Moved by movements.The February cover story ("SuperCatholics? Sizing up the new lay movements") by Renee M. LaReau is another indication of Catholic Christians hungry for more than the routines of the institutional church and the guidance of a hierarchical authority. In a word, this is the century of the laity LAITY. Those persons who do not make a part of the clergy. In the United States the division of the people into clergy and laity is not authorized by law, but is, merely conventional. ! Alleluia Alleluia, Latin form of the expression Hallelujah. ! Trusting in the Holy Spirit, the church will be all the better for these new expressions. They satisfy a spiritual hunger so often neglected in the structured church. Pitfalls? Yes. Weaknesses? Absolutely. Given our human condition and its proneness to certitude cer·ti·tude n. 1. The state of being certain; complete assurance; confidence. 2. Sureness of occurrence or result; inevitability. 3. , righteousness Righteousness See also Virtuousness. Amos prophet of righteousness. [O.T.: Amos] Astraea goddess of righteousness. [Gk. Myth.: Walsh Classical, 36] Benedetto, Don Catholic teacher of moral precepts. [Ital. Lit. , control, elitism e·lit·ism or é·lit·ism n. 1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources. , and all the other unwelcome "isms," they will find their way to accompany this pilgrimage. Still, the sincerity to serve, to be for others, to become the living presence of Jesus to each other and all others is a hope worth supporting and receiving energy from. In this sense the church is evolving, religious life is evolving, and daily Christian living is spilling out into all areas of life, as Jesus desired when he invited us to follow him and participate in the building of the kingdom. Father Mark Franceschini, O.S.M. Denver, Colo. |
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