Posted on Sun, Apr 29, 2012
In this event, participants will come to understand how the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on Pentecost and empowered them with the mission of evangelization. Participants will learn to recognize and celebrate how, similarly to the disciples, the Holy Spirit also enables us to spread God's word within our own daily lives.
Two options are provided to gather groups in varying configurations. Pick the one that best suits the size, needs, and interests of your parish or school:
Option 1
For a fully multigenerational event, choose Option 1. It gathers together children, youth, and adults for prayer, sharing, and learning about an aspect of our faith. Use this option as a way to build upon the corresponding chapters about Pentecost in We Believe.
Option 2
For a multigenerational event with age level breakouts, choose Option 2. Children, youth, and adults gather for an opening icebreaker and prayer service and then break into grade level or cluster groups. The entire assembly reconvenes for a closing prayer.
Posted on Wed, Apr 25, 2012
I spent Saturday doing something wonderful: leading a retreat for mothers of young children. Our time together included conversation, laughter, prayer, and lots of good food. Part of the retreat focused on ways to simplify our lives. This is no easy task for women who balance the myriad details of domestic life while standing on the shifting sands of a child’s needs. The media has recently fanned the flames of a “mommy war” – one that is supposed to be taking place between those who work at home and those who hold out-of-the-house jobs. I didn’t hear any conflict between the two over the weekend. Instead, I found solidarity among women who understand that motherhood is a 24/7 commitment.
We also discussed motherhood as a vocation. Since the word is connected to the Latin vox, I asked them to reflect on what voice they want their children to hear and remember. The responses were rich and varied. Some hoped for voices of strength and affirmation. Others talked about the desire for warmth, love, and patience. Someone wanted her child to remember her “tucked-into-bed” voice, which is calm and soothing. Another noted that she longed for her voice to lessen so that silence could foster an attitude of listening on the part of both mother and child.
We could all take a lesson from these wise women about the value of calming, compassionate voices. It’s, in essence, what the voice of God must sound like, if we’ll simply stop and pay attention.
Bright Ideas
Posted on Mon, Apr 23, 2012
Sunday, April 29th, is the Fourth Easter of Sunday. Plan to spend time this week reflecting on the readings and preparing to celebrate the Eucharist. Gather in My Name offers "Question of the Week" - a free resource to incorporate the Sunday Eucharist into your religion classes, family discussions, or community activities.
Question of the Week: What does your parish do for ecumenism and interfaith relations?
Reading 1: Acts 4:8-12
Reading 2: 1 John 3:1-2
Theme: Other Sheep
Gospel: John 10:11-18
Looking for Discussion Questions for the above Reading Reflections? Click here!
Posted on Wed, Apr 18, 2012
I am getting ready to direct a day of reflection on the psalms and, in preparation, have immersed myself in their lyrical beauty. From awe-filled praise over the majesty of creation to the tender cries of a soul in pain, the psalms give expression to the vast range of emotion that we bring to our prayer. Even the calls for vengeance and the “smiting” of enemies have a place in such prayer. When we are confronted with outrageous acts of terror, abuse, violence, or corruption, the plea for justice and retribution comes naturally. What better place to take such feelings than to God whose wider vision helps temper our emotional outbursts?
I attended the NCEA Convention in Boston last week and, once again, found myself surrounded by the generosity of women and men dedicated to the well-being of children, youth, and families. It always warms my heart. On my last night, I went to a nearby restaurant for what I hoped would be a quiet meal. Instead, I was seated next to a trio of disgruntled co-workers. For the next hour I was an unwillingly recipient of their complaints and criticisms about a supervisor. Perhaps there was just cause for their frustration, but they vented it without regard for those within earshot. It soured the experience of an otherwise lovely meal.
During the celebration of the Eucharist, we incorporate a psalm refrain into the readings from Scripture. The word has a double meaning. Within the liturgy, it refers to a song or chorus. Since the psalms were originally meant to be sung or chanted, using them as a refrain makes perfect sense. The other meaning is also apt: to forbear or abstain. Used in this context, the psalms invite us to hold back on weeping or complaining until we are in a more appropriate setting. I have no doubt that God’s ears are well attuned to the cries of misery and righteous indignation that each of us experiences at one time or another. Might it make more sense to abstain from throwing those grievances out into public spaces and, instead, to bring them to prayer? This seems to be the practice of the original psalmists. No wonder that so many of the psalms of lament end up with some form of blessing and expression of gratitude. Prayer has a way of doing that – of changing the atmosphere and drawing us into a wider view. And, if nothing else, giving the people at the next table a chance to eat in peace.
Bright Ideas
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Pay attention to the psalm refrains that are used during the Easter season. Use one or more of them as part of your family or class prayer.
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Try to monitor your speech for an entire day. What words of negativity, criticism, cruelty, or complaint can you refrain from saying? Share your insights with your family or class.
photo © iStockphoto
Posted on Thu, Apr 12, 2012
I re-discovered this year why Easter is a feast. There was such abundance in my celebration, starting with the rich symbols and rituals of the Vigil service on Saturday night. It began outside with a blazing fire that left all of us reeking of wood smoke, and continued with the gradual accumulation of light in the church as the flame from the Paschal Candle was passed from one person to the next. The readings from the Old Testament told of God’s creative and liberating power. The alleluias burst forth in song, and the Gospel proclaimed Christ risen from the dead. The water of Baptism flowed freely and all gave thanks for the blessing of newly-initiated members into our church family. I went to bed feeling inspired by the beauty of our liturgical life.
The next morning my family gathered at my sister’s home for brunch. Not only was the food abundant and delicious, but so was the laughter that rippled out from our storytelling. I closed the day with a prayer of gratitude for the festive nature of Easter and all that I experienced over the course of the weekend.
Someone once told me that, at one time, the Church forbade fasting during the Easter season. I can’t verify this, but believe it must be true. If Lent is a season for fasting, Easter is the polar opposite. The seven weeks that stretch from the Sunday celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord to the vibrant festival of Pentecost are meant for raucous praise and unending gratitude. What better way to celebrate than to immerse ourselves in the gracious gifts that God bestows upon us through the sharing of food, family, and faith? The Easter weekend was just the beginning. Christ has risen! Let the feasting continue!
Bright Ideas
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Share a prayer of Easter joy with your class or group.
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Look ahead on your class or family calendar. Note the different opportunities for continuing the Easter festival through the celebration of church, family, and community events.
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Download my calendar cards for keeping the Easter feast and use it in your home or catechetical sessions.
photo © iStockphoto
Posted on Sun, Apr 08, 2012
Sunday, April 15th, is the Second Easter of Sunday. Plan to spend time this week reflecting on the readings and preparing to celebrate the Eucharist. Gather in My Name offers "Question of the Week" - a free resource to incorporate the Sunday Eucharist into your religion classes, family discussions, or community activities.
Question of the Week: When do you find forgiving easy? When is it difficult?
Reading 1 Reflection: Acts 4:32-35
Reading 2 Reflection: 1 John 5:1-6
Theme: Forgiveness
Gospel: John 20:19-31
Looking for discussion Questions for the above Reading Reflections? Click here!
photo © iStockphoto
Posted on Wed, Apr 04, 2012
The daffodils in our front yard are starting to bloom. Watching their bright yellow faces emerge is cause for celebration as they herald the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The bulbs were a gift from a neighbor who distributes them every year to those of us willing to do the work. The only stipulation is that we place them along the roadways so that everyone can enjoy them. Since they are among the few flowers that the deer leave untouched, yellow blossoms are now lighting up the neighborhood. Coinciding this year with the celebration of Easter, their blooms seem all the more significant. I recall placing the bulbs in the ground last fall. Their drab color and rough exterior didn’t seem capable of sprouting into such delicate flowers. Such planting is a supreme act of faith.
One of my Lenten practices this year included the cultivation of gratitude. I began the season in a bit of turmoil, unsure and anxious about some personal issues. To counteract those feelings, I decided to maintain a gratitude journal. Each entry seemed like the planting of a daffodil bulb – an act of trust in God’s creative power to bring something bright and beautiful out of my angst. Easter is now emerging in all of its grace-filled glory, reminding me of the power of life to overcome death, of light to emerge from the darkness, and the wonder of a flower to bloom in the midst of a desert.
Theologian Karl Barth once wrote about the link between grace and gratitude. They belong together, he said, like heaven and earth. “Grace evokes gratitude like the voice an echo. Gratitude follows grace like thunder lightening.” Easter may illustrate this better than anything else. Christ emerges from a frigid tomb, radiant with light and reflecting all of the gracefulness of God’s loving heart. What response could there be other than gratitude?
Bright Ideas
photo © iStockphoto
Posted on Mon, Apr 02, 2012
Sunday, April 8th, is Easter Sunday. Plan to spend time this week reflecting on the readings and preparing to celebrate the Eucharist. Gather in My Name offers "Question of the Week" - a free resource to incorporate the Sunday Eucharist into your religion classes, family discussions, or community activities.
Question of the Week: What "stones" block people's rising to new life?
Reading 1 Reflection: Acts 10:34a,37-43
Reading 2 Reflection: Colossians 3:1-4
Theme: The stone removed
Gospel: John 20:1-9
Looking for discussion Questions for the above Reading Reflections? Click here!