My last story was a little light hearted adventure of a second grade Catholic girl (me a hundred years ago.) This one is not so light hearted nor do I intend it to be so.
I am deeply troubled that so many of us forget that a little kindness can go a very long way. Let me give you a little more of my history at this point. I raised my daughter by myself and I didn't get to go to college until I was in my mid-thirties. I graduated magna cum laude from Community College and earned full scholarship to Barry University in Miami. Quite an accomplishment for someone who worked full-time, part-time and played seven week-end Masses each and every week. (Mind you I also had a teenage daughter!) My grade point average was 3.967.
Now, I am NOT blowing my own horn. I am neither a theologian nor a scholar. However, I studied at a Catholic University and have a double major in English and Religious Studies. I have a minor in music. I wanted to go into missions but the Lord kept me at home with my family.
I taught pre-K 3 through 12th grade at Catholic schools for over 20 years. Sometimes it is hard to remember where we came from and where we could be but for the grace of God. In all my years of teaching I really NEVER encountered even one young person with such passion for the Lord as some of the young people here on this board.
My concern is this. I have seen altogether too much sarcasm of late. If we ridicule and criticize someone because they are presenting different views from our own, then what are the chances that we can and will lose them altogether? I believe there is a more gentle and loving way to "teach" them the truths inherent in Sacred Scripture and Church Doctrine. Remember, when Jesus chastised with strong words he was speaking to Pharisees, not young, growing Christians.
Now I know that there must be priests, nuns and other religious out there in cyberland on this board.
I ask you to come forward and teach us to love again. Help us to compliment our youth on their heartfelt spiritual quest and commitment. Please help us to keep them in the fold. I, for one, don't want to lose one more sheep. 
In Love,
Donna
I am deeply troubled that so many of us forget that a little kindness can go a very long way. Let me give you a little more of my history at this point. I raised my daughter by myself and I didn't get to go to college until I was in my mid-thirties. I graduated magna cum laude from Community College and earned full scholarship to Barry University in Miami. Quite an accomplishment for someone who worked full-time, part-time and played seven week-end Masses each and every week. (Mind you I also had a teenage daughter!) My grade point average was 3.967.
Now, I am NOT blowing my own horn. I am neither a theologian nor a scholar. However, I studied at a Catholic University and have a double major in English and Religious Studies. I have a minor in music. I wanted to go into missions but the Lord kept me at home with my family.
I taught pre-K 3 through 12th grade at Catholic schools for over 20 years. Sometimes it is hard to remember where we came from and where we could be but for the grace of God. In all my years of teaching I really NEVER encountered even one young person with such passion for the Lord as some of the young people here on this board.
My concern is this. I have seen altogether too much sarcasm of late. If we ridicule and criticize someone because they are presenting different views from our own, then what are the chances that we can and will lose them altogether? I believe there is a more gentle and loving way to "teach" them the truths inherent in Sacred Scripture and Church Doctrine. Remember, when Jesus chastised with strong words he was speaking to Pharisees, not young, growing Christians.
Now I know that there must be priests, nuns and other religious out there in cyberland on this board.
I ask you to come forward and teach us to love again. Help us to compliment our youth on their heartfelt spiritual quest and commitment. Please help us to keep them in the fold. I, for one, don't want to lose one more sheep. In Love,
Donna
