The date is Saturday, April 20 and the doors open at 8 AM with the conference beginning at 9AM and going until 2PM.  In addition to lunch there will of course be basic refreshments available.

Now of course, you will want to know the speakers and the topics they'll be speaking on.  And in order, we have:

• President of the American Family Association, Gary Glenn - The Modern Attack Against Marriage and Family   
• Father Vincent O'Malley of St. Lazare's Retreat Center - Christ's Teaching on Family and How it  Built Western Civilization
• Dr. Dennis Marshall of Aquinas College - The Church's Teaching on Marriage and Family Since Vatican II   
• Mark Shea - The Family as an Image of the Trinity

 And there you have it.  Don't forget to click on the registration link to the right to sign up before April 10th to secure your spot! 

We're Back!

Greetings everyone!  Vivat Jesus!  It has been more than a little while since the blog here has been active.  But we are finally recharged and in fact have been working hard behind the scenes organizing the next Culture of Life Conference. 
As a matter of fact, this post serves to provide the first major update for the conference.  So, scroll down for the goods.

2nd Annual Culture of Life Conference:  Marriage and Family - Cornerstone of Western Civilization

Date:  April 20, 2013

Place:  Aquinas College, Wege Center

Speakers:  Former Senatorial Candidate Gary Glenn - The Modern Attack Against Marriage and Family

                 Father Vincent O'Malley of St. Lazare's Retreat Center - Christ's Teaching on Family and How it
                                                                                                        Shaped Western Civilization

                 Dr. Dennis Marshall of Aquinas College - The Church's Teaching on Marriage and Family Since
                                                                                 Vatican II

                 Blogger and Author Mark Shea - The Family as an Image of the Trinity

Price:  Adults - $30

          Students - $15

          Clergy - Free

And yes, lunch will be provided.  Details on that to follow soon.

So there you go!  Stay tuned for more.



                

Video Update

I heard earlier today from the person working on the video from the conference that the first part at least should be on You Tube next week sometime.  I'll post the link as soon as I get it.

So, now what?

So. ..Now What?

One of the things that had started to eat at me a bit during the run-up to the conference
is that there is still so much work to be done at my own parish. This made me question
the validity of staging a large event. Should I be working on such a thing when my own
house isn’t really in order? And so on.
This of course brings us to the nature of the “Big Event” and how such things do or do
not influence the culture around us. The first and most obvious thing to note is that
they tend to preach to the choir. Most of the people at these things already get it and
while they may learn some interesting things here and there but not much in the way of
principles or concepts. Conferences, marches and other events also serve to excite the
participants, but that excitement does eventually wear off. What happens then?
The key thing is, don’t wait. That is, don’t wait for the next event, conference, march,
fundraiser, retreat, etc. What I would love to see is people taking whatever inspiration
they may have gained from the Culture of Life Conference and use in their parishes.
Collaborate with some others in your parish or Knights of Columbus council and get
a speaker in to discuss whatever may be most needed where you are. Or maybe not
a speaker, why not a prayer group, adoration, first Saturday devotions, evangelizing
the community around you, etc. Or plug into one of the great apostolates already out
there like 40 Days for Life, Project Rachel, Help Pregnancy Crisis Aid, Holy Family
Radio or any of the dozens of others that are out there but I don’t know about. Use your
imagination and your talents, even talents you don’t think you have. You’d be surprised
what you can accomplish with a little help.
So, once you plan it your event, email us, let us know so we can promote the good things
going on in the Grand Rapids Diocese. Just knowing that there a number of good things
happening will encourage many people, even those who are never able to attend the
events.
Now, don’t take this to mean that we aren’t going to be doing the Second Annual
Culture of Life Conference: The Family in the Modern World come spring of 2013. We
certainly are. We just want don’t want things to stop with the conference. So, get out
there and start building and renewing the Culture of Life in the Grand Rapids Diocese!

Success!!!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the 1st Annual Culture of Life Conference on Saturday.  We had a turnout of just over a 100 people which is better than we had dared to hope.  The speakers all came through and delivered not just information but a powerful message that I think really demonstrated the breadth, depth and unity of the Church's teaching on the dignity and value of human life.
In the immediate future, you can look for a link to the conference on YouTube as well as DVD to follow.  We are hoping to put some additional content on the DVD about some of the other local pro-life apostolate.
Beyond the immediate future, the second conference (look for it spring of 2013) is already starting to come into focus a bit.  And we will also be working with some of those apostolates on smaller events in between the conferences.
For now, checkout Project Rachel and Rachel's Vineyard.  This is a great ministry and worthy of much support.  Some info about upcoming events are posted below.


 Come to the Mass celebrating 20 years of Project Rachel in Grand Rapids taking place on October 12 7:00 PM.  For more information go here:  http://ccwestmi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=57.

 

Also, there is a retreat coming up from the related ministry of Project Rachel.  Here's all the info.

Rachel's Vineyard Retreat

Dates:   October 28-30, 2011

Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreats are a beautiful opportunity for any person who has struggled with the emotional and spiritual pain of an abortion experience.

Designed for women and men, the retreat process is an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of anger, shame, guilt, and grief.  It offers women and men the chance to experience the mercy and compassion of God and to grieve the loss of their unborn child or children.

A Rachel's Vineyard Retreat helps the soul find voice and transforms the pain of the past into love and hope.  It is open to people of all faiths.

For more information or to register:

Toll Free:  800-800-8284  (Michigan Only)
Phone:     616-340-1824
E-mail:     mwalsh@ccwestmi.org (Maggie Walsh)
Website: Click Here

 

Now, I'm going to take some much earned time off!!  Look for us to start posting again in about a week.