Learning and Teaching Vatican II

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As I remarked in another post, I am co-teaching a course on the Second Vatican Council this semester for my diocese's catechesis curriculm.  In the spirit of being a good Church historian and catechist, I decided that the best way to prepare for that course would be to READ THE DOCUMENTS OF THE COUNCIL.  What a novel idea!

In my short time as a Catholic, I have been in conversation with people who have never read any portion of the Council's teaching, but certainly can offer their opinions about the way the Church ought to operate in this modern age.  In my humblest academic opinion, that is bad scholarship.

 And so I continue my efforts to read the very words of the Council Fathers who were certainly guided by the Holy Spirit.  I am overwhelmed each time I turn a page and find countless phrases that offer ripe material for prayer, meditation, and expanded teaching.  I do not know how I will ever be able to teach Gaudium et Spes in two hours!

Please pray for the "success" of this course: that participants will come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of what this Council said and intended.  Pray that the so-called "Spirit of Vatican II" will be replaced by the authentic teaching of Vatican II.

(And, if you're interested in bringing this course to your parish, please let me know via the comments page.)

God bless!

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