The Madison Catholic Herald -- October 30, 2003 Edition -- Spirituality



		Spirituality

		October 30, 2003 Edition

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• Faith Alive
• This week's readings

• Pope's Prayer Intentions

In a Nutshell

All the sacraments celebrate important moments in Christian life, but each marks a different experience.

All sacraments celebrate Christ's death and resurrection, but each focuses on that paschal mystery in a different way.

The seven sacraments may be divided into three of initiation (baptism, penance and Eucharist); three of commitment (Eucharist, marriage and holy orders); and three of healing (penance, anointing and Eucharist).

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Food for Thought
		When friends gather around a seriously ill person who is receiving the sacrament of the sick, the room's atmosphere is one of caring -- giving care. First is Christ's care for the sick person. It expresses affection and love. And it is care as we mean it when we speak of "tending to" and "taking care of." In all sacraments, Christ is active. Then there is the care this little community extends to the one who is sick. And in my experience, rather miraculously, there has been the care that the sick and weakened person extends back to the others. Concerned about each other in what obviously is an ultimate sense, they all extend care as best they can. Christ acts through such a community in every sacrament. It's pretty clear that this sacramental celebration -- even if a person is terminally ill -- is all about life. Christ communicates his life in all sacraments. Since it is a life both of death and resurrection, it nourishes and nurtures and heals in circumstances of every kind. full story

What All the Sacraments Are All About

By Father W. Thomas Faucher

Catholic News Service

God made a decision that if human persons did something in a special way then God would be part of what they did. So there are human actions that have divine consequences. That's what sacraments are about.

The classic definition of a sacrament -- an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace -- is an excellent definition. It has three elements:

full story

Encountering Life's Fourth Dimension Sacramentally

By Sister Katherine Howard, OSB

Catholic News Service

Some years ago I was sitting comfortably after supper with my 95-year-old mother, whose health was failing. She had returned home from the hospital only the day before. About 18 hours later, in fact, she died.

Shortly after we had sat down together, I noticed a sudden change in her alertness and gaze. With bright, wide-open eyes, she turned her head toward the room's upper right-hand corner.

full story

What Makes Each Sacrament Different?

By Father Lawrence Mick

Catholic News Service

The seven sacraments are alike, yet they are different. Right!?

--First, all the sacraments celebrate important moments in Christian life, but each marks a different experience.

full story

	Faith in the Marketplace
		This Week's Discussion Point: Vatican Council II asked Catholics to participate actively in the Mass. What makes you an active participant?
		Selected Response From Readers:

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This week's readings

Week of November 2 - 8

Sunday, November 2, 2003
Reading I: Is 25:6, 7-9
Reading II: Rom 6:3-9
Gospel: Jn 6:37-40

Monday, November 3, 2003
Reading I: Rom 11:29-36
Gospel: Lk 14:12-14

Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Reading I: Rom 12:5-16ab
Gospel: Lk 14:15-24

Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Reading I: Rom 13:8-10
Gospel: Lk 14:25-33

Thursday, November 6, 2003
Reading I: Rom 14:7-12
Gospel: Lk 15:1-10

Friday, November 7, 2003
Reading I: Rom 15:14-21
Gospel: Lk 16:1-8

Saturday, November 8, 2003
Reading I: Rom 16:3-9, 16, 22-27
Gospel: Lk 16:9-15

Pope's Prayer Intentions

November General Intention

The appreciation of the spirituality and liturgical traditions of the Oriental Churches: That Western Christians may enhance their knowledge and appreciation of the Oriental Churches.

November Mission Intention

Second American Missionary Congress: That at the Congress in Guatemala, the Church in the Americas may be inspired to evangelize beyond its own borders.

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