June 19, 2003
Feast of Corpus Christi
To the Reader of these “NOTES”, (some notes on the “NOTES”):
THE REASON FOR THESE BOOKS:
Why another book, when there are so many good books, papers, magazines and pamphlets already available on these subjects?
First there is the love of souls and the excitement to share with others the things read about, particularly with family members and friends. In these cases, besides the motivation of love, there is there is also the motivation of obligation (“The Sound of a Trumpet”). We need to show and to teach, those whom we may influence, how to save our Souls.
There is so much excellent information available, on a large variety of very important subjects, that it is overwhelming. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t remember many of these details, when they were needed to respond to a question or misinformation or to teach others about the Catholic Faith. In order to retain their key points, notes were taken (over about 30 years!). My notes however, were hard to read, disorganized and therefore of limited value. There still was a need to have a ready reference available. The notes needed to be organized.
Over the years, usually after an Ignatian Retreat, I felt a strong “sense of urgency” to quit fooling around and organize the notes! The notes would be helpful not only to myself and also perhaps to others. But oh, the temptation to procrastinate was always there. There were always other things to eat up available time (work, family, home repairs, Chapel activities, just plain goofing off). Then, there would be another Ignatian Retreat and the “sense of urgency” would come roaring back even stronger. I’m not sure why this “sense of urgency”. Perhaps to finish an obligation to my family ASAP, while I still can. Perhaps someone out there will need them. Anyway, after the Retreat last July, I made it a goal to finish up by this July. Whew, just barely made it!
THE USEFULNESS AND LIMITATION OF THESE NOTES:
1. These “NOTES” will not make the reader a “scholar” in the subjects covered. You need to refer to the more detailed books for this. They are however a handy Reference. They give many of the key points on the most common issues that arise and also point the reader to many of the books available, when more details are needed. Three sources for many of these excellent books and pamphlets are:
The Angelus Press The Society of St. Pius X Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.
2915 Forest Ave. Regina Coeli House P.O. Box 424
Kansas City, MO 64109 2118 Tracy Ave. Rockford, IL 61105
1-800-966-7337 Kansas City, MO 64109 1-800-437-5876
www.angeluspress.org 826-753-0073 www.tanbooks.com
2. Of course the “NOTES” can be read from front to back in the normal way but sometimes it may be more useful to jump around to the various subjects of interest. For this, use the Table of Contents or the Index.
3. The NOTES will be helpful as a reference text. For this reason, an extensive Index has been added.
4. The hard copy of the NOTES are in a three ring binder rather than bound in book form.
WHO SHOULD READ OR USE THESE NOTES?
1. I’ll send copies first to some of the Priests of SSPX and ask them to check them out and make sure I didn’t mess up someplace. Of course they are all very, very busy and will find it difficult to find time to fool with it.
2. Then family members will get a copy (whether they want one or not! J ) – the love/obligation thing.
3. The Ignatian Retreat Notes will help us to see ourselves as God sees us (an appeal to the heart and the will). It may help those who would like to be more fervent but need additional motivation for it. They will better understand the importance of making actual Ignatian Retreats (instead of just reading these NOTES) on a regular basis.
4. Those whose Faith is under attack (and whose isn’t!) will learn how to defend It (an appeal to logic and reason) by referring to the Notes on Apologetics.
5. Some who are curious about what Catholics believe but who are not ready to approach one of our Traditional Catholic Priests, will find answers to most of their questions or concerns in these NOTES.
6. Some may know of family or friends who can profit from Truths in the NOTES.
7. Those who lack the time or the inclination to read a full size book, on each subject, will find the summaries in the NOTES helpful.
8. Parents may want to use these NOTES to educate their children (no matter how old they are! J).
9. Some may want this handy reference in home or office, when some of these subjects happen to come up with family and friends.
10. Some may use the NOTES as background information for “letters to the editor” as needed.
11. Those of you who are lest inclined to read these NOTES and who have no interest in them at all, are likely the very ones who will profit most, if you read them anyway. Come on! Go ahead and read all of it! I double dare ya.
Yours in Christ,
Bruno