tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244292116722597763.post7642353276944240684..comments2007-12-06T16:15:09.774-07:00Sherry Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17428918256547725187noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244292116722597763.post-47311818324607699942007-12-06T16:15:00.000-07:002007-12-06T16:15:00.000-07:00Yes, it is fascinating - the priest is showing alot of confidence. Perhaps he felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so in her particular case? Certainly, she will be less likely to feel "misled" later on and clearer and more confident in her Catholic identity.Sherry Whttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17428918256547725187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244292116722597763.post-22275264683164228462007-12-06T15:32:00.000-07:002007-12-06T15:32:00.000-07:00I was initially caught off-guard by the priest's referral of this brave woman to other Christian churches. <BR/><BR/>Then I realized that the priest has more confidence in the power of Truth and the guidance of the Holy Spirit than I do.Kevin Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907423156155669252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244292116722597763.post-72447196199475687592007-12-05T11:40:00.000-07:002007-12-05T11:40:00.000-07:00Thanks for posting this Sherry! This story is excellent! Fatima illustrates the importance of evangelizing non-Christians to Jesus Christ. And, furthermore, seeing inter-religious dialogue as a subsidiary and even vehicle of the Church's mission of evangelization - and not as the modern alternative to evangelization... <BR/><BR/>In this story I see several things:<BR/><BR/>1) the importance of witness of life (the military's medical personnel) <BR/><BR/>2) the importance of ecumenism (the fact that Fr. Bautista encouraged her to meet other chaplains and talk with them - ended up showing Fatima that Fr. Bautista had no underlying prideful reasons for "convert-making" to the Catholic Church)<BR/><BR/>3) the importance of having faith and trust that Jesus Christ is the living Lord and has "the keys to Death and Hades" and he can take care of obstacles, suffering, or scruples concerning the catechetical process!<BR/><BR/>4) The challenge to Fr. Baustita "do you give up so easily on Jesus" reminded of the words of Pope Benedict in his newest encyclical, "we who have always lived with the Christian concept of God, and have grown accustomed to it, have almost ceased to notice that we possess the hope that ensues from a real encounter with this God" (#3)<BR/> <BR/>Lord Jesus help us to trust you and proclaim you as the living Lord to all those we meet - whatever the situation or type of person - you, who are Love revealed - increase our capacity to Love through evangelization! Amen.Pete Ascosihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583516825371456044noreply@blogger.com