Formed In Faith
Sharing the Word through Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Louisville
6 reasons why I ‘hate’ Lent (A tongue-in-cheek look at Lent)
By Cory Busse
This morning, my 10-year-old showed me an infographic on Lent.
An infographic.
On Lent.
There’s nothing quite like the innocence of a child and an illustrated guide to fasting and abstinence to remind me of all the reasons no one genuinely looks forward to this time of year.
Here are six reasons to hate how Lent forces us to be our best selves.
1. It reminds me that I’m not the center of the universe.
Give me Advent any day. Advent is fun. There’s a hustle and bustle about it. A person can really get swept up in the preparation and the lights and the magic and the promise of a new Baby Jesus. A Catholic — even a good, lifelong Catholic who went to eight years of Catholic elementary school and graduated from a reputable Catholic university — can get blissfully distracted by things like presents and trees and the familiar, comforting hymns at Mass. Advent is my jam. Lent has no such bells or whistles. Full of dirges and reflection, Lent only serves to distract me from my own self-absorption. It is — by a factor of a full two weeks — longer than Advent without any of the glib, sparkly diversions to take my mind off of Jesus. At least in the lead-up to Christmas, I can feel good about myself by dropping some change in a red kettle without really investing in a spirit of giving. Lent doesn’t allow me that kind of room to take my eye off the ball. Lent persistently reminds me that it’s not about me, but that it’s about Jesus and what his death and resurrection mean. And what fun is that?
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New Orleans and the Catholic Imagination
I woke up this morning in northern Indiana, I felt deeply sad. Some might assume that it is the perma-cloud that has reasserted its wintry authority over South Bend. Some would tell me that it’s the pile of papers that must be graded over the next three days.
Both are wrong. It’s because today is Mardi Gras, and I’m not in New Orleans.
When I tell people that I love New Orleans especially around Mardi Gras, a number of assumptions are made about me as a person. People imagine me as the kind of person who likes to wander drunkenly down Bourbon St., my feet immersed in some unidentified liquid, while my body brushes against a crowd of half-clothed human beings.
They think to themselves how can a Catholic theologian, who is supposed to be piously engaged in theological education and research, enjoy this kind of debauchery?
Lenten Retreat
Have you registered for the Lenten retreat yet?
We have added a class to our Spring calendar!
And don’t forget to register for the upcoming Lenten retreat.
Class Cancellation
Encountering Religious Vocation in the Classroom on 2/20/20 has been cancelled.
Look for this class to return in the Fall.
National Gathering on Christian Initiation, July 2020
Are you involved with RCIA at your parish?
Do you work with children in the initiation process?
Plan to attended the 2020 National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ on July 2–3 at the Loyola University Chicago Lakeshore Campus, located in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. A conference for parish leaders, initiation ministers, and regional or diocesan trainers, the National Gathering on Christian Initiation™ explores the theoretical and practical aspects of initiation ministry. Through interactive sessions, meetings, and prayer opportunities, participants will understand more deeply that the vision of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the vision of the parish as a community of disciples.
University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community
The Archdiocese of Louisville is a partner diocese with the VLCFF.
Haven’t taken a course in at least 5 years?
Email John, JLeComte1@udayton.edu, about a take one, get one special!
Click here to see Cycle 2 course list. Starts March 1 !
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Training at St. Meinrad
If you are ready to revitalize formation and discipleship of young people, you might consider learning more about an approach that incorporates wonder, discovery, and encounter. Children and young people discover who God is and begin to deepen their gift of faith by nurturing their capacity for encounter, engaging their imagination and developing a lifelong relationship with the divine. Saint Meinrad is offering a unique opportunity to equip leaders to implement Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as an innovative approach for formation and discipleship.
When: June 10-14, 2020; July 16-19, 2020; and January 7-10, 2021 (90 contact hours for national certification)
Where: Saint Meinrad campus, 200 Hill Drive, St. Meinrad, IN 47577
For more information or to talk about the availability of schol
arships contact Agnes Kovacs at St. Meinrad
Agnes M. Kovacs
Director, Continuing Formation
Associate Director, Graduate Theology Programs
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
200 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577
Ph: 812-357-6087
Archdiocese of Louisville
USCCB
