Salve! Welcome to Ad Vitam Aeternam

Posted on 11 February 2011 by Fr. Randy

This blog chronicles Christ centered reflections about our era.

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Beauty in the New Roman Missal

Posted on 17 May 2012 by Fr. Randy

Well, I have been saying the Mass from the Third Edition of the Roman Missal for nearly six month and I have to say, aside from a tricky opening prayer from time to time, I really like it.  For the most part it is on par with the last edition, but once in a while, I am really struck by how wonderful and beautiful and spiritual the text is.  While I could probably sight many examples, I will give just three in this post.

When the priest or deacon purifies the vessels after the distribution, he is supposed to say a special prayer.  I had the old one memorized, and I even slip into saying once in a while, but I really like the new translation.  It is more profound and I feel like it gives me a great moment of prayer within the Mass.  Here it is: Continue reading →

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Searching for Moments

Posted on 12 May 2012 by Fr. Randy

I recently watched the movie One Week.  It is about a young man who finds out that he has terminal cancer and has less than a month to live.  He decides to buy a motorcycle and set off on a cross country trip.  The movie captures a variety of the young man’s poignant reflections as he makes all sorts of new acquaintances.  In one scene, whilst hiking in the woods he meets up with a woman who is camping.  After what appears to have been a few hour conversation he asks the woman what she would do if she knew she had only a week to live.  Her response is simple, she states that she would be doing exactly what she was already doing.  Then she posses the same question back to the young man and his response is that he would “sleep” with the woman.  After a short pause, he states rather bluntly, “I’m just searching for moments.” Continue reading →

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Clarifying the Catholic Church’s mission

Posted on 9 May 2012 by Fr. Randy

The following article appeared in the Summit Daily on Tuesday, May 8, 2012. It was written by Morgan Liddick and I think he did a really great job:

I blame Bill Ritter. The following thoughts, percolating for awhile, were finally pulled into focus by the former governor’s recent comments on the Catholic Church. Published as an op-ed in the Denver Post, they are one example among many of the problems the political class has with this venerable institution.

“A Departure from the Catholic Church’s Mission,” the headline cried. Now, as a columnist I know the ex-guv didn’t pen that line: headlines are all generated in a giant factory buried deep beneath Cleveland. Still, it nicely captures Ritter’s argument: The church’s longstanding efforts on behalf of the poor, the downtrodden, the vulnerable; its quest for “justice” and “service,” are being derailed by “conservative activists” in the hierarchy. Nor is he alone in his criticism: From New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd to the White House, from Nancy Pelosi to Paul Ryan, our pols and their hangers-on have trouble deciphering what the church is about. Or maybe they are engaged in that longstanding American tradition, a willful failure to understand. Continue reading →

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Dissecting The Hunger Games Phenomenon, Part 5: Where will the Hunger Games phenomenon take us?

Posted on 30 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

There were four girls named Jennifer in my six grade class.  I have no doubt that in 12-15 years many sixth grade boys will be wondering why there are so many girls named Katniss in theirs.  I also think that it would be a smart idea for tattoo artists to begin practicing up on the mocking jay logo.  I am sure that you could come up with a variety of similar ideas that will make their way through our secular culture.  While The Hunger Games is certainly popular right now, I believe that this is nothing compared to what it will be like in early November of 2013, when we will be Continue reading →

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Dissecting The Hunger Games Phenomenon, Part 4: What is a Christian to think of the Hunger Games?

Posted on 25 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

This is one area where plenty of bloggers have opined.  I suggest that if you don’t find what you are looking for here, just search for the topic and you will find plenty to read.  My basic answer to this question is that Christains ought to do what we do with everything else that is secular.  Search for and promote what is virtuous and worthy, and call out what is vicious and unworthy.  There are certainly many virtues and Gospel values that can be found even though this story is completely void of religion.  I do not think that the story is of any particular merit, but because The Hunger Games is so popular, it can serve as an opportunity to have meaningful conversations.  Here are three areas I would have discussions about: Continue reading →

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Dissecting The Hunger Games Phenomenon, Part 3: Does The Hunger Games matter?

Posted on 21 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

It must matter enough for me to write 5 blog entries.  The bigger questions are: Should it matter?  Is it in fact worthy of recognition?  Is it profound or merely hype?

I will say this, the movie is good.  It is very entertaining, but not Academy Awards good.  Similarly, the book is good.  It is entertaining, but not Noble or Pulitzer good.  The Hunger Games flirts with profundity, but never gets there.  It’s a pool without a deep end.  Some ideas hint at depth, but once the last page comes along, it’s all a tease; a fun and entertaining tease, but nevertheless a tease.  So, to answer my question I would have to say that it is hype, which is not to say that no good can come from it. Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Evangelization, General, Virtues | 1 Comment

Dissecting The Hunger Games Phenomenon, Part 2: Why is The Hunger Games so popular?

Posted on 18 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

It would be difficult to argue that The Hunger Games is not popular.  The book has 36 million copies in print (I don’t know if that includes digital figures) and the movie has earned $470 million at worldwide box-office (both figures as of 4/13/12).  What we have here is something that looks like it will be as if not more popular than Harry Potter and Twilight.  So it’s popular, okay, but why?  Plenty have speculated, so I figured I would throw my two cents in.  Here are my thoughts:

1. American Idol-  This is the number one show for the past decade.  They go around the entire country picking up joe nobodies and bring them Hollywood where they dress them up and parade them around.  Then they compete until Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Evangelization, General, Virtues | 2 Comments

What is love? Understanding the 4 loves

Posted on 16 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

I love pizza! Which is a problem, because I also love my mom. So depending on what “love” means, either my love for my mother is shallow or I have a disordered attachment to pizza. We would say, probably I mean two different things.

The English language has many short comings, one of which is the word love. We throw it out there for many things, and we also reserve it for something very special. Like, for instance, the sacrament of matrimony.

The Greeks have four different words for Love: Philia, Storge, Eros, & Agape. Philia is the friendship love that is experienced between people who are not from the same family. Ideas that help define this kind of love are camaraderie, team work, shared interests, fellowship, etc. We all have many people that we have a philia love for. Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelization, General, Sacraments, Virtues | 1 Comment

Dissecting The Hunger Games Phenomenon, Part 1: Introduction

Posted on 14 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

Why have I spent nearly $30 on the Hunger Games?  Phenomenon is defined as a situation that is observed to exist or happen, esp. one whose cause or explanation is in question.  The Hunger Games is truly a phenomenon.  As a secular priest, I feel it is my duty to be able to understand such things so that I can intelligently analyze them and ultimately shepherd the people of God.  So, I have taken considerable interest in the Hunger Games which I feel is a snowball that has become an avalanche.  I want to understand where it came from and what it is.  More importantly, what does it mean or what should it mean for a Christian.

I didn’t want to write one long blog containing several tangents, so I have decided to write 5 blog entries.  This first one is more of an introduction.  Part 2 will try to answer the question: Why is the Hunger Continue reading →

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Encountering the “Shoulds” of Life

Posted on 7 April 2012 by Fr. Randy

Molly Jo announced to her co-workers that she was pregnant.  Her morning cheer changed into afternoon sorrow, what happened?  She was informed of what she “should” do, i.e., quit smoking, stop drinking, read several books, start saving for college, take these vitamins, etc.  The influx of “shoulds” defeated her.  Having a baby seemed to be a burden.  Molly Jo was comparing where she was at, in the moment, with the ideal of what an expectant mother “should” be.

I think we have all encountered, and become victims to, the “shoulds” of life.  When we compare an ideal future with a negative present reality, our internal response is often pessimistic.  We are oppressed, rather than inspired, by the thing we “should” be doing Continue reading →

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