As I was reading the lengthy and magnificent document that Pope Francis wrote about the synod on the family, I felt as though I was reading the thoughts of a parish priest. Some of the pope’s insights reminded me of the type of encouragement and instruction that a parish priest might give to a couple preparing for marriage.
Arts and Culture
Fr. Robert Lauder is a philosophy professor at St. John’s University and the author of “Pope Francis’ Spirituality and Our Story” (Resurrection Press).
Don’t Flee From Reality, Trust It
My taste in theatre and film seems strange to some of my friends. I can understand why, though I think I can offer a good justification for my artistic preferences.
Father Lauder’s Friday Film Festival
Elia Kazan’s “Pinky” (1949), starring Jeanne Crain, Ethel Waters and William Lundigan, is this week’s featured film in Father Robert Lauder’s 52nd Friday Film Festival at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. The diocesan Office of Faith Formation, School of Evangelization co-sponsors the festival.
Person: Finite And Infinite
Helping college students to think deeply about philosophical questions is not easy. The task of the teacher is to make philosophical questions real for the students, to help them make the questions and topics in a course their questions and topics.
Interpersonal Relationships
Our culture may deceive and trick us into thinking that our ultimate fulfillment will be reached when we possess something or some set of things. It is just not true that some possession will fulfill the human heart. The truth is that the activities that will fulfill us are loving and being loved.
A Theologian’s Insights
There is no way to summarize Cooke’s writings in “The Essential Writings of Bernard Cooke: A Narrative Theology of Church, Sacrament and Ministry.” They cover too much territory in the history of theology and in Cooke’s journey toward his theological synthesis. But I can quote his insights.
Questions of Conscience
During his life, Father Dan Berrigan disturbed my conscience. And when I think of the commitment he made to following Christ and the courage he evidenced in fulfilling that commitment, he continues to challenge me.
Father Lauder’s Fall Film Festival Kicks Off Sept. 9
Father Robert Lauder and the Office of Faith Formation, School of Evangelization, are proud to present the 52nd Friday Film Festival at the Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center in Douglaston, on six Fridays in the fall.
Art, Story and Film
During the last few years my understanding of the mystery of Divine Revelation has changed dramatically. For years I thought of Divine Revelation as God sending down sentences to us that offered solutions to all of life’s problems. I now think that Divine Revelation is much more wonderful than that.
Redemption Is Found Outside of The Self
The self-made person is a fiction, and recognizing our need for help is a huge step toward maturity and self-awareness.