Patrick Sullivan speaks on the Eucharist: The Real Presence
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Gordon: | You have a strong background in theology. Where did you study theology and what were some of your favorite classes? | |||||
Patrick: | I studied at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ontario where I (as one of the few laymen in the program) trained with many of today’s faithful priests here in Canada. Probably my favourite courses were those that focused on Scripture or helped me to better understand the Biblical world. | |||||
Gordon: |
When and why did you decide to be a
catechist, writer and speakeras a full-time
profession?
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Patrick: |
While it is true that we all must choose our particular paths in life, the choices are all the easier when we firmly believe that God has preferences for us. Before I could choose the work of evangelization then (i.e. writing, speaking, teaching) I really believe that God called me to the task first. And while it is far from an easy task to accomplish, knowing that this is God’s preference for me makes the work that much more joyful. | |||||
Gordon: |
Most Christians speak of
their love of Christ, but that sometimes
appears compartmentalized and not integrated in our
daily lives. From your perspective, how can we better
expressive our love of Christ in our daily lives?
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Patrick: |
Take a serious look at where God has placed you. Your vocation (i.e. marriage, holy orders, consecrated single or religious life), your job, your skill set, your talents, and your natural virtues, all of these are great signposts as to how you are to give glory to God in your life. Remember, to live a holy life is to live a whole one; not compartmentalized as you say. Do small things at first; change the way in which you express your Faith if you need to in order to better evangelize those around you, but be yourself, because that’s what the world needs. | |||||
Gordon: |
What are some of the most interesting questions that
have been raised at you speaking engagements and what
were your answers?
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Patrick: |
When you speak at enough
events certain patterns begin arise. For example, adults
above the age of fifty always ask me about how to bring
their high school or adult children back to the Faith.
Teenagers always ask me some version of how they can be
saints. And little children consistently ask me
theologically deep and provocative questions. Each of
these can have both short and lengthy responses, so for
the sake of our time together I will give you the short
answers.
To the first question this
is what I usually say: Your children will come back to
the Faith when you begin to pray for someone to come
into their lives who is holier than you are and smarter
than your child is.
To the second question I
usually say: We all (you and I, young or old) will
become saints when we finally accept that saints are
made in the trying. Never give up. Always love God. And
He will take care of the rest.
And to the third question,
which quite honestly can vary so much: Hmmm...I’m going
to have to think about that one. Haha.
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Gordon: |
In your opinion, do Catholics have a responsibility
to evangelize, and, If so, why?
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Patrick: |
As Catholics and members of the Church we are absolutely obliged to spread the Good News. Of course, this must occur in a manner that is unique to each situation we find ourselves in, but it is our duty nonetheless. Why? Because the world is hurting, and Jesus is the remedy. | |||||
Gordon: |
We have experienced a significant number of young
people leaving the church Do you have any suggestions
on what parishes and we as individuals can do to address
this challenge? |
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Patrick:
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Well, I have already briefly
addressed what parents can do with older children, but
on a broader scale (in our parishes or otherwise) we
simply need to give the young people what they crave;
and what they crave is the most normal thing in the
world.
The first is authenticity.
Show them that you live what you believe, and that you
believe with your whole heart, banning from it any
traces of hypocrisy.
The second is a challenge.
Challenge their intellect with the brilliance of our
literature, theology, philosophy etc. Challenge their
hearts, that is, show them the brokenness of this world
and call them (just as Christ has called all of us) to
be part of the solution.
Finally, show them joy. We
all crave happiness. Show them that the most joyful path
in the world is following Jesus, even when, that path
leads to the cross.
The degree to which we are
able to implement these three responses into our parish,
school or home life, will be the same degree to which
our young people hunger after the Faith.
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Gordon: |
I thought that the best way of
closing this interview was with one of your exceptional
videos
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