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worth noting . . .
worth noting . . .
REASONS FOR SELF-DENIAL . . . Since the dramatic changes wrought in the Catholic Church by the Second Vatican Council, the primary emphasis in the spiritual life has been to do good, to practice the love of God and neighbor. This is essential to the life of the Catholic Christian. But fasting, self-denial and penance have been downplayed and now are almost totally neglected by many in the Church. In this issue a young Benedictine monk, Brother Austin G. Murphy, reminds us of the importance of fasting and self-denial. These may not be as important as love, but it is not possible to grow in virtue without them (p. 8).
SINGLE CATHOLIC YOUNG ADULTS . . . Single Catholic young adults, especially if they are college trained such as nurses, lawyers, teachers, office managers, and so forth, have a hard time trying to find like-minded young Catholics to associate with. Most parishes do not seem to have programs to help this group of parishioners. Fr. Thomas G. Morrow of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., has developed a formula that works. In his article in this issue he tells us how he started separate groups for young men and women based on daily Mass, Rosary, spiritual reading. His groups have been more successful than he ever imagined. His idea has produced good consequences (p. 15).
HOMILIES AND THE WHOLE TRUTH . . . One of the results of Vatican II has been a greater emphasis on the homily at Mass (it used to be called the “sermon”). At HPR we try hard to present good homilies for each Sunday; we also offer articles on a regular basis that deal with the problems of preaching. This month I am pleased to offer you an article by Mr. John Young on the problem of serious omissions in many homilies. Priests are sent to preach the Gospel—the whole Gospel and the whole truth, not just part of it or what is pleasing. Mr. Young singles out nine areas of Catholic teaching and life that he thinks are often not treated as fully as they should be (p. 19).
RCIA AND FALSE ECUMENISM . . . For years I have been hearing serious complaints about the RCIA program. This issue brings one to your attention. The author is Fr. Ray Ryland, himself a convert and former Protestant clergyman. He shows that the RCIA program denounces “triumphalism” but never defines it; it is reluctant to affirm that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true Church of Jesus Christ; it does not even allude to the basic reason for becoming a Catholic, namely, the truth of Catholicism. Fr. Ryland reminds us that many Protestants give up much to join the Catholic Church; they deserve better treatment than this (p. 24).—K.B.
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