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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Quality, perfection and Catholicism	Konrad	Sunday, August 26, 2007
Question: Dear Brother, I hope your recovery is speedy. I once heard a speaker who studied at the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia say that Catholics have a history of doing things great. He pointed to Michelangelo and the beautiful artwork that he produced as an example. As a leadership speaker he was frustrated at the presentation and quality of many Catholic events. From tacky halls whilst making presentations, to the questionable music being played during Holy Masses. This presenter was really giving us an insight into the obligation and potential we have in expressing Catholicism (in the broadest sense). He indicated that he witnessed this passion for perfection in the Pentecostal/Evangelical churches, particularly he recognised it in their ‘youth ministry’. I’m currently studying in university, or what you yanks would call college, and I noticed that my attitude isn’t really comparable to this passion of high Catholic quality. I think everyone has heard of the age old saying that we should do things to the best of our abilities – how has that any relevance in the things we do as Catholics in the day to day works of our lives? Could you reflect on my insight and perhaps share some thoughts on: Catholics and [high] quality in the things we do. God bless you brother and your congregation, Totus Tuus Maria, Konrad www.wyd2008.org
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Konrad: Thanks for your prayers concerning my health. As Catholics we need to do whatever it is we do, whether we are a janitor or a brain surgeon. We need to do all that we do for God. Perhaps we have little motivation to do things well when we have bosses who treat employees badly, the ungratefulness of family and friends, etc. All that is of little note. We need to do things well for LOVE OF GOD. As we do our jobs and activities well, we represent the Christian spirit in this dark world. So, think of it this way -- all things are a gift to God. Also, St. Benedict and also St. Therese (the Little Flower) taught that all that we do should be a prayer. The act of picking up a pencil from the floor should be a prayerful act. Prayer does not have to be spoken words. All that we do is a prayer. When we live our lives with these two notions -- all we do is a gift to God and represents the Christian ethic to the world, and that all we do is a prayer -- then perhaps we can find enthusiasm in our daily lives. "This is a day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad." God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Quality, perfection and Catholicism

Konrad

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Question:

Dear Brother,

I hope your recovery is speedy.

I once heard a speaker who studied at the John Paul II Institute in Melbourne, Australia say that Catholics have a history of doing things great. He pointed to Michelangelo and the beautiful artwork that he produced as an example.

As a leadership speaker he was frustrated at the presentation and quality of many Catholic events. From tacky halls whilst making presentations, to the questionable music being played during Holy Masses.

This presenter was really giving us an insight into the obligation and potential we have in expressing Catholicism (in the broadest sense). He indicated that he witnessed this passion for perfection in the Pentecostal/Evangelical churches, particularly he recognised it in their ‘youth ministry’.

I’m currently studying in university, or what you yanks would call college, and I noticed that my attitude isn’t really comparable to this passion of high Catholic quality. I think everyone has heard of the age old saying that we should do things to the best of our abilities – how has that any relevance in the things we do as Catholics in the day to day works of our lives?

Could you reflect on my insight and perhaps share some thoughts on: Catholics and [high] quality in the things we do.

God bless you brother and your congregation,

Totus Tuus Maria,

Konrad
www.wyd2008.org

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Konrad:

Thanks for your prayers concerning my health.

As Catholics we need to do whatever it is we do, whether we are a janitor or a brain surgeon. We need to do all that we do for God.

Perhaps we have little motivation to do things well when we have bosses who treat employees badly, the ungratefulness of family and friends, etc. All that is of little note. We need to do things well for LOVE OF GOD.

As we do our jobs and activities well, we represent the Christian spirit in this dark world. So, think of it this way -- all things are a gift to God.

Also, St. Benedict and also St. Therese (the Little Flower) taught that all that we do should be a prayer. The act of picking up a pencil from the floor should be a prayerful act. Prayer does not have to be spoken words. All that we do is a prayer.

When we live our lives with these two notions -- all we do is a gift to God and represents the Christian ethic to the world, and that all we do is a prayer -- then perhaps we can find enthusiasm in our daily lives.

"This is a day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad."

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum