We are truly blessed to work with the youth leaders in our parishes. Our Youth Leadership Teams - PULSE: Passionately Uniting and Leading Students to Evangelize, had their project presentations on Mother's Day. They wrote a beautiful speech (attached) and also decide to do the Everything skit with the music by Lifehouse.
The project theme was Abiding in God's Will and Surrendering to God's Will.
The speech the team wrote is truly inspirational. Remember - we coach and advise, we don't write for them. We pray and allow God to work through them to give the message He has for us.
The YLT PULSE is a 2 parish joint team so they performed at 2 parishes that same day.
Mother Mary - Continue to pray for all youth. They are the future of our church. Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to guide them. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen
John 15:9-17 (Gospel for the feast of st. Matthias May 14, 2015)
Jesus said to his disciples:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love.
“I have told you this so that my joy might be in you
and your joy might be complete.
This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
I no longer call you slaves,
because a slave does not know what his master is doing.
I have called you friends,
because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another.”
A favorite commandment - to LOVE
Mother Mary - Pray for us to share the love within us. Amen
"Sure as a chick comes from an egg, Jesus rose from the dead." That is what my Grandmother would tell me when I asked her why we have Easter eggs on Easter.
That brings up the old saying, "What came first, the chicken or the egg?'' Giving way to the creation story.
We also compare Easter to a caterpillar and a butterfly. The caterpillar goes off into a cocoon and emerges as a radiant butterfly - NEW LIFE!
New life through Jesus Christ.
Because Jesus died for us, we are able to have our sins cleansed and that allows us to be with Him in heaven - NEW LIFE!
Jesus gave Himself for us on the cross, but death could not stop God. Jesus rose from the dead, the Resurrection and the NEW LIFE!
Today, Easter Sunday, is the most important day in our Catholic faith. The Resurrection!
Jesus entered our world as an infant to show us His humanness. He died and left the world as a Man. He rose from the dead as God.
Jesus was always God Man, but He didn't stop anything just to make Himself feel better. He could have removed His chains and the cross at anytime. He chose the Cross.
His Resurrection gives us faith and hope for a NEW LIFE!
Good Friday - Why do we call it GOOD? It is the day our Lord died. Exactly why we call it good.
Jesus our Lord and God, chose to die for our sins. That makes it a very good day for us.
Mother Mary - Thank you for saying yes. Thank you for giving Jesus to us so that He could say His yes too. Amen
Vocation is a calling. When we think of vocation- a priest or nun comes to mind as having the "calling". That is correct, that is a vocation, but there is more to it than that. It is an invitation to love and serve God in a particular way.
There can be the vocation into the religious life - priest, sister, bother, deacon.
There can be the vocation to the married life - wife or husband. That can also lead to being a parent or not.
There can be the vocation to live a single life - man or woman - no particular reason for some and for others it may be that they have a same sex attraction and they choose to follow the Catholic teaching of not acting upon that temptation.
Society and the media outlets have been desensitized us to premarital sex and homosexuality for years. We can turn on our TV and find shows that have these things on many channels at all times of the day.
In the last 100+ years we have lived the machine revolution, sexual revolution and technology revolution. Why does this matter you are thinking - right?
Well - in the late 1800's into the early 1900's we were introduced to machinery to help with the labors of the land. Instead of using animals for the farming - tractors and other machinery was introduced into our food production - mainly. Now machines are doing the work of many people, reducing jobs and giving people more free time - which can bring about better family time or it can lead to finding other things to fill the time - "me time" and take away from the family.
Before the machine revolution men would come home (in) from the fields and spend time with the family. They would pray more with the family. There was the role model of the family setting. Family life was important.
Now on to the sexual revolution - started late 50's (in my opinion) on through the 60's. It started with the birth control pill. When the birth control pill was introduced- that in turn introduced sexual promiscuity. It started with premarital sex, which don't get me wrong, there probably was always premarital sex. It gave the opportunity to experiment and not have to worry about getting someone pregnant or getting pregnant. Which in turn led to sexually transmitted diseases, other disease and cancers. Again, we see sexual promiscuity on all TV shows, movies and even family shows - which in turn takes away from the true family setting and meaning. Children and youth are groomed to accept same sex relationships, divorce and premarital sex as being the norm. This is where the true family values and core is breaking down.
Now we are in the technology revolution - technology is in our everyday life. It can be a very good thing and used improperly can be a very bad thing. If you just watch a movie that is 20 years old you can see how quickly technology has changed. Even 5-10 years ago we can see how cell phones have advanced to being a computer in our pocket and having access to the internet via wifi or data. We live in a time of instant gratification. We can look something up quickly, it becomes a part of our gatherings with family and friends. An example of this was yesterday - we were having lunch at our daughters house and sent the children out on a scavenger hunt. One of the things on the "list" was to find a birds nest and show us. We all looked up and saw leafy nests above our heads as it is spring and the trees are still bare. I said I spotted 3 nests and my #1, daughter, said that they were squirrel nests. So of course we jumped on our phones to see if they were squirrel or bird nests. She was right.
Technology can be fun. There are great things to find and use for our faith as well - but then we have the bad that comes in to play. There are pop ups, gambling, pornography, and sexual predators on social media sights. These can lead to terrible addictions and danger.
It is important for us to teach our children and youth how to use technology safely and to always feel that they can talk to us about anything that they find uncomfortable with media and technology. We need to make rules about when children and youth can have access to these things at home - that it may not be allowed during family meals for example. AND ESPECIALLY CAN NOT BE USED WHEN DRIVING
Technology can help the family teach good values and it can also tear down the family with addiction and acting on temptations.
We need to get back to talking about VOCATION ~ so how does all of this tie into vocation?
Family values that we see and live with are what lead us to our vocations. We need to stand up for what we believe in and teach our children and youth these values so that they can choose to have a good Catholic vocation in life.
Mother Mary, Pray for your children to make good vocation choices. AMEN
My granddaughter had her appendix out on Monday, she is going to be 10. It is scary and yet it was inspiring to see her so brave.
She was so well taken care of at the Children's Hospital. They gave her crafts to do, games to play, a stuffed animal with an IV needle, a new blanket for her to keep and so many other ways that they went above and beyond to keep her comfortable and happy.
My #2, daughter, an RN and her husband is in the medical field too - were so impressed with the care of our little princess.
It is such a great gift to know that our children are being taken care of in such a loving and compassionate setting.
God gives people gifts and we try to recognize those gifts to see where we can make a difference in the world. Not just for ourselves, but for others.
We need to search our hearts to see what talents we have.
It wasn't just the Doctors and nurses at the Children's Hospital that make it a special place, it has to be a team effort from the administrative staff to the maintenance crew and people that wash the sheets.
I could see in the "treasures" that she brought home that there are many volunteers and organizations that donate as well - from the homemade little quilt to the kit to make the cute octopus from yarn. The kit lovingly put together with instructions and everything she needed to make it.
These ideas can be inspiration for youth groups and Youth Ministry projects - there are places in our own areas that can use these "treasures".
Our youth make blankets for the Baptism Ministry at our parish. They come and sit around the table and tie the knots and make beautiful baby blankets. These can also be lap blankets to give to nursing facilities and hospitals with swing beds.
When my Dad was close to death, Hospice wheeled in a cart with a beautiful handmade blanket that had the Lord's Prayer on it. My Mom was so happy to lay that blanket over him - to wrap him in the love of our Lord.
We don't know who we are going to touch with acts of kindness, but just know that they don't go un-noticed. They may not be noticed by everyone, but isn't that what it is all about.
"Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up" Galatians 6:9
Mother Mary, Pray for us to share our time, talent and treasures with others! Amen
What else does this simple scriptural sentence mean except that all our lives God calls us to prayer?
Make your life a prayer. Do everything with respect and dignity.
Look at all situations in life as a prayer challenge.
I know, easier said than done. I am the first one to falter here.
There are so many things pulling us in so many directions that we forget this simple sentence. I am one to lose my temper and that is definitely not a prayer moment.
That is why Jesus' Sacrifice is so special, so that we can be forgiven. Our sins washed away so that we can begin again to "Pray Always".
I forgot how much I enjoy working with Elementary age children for Faith Formation. My coworker is still out with an injury so I worked with the Faith Formation program again yesterday. We had the First Communion Retreat last Saturday and that just fueled my flame for formation again in young children.
Last night at the start of the program we had a gathering to pray and talk about the Liturgical Season of Lent with a powerpoint. Then out came the music. I had some videos stored on my computer from a few years ago when I was the coordinator, so I didn't have to work too hard to pull it all together.
A few of the older elementary (we had pre-5th at that time) remembered me and the music so they were leaders for the younger children in the "choreography".
This is one of the favorites - we made up our own "movements".
This video has it all - music and choreography!
Prayer, powerpoint and music only lasted 10 minutes so it didn't infringe on the Catechist's time with the students, but enhanced the experience. If the children aren't engaged, they become bored and that leads to being tired and not paying attention. Elementary session is from 6-7pm, so that age is tired by this time of the day and need the music and movement to invigorate them for the rest of the lesson.
I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy time in prayer and Catechesis with all people, but especially children and youth.
The youth group meets from 6-7pm too, so I had them come out for the gathering with the younger students. After the elementary were released to their teachers we went to the youth room to work on posters for the March Food Drive. They were so understanding of the situation.
At 7:00 we had a few minutes to get set up for the 6-10th grade to start at 7:15pm, playing music in the gathering area of course~
The youth gathered for prayer. Then we had a powerpoint that started with Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus in the Desert that youth volunteered to read. We then watched a great video from Busted Halo that was only a couple minutes long about our personal journey in the desert.
Make Faith Formation joyful. Learning can be joyful. Praise and worship can be joyful. Lent is a penitential time, but still can be joy filled.
CCC 194 The Apostles' Creed is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith I is the ancient baptismal symbol of the Church of Rome. Its great authority arises from the fact: it is "the Creed of the Roman Church, the See of Peter the first of the apostles, to which he brought the common faith".
CCC 195 The Nicene Creed draws its great authority form the fact that it stems from the first two ecumenical Councils (in 325 and 381). It remains common to all the great Churches of both East and West to this day.
Apostles Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
Her suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
the Resurrection of the body
and live everlasting. Amen.
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ.
the only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial
with the Father;
Through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
He came down from heaven
and by the Holy Spirit was Incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead
and His Kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Hillsong - This I Believe
Mother Mary, Pray for us to dig deep into our faith and believe. Amen.
Can we set aside 10 minutes a day for prayer? We can and we should.
We have our cup of coffee, we may read the paper, we watch the news or our favorite show. We make sure we are in front of that TV at just the right time to catch the newest episode or our sports show. We make sure we are on time for work. We make sure we get to school and sports activities. We just need to make sure we "get to" prayer.
There is so much hustle and bustle in our lives that we need to "get to". Do we? Do we need to watch TV now? Do we need to get to that event?
We have to answer these questions everyday. If and when we choose the 10 minutes a day to pray we find peace and peace leads to happiness and happiness leads to less stress.
We hear all the time that we need to find time for ourselves - when you find time for yourself, invite God in.
Mother Mary, pray for us so that we find a time for prayer. AMEN
Approved Eucharist Miracles can be very powerful to youth and young adults for faith formation and youth ministry. One that is my favorite and I have come back to time and time again is the Miracle of Lanciano.
There was a priest having doubts about the real presence in the 8th century. During the Mass the Body and Blood of Christ that would have had the appearance of Bread and Wine took on the appearance of Flesh and Blood. The Flesh is real flesh and the Blood is real blood. These Relics can still be viewed today and should have decomposed long ago.
There have been scientific tests done - the Flesh is of a heart and the Blood is type AB (which just happens to be the Blood type on the Shroud of Turin - but that is for another day!).
Eucharistic Miracles are not needed for the faithful, but can be a good teaching tool for the Real Presence. EVERY MASS AND EUCHARIST IS A MIRACLE - A SPECIAL GIFT!
Mother Mary, Pray for us to know the Miracle of every Mass through the Holy Eucharist and Real Presence. AMEN
I enjoy music at Mass and Christian music on the radio. I enjoy hymns and I enjoy praise and worship songs. I like the old saying, "When we sing we are praying twice!"
When no one is looking, or listening, I sing at the top of my lungs to praise and glorify God.
I like to sing the Divine Mercy prayers. Usually when I am meditating on the Divine Mercy prayers, I am singing them in my head.
I have always wished I could read music or play an instrument. If there is one thing I could change, that would probably be it!
I like to use music in youth ministry. I listen to the new Christian songs to see what they are about and how to incorporate them into the teaching.
One that comes to mind for me, that was an easy choice is Do Something - Matthew West.
You can make an entire year out of that song as far as Works of Mercy and Charity!
Last summer I played this song/video for our youth group and asked them what they wanted to "do".
They had such great ideas. They started a food drive (by the pound with a "thermometer" chart), asked for donations for birthday bags (cake, frosting, candles, small toys) and they did a clothing drive! So they not only did something - they did it BIG!
So that brought us to Jamie Grace's song Do Life Big!
Mother Mary, Pray for us to be what God is calling for us to be. AMEN.
There are so many great resources available to teach children during Lent through activities.
Children learn by doing and seeing as well as reading and hearing.
They also have Lenten Activities for Children. This link has age appropriate activities for youth and children by grade level - through 8th and include the Sorrowful Mysteries and online Stations of the Cross.
Encourage youth and children to pray during Lent. These ideas and activities will help them to meditate and think about Jesus more and give them the tools.
Mother Mary, Pray for us to teach our youth and children to be followers. Amen.
My coworker has taken a bad fall and broke her leg in a few places, she will be out for quite sometime. She has an elementary First Eucharist Retreat scheduled for Saturday. Being I had been the elementary coordinator in the past and was a second grade Catechist for many years, it was assigned to me. I am very sorry for her fall and pray for a speedy recovery from her injuries, but at the same time it gives me another good Lenten opportunity to teach and pray!
We will start the retreat with prayer and then move on to the prayer stations my coworker had already made. She made 3 beautiful stations for them to review as they prepare for First Communion.
Then we will gather together again and do a presentation Q&A that I had made years ago. (It can be downloaded below.)
After the Q&A - we will gather with Father and "break bread". Before we eat we will have the Bible readings for the Passover, Water into Wine, Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, and Last Supper - around the table. Each reading having a miracle and each with sharing a meal.
The table will be set with loaves, grapes, grape juice, and wheat along with butter and grape jelly.
The children enjoy being a part of the meal and especially having Father come down with "images" to share and explain..
I am looking forward to working with the First Communicants again!
Mother Mary pray for us to have a good retreat on Saturday! Amen
"Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord your God." Joel 2:12 Link for today's readings
In today's Gospel we hear that we should not do things so that others see what we are doing. We should keep it secret between God and us.
We all hear about the 40 days of Lent but actually from Ash Wednesday this year to Easter Sunday it is 47 days. So where does 40 come from?
First, Sunday's during Lent are not recognized as a time for mourning since it is the day of the Resurrection and calls for celebrating. Friday being the day of Jesus' death on the Cross is the day for penance and mourning all year, and even more so during Lent.
Lent ends on Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. (Holy week starts with Palm Sunday and the Holy Triduum starts on Holy Thursday.) Without counting the Sunday's and Holy Saturday we have our 40 days this year.
There are many references to the number 40 in the Bible. Moses stayed on the Mountain of God for 40 days and the Hebrew's wandered the desert for 40 years. The spies were in the land for 40 days (Numbers 13:25). Elijah traveled forty days before he reached the cave where he had the vision. Nineveh had 40 days to repent.
The most important 40 is the 40 days Jesus spent praying and fasting in the wilderness. We are called to imitate Jesus' 40 days of prayer and fasting during Lent.
"'For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sinning' [Heb 4:15]. By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert." (CCC 540).
#6 daughter is home from college this weekend to visit us before she leave for Europe on a backpacking trip in March. It is a four and a half hour drive for her from college, so these visits are precious.
The others have all come home today. We feel truly blessed that all 7 and their's and all of our grandchildren can visit at the same time. It is no easy feat to get them all together at one location.
Games come out of the closet, cards and the sleds.
We know he is the patron saint of love, young people and happy marriage. Feast day February 14th.
Seems that around the year 269, Valentinus was a Roman priest. He was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding people being persecuted during the reign of Claudius II. Such things were considered a crime.
Valentinus was captured and imprisoned. Claudius came to like Valentinus until he tried to convert the emperor. Valentinus was condemned to death.
Before he died, legend says he cured his jailers daughter of blindness and on the eve of his death he wrote a note to the jailers daughter and signed it "from your Valentine".
St. Valentine was a priest martyred in Rome in 269.
