September 30, 2009
Lecture: lessons of St. John Vianney for today
By Julie Filby
New York pastor Father George William Rutler, known for his dynamic presentations on hot topics in the Church, will present a free Year for Priests lecture in Denver at 7 p.m. Oct. 21.
Father Rutler, pastor of the Church of Our Saviour on Park Avenue in Manhattan, N.Y., will offer an interpretation of how modern Catholics—and society overall—can learn from the life of St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, in his talk “The Cure d’Ars and the Catholic Priesthood.”
“Vianney lived in what might be considered the dawn of the modern age, with all its advances and horrors,” Father Rutler said. “We’re now in a ‘post-modern age’ with its own strengths and problems. What seems to be lacking is cultural cohesion and confidence.
“Vianney showed that the big changes for the good in society happen, not through politics and bureaucracy, but through the power of individuals who (in the words of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta) ‘give God permission,’” he said.
He explained that while saints have lives peculiar to a specific time and place, human nature never changes. Therefore the way saints draw on the strength of the Holy Spirit is a guide for today’s faithful.
“The particular methods may change, but prayer and the sacraments are always the same,” he said.
Both Father Rutler’s national speaking engagements and local homilies are known to draw enthusiastic crowds.
“Father Rutler appeals to all kinds of listeners,” said Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley, who heads the archdiocese’s Year for Priests committee. “Many compare him to Archbishop Fulton Sheen as a preacher—or G.K. Chesterton, as far as his humor and mastery of the English language.
“Most of all, where he places his highest priority and love, are his duties as a busy New York City pastor—in that sense, he is most like the Cure d’Ars,” Bishop Conley said.
A former Episcopal priest, Father Rutler’s own conversion to Catholicism was inspired by reading about St. John Vianney. Father Rutler has authored 15 books on theology, history, cultural issues and lives of the saints—including “The Cure d’Ars Today.” He is the host of the EWTN program “Christ in the City” where he discusses the possibilities of encountering Christ in fast-paced city life.
Father Rutler holds degrees from several colleges including Oxford University and the Gregorian and Angelicum Universities in Rome. He was honored by the New York City Council for his assistance to the dying at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
The lecture will be held in Bonfils Hall on the campus of the John Paul II Center at 1300 S. Steele St. Registration is not required.
YEAR FOR PRIESTS LECTURE
Title: “The Cure d’Ars and the Catholic Priesthood”
Who: New York pastor Father George Rutler
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 21
Where: Bonfils Hall, JPII Center, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver
Admission: Free and open to the public
Information: Call 303-715-3123 or e-mail info@archden.org
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