At the intersection between Catholicism and Culture
First of all, thanks to all of you who reached out to me over the past month saying you missed the blog. I missed it, too! But I needed a break both to clear my head and re-work the entire site.
Do you like it? My gratitude to WordPress.com for making such a user-friendly blog/web-page. My previous webpage was hosted by Mac and created on iWeb. But Mac is shutting down it’s web hosting and it’s clear they’re not committed to the iWeb program (no updates in two years, no promise of a new version.) So I was forced to go elsewhere…
Glad I did. The ease of this page means it’s easier for me to blog without worrying about a lot of technical hassle. Previously, I found it difficult to publish blogs on the road. Now I can do it through my iPad!
But aside from the tech stuff, I’m most excited about the new direction of this blog. My previous blog was titled, “For the Love of God.” I focused my writing on things that would draw the reader deeper into God’s love. But this blog is about the intersection between Catholicism and culture. Of course, I’ll keep writing about God’s love. But I also want to show where God’s love can be found in the midst of popular culture.
One of my favorite lines from Vatican II came from a document called Ad Gentes. It was about the missionary activity of the Church. And it said that a missionary must live within the culture so they may “lay bare the seeds of the Word of God that lie hidden among their fellows.” (Ad Gentes 11)
Isn’t that cool? It’s easy to critique culture and assume the world is going to hell. But the real challenge is to find God within culture and lift that up for all to see. God is not somewhere else—God is HERE!
So that’s my hope for this blog, to reveal God in our midst. Of course, I’ll keep posting stupid stuff as well 🙂
My other big hope for this blog is that it would be a conversation. iWeb didn’t handle comments well, but WordPress thrives on it. I’d love to hear what you think about what I’m writing, and jump in frequently. I’ll try to leave some posts open ended so you can have your say as well.
So here’s what I’d like you to do. Post a comment right now. I guess I have to approve all first comments, but then it’s automatic. So say “hello” or “welcome back” and let me clear you so future comments can go right up as you type them. Also, if you could click around and let me know if anything doesn’t work, I’d really appreciate it.
My plan is to blog at least twice a week, though I’m not going to stick to “Monday/Thursday” like I did with my last blog ’cause I found that a bit too restrictive.
Thanks for reading this blog. It’s great to be back, and I really look forward to the conversation!
UPDATE: If you want to post a comment, click the grey “cartoon balloon” at the end of the title of this blog.
18 Comments on “At the intersection between Catholicism and Culture”
Leave a Reply
My most popular book!
Deacon Bob Rice 
The Pope, Mary & Katniss! Love it!
I thought you might. But don’t get too attached to her. I plan to update the “culture” images as other things become popular.
Hi Bob glad to see you back. Hope life is treating you well. God Bless.
Rachel (YA 04 Rise Up)
yeah..miss your blogs!
I love your blog and as my teens would say I’m Obsessed with your book ! Looking forward to updates 🙂
Bob…a group of us here in PA read your book for Lent and thought it was amazing……truly annointed. We are hoping there is a sequel……
Love the new look, easier to read on an iPhone, & excited about content, which was already always good. Blessings in all you do.
You were well missed! Looking SOOO forward to this and will pass along to my Youth Group. God bless you!!!!
Great to have you back! Like the new topic.
Hey Bob! So excited about the new look and vibe! Can’t wait to read more 🙂
Hey Bob! So glad to see you back brother! I’ve been very anxious to see when God was going to send down His inspiration of awesomeness upon you once again hahaha. I’m not usually a fan of change AT ALL, But, I’ve got to say I really like the direction you’re going with this. I just makes sense. So, keep ’em coming!
I’m so glad you’re blogging again I really missed it! 🙂 Are your older blogs still on the website? If so where?
No, the older blogs didn’t make it to the website. I was wondering if anyone would notice 🙂
But I’d be happy to post them. Are there any in particular you’re looking for?
Yes, please post and thank you. No, there’s none in particular, I just love your blogs! Last summer when I got back from Steubenville I started reading them and when I get the chance I keep reading previous ones. They’re just really awesome and inspiring.
Hi Professor Rice! (I guess I should call you that, since I was this –> <– close to attending Franciscan this fall!) I hadn't been on your blog in a while, and was surprised to find all your old blogs missing. There was one wonderful post that I used to read over and over…"The Bridegroom". Please say you still have it! I would love to read it again if you do. Is there any way you could re-post it? It was beautifully, masterfully written, and I'm sure many of us would love to see it again!
Also, I recently recieved a copy of "Between the Savior and the Sea" and CANNOT WAIT to read it. Peter's my Confirmation saint!
Happy, holy feast of the Assumption! ❤
When you get a chance, do you think you would consider re-posting “The Bridegroom”? That one was so beautiful, and I miss re-reading it. I’d love to see it again and share it with some of my Mary-and-Joseph-loving friends!
I’m so glad you’re back to blogging! I really missed reading your bogs. They are always very thought provoking and I love the perspective you give. Thank you for writing them.
Hi i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i
could also create comment due tto this brilliant article.