Showing posts with label faith formation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith formation. Show all posts

Catholic Youth Ministry - Then and Now


Then.











Now.


"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." - Mark 16:15


Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church (Kindle Edition)




"Chosen is going to change the way we pass along our precious gift of the Catholic Faith ..." - CatholicFaithForTeens.com




"Everything in the Mass is oriented to actually meeting Jesus..." - Fr. Mike Schmitz, Life Teen






Resources




Originally published: 03.10.2013
Updated: 01.20.2015
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Light of the World













When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life. - John 8:12

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Co-Workers of the Truth: Meditations for
Every Day of the Year
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

It is about dying to ego and rising
as a sacrament of Christ.
GodSpy: Faith at the Edge



Word on Fire

Re-experience the Catechism
Logos Bible Software

The Logos Catholic collection is indispensable
and invaluable for every priest, deacon, religious or lay faithful.
- Rev. Fr. John Trigilio Jr., PhD, ThD
Verbum: Study the Faith (Powered by Logos)


"...Through the harmonious and complementary efforts of all the ranks of the People of God, may this Catechism be known and shared by everyone, so that the unity in faith whose supreme model and origin is found in the Unity of the Trinity may be strengthened and extended to the ends of the earth" (John Paul, Catechism of the Catholic Church).







Published 12.31.2012
Updated: 09.06.2014
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7 Sacraments Revised to Include Holy Macaroni

I used to think my daughters' first words were absolutely awesome!  But now I'm thinking, that was a preview of coming attractions.

On the way home from school, which can be some of our funniest moments in the day, my daughters were enjoying some books purchased from our local Pauline bookstore.  As they fluttered from one book to the other, they both landed on The 7 Sacraments coloring and activity book, to which my oldest (age seven) began to recount what she is learning in school, soon followed by her sister (age five).  As I enjoyed watching them in my rear view mirror, sharing what they know, it wasn't long before they each tried to recall the Sacraments in order.  My oldest, started out with the Sacrament of Baptism.  She was doing pretty good and then the laughter began to mount as she struggled with "An-o-t...", "Anno...", "Ant-ooo...", "Anno-e....Annoying...of the Sick?!"


"Annoying of the sick?!" I busted out laughing.  Well, that was entertaining to both of them, so she continued and my youngest, parroted  her sister and stumbled at the end with, "Holy Macaroni?!"

By the time we got home, we were all chatting and laughing about Annoying of the Sick and Holy Macaroni.


Learning about our faith is a lot of fun and a challenge to translate it into a message that is Catholic for Kids; but in doing so, I am reminded of the simplicity of God's message, something our children need to hear and as parents, we need to be reminded about.

As we discover and re-discover our story in the Catholic faith, I can't wait to hear in what other ways they will help me to have a greater appreciation for the God of Wonders, as I try to learn more by taking their questions and observations and making them part of my challenge to find creative ways in our daily living to bolster the formation of our faith, to empower us to do God's work.

In keeping with our new understanding of The 7 Sacraments, I hope you will enjoy Marie's Macaroni and Cheese, renamed in our home as, Holy Macaroni.

Have a blessed day, as a parent, in finding your path to God's service to share his love with your children and neighbors.
   

     

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Cradle of Faith

Once a month, my oldest daughter (age 6) attends Mass with her first grade class.  On a good day, I'll get there early (if I don't miss it all together) and have an opportunity to pray, meditate and read the scriptures, searching for what God wants me to know, before she and her classmates arrive.  But on days when I miscalculate my time, I will arrive moments before they enter the church.  Then it is a little more difficult to settle myself, collect my thoughts and center in preparation for fellowship. In either case, it is a delight to see her eyes open wide with joy in anticipation of her "Papa" sitting with her among friends.

My eyes, I am sure, open just as wide, appreciating she wants me there at this time in her life.  I find it so important to be at Mass with her, on her turf so to speak, when she is feeling most independent among her friends.  It seems like one of many opportunities to sow seeds of positive emotional impressions and excitement to uncover together a greater understanding of our relationship to our Lord and his Church.  As we sit together, I am mindful of holding her close as we listen to the readings, because I want her to feel secure.  She does.  I know this because she presses closer.  Don't we all enjoy that as parents?  When they press closer. We all know this time is fleeting, so they are gems each time they occur.

The daily reading is followed by our priest routinely asking the children questions, and my oldest darts her hand, along with many others, into the air to questions she is confident in answering.

Her enthusiasm is both inspiring and something I don't want to take for granted, as it needs encouragement to continue to grow.  That enthusiasm found in her fundamental joy to be at Mass with family and friends, is a valuable witness to the character of her spiritual identity, still developing, strengthening and more and more capable to carry forward by the dignity of her life the message of Christ in the context of our rich Catholic history.  But, how will she know that history?  She will know her Catholic faith the same way we learn of any history, by those willing to teach directly and those who teach indirectly by example.

As with many fathers, I share the wonderful burden to teach my children the Catholic faith.  The importance of that teaching will result somewhere between a firm Catholic identity or one that wanes and is subject to cultural influences. As fathers, if we are able to articulate and live a rich Catholic faith, then we leave a tangible experience and reference point.  If we live a Catholic faith that is sparse, then our children will likely have little investment in what we did not place significant value to ourselves.  It is a wonderful burden, and awesome responsibility.

As good teachers, we equip our children with what they need to sustain themselves in any of life's circumstances.  With a firm spiritual character, they become a source of encouragement to others and able to transmit to subsequent generations born into the cradle of faith a tradition that is magnificent.
How great things have we heard and known, and our fathers have told us. Declaring the praises of the Lord, and his powers, and his wonders which he hath done and declare them to their children.  That that may put their hope in God and may not forget the works of God: and may seek his commandments (Psalm 78:3, 4bc, 6c-7).




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