Are You There God?
I’ve heard it. You’ve heard it. We’ve all heard it. “You can’t prove God exists!”
It seems like more and more people these days only believe in what they can see, touch, hear, taste, and smell. It’s all about what our senses can experience and what we can wrap our brains around. Pope Benedict XVI has declared a Year of Faith for us all to get back to the basics and proclaim that there is more to life than only what we can see! Every Sunday we proclaim, “I believe in God the Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all things visible and invisible.” At every Sunday Mass we reaffirm our belief that God has created all things and that the visible world is not all that there is. Right about now, it would be a really good idea to take a good hard look at where Faith and Reason cross paths. You see, as Catholics, we know that there is nothing that science can discover that will contradict our faith; our God is the Creator of the whole universe and He is the author of truth. So anything that is true, anything that we can find out about our world, just leads us to know our God more and more. One of the most wonderful aspects of our Catholic faith is that we have 2,000 years of reflection and teaching on all areas of our faith. One of the most famous teachers we have at our disposal is St. Thomas Aquinas, who just might be one of the most intelligent men to ever walk the earth. St. Thomas came up with five ways that we can prove the existence of God using our reason, without ever having to use the Bible or the Catechism or anything that people who aren’t believers wouldn’t consider real evidence. So, let’s dive in!
1. Motion
Everyone can see that motion exists in the world; your eyes are moving across these words right now. Everything that moves is caused to move by something or someone else, your living room furniture isn’t just going to rearrange itself (let’s hope!). If everything that moves has to be moved by something outside of itself, there has to be a “first mover” that caused motion to exist for the very first time, or else we just have to keep going back in time to infinity, which is impossible! This first mover is what we call God.
2. Cause & Effect
Everything that exists was caused to exist; fire causes heat, rain causes crops to grow, your parents caused you! If a lump of clay is sitting on the table in front of you, it’s not going to shape itself into a vase. That’s impossible, and unless you form the clay yourself it’s just going to sit there. So since everything that is created needs a cause, there must be a first, ultimate cause, which we call God.
3. Existence
Our third way is the argument from existence. The computer or smartphone that you are using to read this article on did not exist at some point in the past, it had to be put together and created. The same is true with creation! It exists now, but at some point it had to come into existence, which every scientist in the world would admit. And since “nothing” can’t become “something,” there must be something that exists by its own power that makes everything else to exist. And . . . that would be God.
4. Progression
So then we have the argument from progression. There are things that are good, better, and best. However, we can only say that things are better and best if we know that there is something out there that has to be the maximum of all these things – fire is the maximum of heat and makes everything else hot. God is the cause of all other things, and He is the maximum of all that can be.
5. Design
The last argument is from the design of the world. An acorn will always grow into an oak tree and the sun will always cause plants to grow as long as there is water and oxygen. The world has order and our universe obeys certain laws, St. Thomas uses the example of an arrow that is fired by an archer. The arrow will only fly through the air and hit the target if it is directed by an archer, and what directs our universe to act the way it does with knowledge and intelligence is what we call God.
Pretty cool right? With some basic logic (and a little bit of time to think about things), believing that there is a God isn’t as unreasonable as some people out there might think.
Elphin Youth Ministry - Pre-Leaving Certificate Faith & Life Celebration
Elphin Youth Ministry hosted, what has now become an annual event, the Pre-Leaving Certificate Faith and Life Celebration on Friday 27th April 2012, in Kilbride Community Centre, Four Mile House. The event was attended by over three hundred young people from various schools around the diocese.
Fr. Benny McHale was the main speaker again this year and his words resonated profoundly with the young people as he shared deeply from his reservoir of experience of life and faith, capturing their attention with personal stories, humour, anecdotes and moments of prayer and reflection
Sinead McKiernan shared her story of recovery from alcohol. The thirty-five year old explained how she is now three years sober thanks to her family and Cuan Mhuire rehabilitation centre in Athy, Co. Kildare. As a teenager Sinead began to drink at thirteen and gradually began to use drink as a crutch to help her cope with her problems. Her life gradually spiralled out of control to the point where she became totally dependent on alcohol, having detrimental effects on her career and health. Eventually, after hitting rock bottom, she made a decision to seek help. She is now completing her studies to qualify as a counsellor. She passionately implored the young people present not to use alcohol as a remedy for other problems and to seek help early on if they find themselves experiencing early signs of addiction.
Helen Toner, the Director of Youth Ministry, Knock Shrine, shared her journey of faith and belief in Jesus with the group. Helen is in her twenties and gave a strong testimony about the presence of God in her life. She said that as a teenager she began to pray to God and began to discover a new peace and joy. She encouraged the young people to be honest with God in their prayer and to ask him into their lives assuring them that he will respond. Helen invited those present to come to Knock on Saturday 28th July for the Summer Youth Festival where hundreds of young people will gather to celebrate their faith.
A special word of thanks to Fr. Raymond Browne, PP Kilbride for his warm welcome; to Ita Kelly and the Kilbride Community Centre Committee for facilitating the event, to Elation Ministries for their energetic and prayerful music and in particular to the Principal’s and Staff of the schools who generously gave of their time and effort to support the event.
Frank McGuinness, Director of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Elphin, 087 9880690
Official World Youth Day 2011 Pilgrimage
Official Pilgrimage to World Youth, Madrid, 2011
In the arms of Our Lady – “Planted and Built up in Christ, Firm in the Faith” (St. Paul)
It was the culmination of nearly a year’s preparation, a journey that had involved so many people in so many different ways: advertising and promotion; communication and fundraising, hundreds of texts and phone calls, good will and prayer. Finally it was here, our group of twenty-five young people from the Diocese of Elphin, including members of the Christian music group Elation Ministries gathered at Dublin Airport. Wearing bright green t-shirts, so generously sponsored by the Knights of Columbanus we queued with hundreds of other young people from dioceses throughout Ireland who were flying to the Spanish capital, Madrid, for World Youth Day, 2011. This gathering of youth attended by the Pope has become one of the largest gatherings of young people in the world, and occurs every two or three years at different locations. It was the 15th of August, the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady. Conscious of this special solemnity of Our Lady and aware that God willing we would be returning eight days later on the 22nd of August the feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as though our Lady had wrapped her motherly love around our pilgrimage, I quietly prayed to her to intercede for this group of young people, that through this experience they would truly meet her Son and that in tune with the theme for World Youth Day, the would indeed be planted and built up in Christ, firm in the faith. Two and half hours later the sense of expectation and excitement was palpable as we stepped off the plane to a balmy evening in Madrid.
A City of God!
What an occasion! The colour; the excitement; the fervour; the enthusiasm; the goodwill; the celebration; the joy; the fun and festivity. It was refreshing, contagious, and inspiring. All in the name of faith in Jesus Christ! The spirit of faith embodied by young Catholics of all cultures and expressions very quickly transformed Spain’s capital city into a literal City of God. Madrid’s renowned metro system, one of the best in the world which prides itself in its efficiency and cleanliness was transformed into a circulation system, bringing new life as it transported young people to every part of the capital, transforming every inch by their faith, hope and love. Every train became an auditorium, every platform a stage where our lives intersected in a common bond of faith with hundreds of thousands of others. We shared our food and water, our anthems and chants, our stories, our culture and language, our fears and failures, our hopes and dreams. Madrid, a city no longer but rather a living Gospel, read in the faces of the young people, in the goodwill on the streets, in the tolerance and humility shown in the large queues, in the deep profound moments of silence of multitudes of people, in the sheer joy of celebration of the uniqueness of cultures sharing a common faith. Christianity was always meant to attract, authentic Christianity always does!
Planted and Built Up in Christ, Firm in the Faith.
On Thursday afternoon along with thousands of others we welcomed the Pope into the city. As he made his way to the Papal Nunciature he passed just yards from us as we joined in with the now universal chant - ES TA ES LA JUVENTUD DEL PAPA! – here we are, the young people of the Pope! Later that evening we gathered in the streets around the city centre’s famous Plazza de Cibeles for the opening Mass. At 7.15 pm or so the giant screens carried pictures of the Pope mobile and the ceremony had begun – the Pope entered the Puerta de Alcalá hand in hand with a young person from each of the five continents. Receiving the keys of the city from Madrid’s Lord Mayor, he was welcomed by a display of Andalucian horses. A hundred Spanish guitarists then accompanied him to the podium where an evening of music and reflection took place. Addressing the massive crowd the Holy Father began: You have responded in great numbers to the Lord’s call to come and meet him in Madrid. I congratulate you for this! Welcome to World Youth Day! You have brought with you profound questions, and you are seeking answers. It is always a good thing to keep seeking. Above all seek the Truth, which is not an idea or an ideology or a slogan, but a person, Christ, God himself who has come into our midst! You rightly wish to plant your faith in him, to ground your life in Christ. He has always loved you and he knows you better than anyone else. May these days so rich in prayer, teaching and encounters, help you to rediscover this, so that you may love him all the more.
Spiritual Programme
In anticipation of this opening address by the Holy Father our group while journeying together to all the main events also journeyed together spiritually each day with our own spiritual programme of prayer, mass and a specific theme. Led by our Spiritual Director, Fr. Michael Duignan we endeavoured to delve deeper into our catholic faith and seek this truth – Jesus Christ whom our Church proposes to us as The Way, The Truth and the Life.
The Climax – Building up a Storm
The all-night vigil in the open air on the Saturday followed by the celebration of the Sunday Mass with the Holy Father is the climax of the event. In the searing heat of over 40 degrees celsius we made our way with hundreds of thousands to our venue Cuatros Vientos, an airfield in the south of the city, helped greatly on our way through the streets by locals showering us with water from their upstairs apartments and cheering us on. On arriving we encountered a vision that I will never forget, a sea of people, standing, moving shoulder to shoulder, as far as the eye could see, flags from every nation, people of every skin colour and language. A line from the book of Revelation immediately came to mind, “I saw a great crowd, impossible to count, from every nation, race, people and tongue, standing before the throne and the Lamb.” (Rev 7:9). The Pope arrived for the vigil, welcomed by the Spanish crowned Prince Filipe and his wife Princess Letizia. As the liturgy began the sky darkened, the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled. Suddenly, just as the Pope began to speak, a storm force wind and heavy rain engulfed the podium and vast arena, stalling the ceremony and sending some people running for cover, while others sang and danced until it subsided. Addressing the crowd Pope Benedict re-invigorated the vast crowd with these apt words: Dear Friends, may no adversity paralyze you. Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness. The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith his name will continue to resound throughout the world. During this prayer vigil I urge you to ask God to help you find your vocation in society and in the church, and to persevere in that vocation with joy and fidelity. It is a good thing to open our hearts to Christ’s call and to follow with courage and generosity the path he maps out for us. Following adoration of the Blessed Sacrament the Pope bid us goodnight as the crowd broke into chant:- Benedicto! Benedicto!...
God’s Glory
The morning brought with it a glorious sunrise as nearly two million people woke to the sound of Buenos Días over the loud speakers. The King and Queen of Spain arrived, followed by the Pope, to a rapturous welcome - ES TA ES LA JUVENTUD DEL PAPA! … BENEDICTO! That day 25 young people from the Diocese of Elphin and Elation Ministries took part in the largest congregation in the world for the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist. The sun for all its glory and heat could but only fade in comparison to the glory of God present in what was a simple, beautiful, solemn and profound celebration. The Pope began: Dear Young Friends, I have been thinking a lot about you during this time in which we have been separated. I hope you have been able to get some sleep in spite of the weather. I am sure that since dawn you have raised your eyes more than once, and not only your eyes but above all your hearts, turning this occasion into prayer. God turns all things into good. With confidence and trusting in the Lord who never abandons us, let us begin our Eucharistic celebration, full of enthusiasm and strong in our faith. During his homily the Pope explained how: Having faith means drawing support from the faith of your brothers and sisters, even as your own faith serves as support for the faith of others. I ask you, dear friends, to love the church which brought you to birth in the faith, which helped you to grow in the knowledge of Christ and which led you to discover the beauty of his love. Growing in friendship with Christ necessarily means recognising the importance of joyful participation in the life of your parishes, communities and movements, as well as the celebration of Sunday Mass, frequent reception of the sacrament of reconciliation and the cultivation of personal prayer and meditation on God’s word. Friendship with Jesus will also lead you to bear witness to the faith wherever you are, even when it meets with rejection or indifference. We cannot encounter Christ and not want to make him known to others. So do not keep Christ to yourselves! Share with others the joy of your faith. The world needs the witness of your faith, it surely needs God. I think that the presence here of so many young people, coming from all over the world, is a wonderful proof of the fruitfulness of Christ’s command to the Church: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15). You too have been given the extraordinary task of being disciples and missionaries of Christ in other lands and countries filled with young people who are looking for something greater, and because, their heart tells them that more authentic values do exist, they do not let themselves be seduced by the empty promises of a lifestyle which has no room for God. At the end of the ceremony in his Angelus message the Pope encouraged us to return home and bring his greeting to those we meet, to tell them of our experience and through our testimony continue to spread Christianity wherever we go. Then to the jubilation of thousands of our South American brothers and sisters the Pope announced that the next World Youth Day would take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013!
Every Nation Under Heaven – One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I have heard it spoken about; I have glimpsed it during my visits to Rome, Lourdes and other religious sites and I profess it every Sunday at Mass but this was the first time that I can honestly say that I’ve have truly lived, experienced and understood One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Just like in the Acts of the Apostles when Peter and the apostles stood up to speak after Pentecost to people who were gathered “from every nation under heaven”, now over two thousand years later, nearly two million young catholic people from every nation under heaven converged on Madrid to unite as One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church to celebrate our universal faith with the successor of Peter, our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on the occasion of World Youth Day, Madrid, 2011. An experience of a lifetime – for sure, a glimpse of eternity – absolutely! SEE YOU IN BRAZIL!!!
Frank McGuinness, Director of Youth Ministry, 087 9880690
Elphin Youth Ministry Launches Pope John Paul II Award
On Monday 5th of December 2011 the Pope John Paul II Award iniative was launched by Elphin Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Elphin.
The Award is primarily aimed at post junior certificate students who are still in full time education. The Award serves to encourage students to get involved in their local community and local church and recognises their effort through varying degrees of awards depending on the commitment given by the student. There are four awards, The Papal Cross, Gold, Sliver and Bronze and it has a completion time of sixteen months. Young people can earn an award by taking part in activities through Parish Involvement, Social Awareness and the preparation of a reflective presentation on the work they were involved in. Each award requires different levels of commitment ranging from an hour a week for twenty-six weeks for the Papal Cross down to an hour a week for eight weeks for the Bronze Award.
Speakers at the launch were Bishop Christopher Jones; Supreme Knight, Mr. Barnie Burns from the Knights of St. Columbanus; Special Guest, Ger Brennan, Centre Half Back on All-Ireland Football Champions Dublin and Fr. Paul Farren, National Director for the John Paul II Awards, Derry Diocese.
A very special word of thanks to the Ursuline College Choir, Sligo who performed on the night and added so much to the occasion and in particular to Directors Ms Fiona McQuillan and Edel Murray and accompanist, Emer Prendergast for giving so generously of their time and energy to support the occasion. Thanks also to all our Priests, Principals, Teachers and Students from across the diocese who attended on the night.
This initiative would not be possible without the overwhelming generosity of the Knights of Columbanus who are covering the entire setup costs associated with the Award in the Diocese.
Those wishing to participate in the award can enrol by downloading an application form and a parental consent form (if under eighteen years of age) from our website.
Full details available on www.thepopejohnpauliiaward.com/elphin or contact Frank McGuinness, Director of Youth Ministry on 0879880690
Thanks to all our Priests, Principles, Teachers, Staff, Lecturers and Students from across the diocese who attended on the night. Finaly to those who have agreed to serve on the Pope John Paul II Award Committee to oversee the iniative in the dicoese, a big thankyou.
