Raymond de Souza to offer new series of talks in Winona, MN

This is to invite you and your friends to attend the first talk of the Apologetics program, to be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral[Winona, MN] on Monday, October 3rd at 7:00 pm.

It is titled, ‘De-Christianization’ and the New Evangelization’

It consists of a factual analysis of the process of de-Christianization of the Western Culture as expounded by Pius XI, Pius XII, John Paul II and Benedict XVI in the areas of economy, politics and law, and the corresponding Catholic response: a New Evangelization and Catholic Action.

If you would like to attend it, please ensure that you arrive before 7:00 pm so that it may start and end on time.

It will be followed by three other monthly talks:

November 14th – What is ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’? And WHO decides? Is it the State? The opinion of the majority? The individual choice? The Bible? An analysis of Natural Law aimed to identify the logical criteria to define the difference between good and evil in daily life.

December 12th - The divinity of Jesus Christ - Does it make sense to believe that a Jewish carpenter who lived in an obscure province of the Roman Empire some 2,000 years ago, who preached a message that was largely refused by his own people and who died like a common criminal between two thieves, was God in the flesh?

January 16th – The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist – What is present in the tabernacle? A sacred thing? Or a divine Person? Putting logic at the service of the Faith to investigate the meaning Jesus intended to give to His words, ‘This is my Body’.

 Photo

The Diocese of Winona has begun a dynamic new apologetics program lead by world renowned Catholic apologist Raymond de Souza.  This diocese has been making enormous leaps and bounds in the past year or two.  If you are in the area, these talks will be well worth your time.

"A holy game of ultimate frisbee"

Pictured here are students from Winona State University,
Saint Mary's University and Viterbo (La Crosse, Wis.) with
Sister Bernadette of the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St.
George and Fr. Tom Neihaus, during their retreat entitled,
"Mary: Mother of the Eucharist".

Thomas Parlin - Winona State University Newman Center- More than 30 students from the Universities of Winona State, Viterbo and St. Mary’s of Winona came together for retreat in Camp Ehawee, north of LaCrosse, the weekend of October 29-31. The theme of the retreat was “Mary: Mother of the Eucharist”.

The retreat was facilitated by Father Tom Niehaus from Winona’s Catholic Newman Center and Patrick Andera from Viterbo. The lodge of Camp Ehawee, a girl scout camp, was transformed into holy ground when a portable tabernacle was set up and the Body of Christ was placed in the monstrance in the center of the room. Since the whole retreat was in this one big room, students ate, slept and worshiped in the holy presence of Christ.

On the first night students participated in Perpetual Adoration, committing to taking turns praying before the Blessed Sacrament throughout the night. There were a series of talks which pointed to Mary and her role in God’s salvation plan for us in being the ultimate tabernacle for Christ. There were opportunities for students to reflect on these mysteries, and a holy game of ultimate frisbee. They were also well fed.

The students on the retreat were receptive to the message, willing to pray, and fun to be with. “The Retreat was one of healing and restoring energy away from our crazy lives at our respective college campuses...We could just be who God created us to freely be.” (Adreianna Spear from Waseca, Minnesota and a student at Winona State University). All who participated in this event were examples of the great thirst for holiness that is present in our young adults today.

Winona Courier; Dec 2010

At first glance I thought "great news, these schools need some solid devotions."  Then when I read it a second time, I got the sense the author of the article is a bit ....  what's the word.... confused?  I know the Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George are a solid order so I wouldn't expect shenanigans like co-ed sleeping arrangements on a retreat.

Was it Jesus who was being thrown around in this "holy game of ultimate frisbee"??