Page 5 - LOTN Spring Issue 49 2022

DIOCESE

listening to them. The older ones can tell them about their go to other Catholic schools.”
faith.” “We’re not all Catholic in school. Some of us are half-
“God wants us to love each other and not care about Catholic. We like finding out about different religions.”
our differences. He wants us to trust what he says without Q: What do you think is important about coming to
having to be shown. He wants us to be good people and church? The children’s answers spoke of God and/or other
follow his example.” people.
“We like the peace in church, and we like listening to the Q: Does our church need to change?” Some children
priest and feeling part of the whole community instead of answered, “no”. One said, “I feel our church is a good church
going out of Mass for children’s liturgy.” with good people: men, women, and children alike.” While
“It would be good to have an option to stay after Mass for another responded (literally or metaphorically, who can
about 10 minutes to ask questions. Those who don’t want tell?), “We need a clean church with no rats.”
to stay could leave before the questions.” “We were very pleased to have the chance to give our
“We like the different sorts of music in church.” views and we are glad that the Pope asked for them.”
“We look forward to sacraments like Communion and
Confirmation.” Sister Imelda Ann, O.P. (with contributions from children in
“We would like the chance to do things with children who the Diocese)

"It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive"

The 2022 Pluscarden Pentecost Lectures given by Dr Christopher Ruddy, Catholic University of America

ach year the Abbot and Community of Pluscarden everywhere. And, yet,
Abbey sponsor a series of four lectures by an invited the first words that the
Etheologian on an aspect of Catholic theology. Church speaks every
Previous lecturers have included Fr Aidan Nichols OP, day are: “Lord, open
Fr Thomas Weinandy OFM Cap, Fr Anthony Meredith SJ, my lips, and my mouth
Fr Paul McPartlan, Proessor Carol Zaleski and Dom Erik shall proclaim your
Varden. Due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding the praise!”
Covid-19 situation, the lectures this year will again be These lectures will
livestreamed and recorded. suggest that much of
This year's lectures will be given by Dr Christopher our agitation is rooted
Ruddy, associate professor of systematic theology at The in a rejection of the
Catholic University of America. He was formerly associate goodness of being, in
professor of theology at the University of St Thomas in St a self-hatred that leads
Paul, Minnesota, and taught also at St John’s University ineluctably to death.
and the College of St Benedict in Minnesota. A graduate of Praise, rightly Dr Christopher Ruddy
Yale College and Harvard Divinity School, he received his understood and lived,
doctorate in systematic theology from the University of is not escapism, irresponsibility, or even complicity in
Notre Dame. oppression. It is the highest possible affirmation of God’s
We live in times marked by the omnipresence of goodness and—in the words of the American musician
agitation—political, religious, economic, cultural, ‘virtual’, Bruce Springsteen—of the joy in being alive.
psychological, familial. Anger and unsettledness are From the 7th to the 9th June the lectures will be
livestreamed from the USA, at the times given below, on
the Pluscarden Abbey website. Recordings will also be
available afterwards.

Tuesday 7th June at 3.00 pm
Context: An Age of Agitation, Anger, and Acedia

Wednesday 8th June at 10.30 am
Creator and Creation: The Affirmation of Dependence

Wednesday 8th June at 3.00 pm
Christ and Church: “In the midst of the
congregation I will praise you” (Ps 22 [21]:22)

Thursday 9th June at 10.30 am
Consequences: A Praise-Filled Life
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