In less than a week the church will declare the beginning of the Year of Faith – what a great opportunity for us all to stop and reflect on how we live our lives as women of faith. I hope I can use this time to think about my faith and even more importantly to recommit myself to witnessing to the Gospel and to helping to build the reign of God. Any opportunity to spread the love of God is a good one – let’s grasp this one and live it fully!
YEAR OF FAITH…
Posted byclarefcjPosted inApostolic Religious Women, Catholic Sisters, FCJ Formation, FCJ Life, FCJ Mission, Ignatian religious, Ignatian Spirit, Marie Madeleine, Religious life, vocation, Year of FaithTags:Christian Life, community, companionship, FCJ, Formation, mission, prayer, random thoughts, Religion, religious sisters, service, vocations
Faithful Companions of Jesus 
One of the young women who used to study in Tuscaloosa has suggested that people read the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a challenge during the Year of Faith. Even though that book isn’t intended to be read cover to cover, it kind of works well that way, too!
In celebration of the Year of Faith the FCJ Centre in Calgary will have the opportunity to host the St. John’s Bible on loan from St. Mary’s University College. Please see the following:
Rare edition of Saint John’s Bible at St. Mary’s University College
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Rare+edition+Saint+John+Bible+Mary+University+College/7350465/story.html#ixzz28Tj85bGo
I am so pleased that you will have the opportunity of displaying part of the ‘St John’s Bible’ at the FCJ Centre in Calgary. This has been such an inspiring project. A few years ago I saw an exhibiiton about it at Duke University, Alabama, when visiting there with Joanna Walsh fcJ who was on the chaplaincy team. On seeing it I realised we already had at Stella Maris Convent some small size copies of parts of this beautifully illuminated Bible, (someone in community had been given them by her family in celebration of a ‘big’ birthday.) I virtually devoured the explanatory text book.
The story of the creation of this handwritten Bible is incredible from the challenge of findiing enough vellum of the right size and quality, to finding a sufficient quanitity of a particular Chinese ink (of a superb quality but no longer produced) to devising a new script that each of the team could use. The thinking that went into the illustrations was far-reaching! David Jackson, the team leader, went regularly from his scriptorium in the heart of Wales to Collegeville, USA, to discuss the illustrations with a team of theologians and scripture scholars. There are so many things to look for! – The illustrations at the beginning of Genesis (one of which has already featured on the front of Time Magazine) show cleverly but simply a transition from chaos to order, from darkness to light. The genealogy at the beginning of Matthew features a menorah with DNA intertwining its seven branches; the healing parables have the AIDS virus clearly placed amongst more tradtional images and the illustration beside the teachings on forgiveness features the burning Twin Trade Towers. In places the illustrations are very challenging! There is so much to help and support the praying of the text. (There is in fact a series of books on praying with this beautiful Bible.)
The Spirit of Vatican II, the touchstone for this Year of Faith, permeated the thought-provoking production of the St John’s Bible. May the hearts of all who visit the exhibiiton at the FCJ Centre be touched deeply.
What wonderful ways to celebrate the Year of Faith…Hopefully we can continue to share the things we do to mark this special time in our life of faith…
This weekend at the FCJ Centre, the Together Enabling Adult Ministry program participants are gathering to engage in conversation with a very prominent speaker, Dr. Michael Duggan, who is providing magnificent insight on the profound teachings of Vatican II. So, much wisdom in these documents pertaining to the encouragement to engage in conversation with others about our faith. Indeed there is much to reflect upon in Companionship with others in regard to ridding ourselves of the tendency to be dualistic and instead realize the oneness that is God’s gift to us. Vatican II affirms so well the roles and responsibilities of all the faithful, but most especially speaks of the dignity and worth of the Laity!
I hope the weekend was really good and that you gained some new insights into the power and beauty of Vatican II. We need to hear more about the dignity and worth of the laity…
For quotes from Pope Benedict (Porta Fidei) on the Year of Faith and the need to study the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” which he said is the most important fruit of Vatican II, – – – go to:
“What Catholics REALLY Believe SOURCE”
http://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com
Provides direct links to Vatican web site and more.
We can not share accurately, what we do not know accurately.
” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved … and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium.
I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for ecclesial communion. “ – Pope John Paul II. (CCC pg 5)