Catholic Cardinal Reflections

February 16, 2014 - God wants something else for us, and that something else is peace. Jesus intentionally sets before us a road of lifelong transformation, in which we live by God's love. He wants us to share an engaging life with one another. A meaningful life begins when we are more for others than for ourselves. When we begin to do that, we begin to live like Jesus.

Preacher:Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Parochial Vicar Associate Director of CCAS

February 11, 2014 - Our speaker, Professor Gary Macy from Santa Clara University, explores the topic of transubstantiation. Do you know what the word means?

February 9, 2014 - The theme of the last several weeks has been Light, the light of Christ, and today adds the element of Salt. We are not to hide our light, but rather to use God's gifts of grace to bring that light to others. If we do not transform our gifts into action we are like salt that is crushed under foot and discarded.

Preacher: Reverend John Kerrigan, Deacon of the Catholic Community at Stanford

February 4, 2014 - Prof. Lisa Fullam discusses sexuality from the standpoint of the cardinal virtues of self-care, justice, fidelity and prudence. The church has long taught the "does and don'ts" of sexuality, but this lecture updates the issues from a more modern vantage.

February 2, 2014 - Jesus was brought to the temple on the 40th day for the purification rite. The presence of Jesus, the one who loves you, makes all things possible. Because i know I'm completely loved, I can go out and bring the Presence to others.

Preacher: Fr. Nathan Castle, OP, Pastor/Director, Catholic Community at Stanford.

January 28, 2014 - Fr. Ron Schmit traces a brief history of the sacrament of marriage, including how the emphasis has changed since inception thousands of years before the Christian Church, concluding with the era since Vatican II in which the emphasis is on the joint spirituality of husband and wife rather than on procreation. This was a sea change since the Council of Trent.

January 26, 2014 - Jesus began his public ministry by calling his disciples. The first were fishermen, who left their nets, boats and even their father to immediately follow Jesus. Mathew provides no explanation, but it lies in their choice to be adventurous, to lose their innate caution. So too, we are called today to rethink our committment to Jesus Christ and become more fully his disciple.

Preacher: Fr. Xavier Lavagetto, OP, Parochial Vicar Associate Director of CCAS

January 19, 2014 - We each have a different call to serve God in our diverse ways. If we go through an active process of discernment we will draw closer to God.

Preacher: Fr. Steven Maekawa, Western Dominican Director of Vocations

January 14, 2014 - This talk covers the history of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the eucharist from the second century until modern time, and is given by Anne Grycz. Anne was very involved in the implementation of the revised sacraments for the Diocese of San Jose, educating pastoral staff and the local communities on the theology behind these changes.

January 12, 2014 - During the Christmas season, we are invited to become messengers of Christ, not mere observers. Mary accepted the service that the Spirit asked of her despite the risk she incurred, and became herself a servant, for example, by comforting her cousin. We too must take risks in the name of our Lord. And, like the babies baptised today, we must grow in the size and weight of our spirituality.

Preacher: Fr. Nathan Castle, OP, Pastor and Director of the Catholic Community at Stanford