Youth Group Memories 2020
Sunday's Theme: Right to Life
We connected the theme of this Scripture passage to each person's right to life and the spiritual battle we are in during this culture of death. Luke 10:17-24 “The seventy-two came back rejoicing. 'Lord,' they said, 'even the devils submit to us when we use your name.' He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Look, I have given you power to tread down serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice instead that your names are written in heaven.' Just at this time, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children. Yes, Father, for that is what it has pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.' Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them by themselves, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it.'”
We discussed concrete ways we can spread the pro-life message is by promoting our March for life here in Fort Madison, praying the rosary, speaking with people we encounter at work and school about the dignity of each person and the primacy of love. We connected this with the scripture passages related to the dignity of each person and catechism of the Church: "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law" (No. 2271).Given the scientific fact that a human life begins at conception, the only moral norm needed to understand the Church's opposition to abortion is the principle that each and every human life has inherent dignity, and thus must be treated with the respect due to a human person.
Sunday's Theme: Archangels
Sunday's Theme: Sowing Seeds for the Kingdom of Heaven
The topic for this week is sowing seeds for the kingdom of heaven. We will discuss the meaning of the parable and how we can cultivate the soil of our hearts to become fertile, rich soil for the Word of God. “The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.
Sunday's Theme: Our Lady of Sorrows
The topic for this week is Our Lady of Sorrows and how to console Jesus and Mary in our daily lives. John 19:25-27 "Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home."
Join us for our annual fishing tournament Saturday the 19th at Pam Boyd's pond at 8am for our fishing trip (let me know if you need directions- we ask that you do bring masks and we will observe 6 foot social distancing), we have prizes for those who catch the most fish, biggest fish, etc.. last year our bishop joined us! (here are more photos on our pintrest page! https://www.pinterest.com/fortmadholyfamilyym/boards/)
Sunday's Theme: Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
We had a great time at our last zoom meeting! Join us online Wednesday's at 7pm, this week we are discussing the Queenship of Mary in our faith formation meeting using Zoom: (email [email protected] for the password) The topic for this week is the blessed Virgin Mary as we recently celebrated the feast day of the Blessed Virgin’s Birthday! There is an excellent Marian Kahoot game to help us grow in our knowledge of our Blessed Mother and many scripture passages and writings of the early Church Fathers on her life and role in God’s plans to bring us to heaven. 
Sunday's Theme: Humility
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (see Luke 14:1, 7-14)
Sunday's Theme: Queenship of Mary
The Blessed Mother always chose to follow Gods plans for her life and entered through the narrow path no matter the cost. We can connect this to the scripture passage Luke 13:22-30 “Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able."
Save the date for our annual fishing trip September 19th at 8am at Pam Boyd's house! (email me if you need directions). Mike Panther still needs help laying down the bricks in our prayer garden in the back of Saints Mary and Joseph Church, email me times that work for you during the week (between 8am-12 and 6pm-8 so we can stay out of the hot sun), we can get your service hours in and help contribute to a beautiful cause!
Sunday's Theme: Service and Perseverance
Sunday's Theme: Fidelity to Christ and His Promises
Sunday's Theme: Generous Giving for the Good of Others
We are connecting the theme to how we can generously give ourselves every day for the good of others. This can be done in small details of love like St Therese showed us by sweeping the floor, listening to someone who needs a friend, helping with the laundry or dishes. By expanding our capacity to love we are storing up treasures to enjoy in the Kingdom of Heaven! The more we grow in virtues (patience, kindness, peace, gratitude, generosity, selflessness, magnanimity, perseverance, fortitude, temperance, wisdom, knowledge, fear of the Lord -meaning you love God so much you would not do anything to offend Him.
Sunday's Theme: Our Father
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! Join us online Wednesday's at 7pm, this week we discussed the Our Father prayer in our faith formation meeting using Zoom: email [email protected] for the link and password!
We pray that God’s will be done, he is our loving Father in heaven that made us, that knows what is best for us and what will bring us to the fullness of joy. God is love and always wills what is good for us, he always brings good out of evil and suffering as he opened the doors for heaven for us by Jesus’ crucifixion. If we take up our crosses with love like Jesus, we will be showing the same authentic love for God and neighbor.
Luke 11:1-13 "Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Thanks to all the youth who helped paint the water seal on the prayer garden fence and dig the pathway, and helped distribute food pantry goods at HTC! We will continue digging the path, email me at [email protected] if your able to give us a hand and you can get your service hours in! We are also planning a fishing trip this summer, stay tuned for updates!
Sunday's Theme: Service and Prayer
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! Join us online Wednesday's at 7pm, this week we discussed authentic Christ-like love in our faith formation meeting using Zoom: email [email protected] for the link and password!
We have the need for prayer and uniting our sacrifices with Jesus on the cross. We need God’s grace for fruitful service and must grow in trust and confidence of His Divine providence. We connected this theme to the scripture passage of Luke 10:38-42 “Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Sunday's Theme: Love God with all your Heart and Neighbor as Yourself
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! We discussed the importance of loving God by going to Mass on Sunday and loving our neighbor in concrete acts of service. We connected this theme to the scripture passage: A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” (Lk 10:25-37)
Save the date! Saturday June 27th we were planning on meeting at Rodeo Park from 2-3:30 to go hiking and play a photo scavenger hunt with prizes, bring the whole family! It is a beautiful opportunity to pray together as a parish family for all those affected by the pandemic and enjoy the creation of God!
Sunday's Theme: The Harvest is Plentiful
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! Join us online Wednesday's at 7pm, this week we discussed Evangelization in our faith formation meeting using Zoom. God has unique plans and missions for each of us and that if we listen and follow the path Jesus will lead us down, it will lead us to the fullness of joy! There are many who do not know the love of God and we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to go to them in a spirit of service and love so that they may have life to the fullest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “The harvest is plentiful, but laborers are few; therefore ask Lord of to send out into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you like lambs midst wolves." (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20)
Sunday's Theme: Eucharistic Miracles
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! In John 6:55 Jesus emphasizes that his body is true food and blood is true drink. There have been hundreds of Eucharistic miracles, learning the stories behind them is good for all the doubting Thomas’s who need to see the nail marks of Jesus to believe. However, blessed are they who have not seen and yet believe with great faith and trust.
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." (John 6:35)
https://youtu.be/Pxi_U5JN8wM
Sunday's Theme: Miracles of Jesus: Multiplication of the Loaves
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! Join us online Wednesday's at 7pm! “Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing. It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.” He replied, “Give them something to eat yourselves.”
But they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, “Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.” They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.” (Lk 9:11-17)
We can connect this scripture verse to John chapter 6 and the bread of life discourse, looking to the original Greek and Hebrew texts and how the direct translation of the word “eat” is “to gnaw or chew.” Jesus emphasized His true presence in the Eucharist body, blood, soul and divinity!
Sunday's Theme: Most Holy Trinity
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! Join us online Wednesday's at 7pm, this week we are discussing the Trinity in our faith formation meeting using our Zoom link. God is one in essence and three Divine persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Going deeper into the mystery of God the Father and His attributes, the Holy Spirit, being the love between the Father and the Son, strengthens us in our unique missions as he did the first disciples of Jesus.
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (Jn 16:12-15)
Sunday's Theme: The Harvest is Plentiful
We had a great time at our zoom meeting discussing the unique missions God has planned for us! If we listen and follow the path Jesus will lead us down, it will lead us to the fullness of joy! There are many who do not know the love of God and we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to go to them in a spirit of service and love so that they may have life to the fullest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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You are invited to share and enjoy these links our Bishop sent us: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/04/03/christianity-time-sickness
Sunday's Theme: Pentecost
Thank you to those who have sent links of your favorite podcasts (the Meaning of Catholic and Dr Taylor Marshall)! Keep sending topics for discussion according to your interests and questions others have about our faith so we can become better evangelists and bring more into the Church! We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday discussing how this is going to be a powerful Pentecost because it is the same day at the feast of the visitation of Mary! With our Blessed Mother and the first disciples, we pray that the Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and transforms them to be more like the hearts of Jesus and Mary. We pray especially for those in our parish that are preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. May the Holy Spirit fill us with the wisdom of God so that we may discern Gods plans for our lives and say 'yes' to God every day like our Blessed Mother.
Sunday’s Theme: Marian Devotion
We had a great time at our zoom meeting last Wednesday! We discussed the gift of our Blessed Mother and connected this to the scripture passage of our Blessed Mother’s Magnificat from Luke 1:46-56 “He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy.” We also connected this with other scripture passages related to memory and our Church History, discussing who founded the different branches of Christianity: “Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19) “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9)
Sunday's Theme: Our Lady of Fatima
We had a great time online at our faith formation zoom meeting discussing Our Lady of Fatima, in our little daily trials we can also respond "yes" to the sacrifices and crosses Jesus gives us for the good of others. Many daily small yes's will help prepare our souls for the big "yes's" that we can give God, imitating the Saints. Below is a video of the daily candle light procession and rosary that is prayed in many different languages by thousands of pilgrims!
For the full movie check out formed.org, the full dialogue and messages have been recorded on EWTN. May 13th 1917 Our Blessed Mother appeared to three young shepherd children (Jacinta, Francesco, and Lucia) in Fatima Portugal. Mary asked them “Do you wish to offer yourselves to God to endure all the sufferings that He may be pleased to send you, as both an act of reparation for the sins with which He is offended and an act of supplication for the conversion of sinners?" They replied yes and saved many souls from their generous sacrifices. 100 years later on May 13th after St John Paul II was shot and the bullet dodged all his vital organs, he attributed the miracle to St Jacinta's prayers. She would often pray for the "man in white," that Mary showed her. Another request of Our Lady was ‘Pray the rosary every day to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war.’ Not many people did this and the second world war broke out. Other important messages of Mary are to “Sacrifice yourselves for sinners and say many times, especially when you make a sacrifice, ‘O Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'” "Pray, pray a great deal and make sacrifices for sinners. Many are the souls who go to Hell because there is no one who sacrifices and prays for them." (August 19, 1917) "It is necessary for them to amend their lives, to ask forgiveness for their sins. May our God be offended no longer. He is already offended too much!" (October 13, 1917) "To save sinners, God wants to establish devotion to My Immaculate Heart in the world." (July 13, 1917) "I promise salvation to whomever embraces devotion to My Immaculate Heart." (June 13, 1917) "I will ask the consecration of the world to my Immaculate Heart and communion of the first Saturdays of the month in reparation." (June 13)
Sunday's Theme: Service
We had a great time online at our faith formation zoom meeting discussing the gift of service and difference service projects we have been able to do from home during the pandemic (making masks for health care workers, helping family with mowing the lawn/dishes, writing cards and making phone calls to the elderly).
We connected this to inspirational scripture passages on the topic of service: Matthew 20:28 “the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” We also connected this with other scripture passages related to service: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25 “The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves... Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:9-10
Sunday's Theme: Vocations
We had a great time online at our faith formation zoom meeting discussing the life to the fullest in Christ and vocations! We discussed the importance of responding to Jesus invitation into heaven through prayer and taking up our crosses to follow him and the vocation he has planned for us. Our first vocation is to Sainthood, living a life of good works, nourished by the Sacraments. As we discern the unique mission and call God has for us (Priesthood, marriage, religious/consecrated life, single life), we trust that our heavenly Father knows what path will bring us to the fullness of joy and to be fully realized as a human person. He knows what our hearts are made for because he made them! Through prayer and listening to God in the silence of our hearts with the help of a spiritual director, we can come to know Gods plans that are for our good and the good of others. God told the prophet Jeremiah "I know well the plans I have for you... plans for your welfare and not your woe." (Jer. 29:11)
We connect this to the scripture passage from John 10:10 “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” We connected this with Scripture from the Old Testament: “See, I have today set before you life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I am giving you today, loving the LORD, your God, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and ordinances, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. If, however, your heart turns away and you do not obey, but are led astray and bow down to other gods and serve them, I tell you today that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them.” (Deut. 30:15-20)
A helpful analogy is considering the safety of our traffic laws that protect us from getting into car accidents. When we do not obey these laws, the consequences can be fatal. Similarly, God gives us the commandments and precepts of Holy Mother Church to protect our souls and nourish our spiritual life. By reading the lives of the Saints, those who embraced God’s will and were constantly striving to listen to Him and act upon His word, were filled with the joy and peace of the Kingdom of God, more profound than anything this world has to offer. There is a saying that “Saints come in bunches” because being together and serving in a Parish community and youth group, we grow in holiness more rapidly and advance in the spiritual life together by building each other up in the faith!
Join us Wednesday's at 7pm, this week we are discussing the gift of service for our youth faith formation meeting using Zoom.
Sunday’s Theme: Divine Mercy
As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday we celebrate the gift of Gods merciful love for humanity. He gave us the gift of the divine mercy chaplet and promises attributed to those who pray it with the heart. The divine mercy of Jesus is a great gift because he sacrificed Himself on the cross for us and gave us the opportunity to go to purgatory if our souls are not pure enough for heaven yet so that we can still make it to heaven for all eternity! “My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls (...). If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fountain overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as the King of Mercy. I desire to bestow My graces upon souls, but they do not want to accept them (...). Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! (...). They have time for everything, but they have no time to come to Me for graces” (Diary, 367).
We connect this to the diary of St Maria Faustina and promises Jesus made: “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image (of Divine Mercy) will not perish. I also promise victory over (its) enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory.” (Diary, 48) “The souls that say this chaplet will be embraced by My mercy during their lifetime and especially at the hour of their death.” (Diary, 754) “When hardened sinners say it, I will fill their souls with peace, and the hour of their death will be a happy one.” (Diary, 1541) “When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as a just Judge but as a merciful Savior.” (Diary, 1541) “Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.” (Diary, 687) “The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion for sinners. Know, my daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered.” (Diary, 1397)
Sundays Theme: Christ has Risen!
We had a great time online discussing the hope of the Resurrection and how Our Blessed Mother showed heaven to the children and how Jesus opened the doors to heaven for us with His sacrifice on the cross. Jesus meets us where we are at like he did 2000 years ago to the apostles and first disciples. May our hearts be open to this encounter so our hearts can be set on fire with the love of God! During this Easter Season we reflect on our Lords resurrection from the dead! The early disciples went out and gave their testimony of their encounter with Jesus. May we follow their example by always seeking the truth, the life, and the way: Jesus Christ.
We connect this theme with Sacred Scripture passages from our bibles, reviewing the passages and discussing ways to live this out. We discussed the different encounters Jesus had with his apostles after his Resurrection, reflecting on the scripture passage: “Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”( Luke 24:22-27)
"Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:27-33)
Sunday's Theme: Standing at the foot of the Cross with Mary
During this Holy Week we reflect on our Blessed Mother at the foot of the cross and how she consoled Jesus with her presence. We spiritually accompany our Lord during this difficult time, uniting our sufferings with His on the cross. We meditated on Christ's Passion as we persevere in our Lenten Resolutions this Holy Week. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son." (John 3:16) We entered deeper into our Lords Passion by meditating on the Stations of the Cross as we prepare our hearts to accompany Jesus during Holy Week. We pondered our Blessed Mothers words in Fatima: “Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary” In the same apparition, Our Lady added: "When you pray the Rosary, say after each mystery: 'O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need of thy mercy.'"
More resources include St Louis de Montfort Consecration to Mary, True Devotion to Mary
Sunday's Theme: Eucharist
We had a great time discussing the gift of the Eucharist and that it is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus! For a deeper contemplation of the real presece of Jesus in the Eucharist and stronger Eucharistic devotion, we turn to our Blessed Mother. We connected this theme with the Marian consecration and great Saints who have made life-giving sacrifices who were devoted to Our Lady (St Maximilian Kolbe):
Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we consecrate ourselves, in an act of total entrustment to the Lord.
By You we will be led to Christ. By Him and with Him we will be led to the Father.
We will walk in the light of faith, and we will do everything so that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is the One sent by the Father.
With Him we wish to carry His Love and Salvation to the ends of the earth.
Under the protection of your Immaculate Heart, we will be one People with Christ. We will be witnesses of His Resurrection. By Him we will be led to the Father, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, Whom we adore, praise and bless forever. Amen
More resources include Catholic Bible, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website
Sunday's Theme: Catechism
We had a great time on Wednesday discussing the gift of the Catechism and love of Jesus in sacrificing Himself on the cross for us so that we might have life and have it more abundantly here on earth and then for eternity in heaven! We discuss the importance of responding to Jesus invitation into heaven through prayer and taking up our crosses to follow him by living a life of good works, nourished by the Sacraments. A helpful analogy is considering the safety of our traffic laws that protect us from getting into car accidents. When we do not obey these laws, the consequences can be fatal. Similarly, God gives us the commandments and precepts of Holy Mother Church to protect our souls and nourish our spiritual life. By reading the lives of the Saints, those who embraced God’s will and were constantly striving to listen to Him and act upon His word, were filled with the joy and peace of the Kingdom of God, more profound than anything this world has to offer. There is a saying that “Saints come in bunches” because being together and serving in a Parish community and youth group, we grow in holiness more rapidly and advance in the spiritual life together by building each other up in the faith!