Catholics: Why We Are a Sacramental People with Fr. Michael Himes

Summary

In this opening event for the spring semester, Eric Gman introduces himself as the new director of Boston College's Church in the 21st Century Center. The Center, established in response to the sexual abuse crisis, focuses on renewing the Catholic Church through discussions on faith, Catholic intellectual tradition, and more. The event features Father Michael Heimes, who explores the concept of 'sacramental people,' suggesting that the universe is inherently sacramental because it exists out of God's love. Heimes emphasizes that everything exists due to God's love, making everything potentially sacramental, and encourages recognizing and celebrating God's love in all aspects of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eric Gman introduces himself as the new director of the Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College.
• 🌟 The Center has been a catalyst for the renewal of the Catholic Church since 2002, focusing on four key issues: handing on the faith, Catholic intellectual tradition, relationships and sexuality, and the role of religious and ordained individuals.
• 📚 The semester's theme is 'Catholics sacramental people', which is explored in a magazine issue and an event, with Father John Baldan as the editor and David Turum as a contributor.
• 🎓 John Kelly, a senior at the Carol School of Management, introduces Father Michael Heimes, highlighting his academic and theological background.
• 🌌 Father Michael Heimes discusses the concept of a sacramental universe, suggesting that everything exists because God loves it, and that the universe is a self-gift from God.
• 💖 Heimes emphasizes that God's love is the reason for existence, not something the universe does for God, and that this love is the foundation of hope and the Christian tradition.
• 🌟 The sacramental principle is defined as the necessity to notice, accept, and celebrate what is always and everywhere true, such as God's love.
• 👫 Personal relationships, like marriage and family, are highlighted as examples of personal sacraments that embody God's love.
• 🏛️ The Church's liturgy is described as a comprehensive experience, engaging all senses to help individuals notice and appreciate the grace present in all things.
• 🌱 Spiritual discipline is equated with attentiveness to the world around us, rather than self-deprivation, as a means to recognize and celebrate God's love.

Q & A

Who is Eric Gman and what is his role at Boston College?

Eric Gman is the new director of the Church in the 21st Century Center at Boston College.

What has been the focus of the c21 Center since its establishment in 2002?

The c21 Center has been a catalyst and resource for the renewal of the Catholic Church since 2002, in response to the sexual abuse crisis.

What are the four focal issues that the c21 Center explores?

The c21 Center explores topics related to handing on the faith, the Catholic intellectual tradition, relationships and sexuality in Catholic teachings, and the role and responsibilities of lay and ordained religious.

What is the theme for the semester as mentioned in the magazine issue?

The semester's theme is 'Catholics sacramental people'.

Who is Father John Baldan and what is his contribution to the c21 Center?

Father John Baldan is the editor of the magazine issue featuring the semester's theme and has been involved in organizing events for the c21 Center.

What is the topic of Father Baldan's talk scheduled for the next Thursday?

Father Baldan's talk is entitled 'Why be baptized in the Catholic Church'.

Who is introduced as the speaker for the evening's event?

Father Michael Heimes is introduced as the speaker for the evening's event.

What is Father Michael Heimes' background in theology and education?

Father Michael Heimes was ordained a priest in Brooklyn New York in 1972, received a PhD from the University of Chicago, held the position of Dean of Studies at a seminary in Macon, New York, and has been a professor of theology at Notre Dame and currently at Boston College.

What is the main topic of Father Michael Heimes' talk?

The main topic of Father Michael Heimes' talk is 'Why we are a sacramental people'.

According to Father Heimes, why does the universe exist?

Father Heimes suggests that the universe exists because God loves it, and that everything exists because it is loved by God.

What is the sacramental principle as defined by Father Heimes?

The sacramental principle, as defined by Father Heimes, holds that what is always and everywhere true must be noticed, accepted, and celebrated somewhere, sometime.

How does Father Heimes relate sacraments to the concept of grace?

Father Heimes relates sacraments to the concept of grace by stating that sacraments effect what they signify, which is the self-gift of God outside the Trinity, and they bring us to recognize the presence of God's love.