'Relying on Christ' at Clergy Retreat
FREE Catholic Classes
June 25, 2013 - 7:51 PDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
STEUBENVILLE, OH (June 25, 2013) - "We're meant to be bringing the Logos to touch people," said Father Francis Martin at the 2013 Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians Retreat at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Talking about the power of the Word of God, Father Martin, renowned Scripture scholar and professor emeritus of New Testament at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., said that the clergy must strive to fight the deterioration of society.
"We cannot stand by. It could get scarier, but we just have to say, 'I might not have the guts to go to jail or get killed, but if I'm supposed to do that, You'll be there--and I can rely on You,'" said Father Martin, who has been a leading speaker at this retreat for many years.
Held June 17 to 21, the retreat offered daily Mass, opportunities for confession, eucharistic adoration, and praise and worship, plus ample time for quiet prayer and fellowship.
Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of the Diocese of Steubenville, discussed how the world's standards divide people into categories by emphasizing love of friends and hatred of enemies.
"We are not to discriminate in our love, our priestly, ministerial service because the Son of God unconditionally loves," he explained. "Jesus points out clearly that our human activity must exceed world standards."
Dr. John Bergsma and Dr. Scott Hahn, both Franciscan University theology professors, converts to Catholicism and popular speakers, spoke on the reality of spiritual warfare within the clergy in their talks.
Bergsma focused on sacrament of confession as being one of the main tools for spiritual warfare in the Catholic life. Describing the stereotypical view of confession, including the uninteresting Saturday afternoons, dust motes floating in the nearly-silent church, and sleepy, solemn penitents, he explained that there is so much more going on than meets the human eye.
"It doesn't seem very exciting," he said. "But if we saw with the eyes of faith, we would hear the clash of shield and buckler on sword and spear. We would hear the screams of the spirits and the breaking of chains as people are experiencing release and freedom in the spiritual life. That's the vision we need to communicate to the Catholic people."
Similarly, Hahn stressed the significance of seeing liturgical worship as spiritual warfare.
"Every Mass we celebrate the liturgy of the Word and the Sacrament," said Hahn. "Every liturgy is a celebration and a participation in this unspeakable, this ineffable mystery of Divine love that is life-giving."
He encouraged participants to stay strong in their vocations and never to give up hope, mentioning Christ's words, "And so it is, when two or three come together 'in my Name, I am with them.'"
"Nobody enters the priesthood because this is something of a reward," he added. "No: it is a remedy. Not only for the weaknesses of the laity, but for yours as well. To give you what you need, what we need, to make up for what you lack and what we lack as laypeople. But the joy together in Eucharistic adoration is what not only makes us sons of God, but will take us from grace to glory and make us saints."
Father Sean Sheridan, TOR, president of Franciscan University thanked the clergy for coming to participate in the retreat.
"We as men who have been called by God in a very special way to witness to our Faith... makes me think of the stories in the Gospel of how Jesus called the first disciples," he said. "And the quick response we see from so many of them--that they dropped their nets and followed the Lord. Dropping our nets is something we have done to be able to be here. To be able to follow what God has asked each one of us to do."
The retreat-goers found the blend of talks and prayer time to be remarkably inspiring.
"I've been coming for 30 years," said Father Bryan Eyman, a Byzantine Catholic priest of the Eparchy of Parma in Ohio. "It's great teaching, great fellowship."
Tom Marshall of Gardner, Massachusetts, who will be ordained a deacon in two years, said this is his first time at the retreat and that it was "very spiritual and very uplifting."
"It's definitely very sustaining," he said. "This gives me something to take back to my diaconate classes."
Upcoming Franciscan University summer conferences include the St. John Bosco Conference for Catholic Educators (July 17-21), the Applied Biblical Studies Conference for anyone seeking a deeper knowledge and understanding of Scripture (July 24-26), and the Defending the Faith Conference, which focuses on Catholic apologetics (July 26-28).
For more information, including a complete list of conferences for adults and youth, visit www.franciscanconferences.com.
Contact
Franciscan University of Steubenville
http://www.franciscan.edu
OH, 43952 US
Tom Sofio - Associate Director of Public Relations,
Keywords
Franciscan University of Steubenville, vocations, priesthood, retreat
Category
Catholic Vocations
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177
When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT
GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT
The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT
OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT
Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT
The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT
17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT
19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT
The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT
OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT
Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT
Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT
How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT
Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT
OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT
Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT
CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT
Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT
Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT
Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT
Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT
Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT
Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT
AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT
Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT
Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT
ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT
Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT
NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT
Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT
#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT
Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT
Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT
Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT
Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT
Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT
OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT
Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT
Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT
Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT
Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT
Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT
Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT
New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT
Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST