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RC DAILY MEDITATIONS
RC DAILY MEDITATIONS

February 28, 2017

The Faithful Steward | A Regnum Christi Lenten Retreat Guide on St. Joseph with Fr. Bartunek, LC

The Faithful Steward: A Lenten Retreat Guide on St. Joseph

/ Retreat Guide
Why is St. Joseph such a popular patron, such an important figure for Catholics of all times and places? What do we really know about him? What does he have to teach us about what it means to follow Christ and experience the fulfillment that comes from spiritual maturity, the fulfillment we all long for? Those are some of the questions we will explore in The Faithful Steward: A Lenten Retreat Guide on St. Joseph.
  • In the First Meditation, we will reflect on how the Church’s liturgy presents St. Joseph and the lessons contained there.
  • In the Second Meditation, we will look at the artistic tradition surrounding St. Joseph, reflecting on the wisdom of its beauty and symbolism.
  • And in the Conference, we will delve into the spiritual discipline of silence—something present in St. Joseph’s example and too often absent in our own pursuit of deeper friendship with Christ.

This may seem a strange topic for a Lenten Retreat Guide, but reflecting on St. Joseph will bring us back to the spiritual fundamentals – and getting back to spiritual basics is a great way to live Lent.  Let’s begin by quieting our hearts and turning our attention to God, who never stops paying attention to us. Let’s ask him for all the graces we need, and most especially, for the grace of interior renewal through the example and intercession of St. Joseph, the faithful and prudent steward.

We are excited to share with you an improved version of the PDF for this Retreat Guide. It is now available for purchase as a booklet on Amazon. It includes the meditations, conference, and reflection questions by Fr. Bartunek along with space for taking notes and journaling. We hope it helps to further open your heart to Christ this Lent.

 
 

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Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: Should I Expect a Miracle and to Conceive Again?”

/ Ask a Priest
Q: I made a huge mistake and had a tubal ligation done the day after I gave birth to my son. That was 21 years ago. I have since met this wonderful man who I love dearly, and he has no children of his own. I tried having a tubal reversal, but my doctor said it was impossible because my tubes were cut too short. I never knew that having a surgery to prevent children was a sin against my faith. I deeply feel so much remorse and regret. I pray that God heals my infertility. Will God answer my request and prayers even though I had the surgery? I was young, I didn’t know that it was against the Lord’s teaching. – D.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A. I am sorry to hear about your tubal ligation. As you know now, it isn’t something good.

If you haven’t done so already, it would be good to mention it in confession and then leave things in God’s hands.

As for being able to conceive again (and here I am assuming that you are talking about entering a marriage that would be recognized by the Church), you can pray for a miracle. But you want to be careful about presuming God’s providence.

What I mean by that is this. Some of the decisions we make have consequences that normally cannot be reversed. If a farmer decides in the spring not to plant wheat, for instance, then he shouldn’t expect to change his mind in mid-August and have a harvest by Labor Day. Nature simply doesn’t work that way.

The same idea might apply in the case of the tubal ligation. If it cannot be reversed, then it might be better to accept that, as difficult as it is. Perhaps you could be a mom again — through adoption.

In all this you want to be careful not to put the onus on God to produce a miracle. You made a decision years ago, and that decision had a consequence. This realization might cause you great suffering, but it is suffering that you can offer back to Jesus. You can unite your cross with his.

Again, consider motherhood in a wider sense, one that includes opening your heart to an abandoned child.

Stay close to prayer and the sacraments and the Blessed Virgin Mary. You will find comfort.

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!