Eye of Faith

No Ordinary Meal

This poster got me reflecting on how we catechize about the Eucharist and invisible things in general.  I think it is very common to want to connect the Eucharist to what we all know – a family meal.  Yes, in a certain sense it is like a family meal because we gather each Sunday to a a community of faith to participate in the Holy Mass.  However, it is much more: It is the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross being made present.  As I’ve heard it said before “It’s the same old miracle that happens each time Mass is celebrated”.  This heavenly banquet is ever new and ever fresh.  We have the opportunity as Catholics and as catechists to live our earthly lives anticipating the pledge of our future glory (cf. CCC 1402-1405).  This is no ordinary reality happening at each Mass, but we’ve come so accustom to it and live in a culture that seeks to enliven the senses to no end that the divine exchange that occurs is often overlooked or taken for granted.

Catechetical Takaway

I just have one takaway that I’d like to share:

Seek to impress upon those you are catechizing that the God of the universe is constantly seeking to draw our hearts and minds into his reality of holiness and life.  The things of this world- the signs and symbols that this world offers and our Church uses are meant to connect us to what only the eyes of faith can see clearly (Cf. 1 Cor. 13:12).  It is no less real just visible through a different lens.

A Prayer for Faith

Lord Jesus, eternal and infallible Truth, since Thou hast said that Thou art really present in the holy Eucharist, I believe it firmly. Yes, this Host which I see, and which I am to receive, is not bread, but the living Body of Jesus Christ, God and Man: it is the God Whom the Angels adore in heaven; I believe it. I do not understand this Mystery, but I wish to believe it without seeking to penetrate it, that I may have the happiness of seeing and contemplating it one day in heaven. Strengthen it so lively, that I may honour Thee, love Thee, and receive Thee, as if I already beheld Thee.

 

Reflections of the Year Gone By

Over the last two weeks I’ve been collecting evaluations and having meetings about how things went this year.  I praise God for the many blessings from the year – how God worked through the little interactions with families, parents, kids and catechists and how He used teachable moments in the classroom, during our times of music, stations of the cross, reconciliation, etc.  Christ desires to draw us closer to Himself and I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on the many gifts and blessings (seen and unseen) that occurred this year.

Reflecting and evaluating upon what can be improved in the future is also important.  The landscape of Religious Education is rapidly changing in many respects and if we don’t consider what we need to do to continually help our families and students grow in a way where they will come to know the Gospel more fully in order that their lives can be transformed.  Reaching out to parents and children who are over-scheduled, consumed with noise and distractions limiting their ability to seek God and encounter Him is a constant challenge.

Here are some things I’ve been reflecting upon:

1) How can catechists be trained so that they can seize the opportunities they have to draw students out of their busy world and give them the one thing that satisfies – Jesus Christ?

2) Are the resources we are providing catechists helping them to authentically pass on the faith and engage kids?

3) What tools and resources can be provided so as to help engage children more fully.

4) How can we involve parents more and help them be the primary educators of their children’s faith?  We don’t want to be a program where parents “outsource” faith formation to us.  We want to be a bridge and collaborate with them in order that they may be more empowered to pass on the faith to their children.

How about you?

What have you been reflecting at the end of your religious education year?

 

Personal Growth Suggestions for Summer

Most Religious Education and RCIA programs are coming to an end for the year.  Even though our time commitments may slow down in some respects we live in a busy world where finding time to slow down in challenging.  Many of us, myself included, could not imagine life before cell phones and the internet. Just 10 years ago people where functioning just fine without a cell phone (although they were around and people had them). The Internet was also around, but not as fast and not as many people functioning directly from it regarding their jobs, and personal endeavors.  It is more challenging than ever to find the time to sit down and just read and relax.  It is very important as catechist and as a disciple of Jesus that we take the time to read and grow in our faith.  This not only helps us grow spiritually but also in our knowledge and understanding of our beautiful faith.  I have listed some books worth reading.  It is not an exhaustive list but if you pick one or two of these books to read this summer I think you’ll find the time spend reading them abundantly refreshing and inspiring as you grow in your spiritual life and in your knowledge of the Faith.

Spiritual Life

A Heart Like His: Meditations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Fr. Thomas Williams

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales

Story of a Soul by St. Therese

Time for God by Fr. Jacques Philippe

Prayer Primer by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M.                                                                                     

The Way of the Disciple by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis

Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen

Heaven In Our Hands by Fr. Benedict Groeschel

In Conversation with God (7 volume set)  by Fr. Francis Fernandez

Heaven in Our Hands by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

Appointment with God by Fr. Michael Scanlan

Five Loaves and Two Fish by Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan

Prayer For Beginners By Peter Kreeft (I was not a beginner when I read this and found it very helpful and insightful)

He Leadeth Me By Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J.                                                                                                             

Knowledge and Understanding

The Lord by Fr. Ramano Guardini

To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed

Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Dr. Scott Hahn

Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments by Dr. Scott Hahn

Heaven, the Heart’s Deepest Longing by Peter Kreeft

Catholic For a Reason (4 volumes)

Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft

Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel (this book is meant for adults)

What books are you hoping to read this summer? I pray you have a blessed summer filled with time to slow down, regroup and grow spiritually!

 

Live, Love and Work Different

Are You Intriguing?

Recently I watched a youtube recording of Matthew Kelly’s talk from the L.A. Congress 2012.  His talk was around an hour and in part of it he spoke about how Protestant faiths do a much better job of intriguing people or as I would say – drawing people in to “want more” (more of God) than Catholics do.  Matthew Kelly went on to ask “as Catholics do we intrigue anyone by our faith”?  In order to draw others into the Faith they have to see us live, love and work differently than what they see in the people around them.  Does our Catholic Faith and our life of holiness contribute significantly to making us “look different” in the way we live each day?  Do others experience the love of Christ in our daily actions?  And do we work in a different way than others – not that we have to work longer but do we work harder (not just half-hearted), do we work without complaining?  The more we do this the more we as Catholics will be intriguing to a world hungry for God.

2 questions

1) What are characteristics of an authentic witness of Christian life (these characteristics are what the world finds “intriguing”)?

2) As catechists, how do you empower your students to be “intriguing” or how to you help your students witness their faith?

 

Fitting The Mold And The New Evangelization

Upcoming Symposium on the New Evangelization

Recently, the Vatican News Agency reported that the symposium on the New Evangelization will address “the necessity to revisit” those areas of the world “that have been evangelized maybe for 1000 years or 500 years and where the faith was once very strong” but where “now people are rather cold in the faith.”

It will also stress the need for this “new freshness” and “new ardor” to be communicated using new technology.

Cardinal Arinze believes that life in the Western world has “many other offers to the human person” which are “attracting” or even “distracting” people away from Christianity so that “the message of Christ can sometimes be forgotten, given a second place, put as a footnote.”

Eye Opening Quote:

“So someone has to come who has the enthusiasm of an evangelizer, who has the convincing power of a witness who lives with conviction what that witness is preaching” and who is also “ready to use modern methods to contact people.”

What Is Needed?

Three things Cardinal Arinze says are needed: 1) Enthusiasm 2) the convincing power of a witness and 3) one who will use modern methods to engage others and lead them closer to Christ and His Church.

As a catechist and as a lay member of the Body of Christ, I am called, you are called and the faithful are called to have these three qualities in order to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those they encounter in their everyday lives.

Many are confused about why it has to be “new” regarding evangelization.  It goes without saying that the Church as always evangelized and exists in order to evangelize.  However, what is need today is a “new ardor”, “new expressions” and “new methods” of proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ who is “the same yesterday, and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Fleshing It Out

How have you “fleshed out” this new “ardor, expression and methods” of the New Evangelization?  I would be grateful if you took a moment and left a comment.

 

More Than A “Teaching” Session

Are your Confirmation Sessions teaching teens the faith or forming them in the faith?  Ok, this is a bit of a trick question, because we ideally need to do both: catechize so transformation will occur.  Recently we had a Confirmation Session with 100 8th graders that was extremely powerful and really blew all of us away at what the Holy Spirit did.

Some background

This year we have implemented a new format for our Confirmation Program by taking kids out of the classroom setting and gathering them all together and trying to do more formation in the faith as compared to merely a catechesis about various topics of the faith.  New Programs/formats always need tweaking.  We have learned a lot this year about empowering volunteers and engaging large numbers of teens.  We have had many frustrations with attendance, volunteers not showing up and a lack of the right kind of engagement from volunteers but we’ve persevered, continued to pray and asked the Holy Spirit to lead us.

Confirmation

We wanted to create a night that gave teens an idea of what happens during the Confirmation Mass.  Many who’ve been through it have said they didn’t really have much of a clue what was going on while it was happening.  So the following is what we did to try to change that.

Gather and Proclaim

We open the night with a humorous 2 minute video about what Confirmation is (the video does not give any answers).  We then had a skit entitled: At the Movies with Jesus and it focused on choosing Christ.  We then debriefed about the skit and shared how tonight we were going to explore a little about Confirmation and the amazing things that happen at the Confirmation Mass.

Break

Small group leaders then took their students to discuss some of the aspects of the Confirmation Mass.  The leaders shared that there was some good discussion during this time.

Send

We concluded by showing another movie clip and discussed that God is asking us to give Him permission.  Joe, one of our youth ministers shared a story and ended up giving away a rosary that was very valuable to him and blessed by the pope.  It truly was a Holy Spirit moment and it was very powerful for the person who received it. She had a hard time receiving it because she felt she didn’t deserve it (that’s exactly the point – we don’t deserve God’s gave and gifts but He cares for us so much that He freely and lovingly showers his grace and gifts upon us).

The Holy Spirit continued to work as we invited teens to come up and share why they were excited about Confirmation.  They came up and shared things like – It’ll bring me closer to God, it’ll strengthen my faith, it’s very important to me.  This was their way of standing up in front of others and witnessing their faith.  It was powerful and exciting to see the teens stand up for their faith.  We had one of those “they finally got it” moments.

It turned out to be a great night!  We were skeptical before the evening began regarding how it would go and how much involvement we’d get from the teens.  God certainly was not outdone is generosity.  Thank you Holy Spirit!

This is one example of how we’ve sought to really engage our teens and form them into the disciples Christ He is calling them to be.  We pray that their faith continues to grow.  Here is an outline of the night – Confirmation.

How About You?

What have you done to engage your Confirmation Candidates?

 

Teaching Prayerfully

The Gift of Prayer

Prayer is the life of the soul!  How are we drawing adults, parents, kids and youth into a life of prayer?  The Catechism is rich in what it says about prayer.

In paragraph 2560 it says:

“The wonder of prayer is revealed beside the well where we come seeking water: there Christ comes to meet every human being.  It is he who first seeks us and asks us for a drink.  Jesus thirsts; his asking arises from the depths of God’s desire for us.  Whether we realize it or not, prayer is the encounter of God’s thirst with ours.  God thirsts that we may thirst for him.”

Prayer and Catechesis

In many ministry settings prayer is seen too often as something to get out of the way (an attitude of “I know I should pray so let’s say a quick prayer and get on with the lesson of the day) instead of something that draws people into the mystery of Christ and a greater intimacy with Him.  It is essential in our catechetical settings to create an attitude of prayer that opens hearts.  Helping create an environment that draws souls into that relationship with Jesus is key if we are to lead adults and children into being truly disciples of Christ.

Not only is it important to lead people into prayer, but it will only occur if we ourselves are people of prayer; people who take time to foster a spiritual life and time for mental prayer.  Yes, it is great to pray at all times and make your whole day a prayer, but this is not sufficient.  We must be people who take time away from the busyness of jobs, social media that we are exposed to 24-7 and all our family responsibilities and be silent before God.  Taking time to pray and making prayer it a priority is necessary for our relationship with Christ as well as our success in ministry.  Catechists are then able to better engage and lead others into prayer if they themselves are people of prayer.

Practical Recommendations

I recently read a great article by Marianne Cuthbertson and Dr. Caroline Farey that gives wonderful recommendations for leading others into prayer in our catechetical settings.  Their numerous recommendations are exactly what we need to consider to allow our catechetical session to be times of grace and session soaked in prayer.

How do you help engage others in prayer in your catechetical sessions?  Let us be drawn into and help draw others into the “wonder of prayer”.

 

What We Need Most

Divine Mercy Sunday is just around the corner.  What a great way to teach kids about God’s Mercy.  An attribute of God is Mercy.  God thirsts for us tirelessly because He loves and cares for us so much.  His Mercy is great and boundless.  St. Faustina has been such a gift to the Church through her bringing us Jesus’ message of Mercy.  Here are some great resources for kids about the Divine Mercy Chaplet and various crafts from Catholic Icing , Divine Mercy Kids  , and Marians of the Immaculate Conception.

 

The Greatest Event Ever

May the joy and grace of Christ’s Ressurection be with you in abundance!  From apostolic times the feasts of Easter was primary, and the paschal mystery was the first celebration to have both a time before the feast of preparation and a time afterwards for the extension and completing the celebration.

As you enter into the Easter Season remember it is a season that lasts 50 days.  First and foremost the Octave of Easter is the 8 days the Church celebrates as one day.  This Solemnity of Easter is that significant!  The Easter Season goes all the way until Pentecost.  Let us continue to keep this in mind as we catechize – the power of the Resurrection is greater than any sin or trial.  Let us rise up as Christ did and go with Him and be transformed by His glorious Resurrection!

Jared Dees has a great list of ideas from his website The Religion Teacher that are worth considering and well worth you time to check out.

What do you do in your catechesis that seeks to transmit the joy and truths of the liturgical Season of Easter?

A Happy and Blessed Easter Season to you!!!!

 

Ancient Holy Saturday Homily

I don’t think I’ve read anything so profound regarding Holy Saturday as this ancient Homily that is in the Office of Readings for today:

“What is happening? Today there is a great silence over the earth, a great silence, and stillness, a great silence because the King sleeps; the earth was in terror and was still, because God slept in the flesh and raised up those who were sleeping from the ages. God has died in the flesh, and the underworld has trembled.

Truly he goes to seek out our first parent like a lost sheep; he wishes to visit those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. He goes to free the prisoner Adam and his fellow-prisoner Eve from their pains, he who is God, and Adam’s son.

The Lord goes in to them holding his victorious weapon, his cross. When Adam, the first created man, sees him, he strikes his breast in terror and calls out to all: ‘My Lord be with you all.’ And Christ in reply says to Adam: ‘And with your spirit.’ And grasping his hand he raises him up, saying: ‘Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.

‘I am your God, who for your sake became your son, who for you and your descendants now speak and command with authority those in prison: Come forth, and those in darkness: Have light, and those who sleep: Rise.

‘I command you: Awake, sleeper, I have not made you to be held a prisoner in the underworld. Arise from the dead; I am the life of the dead. Arise, O man, work of my hands, arise, you who were fashioned in my image. Rise, let us go hence; for you in me and I in you, together we are one undivided person.

‘For you, I your God became your son; for you, I the Master took on your form; that of slave; for you, I who am above the heavens came on earth and under the earth; for you, man, I became as a man without help, free among the dead; for you, who left a garden, I was handed over to Jews from a garden and crucified in a garden.

‘Look at the spittle on my face, which I received because of you, in order to restore you to that first divine inbreathing at creation. See the blows on my cheeks, which I accepted in order to refashion your distorted form to my own image.

‘See the scourging of my back, which I accepted in order to disperse the load of your sins which was laid upon your back. See my hands nailed to the tree for a good purpose, for you, who stretched out your hand to the tree for an evil one.

`I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side, for you, who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side healed the pain of your side; my sleep will release you from your sleep in Hades; my sword has checked the sword which was turned against you.

‘But arise, let us go hence. The enemy brought you out of the land of paradise; I will reinstate you, no longer in paradise, but on the throne of heaven. I denied you the tree of life, which was a figure, but now I myself am united to you, I who am life. I posted the cherubim to guard you as they would slaves; now I make the cherubim worship you as they would God.

“The cherubim throne has been prepared, the bearers are ready and waiting, the bridal chamber is in order, the food is provided, the everlasting houses and rooms are in readiness; the treasures of good things have been opened; the kingdom of heaven has been prepared before the ages.”

A reading from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

 

Holy Week Resources

This week sums up the Liturgical Year in a nutshell.  It is the climax of Salvation History.  The word Holy means “set apart” and this week should be set apart from other weeks. Attending Holy Thursday Mass and the Good Friday Service are good ways to take the time to enter into this week, but also consider the following ideas from various websites and blogs as ways to make Holy week a special week.

Catholic Mom provides a good list of resources.

Scott Reichart had some pretty good general resources

Elementary Age

Last Supper Craft

Demonstrate the Death and Resurrection by using a seed

Holy Week Inspirational Video

Middle School – High School

some good videos:

Palm Sunday: http://youtu.be/Y3Vor55BoE0

Face of Love: http://youtu.be/JWhTEDsPQYY

PASSIONate Love: http://youtu.be/A2P3nt5fnjg

Easter: http://youtu.be/-AwTPQj_H_k

 

Evangelizing Catechesis

Love of Jesus or Knowledge (Church Teaching)?

Is it the love of Jesus that matters most to convey to this generation?  Is it to pass on what the Catechism says so they will “know” their faith?  Those in ministry have clear opinions about these questions.  Sometimes people say the content gets in the way of helping children, youth and adults encounter Jesus and know His love. Others assert “if they only knew the content they would live their faith better”.

Pope Paul VI was the first pope in history to talk about catechesis as being a means to evangelization (Evangelii Nuntiandi #44).  We are familiar to the notion of evangelization preceding catechesis but Paul VI saw catechesis being a means of evangelizing, of proclaiming the Good News of God’s love and abundant life.

As catechists and disciples of Christ our goal should be to bring about both a greater understanding and knowledge of the faith so that a greater love and acceptance of the Good News will be embraced and lived in the lives of those who receive it.  Our catechesis must be evangelistic in nature so that it is not merely “doctrine” that we are passing on but “life changing doctrine”.

Both Are Essential

The answer is both the love of Jesus and the knowledge of God plan of salvation (doctrine) are key to handing on the Faith.  Before Vatican II the emphasis tended to be placed on memorizing the content of the faith at the cost of the proclamation of the Good News of God’s love and Mercy.  After Vatican II the pendulum went the other way and the emphasis was on proclaiming the love of God and his great mercy and minimizing the content and the importance of knowing/learning it.  What we need is to unify the two by understanding that we are catechizing and proclaiming this life changing doctrine so as to draw the learning into a life-giving relationship with Jesus. Blessed John Paul II said it very well in Catechesi Tradendae when he said:

Catechesis aims therefore at developing understanding of the mystery of Christ in the light of God’s word, so that the whole of a person’s humanity is impregnated by that word. Changed by the working of grace into a new creature, the Christian thus sets himself to follow Christ and learns more and more within the Church to think like Him, to judge like Him, to act in conformity with His commandments, and to hope as He invites us to.

To put it more precisely: within the whole process of evangelization, the aim of catechesis is to be the teaching and maturation stage, that is to say, the period in which the Christian, having accepted by faith the person of Jesus Christ as the one Lord and having given Him complete adherence by sincere conversion of heart, endeavors to know better this Jesus to whom he has entrusted himself: to know His “mystery,” the kingdom of God proclaimed by Him, the requirements and promises contained in His Gospel message, and the paths that He has laid down for anyone who wishes to follow Him. (Paragraph 20)

The understanding of doctrine and the goal of bringing about a change (conversion) is the “aim of catechesis”.  Today we need both in order to authentically pass on the deposit of faith and all its riches.

Catechetical Takeaway

A few ideas on how to accomplish this are worth considering.

1) Always open your catechetical sessions in prayer – prayer that helps draw others into the Mystery of Christ.

2) Share the topic of the day with enthusiasm and with conviction.  This will be noticed and those receiving it will be more inclined to be drawn into what you are proclaiming and sharing.

3)  Pray to the Holy Spirit (The Holy Spirit is the interior teacher).  Catechists are the instrument, the conduit, the mouthpiece helping others to know and love Christ.

4) Be faithful to proclaiming the Church’s teachings.  Proclaiming this life changing doctrine will lead others to the love of God and to encounter Him more fully.

How do you see catechesis being a means of evangelization?

 

St. Joseph and the New Evangelization

Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph!  He is the patron saint of the universal Church.  Today I wanted to share with you some great quotes about St. Joseph and his influence on the New Evangelization.

Quotes

St. Bernardine of Siena (d. 1444) said,

“He was chosen by the eternal Father as the trustworthy guardian and protector of His greatest treasures, namely, His divine Son and Mary, Joseph’s wife. He carried out this vocation with complete fidelity until at last God called him, saying, ‘Good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

St. Teresa of Avila (d. 1582) wrote,

“I took St. Joseph as my advocate and protector, and recommended myself very earnestly to him. He came to my help in the most visible manner. This loving father of my soul, this beloved protector, hastened to pull me out of the state in which my body was languishing, just as he snatched me away from greater dangers of another nature which were jeopardizing my honor and my eternal salvation! For my happiness to be complete, he has always answered my prayers beyond what I had asked and hoped for. I do not remember even now that I have ever asked anything of him which he has failed to grant. I am astonished at the great favors which God has bestowed on me through this blessed saint, and at the perils from which He has freed me, both in body and in soul.”

Pope John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (1989) exhorted the faithful to look to St. Joseph in our troubled age:

“This patronage must be invoked, and it is always necessary for the Church, not only to defend it against dangers ceaselessly cropping up, but also and above all to support it in those fearful efforts at evangelizing the world, and spreading the new evangelization among nations where the Christian religion and life were formerly the most flourishing, but are now put to a difficult test…. May St. Joseph become for all a singular master in the service of the saving mission of Christ that is incumbent on each and every one of us in the Church: To spouses, to parents, to those who live by the work of their hands or by any other work, to persons called to the contemplative life as well as to those called to the apostolate.”

I love what Pope Benedict XVI said about St. Joseph:

“Dear brothers and sisters, our meditation on the human and spiritual journey of Saint Joseph invites us to ponder his vocation in all its richness, and to see him as a constant model for all those who have devoted their lives to Christ in the priesthood, in the consecrated life or in the different forms of lay engagement. Joseph was caught up at every moment by the mystery of the Incarnation. Not only physically, but in his heart as well, Joseph reveals to us the secret of a humanity which dwells in the presence of mystery and is open to that mystery at every moment of everyday life. In Joseph, faith is not separated from action. His faith had a decisive effect on his actions. Paradoxically, it was by acting, by carrying out his responsibilities, that he stepped aside and left God free to act, placing no obstacles in his way. Joseph is a ‘just man’ (Mt 1:19) because his existence is ‘ad-justed’ to the word of God.”

New Evangelization

At the heart of the New Evangelization Pope Benedict says is 1) Conversion, 2) The Kingdom of God, 3) Jesus Christ and 4) Eternal Life.  St. Joseph is a model of faith that draws us to conversion though his faithful and focused response to God’s call in his life.  He proclaimed the Kingdom of God through the authentic witness of his life.  Jesus Christ, his adopted son and the one Joseph received supernatural adoption was the one Joseph knew was his Lord and Savior.  After Mary, Joseph was the closest to Christ.  Therefore, his union to Christ was, like Mary’s, incredibly rich and profound.  Much can be pondered from the silence of St. Joseph, but one thing is sure – His holiness intensified and was illuminated through his life with Christ.  Our lives likewise should be intensified and illuminated through our encounter with the living God – especially in the Eucharist.  And finally, our ultimate goal is Eternal Life and St. Joseph knew this.  His example and faithfulness show us that it is not in the big things, in recognition or wealth that one acquires the greatest of prizes.  It is union with God and life everlasting with God that is our ultimate goal and to that which all our endeavors should be aimed.  

Each of these 4 points from Pope Benedict point us to the heart of this New Evangelization.  St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church lived a life of holiness and union with God worth modeling as we consider living and carrying out the New Evangelization.  May St. Joseph inspire us and intercede for us in all our endeavors to bring about a New Evangelization that empowers and transforms, first, us and then the world we live in.

 

Finding God

Where do we find God in our everyday lives as Catholics?  There are so many examples we could give on where we find God.  Loyola Press is even having a video contest to encourage Catholic Identity and Community building on where we find God in our lives.

The question of where do we find God brings me to an additional question:  What does God reveal about where to find Him?  Here are a few things the Catechism says:

~The world, and man, attest that they contain within themselves neither their first principle nor their final end, but rather that they participate in Being itself, which alone is without origin or end. Thus, in different ways, man can come to know that there exists a reality which is the first cause and final end of all things, a reality “that everyone calls God”.^{10 ”} (CCC #34)

~ “Man’s faculties make him capable of coming to a knowledge of the existence of a personal God. But for man to be able to enter into real intimacy with him, God willed both to reveal himself to man and to give him the grace of being able to welcome this revelation in faith. The proofs of God’s existence, however, can predispose one to faith and help one to see that faith is not opposed to reason.” (CCC #35)

~ “God, who creates and conserves all things by his Word, provides men with constant evidence of himself in created realities”  (CCC #54)

~ “Sacred Scripture and Sacred Scripture make up a single sacred deposit of the Word of God” (DV 10), in which, as in a mirror, the pilgrim Church contemplates God, the source of all her riches.  (CCC #97).

~“Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us,” is present in many ways to his Church:¹⁹⁷ in his word, in his Church’s prayer, “where two or three are gathered in my name,”¹⁹⁹ in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned,¹⁹⁹ in the sacraments of which he is the author, in the sacrifice of the Mass, and in the person of the minister. But “he is present . . . most especially in the Eucharistic species.” (CCC 1373).   

When we ask our students questions like Where do you find God?, or Where to you experience Jesus in your daily life?, may we always remember that we want to link them back to what God has revealed.  We always want to connect them to some aspect Christian doctrine which is not stale and static but life giving and spirit filled.  God’s revelation and truth set us free (cf. Jn. 8:32) and gives us life (cf. Jn. 10:10).

 

Using Liturgical Texts to Teach

Do you ever teach and/or draw your students in by using the texts from the liturgy?  Liturgical texts are an invaluable way to help your students encounter Christ.

For example, Sunday March 11th’s opening prayer was:

Collect: O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

 

Ways you could teach from this:

The 3 traditional practices of Lent are a way to “remedy” sin in our lives.  We don’t do it just to be good Catholics or because we’ve always done something for Lent, but we practices fasting, prayer and almsgiving in order to rid our lives of sinful tendencies and behaviors so that we can become more united to Christ, more open to His ways, more available to doing God’s will.

 

Also, teaching students that when we examine our conscience and identify the sin or sins that need to be gotten rid of as well as forgiven we should remember that God’s mercy lifts us up (we don’t have to stay down or stuck in our sin, but God’s mercy lifts/raises us to a life that is renewed in Christ.  We indeed can begin again.

 

Another Example

The Liturgy of the Hours provides many great bite size teaching points that are invaluable.  Take for example the Antiphon for the Canticle of Zechariah for morning prayer on Palm Sunday: “With palms let us welcome the Lord as he comes, with songs and hymns let us run to meet him, as we offer him our joyful worship and sing: Blessed be the Lord!”

~ Before praying the canticle with your students or audience one could reflect upon this antiphon.  Sharing with them that our palms are a way to concretely welcome the Lord as He comes — and doing it with songs and hymns.  Music is central the the life of the Church and to drawing our minds and our hearts toward God.  Also, proclaiming that we are being summoned to “run to meet him (Christ) as we we offer him our joyful worship”. This worship isn’t just Mass but the worship of our lives of prayer and offering our very selves to Christ from day to day as an act of worship.

~ Additional ideas that come to mind: 1) using music in ones opening prayer.  2) For elementary age students skits could be a possibility or a reenactment of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.  3) Reflection:  Asking the students to reflect if we are walking or running to meet Christ (makes me think of the Father who ran out to meet his prodigal son).  Our worship should be joyful even if that joy is experienced more from our attitude than what we see around us at Mass (Palm Sunday Mass tends to be more somber when remembering the event than joyful (especially since we know this is the beginning of his Passion).

 

Consider teaching by using text from either the Liturgy of the Mass or the Liturgy of the Hours.  There is great depth to draw from and to expound upon.

How have you used texts from the Mass or the Liturgy of the Hours to pass on the faith?

 

Nine Questions to reflect on the remainder of Lent

As we journey through Lent consider reflecting on these questions:

1.  When I wake up on Easter Sunday morning, how will I be different?
2.  Is there a habit or sin in my life that repeatedly gets in the way of loving God with my whole heart or loving my neighbor as myself? How do I address that habit?
3.  Is there anyone in my life from whom I need to ask forgiveness or pursue reconciliation?
4.  What practical steps am I taking to carve out time for daily prayer?
5.  What spiritual discipline can I continue to improve upon?
6.  What are some things in my life that I tell myself I need but I don’t? Can I give one or two of them up (at least for the remainder of Lent)?
7.  How is what I’m doing this Lent helping me draw closer to Christ?
8.  What can I tell myself even when it’s hard to deny myself?
9. What 2 virtue do I want to focus on this Lent (e.g., patience, charity, kindness, gentleness, temperance, etc.)

 

This was first posted on amazingcatechists.com on March 6.

 

40 Day Lenten Challenge

In previous posts I’ve shared about how we have a summer program where kids in 1st, 3rd – 6th grade attend for two weeks in July and therefore not attend during the year.  However they are required to attend 4 enrichment sessions during the year.  We recently had our 3rd enrichment session and since Lent had just begun we focused on Lent.  We are always trying to find creative ways to present an aspect of our Faith to this large group of about 200 kids and parents.  Here is what we did:

~ We created a game show called the “40 day Lenten Challenge” where three 6th graders were contestants for the 40 day lenten challenge show.  I’ve attached the Lenten Enrichment Skit for you to check out and get the gist of what they did.

~ The contestants came out 3 times.  After the first time we gave parents and kids a few questions to answer (listed in script).

~ Then I had kids come up and share what they came up with at their tables.

~ The contestants came out again (see script).

~ Then we showed a video called “21st time” to show how we need to look beyond ourselves this Lent.

~ Next we had kids talk with their parents on various ways they could practice Lent this year.  We gave them a sheet of paper that said what can I “cut out” and what can I “do for Jesus” this Lent.  Some kids came up and shared their answers.

~ The contestants came out one final time where they were not trying to compete but came to realize that they could help each other grow and that we are all winners.

~ We closed with a slide show video of Jesus in the dessert and how He did this because He cares for us so much.

We felt this was a great way to get students and parents focused on Lent.  I call this kind of programming one way to implement the New Evangelization because we are bringing parents and kids together to grow in their faith in a fresh and creative way.

What do you do in your Religious Education Program that aims to make the New Evangelization concrete?

 

Planning Stages: Year of Faith

It has been exciting to see Pope Benedict vision in his pontificate.  In the first year of His pontificate he came out with an encyclical letter on Charity. His next encyclical letter two year later was on Hope.  And now in 2012 He is not merely writing on Faith but he is proclaiming a year of Faith for the Universal Church to celebrate.  I really like some of the ideas Pope Benedict has recommended as well as the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.  Here are some things that stuck out to me and that our parish might be able to focus on:

 

1)      The New Evangelization (finding fresh ways with new ardor to bring the Gospel message to our parishioners)

2)      An emphasis on “witness of life” (this is always key in Religious Education classes as well as the whole parish)

3)      Coordinating different kinds of pilgrimages (maybe one to Jerusalem and/or maybe to a local shrine or cathedral)

4)      Devotion to Mary (encouraging families to pray together more is one important focus that could be encouraged)

5)      Maybe an opening event on Thursday October 11^th to commemorate the “Year of Faith”.

6)      Study of the Second Vatican documents and Catechism (adult faith offerings)

7)      The Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith speaks of attention being given to homilies, catechesis, addresses and other speeches and documents of the Holy Father.  (This might be a good small group study)

8)      Evangelization and outreach to those who have fallen away from the practice of the faith.

9)   Also not directly mentioned but an emphasis on hospitality at the parish level.  How do people feel when they come into our doors – do they feel welcome and cared about or are they just another number?

 

These are a number of ideas that come to my mind and that I will be writing about as we approach the year of faith.  What is your diocese or parish planning on doing for the upcoming year?  May the Holy Spirit lead Her Church to “rediscover the journey of faith so as to shed ever clearer light on the joy and renewed enthusiasm of the encounter with Christ”(from Pope Benedict’s Porta Fidei on the Year of Faith).

 

A Daily Dose of Penance

In our culture the term penance is very uncomfortable to so many.  For others it’s downright wrong to deny yourself things in a world that fosters freedom of speech, desires, expression, etc, etc.  As followers of Christ how can we consider what I’d like to call “a daily dose of penance” in order to conform our lives more to Christ.  By taking up our cross we will rise and live in the life Christ has for us. Taking up our Cross is not always intense or filled with hardship, but it is something that we are called to do in order to emulate Christ’s suffering and death on the cross – all because of love.  Our small penances draw us into that love of God.  Consider the following 5 ways you could practice a “daily dose of penance” as we begin Lent:

1. Eat one less cookie for dessert, drink one less cup of coffee or soda during the day.

2. Turn off the TV or internet and take 5-10 minutes to pray.

3. Hold your tongue…instead of speaking and explaining yourself because you want to make sure you are understood, just let go and move forward.

3. Pray for someone who annoys you.

4. When tempted to criticize or make a judgment on someone find a way to verbally compliment them instead.

5. Do something beyond what is expected at home or at work instead of what you really want to be doing.

Also, consider giving students in your classes ideas of how to practice small penances which will help them grow in their relationship with God this Lent.  Giving up things is good, but only if it actually leads us closer to Jesus and helps us love Him and our neighbor more in response.

What would you suggest as a good “daily dose”?

 

Lenten Practices

I pray your Lent has begun well!  Here are some good suggestions from Fr. Barron about what to consider during Lent.  Below the video clip I’ve included a few more ideas.

• Make a paper chain for the 40 days of lent.  Write things to do on each paper such as pray the rosary, smile at everyone, do something for someone that they did not ask you to do. Open one each day and follow through on that action.
• Create a Good Deeds Jar – Put 40 tasks/ideas in a jar and have kids take one at the beginning of each day.  Examples Read a story from the Bible, sleep with no pillow and pray for the homeless, go to confession, give someone at school your dessert as an act of kindness, do someone else’s chore today.
• Make a Lenten cross out of wood or dough with 6 holes for candles for each of the 6 weeks for Lent like the Advent wreath 5 purple candles and a rose one in the center to be lit the fourth week
• Make a Lenten calendar with things to do each day or write in what you did as you go along.
• Lenten Sacrifice Beans – Dye Lima beans purple and put one in a jar to record each Lenten sacrifice
• Give something up for Lent. You can choose to avoid sweets, stop listening to your favorite music, give up lengthy showers or some other pleasure in favor of self-mortification. Unite yourself with Jesus’ sufferings on the cross during your Lenten sacrifices.
• Grow in virtue as you observe lent as a Catholic. Decide to work on one virtue, such as charity, chastity or honesty, as part of your Lenten journey.
• Observe the Church’s rules for fasting and abstaining from meat during Lent. The Church requires that you abstain from meat on all Fridays in lent, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Traditional Catholics may also abstain from meat on Saturdays as per the older traditions. Ash Wednesday and Good Fridays are both days of fasting during Lent.

• Attend Mass each Sunday and as often as possible during the week while observing Catholic Lenten practices.
  • Make a humble meal (basic soup and bread) once a week and donate the money you would have spent on meat and dessert to the poor box at your Catholic church.
  • Spend time with Jesus in the Adoration Chapel
  • As a family go to the Stations of the Cross
  • Only Listen to Catholic Radio or K-Love 97.3 FM
  • Read Scripture daily
  • Find a Catholic book to read or website and learn more about your faith
  • Sign up for a daily devotional to be sent such as www.dynamiccatholic.com

 

Fast, Pray and Give

Happy Ash Wednesday!  Yes, Happy because when we know, love and serve God this Lent we will be more happy and fulfilled.    I pray you have a blessed Lent!!!

Bustedhalo.com put a creative 2 minute video out about Lent.  check it out:

 

Get Your “Game Face” On

“It is not that I have already taken hold of it (the prize of eternal life) or have already attained perfect maturity,   but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of   by Christ (Jesus).    Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession.   Just one thing:  forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead,  I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling,  in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3: 12-14

Give me some Attitude

Many people move into Lent not very excited about it.  Oh, here comes another Lent where I feel guilty if I’m not sacrificing and giving up something.  Someone just said to me the other day (when thinking about Ash Wednesday), “I hate fasting”.

As you move into Lent 2012 how can this time truly be a “new springtime” for your spiritual life?  As catechists and disciples of Christ how is Christ calling you to grow?  St. Augustine once said that moderation is more challenging/difficult than total abstinence (fasting).  I think that is true.  Maybe this lent it’s about the little things instead of the big things.  Maybe it’s about 5 or 10 minutes of prayer time instead of deciding to do a half an hour to an hour of prayer a day.  Consider not eating dessert a few days during the week instead of giving up chocolate or candy all of lent but eating sugar cookies and carrot cake.  Maybe it’s not looking at your cell phone between 6pm – 10pm so you can spend time with your family, serving others or praying.  This is the kind of attitude St. Paul encouraged: “straining forward to what lies ahead” so you can grow in your “pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus”.

Encouraging students

Most religious education class or RCIA sessions during Lent are not all about the season.  However, try to continually encourage and help your students remember that this is a time to really grow, renew our love for God, seek to love others and be aware of doing God’s will.  This can be done by incorporating things into your opening and closing prayer as well as your particular topic of the day.

Be Saints

Our goal in life is to be with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one day in Heaven.  Let us renew this Lent God’s call of holiness (for us to be saints).  It is challenging and not always easy but with God’s help…all things are possible.

 

Here is a video reflection about Ash Wednesday and Lent being a time to choose God and be happy:

 

Effective Evangelization

Is your catechesis evangelistic?  What does that even mean?  Well, it means a lot of things, but most importantly it means being a person to brings the light, joy, life and love of Jesus to others.  The heart of our catechesis to children, youth and adults must be evangelistic or it is not authentically Catholic/Christian.

How do I shine Jesus in my catechesis?  How do others encounter Jesus through my classes, presentations or by encountering me?  These are questions worth thinking about.  I found a compelling video clip by Fr. Robert Barron about Evangelization.  It’s a little academic, but it’s really good.  Take a couple minutes and check it out.

 

Are You Keeping Parents in the Loop?

One of the challenges I find in our once a week religious education program is that parents drop off their kids (those parents who are not catechists) and then pick them up 75 minutes later.  They often have little knowledge of how the class went, what was covered or what questions came up.  If our religious education programs are going to pass on the faith to the next generation we must find ways to include and inform parents.  After all, this generation of parents are most likely uncatechized or were poorly catechized growing up.  The Second Vatican Councils Declaration on Christian Education said:

This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. Parents are the ones who must create a family atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and man, in which the well-rounded personal and social education of children is fostered. Hence the family is the first school of the social virtues that every society needs. It is particularly in the Christian family, enriched by the grace and office of the sacrament of matrimony, that children should be taught from their early years to have a knowledge of God according to the faith received in Baptism, to worship Him, and to love their neighbor. (Gravissimum Educationis, #3)

Therefore it is clear just how important parents are to the faith formation of their children.  Today’s religious education situation has many challenges with regards to successfully equipping parents in the faith.

One way I try to inform parents is by sending a weekly email about any announcements as well as a summary of what their child will be learning in class (I send it the day before class so they have a chance to look at it before their child goes to class…and so when their child(ren) get into the car after class the parent already knows what was covered in their child’s class).   It is so important to communicate with parents what their children are learning.  Parents often learn along with their kids (learning about truths of the faith for the first time).  I also try to provide a suggestion that parents can apply to their lives in some way.

How do you “keep parents in the loop”?  Please share ways you inform and involve parents in the faith formation of their children.

 

Media Resources

Last week I hosted a number of DRE’s at my parish to discuss how to use technology and media within ones religious education program.  Many of the participants wanted to know where to find resources to use in the classroom and how I go about choosing certain media clips that I found on the internet.  We had some good conversation about using technology in the classroom as a tool.  I stressed that it is only a tool and that the catechist is the linchpin and the heart of transmitting the Gospel.  The textbook, the video, music, art, etc each are tools and instruments but it is the catechist who pulls it all together and helps their students be engaged and drawn to a relationship with God.  Nothing is more important than the catechist — even in the third millennium.

Also, I provided the DRE’s with some resources I’ve used in the classroom: Website Resources for DRE Mtg Feb. 2012.  Some of them are video links and others are good places to go for information on catechesis.  Overall it was a really good meeting and many of the DRE’s were grateful for the discussion on the topic.

Does anyone have some good video clips you use for younger children?  How about other resources that you’ve found helpful?  Please share!

 

Jesus Died For Me

1st collector for Jesus Died For Me
Follow my videos on vodpod

 

Opening Our Eyes to see Jesus in Others

In ministry we are always trying to find ways to show others how to respond to serving others.  Here is a great video clip to help illustrate serving Jesus in others.  I’m going to be using this soon to a group of 1st -6th graders and their parents.

 

Worthwhile Advice from Bob the Builder

A recent NCCL newsletter referred to a finance article from “The Telegraph” that talked about the great advice we can learn from Bob the Builder.  I really liked it because I think we live in a society that believes that our choices are endless and that we can do anything we set our mind to.  I realize that we don’t want to limit ourselves and how we should live to our full potential, but God has given each of us certain talents and gifts and we should head advice similar to Bob who asks “Can we fix it”?  Our question should be, has God given me the ability to do it (whatever it may be).  Also we could ask, is God calling me to do it?  The article said:

“Most of us believe in positive self-talk. “I can achieve anything,” we mouth to the mirror in the morning. “Nobody can stop me,” we tell ourselves before walking into a big meeting. We believe we’ll do better if we banish doubts about our ability or our strategy and instead muster an inner voice that affirms our awesomeness.

But not Bob. Instead of puffing up himself and his team, he first wonders whether they can actually achieve their goal. In asking his signature question – Can we fix it? – he introduces some doubt.

…In other words, questions open and declarations close. We need both, of course. But that initial tincture of honest doubt turns out to be more powerful than a bracing shot of certainty.”

It is my experience that we have to help the children, youth and young adults we catechize to see that the modern day approach to doing “anything” we set our minds to do is not completely healthy.  I think it can contribute to anxiety and discouragement because people are asking the wrong questions about all the things they could be doing in their lives.  I think all the choices we have for our lives and our kids lives creates anxiety because we feel like we have to keep up and make sure we or our kids don’t miss out on what’s available.

We have great opportunities in catechesis to assist students and parents in discerning what God is calling one to do.  What is God’s will regarding how I should respond?  The right questions will help us and our students discern properly according to God’s purposes and plans instead of the world’s or our own.

The Telegraph article concludes by saying: “So the next time you’re feeding your inner self a heady brew of confident declarations and bold affirmations, toss in a handful of interrogatives with a few sprinkles of humility and doubt.  Can you do that? Yes, you … well, you’ll have to ask that yourself.”

I’d love to hear your feedback!!!!

 

Ways Parents Can Help their Children Prepare for First Communion

As I get ready to have a parent meeting for First Communion here are some practical suggestions for parents as they help their child prepare for this most significant event/encounter – their First Holy Communion.

Practical Ways to Help Your Child Prepare for their First Communion

 

1. Go to Sunday Mass with your children. Nothing is more important!
   
   1. Talk about what went on at Mass.
   2. Share how special it is to receive Jesus.
   3. Make Mass important and a valuable experience & not merely a “gotta go and get it done for the day” experience.
   4. Pray a special prayer daily as they prepare.
   5. Take the time to really go through the assignments…make them a special time.

a. Establish a weekly time

b. Show enthusiasm

c. Take the time to be thorough

6. Make visits to the Blessed Sacrament

a. Come early to Mass (or stay after) and pray before the Blessed Sacrament

b. Spend time in the Adoration Chapel

7.  When passing by a Catholic Church make the sign of the cross and/or say a prayer with your child.

   8. Talk about how God is working in your life and what the Eucharist means to you.

a. Share your experience

b. Of your First Communion (have grandparents and aunts & uncles share their experiences).

c. Of how receiving Eucharist every week impacts your life and helps you grow in your relationship with Christ.

d. Read a book on the Eucharist.

9. Help your child to know how to pray after Communion.

10. Make it a priority to eat dinner together as a family.  This helps them understand more clearly how the Eucharist is the family meal of the Church.

11. Pray regularly for a greater love of Christ who is truly present in the Eucharist.  For example: Jesus, as I prepare for my First Communion please help me love you more and do your will.               

12. Have them write a letter to Jesus or to journal over these next couple months.

Please share your suggestions on how parents can help prepare their children.

 

Practical Tips for Discerning A Vocation

It’s National Vocation Awareness Week and I wanted to share some great resources that can help catechists and parents on their children’s journey of properly discerning one’s vocation.  God is calling each us us do something and he has great plans for us.  We want to help children, youth and young adults be open to what God desires for them and what God is calling them to be.  Here are some great resources:

The Archdiocese of Kansas City has 10 suggestions in discerning a vocation.  They also have a good article on 20 signs that someone has a priestly vocati0n that is worth looking at.

Also, here are some great tips using each letter of the alphabet for parents to help foster the idea of vocation in the home and help foster a good foundation so that a person can discern their God given vocation.  Also, go to A Mother’s Rule of Life for some good reflection and input on how to foster your child’s vocation (Catechist can learn from this too).

Here are a few more good general resources:

National Catholic Register article by Matthew Warner: “Teach Your Kids to Help Save the World”

A Mom writes “Why I Encourage My Kids to Consider A Religious Vocation”

The Archdiocese of Boston has a great list of various Vocation Prayers (consider adopting one of them and praying it in your classroom or by giving it to your students.

The USCCB has some good videos.

 

I pray these resources are helpful long beyond this National Vocation Awareness Week.