Springboard Questions
Business items
- Any updates on the service project or social outing?
- Who’s been the most influential person in your life?
- Do you have any pets? Anything unusual? (Fr. Brannen once had a monkey!)
Video
Celibacy, Chastity, Charity, and Cheerfulness (10 minutes)
- General reactions to the video.
Readings
Read aloud: Pages 215-218 in To Save a Thousand Souls
- General reactions to the reading.
- The author speaks of a widespread “sexual abuse” because of our sexually disordered culture. How does this impact discerning celibacy?
- “I can never become a priest because I like girls too much.” But there are 400,000 celibate priests in the world today! What does this teach us about sexuality? About self-mastery? About the grace of God?
- Do you think living a celibate life could lead to joy and happiness? Why or why not?
Read aloud: Pages 234-235, section “Is it Ethically Permissible for a Man Who is Seriously Discerning Priesthood to Date?” in To Save a Thousand Souls
- General reactions to the reading.
- What is your reaction to the idea of a dating fast? Be honest!
- At what point in discerning priesthood do you think you would need to enter a “dating fast”?
- Giving up a wife and family for the mystical Bride of Christ might seem ludicrous to many people in our society. How would you explain this to them?
Read aloud: Page 244, section “The Permanent Deacon Compromise” in To Save a Thousand Souls
- General reactions to the reading.
- In your own words, why does the “Permanent Deacon Compromise” not work?
Next Meeting
Please read, “Signs of a Priestly Vocation” (Chapter 5 in To Save a Thousand Souls)