I've grown up in Chino and this is my community church…read more
I'm specifically responding to AD. I also have children in Mr. Miguel's catechism classes.
I have admitted to being a Catholic Light, meaning we follow the basic (very basic) rules our organized Catholic religion, which is basically following your moral compass and knowing right from wrong. We attend church on the major holidays, typical for the majority of Catholics that I know. We know our basic prayers, have never read the bible, and do not attend mass every Sunday.
Miguel's parent classes have been an EYE OPENER! Not everyone is ready to hear the WORD OF GOD, mainly because its not convenient to oneself. Everything that he says during his parent classes is in reference to the bible. For some, these words may be VERY hard to hear. He has reference topics of having children out of wedlock, abortion, birth control, homosexuality, respect for the church, respect for oneself, the commandments, the sacraments, how the devil seeps in to our life if we open certain doors, etc, etc. There has been much covered for the past 7 months of parent classes. In responding to AD, it has everything to do with religion and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Ask yourself, look at our society, the farther we go away from God and his teachings, the uglier it gets. Every established and powerful nation in world history that rejects God, has crumbled.
I am eternally grateful for what Miguel (that also has his own ministry) and his catechists have brought to Our Lady of Guadalupe. All of their long hours are completely volunteer. They are there every Friday-Sunday, engaging our community to better understand our Catholic Faith and to getting us closer to God. Most of them have their own families that they leave on the weekends to come and support our church. They have graced us with some very powerful religious retreats as well.
Response to AD and singing:
Alabanzas - From the Spanish 'alabar', referring to hymns of praise to God, the saints and the celebration of the Virgin Mary.
At first, the alabanzas were very awkward, as we are not accustomed to praising like this. We have never been shown how to. It has been a beautiful and peaceful journey to learn this form of praise to God.
Response to AD on vaccine talk:
I am on the opposite end of AD in referencing vaccinations. I honestly felt that Miguel's reference to specific books in the bible, solidified my very big objection to a COVID vaccination. It was the first time that my world and political views crossed paths with religion. It was an amazing feeling. I didn't know how to put my objection into context, until I heard Miguel talk about this at one of our first meetings. I know now that I must always listen to my conscience, and in not listening to it is like not listening to God himself.
As of today, there has been tons of research showing the adverse side effects of the COVID vaccine. It is my belief that much more will be coming to light.
Responding to AD about "His Teachings"
During our meetings we have learned that Miguel is a graduated student of Theology, which is the study of the nature of God and religious belief. He's not shooting from the hip during these parent classes. During his classes he has his laptop open and reads directly from the bible.
I'm not sure how AD is interpreting his speeches as "his view."
He has talked extensively on God's mercy and forgiveness. And he has always made it a point to say, repeatedly, "Do not judge people, but you must reject the sin." How are people going to argue the words in the bible? These are Gods words, not his/ours. We can't live at OUR convenience. If I've learned anything, its that we need to live life as GOD wants us to live.
Its not a wannabe Podcast as AD has explained it. It makes me sad that's all AD has taken away from the experience, instead of grasping the opportunity as a parent to listen, and have an open mind and heart to hear Gods words, and learn how to teach your kids the correct Catholic Catechism.
Miguel has has such an impact on families, that during this whole process, 16 couples that were not married, and had kids in the classes, are now going to be wed this September of 2021. Wow! He has taught us that by being a true man in Gods vision (not like him, as AD has explained) is to take charge and lead your family. A good woman will follow your lead and support you in life's journey, each of you having a specific role as husband and wife. He has rejected the notion of machismo, which is prevalent in our culture. He has rejected the sin of abuse in all forms and urges woman to leave men who put them in harms way.
Miguel and his catechist have provided a plethora of teachings to my family. My kids now know how to recite:
The Apostle's Creed
The 10 Commandments
7 Sacraments
The Act of Contrition
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be to the Father
Sign of the Cross
My takeaway: You have to be open and ready for Gods words and vision.