Nurturing faith in challenging times
by Lucille O’Donnell
The word mandate is defined in the dictionary as an authoritative command or instruction. Our culture today finds this term harsh and does not like to hear it. Some people find that it restricts them from doing what they want to do.
Yet, every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we are mandated to go now to love and serve the Lord, to bring the Eucharist to everyone we meet, and everything we do throughout the week.
A college student in a social justice class, having never before heard the principles and values of the Catholic Social Teachings, wrote in her reflection paper on the course:
I’m impressed with the Catholic Social Teachings and support them wholeheartedly. I do not understand why, when there are so many Catholic people in the world who have been given the directive of the Catholic Social Teachings, the world is still so far from anything resembling its ideal.
Conversion of heart must lead to evangelization. By virtue of our baptism, we have been called to go out as disciples of Jesus and evangelize. It can no longer remain the church’s best secret. It is our mission. It is a directive, a mandate. We have no choice.
Lucille O’Donnell is assistant professor of Occupational Therapy, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN.
Upcoming RENEW 2000 cable programs
Pardon & Peace
Holy Week
This is the Night
Faith Formation
How to go to Confession
Sacraments & Reconciliation
Sin & Forgiveness
RENEW 2000 CAN Cable Access Network is offering the RENEW program schedule in the following communities:
Time Warner Channel 12, New Ulm
CCTV Channel 13, North Mankato
HCVN Channel 10, Hutchinson
Community Access Channel 8, Marshall
WRAC Channel 8, Willmar
Public Access Channel 8, Gibbon
Public Access Channel 3, Bird Island
Triax Public Access Channel 8, Fairfax
CATV Public Access Channel 7, Henderson
Public Access Channel 23, Watkins
(See local dates & times on page 11 - Good News TV & Radio)
Free cable programming discussion guides for RENEW 2000 programs are available from the Office of Communications. (507) 233-5330.