Fullness of Truth Catholic Evangelization Ministry\u2019s San Antonio conference, \u201cWhy Do Catholics Do That?\u201d answered frequently asked questions on Catholic faith, worship, culture, and customs.<\/p>\n
Blending religious history, a deep appreciation for art and culture, and an enlightened reverence for the traditions of the Church, the event, held at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort Aug. 24-26, was designed for anyone who wanted to learn more about the rituals, symbols, and traditions that can strengthen the faith every day. Fullness of Truth assembled a unique array of dynamic speakers to give fitting treatment to such an important scope of faith-building topics.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Gustavo Garc\u00eda-Siller, MSpS, celebrated the Sunday morning liturgy, and at the beginning of the Mass asked for prayers for victims of the clerical sexual abuse crisis.<\/p>\n
In his homily, he focused on the Gospel reading from John. \u201cDoes this shock you?\u201d Jesus asked his disciples. He had said that he is the Bread of Life and that those who eat his flesh and drank his blood will live forever. As listeners heard, \u201cmany of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.\u201d
\n\u201cDoes this shock you? Does it shake your faith? When are the times when you are tempted to break away?\u201d the archbishop questioned, listing a number of unexpected shocks of life that can shake our faith: A parent dies without warning, a youngster contracts a painful disease, a terrible crime intrudes on an innocent, peaceful life.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Gustavo acknowledged that recent reports of sexual abuse by priests and an archbishop, as well as the failure of some bishops to handle these matters appropriately, shock us. \u201cThey shake our faith. We feel anger, shame, confusion, disgust. These crimes and serious sins wound all of us.\u201d
\nPope Francis said in mid-August that \u201cif one member suffers, all suffer together with it\u201d (1 Cor 12:26). But Jesus asks us a second question: \u201cDo you also want to leave?\u201d The San Antonio prelate asked, \u201cIs Peter\u2019s response our own: \u2018To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.\u2019\u201d
\nPeter adds: \u201cWe have come to believe\u2026 that you are the Holy One of God.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFaith is not often arrived at in an instant. It is more gradual than that, like a seed growing in the earth,\u201d the archbishop continued, \u201cIronically, perhaps, faith often grows stronger in times of darkness and trial, when we might be tempted to believe that our faith is failing us.\u201d
\nThe Missionary of the Holy Spirit reminded conference attendees that we belong to the People of God \u2014 the sinful People of God, in constant need of conversion, reform, and renewal. \u201cThat includes each of us and all of us,\u201d he emphasized.\u201d When Pope Francis was asked by a journalist who he really is, the pope answered simply \u201cI am a sinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
We are all in this together, Archbishop Gustavo stressed. \u201cIf we are to reform and renew the Church \u2014 to get rid of the poison and evil that we sometimes find in our midst \u2014 we will have to work together, all of us. It can no longer be seen as simply the responsibility of the bishop or the priests,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause of our baptism we all share responsibility for the Church\u2019s mission and ministry. As missionary disciples of the risen Lord, we are to proclaim the gospel of love, especially through our daily actions. We are to bring healing to those who suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The archbishop concluded by saying Our Lady of Guadalupe is with us always.<\/p>\n
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