Glenn+,

My take has always been that yes, we knowledge and baptismal grace are 
necessary for our cooperating with God in our becoming more fully human. 
But these qualities can't be achieved through strength of will but through 
the grace of prayer, worship, sacraments, and ministry.  Setting virtuous 
goals at best is frustrating and at worst a short road to 
self-righteousness.  That's why I've always like the Pauline language about 
"putting on" Christ or the virtues like a garment.  They don't come from 
within us ( as the Stoics believed) but from God.

Mark+