For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2016-07-24
Here is bulletin Bulletin_2016-07-24
For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2016-07-17
In case you couldn’t find the bulletin on St. Peter’s Sunday Bulletins page, here is Bulletin_2016-07-17
Sabbatical
My wife and I have decided that it is time to take a sabbatical. The Sheep of Kephas blog will not go away, but there will be no public analysis or commentary for an indefinite period of time.
Sunday bulletins will still be available at https://sheepofkephas.wordpress.com/st-peters-sunday-bulletins/
For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2016-07-10
Here is Bulletin_2016-07-10
Analysis and Commentary
1. What is Happening with Religious Ed? Last week in the post For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2016-07-03, we talked about “Like lambs among wolves.” This was commentary on the flyer for the “Vacation Bible School” (VBS) to be held at Washington Baptist Church. At the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday, Father further described the VBS as being “ecumenical.”
This week the notice for VBS is back, but it’s not a flyer. It’s carried as an item in the Pastor’s Piece, which is to say, it is carrying the full endorsement of our Pastor. Our Pastor wants our children to be immersed in this “ecumenical” environment even though “pre-K to rising 6th graders” are in no way capable of discerning or understanding Protestant nuances. This is not a faith building venture. This is a potential faith eroding or compromising venture.
Neither my wife nor I have participated in CCD/Religious Ed for decades. We haven’t a clue of how the St. Peter’s Religious Ed is operated or staffed. Nor do we know what texts are being used. We have heard that many orthodox and faithful parishioners have volunteered their time and effort and that the program is sound and well founded.
That leads us to a few questions. We welcome comments from anyone who has information that might be able to answer these questions.
Question 1: Who is the current Religious Ed Director? The last time a bulletin identified a Religious Ed Director was in August 2015. Prior to that, it was listed in every bulletin.
Question 2: Have there been any recent (last year or so) changes in the position of Religious Ed Director?
Question 3: To what extent has the current Religious Ed Director participated in promoting the “ecumenical” VBS?
Question 4: Have there been any recent significant changes in course materials or curricula for St. Peter’s Religious Ed program?
2. Churches and Community Picnic: On page two of the bulletin we are told that there will be a “Churches & Community Picnic” on July 24th. Unfortunately, Father doesn’t give all the details. The Rappahannock News gives a better account:
Community picnic – Sunday, July 24, 2014 • 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Washington Baptist and other area churches invite the community to a picnic in Rappahannock County Park from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be food, fellowship, music, sports (volleyball, softball, etc.), games for children and more. For more information, or if you wish to come but aren’t associated with a participating church, call 540-675-3336 (leave a name and party number).
All we can say is: “The kids get there chance to be “ecumenical” at Protestant VBS, and we older folks get our chance to be “ecumenical” at the “Community picnic.” Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, “ecumenical” was a word we never heard. The big difference then was Catholic children were raised in the Catholic faith and our parish provided everything a Catholic community needed. I’m just sayin’ ….
For the Sheep in Exile – Bulletin 2016-07-03
Here is Bulletin_2016-07-03
As I said on June 17th in For the Sheep in Exile – 2016-06-19:
So, that is it. Today I have made an internal “reset”. I will remain and resist. I have no time left in my life to squander on fruitless, passive resistance while awaiting a pastor’s reassignment or retirement. For me, there is only time enough left to speak up and act out. … I will work in sustained, active resistance to thwart the plans of this modernist, activist, community organizing, radical pastor our Diocese has given us.
Today, my wife has joined even more closely with me in this sentiment. Her words are simple and direct, “Souls are being lost.”
Do you need an example? If you do, please follow me on this pilgrimage narrative.
Like Lambs among Wolves:
In the Pastor’s Piece on page four of the bulletin, Father supposedly quotes LUKE 20:3 (actually he is quoting LUKE 10:3) thusly:
“Go on you way: behold I am sending you like lambs among wolves.“
We know that Jesus had appointed the seventy-two and prepared them to go out among the wolves. That, of course, is the classic interpretation. Yet, when our Pastor says those words, we wonder if we should not take him more literally. This week’s bulletin flyer gives us an excellent example of how the shepherd of our flock would just as soon pack up our young ones, our precious lambs, and send them off for safekeeping in the wolves’ lair itself.
Before we launch into this, let’s take a moment for a few clear statements:
1. We are Catholics. We have the Sacraments and the Real Presence, and so much more.
2. Baptists are not Catholics. They do not have what the Catholic Church has.
3. Episcopalians are not Catholics. They do not have what the Catholic Church has.
4. There is never a need for Catholics to go to Baptists or Episcopalians for anything spiritual.
5. There is every need for Baptists and Episcopalians to come back home to the Catholic Church.
In the flyer you see on the left, please note the wording:
Pilgrimage – Seeking the Kingdom of God
Where does that come from? No, it doesn’t come from the Washington Baptist Church. Rather, it comes from Trinity Episcopal Church. The June 2nd edition of the Rappahannock Times tells us:
Bible School
Vacation Bible School is the week of July 18-22 from 9 a.m. to noon at Washington Baptist Church. The theme this year is “Pilgrimage” and the fellowship hall will be decorated as in Medieval times. Several churches come together to host this fun week, and kids of all ages are welcome (teenagers can be volunteer helpers) There will be a Medieval carnival for all on Friday. For more information, call 540- 675-3716 or email contactus@trinwash.org.
When you go to the Summer edition of the Trinity Times, you will find:
Vacation Bible School July 18-22 9am-noon at Washington Baptist Church“Pilgrimage” theme and medieval carnival on Friday
Be Sure to Claim your Spot at VBS!It’s not too late to sign up for Vacation Bible School! Please join us for a week of stories, song, crafts, and medieval fun in Pilgrimage: Seeking the Kingdom of God. You can register your child as a camper, or your youth and yourself as volunteers by visiting bit.ly/CCAlexVBS.
LeaderResources was founded in 1994 by the Rev. Linda L. Grenz. Linda previously served as the staff person for adult education, leadership and lay ministry development for the Episcopal Church. When the national church eliminated that office, Linda took the work and consultants and established LeaderResources as her primary ministry as a priest of the church.
The Sheep of Kephas 