Lumen Verum Apologetics |
 Presenting the True Light of the Catholic Faith in suburban Sydney. ( Australia ) |
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The first three hundred years of the Catholic Church witnessed the martyrdom of millions of Christians who preferred to die for their faith rather than submit to the pagan practice of the Emperor-worship. If today we were called upon to die for our faith would we know what we were dying for? Our faith is a supernatural gift. It is a gift of believing in God, without seeing or feeling on the authority of God Himself through His Son: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." (John 20:29). Lumen Verum means true light - the true light of the Catholic Faith. The reason for the existence of a group such as Lumen Verum is to bring together those who love the Catholic Faith and who desire to understand it moreby learning from its authentic source - Sacred Scripture and Holy Tradition. Lumen Verum Apologetics was started in February 1996 in the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel, Belfield, Sydney; growing from humble beginnings with the generosity of the parish priest, Fr. Robert Slattery. It is the brain-child of Arlette Bowen, a dedicated Catholic wife and mother of five children, and takes as its inspiration the life and apostolic works of St. Francis de Sales, the great 17th Century Bishop of Geneva who converted 10 000s of Calvinist to the Catholic Fait through his zeal and charity. Lumen Verum Apologetics has entered its third year (1998). Lumen Verum's core members are young adults, vitally interested in apologetics and catechetics, who have brought along their friends, parishioners and others. Between 20 and 30 young adults attend each week. Most come weekly, some come occasionally, others only when there is a topic of special interest. Whatever the situation, all are most welcome to refresh their faith and afterwards to share in the conviviality of fraternity over coffee and biscuits. Each of the weekly classes is complete in itself yet belongs to a course of study which runs over the year, with the exception of the last Friday of each month when a guest speaker is invited to lecture on a free topic. Some of the topics covered have included the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments, the Seven Sacraments, and a thirty - part course on Catholic Apologetics. Before starting our evening various members join together in the parish church to pray the Most Holy Rosary. In the classroom everyone receives a transcript of the night's topic around which the speaker mould his or her talk and draws inspirations. These transcripts have been thoroughly researched and put together with comments by Robert Haddad, the assistant convenor, and are a compilation of selected quotes from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and the two Catechisms - Trent and the 1992 Catechism - in order to illustrate the authentic development of the doctrine in the Church. Lumen Verum has been able to draw from a wide spectrum of speakers, from all walks of society in a great diversity of talents. They are dedicated lay men and women, priests, brothers and religious, all with a deep knowledge and love for the Church, who, after years of study, prayer, love and toil, possess the competence to not only teach and explain the faith but also to note the earmarks of heresy. Each lecture is complete in itself yet belongs to a course of study which runs over the year, except on the last Fridays of each month when a guest speaker is invited to lecture on a free topic. Speakers include priests, religious and laity all noted for their outstanding learning and fidelity to Catholic orthodoxy. Lumen Verum takes as its inspiration the life and work of St. Francis de Sales. Every person who attends receives a transcript of the night’s topic specifically compiled by Lumen Verum with commentary and selected quotes from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and the two Catechisms - Trent and the 1992 Catechism - in order to illustrate the authentic development of Church doctrine. Ample time is given over to question and answer and all are free afterwards to share in the conviviality of tea and coffee. Lumen Verum publishes its own newsletter twice a year and has released booklets on Catholic Apologetics, The Apostles’ Creed, The Sacraments, The Ten Commandments, Prayer, and The Family and Human Life. With God's help it is hoped that Lumen Verum will "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in us" (1Pet. 3, 15).Guest speakers have included regulars such as Brother Christian Moe, Anthony English, Robert Haddad and Andrew Nimmo, as well as numerous priests. In mid - 1966 Lumen Verum was privileged to host the Sydney lecture tour of the American Apologist Patrick Madrid. Lumen Verum managed to arrange a number of venues for his talks and also organised a debate between Patrick and a popular young Anglican Minister. It was a most lively and successful venture in a packed auditorium. Lumen Verum now publishes its own newsletter twice a year and has released a 107 page booklet on Catholic Apologetics, both funded through the generosity of those who attend the classes. It is envisaged that in 1998 the work of Lumen Verum will be expanded interstate with a series of talks planned for Perth. With God's help it is hope that Lumen Verum will "Always be prepared to make a defence to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in us" (1 Pet 3:15) For more information about Lumen Verum, write to Mrs Arlette Bowen Ph (02) 9642 7193 Books by Robert Haddad (Lumen Verum Apologetics): A 30-Part Course in Defence of the Catholic Faith The four dogmas of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Apostles' Creed in the Scriptures, the Fathers, and the Catechisms. The Bread of Life - The
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Lumen Verum Apologetics Presenting the True Light of the Catholic Faith throughout Australia. Lumen Verum means true light - the true light of the Catholic faith. Lumen Verum was founded to bring together both those who love the Catholic faith and those who desire to learn more about it from its authentic sources - Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium.Lumen Verum Apologetics began in February 1996 in the parish of St. Michael the Archangel, Margaret Street, Belfield. It is the brainchild of Arlette Bowen, a dedicated Catholic wife and mother of 5 children. Lumen Verum’s core members are young adults, vitally interested in apologetics and catechetics. Between 20 and 40 adults attend lectures every Friday night during the school year.Each lecture is complete in itself yet belongs to a course of study which runs over the year, except on the last Fridays of each month when a guest speaker is invited to lecture on a free topic. Speakers include priests, religious and laity all noted for their outstanding learning and fidelity to Catholic orthodoxy. Lumen Verum takes as its inspiration the life and work of St. Francis de Sales. Every person who attends receives a transcript of the night’s topic specifically compiled by Lumen Verum with commentary and selected quotes from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church and the two Catechisms - Trent and the 1992 Catechism - in order to illustrate the authentic development of Church doctrine. Ample time is given over to question and answer and all are free afterwards to share in the conviviality of tea and coffee. Lumen Verum publishes its own newsletter twice a year and has released booklets on Catholic Apologetics, The Apostles’ Creed, The Sacraments, The Ten Commandments, Prayer, and The Family and Human Life. With God's help it is hoped that Lumen Verum will "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in us" (1Pet. 3, 15).Catholic
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