november 2: remembering the faithful departed ask …stbenedictonline.org/documents/2016/10/ideas to...

Adult Faith Formation and RCIA

October Theme: Called to Holiness

Take Home Activities

At our last G.I.F.T. gathering we reflected on how we are all called to happiness,

this is, to holiness. The best way we can help God, in God’s absolute commitment

of love to make us happy/holy, is prayer. Here is a prayer calendar for Nov 2-19. If

you can carve out 15 minutes each day for prayer that would be great, if you can

only do it a few days between now and our next G.I.F.T. gathering on November 20,

that is OK, if you cannot do 15 minutes, but just 10 or 5 that is fine, if all you can do

is read through the suggestion for each day quickly in the morning and then try to

pray about it through the day as you are driving or in other little moments you find

yourself alone, that is good, all we want is to create a space for God in our lives, as

busy as they are!

November 2: Remembering the Faithful Departed

Spend some time today remembering your deceased loved ones. Give thanks to God

for the gift they meant in your life. Ask God for the gift of forgiveness for you and

for them, to heal you and them of any wounds. Praise God for his promise of

Resurrection that gives you the possibility to be reunited with your loved ones and

enjoy their friendship forever. To help you with this prayer you can go through

photos of your loved ones and you can light a candle in their remembrance. You can

also join us for our Prayer Service today.

November 3: Discerning my vote

In your prayer today, humbly come before God and talk to him as you would talk to

a friend. Tell God about your fears and anxieties with this election process. Tell God

about your hopes for our country.

With the help of this passage from the prophet Jeremiah consider what might be

God’s hope for our country:

Jeremiah 7:5-7 If you act justly with one another, God will dwell in the land.

For if you truly amend your ways and your doings, if you truly act justly one

with another, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed

innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own

hurt, then I will dwell with you in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your

ancestors for ever and ever.

Are your hopes aligned with God’s hopes or do they need to be purified? Is God

calling you to greater care for the poor, foreigners, those who cannot defend

themselves, in your political choices?

With realism, knowing that no worldly government will be perfect consider which

candidate can better help our country move closer to God’s hopes and your hopes

for our country. Do not focus on any single issue but on the wide array of issues that

face our country and keep at the center of your reflection God preferential option for

the poor, human dignity and life.

Who do you think God is calling you to vote for?

Offer your choice to God and ask him to show you if it is the right choice in the next

few days.

Finish your prayer by asking Mary to intercede for our country. Say a Hail Mary.

November 4: First Friday

Today is the First Friday of the month a day that we usually dedicate to the Devotion

to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to reverent prayer before the Most Holy Eucharist.

We will expose the Blessed Sacrament in the Chapel at Saint Mary’s at 7:30 am and

it will remain exposed all day. We will gather again at 7:00 pm in the chapel and

have a Holy Hour and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

In the gift of the Most Holy Eucharist we are reminded of the great love of the Most

Sacred Heart of Jesus. Jesus gave up his life for us. He no longer calls us servants,

but friends, he stayed with us and is with us always in his Body, Blood, Soul and

Divinity in the Eucharist.

What a beautiful gift to know that Jesus is always there for us. If you can, drop by

the chapel at Saint Mary’s any time between 7:30 am and 8:00 pm today and spend

a few minutes in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

If you cannot come, spend some time at home, at work, or in between, thanking God

for the gift of his Son and his dwelling among us.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart calls us to trust God’s love for us that endures

forever, say this prayer today as you visit the Blessed Sacrament or as you pray at

home and ask God for the grace of trusting him:

ACT OF TRUST IN GOD

St. Claude de la Colombiere, S.J.

My God, I believe most firmly that You watch over all who hope in You,

and that we can want for nothing when we rely upon You in all things.

Therefore I am resolved for the future...to cast all my cares upon You...

People may deprive me of worldly goods and status.

Sickness may take from me my strength and the means of serving You.

I may even jeopardize our relationship by sin, but my trust shall never leave me.

I will preserve it to the last moment of my life, and the powers of hell shall seek in

vain

to grab it from me.

Let others seek happiness in their wealth and in their talents. Let them trust in the

purity of their lives, the severity of their mortifications, in the number of their good

works, the enthusiasm of their prayers, as for me, my Rock and my Refuge, my

confidence in you fills me with hope. For You, my Divine Protector, alone have

settled me in hope.

"This confidence can never be vain. No one, who has hoped in God, has ever been

confounded." I am assured, therefore, of my eternal happiness, for I firmly hope in

it and all my hope is in You. "In You, O loving God, have I hoped: let me never be

confounded."

I know too well that I am weak and changeable. I know the power of temptation

against the strongest virtue. Even if I see stars fall and the foundations of the world

crack; these things will not alarm me. While I hope in You, I am sheltered from all

misfortune, and I am sure that my trust shall endure, for I rely upon You to sustain

this unfailing hope.

Finally, I know that my confidence cannot exceed Your generosity, and that I shall

never receive less than I have hoped for from You. Therefore I hope that You will

sustain me against my evil inclinations, that You will protect me against the

deceitful attacks of the evil one, and that You will cause my weakness to triumph

over every hostile force. I hope that You will never cease to love me and that I

shall love You unceasingly.

Amen

November 5: Pray for our Teens

Our parish teens are on retreat this weekend. Please pray for them today and ask God

to give them the gift of a personal relationship with Jesus, to carry them through all

the challenges of life.

You can use this prayer:

We offer to you, Loving God, the gifts and needs of youth.

Bless them with your guiding grace as they face the challenges and opportunities in

their lives.

Touch their hearts with the gentleness of your love, that they may know they are

valued and valuable beings.

Send your spirit of hope to their lives, that they may believe in themselves and know

they are needed in this world.

Grace them with the gift of joy that they may celebrate life through laughter and

tears alike.

Guide us, as we continue to grow in appreciation of the many gifts of young people,

in the ministry opportunities we offer to them, in the journey of faith we walk with

them, in our shared mission as a community called to discipleship in the world.

We ask this in through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

If there are teens in your family, pray for them individually, thanking God and

entrusting them to God’s care.


As you continue to discern your vote, come humbly before God and offer him the

choice you have made and ask God for wisdom and guidance.

Prayerfully, read and consider the two page document by the United Stated Catholic

Bishops you can find here (today we consider the first part of a 4 pages document):

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/The-Challenge-

of-Forming-Consciences-for-Faithful-Citizenship-Part-1.pdf

After reading this 4 pages, consider once again your choice of candidate before

God and ask him to show you what the faithful choice is?





Prayerfully, read and consider the two page document by the United Stated Catholic

Bishops you can find here (today we consider the second part of a 4 pages

document):

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/The-Challenge-

of-Forming-Consciences-for-Faithful-Citizenship-Part-2.pdf

After reading this 4 pages, consider once again your choice of candidate before

God and ask him to show you what the faithful choice is?


http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/The-Challenge-of-Forming-Consciences-for-Faithful-Citizenship-Part-2.pdf

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/upload/The-Challenge-of-Forming-Consciences-for-Faithful-Citizenship-Part-2.pdf




Prayerfully, read and consider this short statement by the New York State Catholic

Bishops and #35 of document by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship.

STATEMENT BY CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF NEW YORK STATE

The good of a democratic republic like ours depends on the participation of its

citizens. This may seem obvious but it needs to be insisted upon in today’s American

society. The most fundamental action of a good citizen is to vote. All other activities

in the political sphere depend on the exercise of this most fundamental right – which

is equally a solemn responsibility. Regrettably, in our country today an alarming

percentage of citizens do not exercise this right. In New York State, on average over the past four years, only 40% of eligible voters carried out their civic duty.

As Catholic Bishops of New York State, we urge every eligible adult Catholic,

without exception, to be sure that he or she is registered to vote and that all exercise

their solemn responsibility of voting in this year’s election. We want you to prepare

to vote by becoming familiar with both the candidates and the issues. Just voting for

a name you recognize or a party you belong to does not fulfill your responsibility to

build up a good society where human dignity, personal freedom, care for one

another – especially the vulnerable – and the common good prevail as values which should be cherished in our democracy.

Sadly, determining who to vote for is not always easy. Pressure groups, especially

the loudest ones, seek to shout down anyone who disagrees with them. Calm and

thoughtful responses to issues are often drowned out. That makes the challenge to

choose good candidates and support good programs even more difficult than in the

past. But, it also makes these decisions even more important. You may wish to

consult www.faithfulcitizenship.org as a resource which speaks from the perspective

of Catholic Social Teaching: human dignity, subsidiarity, solidarity and the common

good.

http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.faithfulcitizenship.org%2F&h=wAQFcOiD9AQFPbr8Xv5bkpqJOuh69VOJbMU5TY9wMuOxq1A&enc=AZPB_ofaVWu8kKmTE-CacdHjB5N7PzX4u66PITX5F0G0Btp3r5KkiFeuN6RATGBKTLAmUACLhGc4gSKX2ADoPP-9EIFRzSmmB9EAq0pMSu6WJMBswD5dnKy8hs_EWBaRuLCuGOSc_4caemth62ZxRYKV42y7fpMiVETnCSmpnvXZ1gSIExgxC5_aBx_Pg0BtEak5Y18S8cXdaiuxV_0869im&s=1

If we want a good, healthy and virtuous society, we ourselves need to be good

citizens, dedicated to the truth and promoters of the common good. We can

contribute significantly to a positive political process and reverse the negative spiral

of today’s politics. That means we must all be one in promoting human life and

dignity; families that care for the vulnerable of any age or condition; and freedom

and security for all our fellow citizens, as well as for all men and women in every nation throughout the world.

#35 of Forming Consciences For Faithful Citizenship:

There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position

even on policies promoting an intrinsically evil act may reasonably decide to vote

for that candidate for other morally grave reasons. Voting in this way would be

permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, not to advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil.

After reading this, consider once again your choice of candidate before God and

ask him to show you what the faithful choice is?


November 9:

Blessed/Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God

At our St. Mary’s Church we have beautiful stained glass windows that help us

reflect on the Beatitudes, Jesus’ road map to human happiness by becoming like

God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the first Beatitude:

Blessed/Happy/Holy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Our

stained glass window pairs this beatitude with the Gospel story of the rich man and

Lazarus.

As you come to prayer ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and to teach you how to

pray. Slowly read the Gospel story, trying to experience what it says with an open

heart and mind not just assuming that you already know what it is about:

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-35)

“There was a rich man, who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously

each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would

gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come

and lick his sores. When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of

Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in

torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out,

‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my

tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’ Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that

you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;

but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great

chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours

or from your side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I

have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But

Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ He said, ‘Oh no,

father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said,

‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should

rise from the dead.’”

Reflect on the following questions:

Do I fear being poor, in spirit or otherwise, and prefer to be rich in money or

power?

Do I contribute my time, talent, and money to the poor of the world?

Do I look for the causes of poverty and seek solutions to changing unjust

systems?

Surrender your will to God:

What were your feelings as you read and reflected on the story and the questions?

What is God moving you to do? What is God asking you in living out this beatitude?

Close your prayer by talking to Jesus as you would talk to a friend about this

beatitude and this prayer experience. Finish by praying an Our Father.

November 10: Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the second

Beatitude: Blessed/Happy/Holy are the meek, for they shall possess the land. Our

stained glass window pairs this beatitude with the Gospel story of Jesus addressing

the apostles about “the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven”.


pray. Slowly read the Gospel passage, trying to experience what it says with an

open heart and mind not just assuming that you already know what it is about:

The Greatest in the Kingdom (Matthew 18: 1-5)

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the

kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said,

“Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the

kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the

kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.


Do I see any value in meekness or nonviolence?

Do I cringe at the thought of being called meek?

Do I favor cooperation over competition?






November 11: Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the third Beatitude:

Blessed/Happy/Holy are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Our stained

glass window pairs this beatitude with the Gospel passage of Jesus raising from the

dead the son of the widow of Nain.




Raising of the Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11-17)

Soon afterward he journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large

crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had

died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large

crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity

for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He stepped forward and touched the coffin;

at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” The dead man

sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all,

and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst,” and

“God has visited his people.” This report about him spread through the whole of

Judea and in all the surrounding region.


Do I grieve over loneliness, despair, guilt, and rejection in the lives of

others?

Am I willing to admit my own worries and fears and need for comfort?

Am I doing anything to dry the tears of those who are in mourning over war,

poverty, hunger, injustice?






November 12: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice, for they

shall be filled



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the fourth Beatitude:

Blessed/Happy/Holy are they who hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall be

filled. Our stained glass window pairs this beatitude with the Gospel passage of Jesus

healing a man’s withered hand.




A Man with a Withered Hand (Mark 3:1-6)

Again Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered

hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that

they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come up here

before us.” Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than

to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking

around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man,

“Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The

Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.


Have I kept silent when I should have spoken out against prejudice,

injustice, and violence?

Am I aware of current events and issues of injustice?

Do I honestly try to improve the quality of life around me?






November 13: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the fifth Beatitude:

Blessed/Happy/Holy are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Our stained glass

window pairs this beatitude with the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan.




The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37)

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my

neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from

Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-

dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed

by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him,

he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was

moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine

over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took

him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave

them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than

what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in

your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who

treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”


Do I operate on a double standard of expecting mercy but not wanting to

grant it?

Are there people in my life who are suffering because of my unforgiving

attitude?

Am I a person of mercy, tenderness, and compassion?






November 14: Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the sixth Beatitude:

Blessed/Happy/Holy are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Our stained glass

window pairs this beatitude with the death of Saint Paul.




Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9: 1-20)

Now Paul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the

Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in

Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the

Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. On his journey, as he

was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Paul, Paul, why are

you persecuting me?” He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am

Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you

will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him stood

speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. Saul got up from

the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led

him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. For three days he was unable

to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him

in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” The Lord said to

him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas

for a man from Tarsus named Paul. He is there praying, and [in a vision] he

has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay [his] hands on him, that he

may regain his sight.” But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many

sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in

Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who

call upon your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen

instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites,

and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” So Ananias went

and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Paul, my brother,

the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you

came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit.”

Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He

got up and was baptized, and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.

He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, and he began at once to

proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Consider that Paul is a model of purity of heart because: He has a passionate

heart fully committed to God. He is open to be transformed by God. He is not

narrow minded, he is able to see God in God’s surprises, calling him to convert

to the religion he was persecuting, calling him to preach to the gentiles, etc.

He is able to discover God’s presence in others, to see the seed of true faith

even in the Greeks worship of the unknown God for example.


Do you follow Jesus with your whole heart?

Are you open to God’s surprises?

Can you see God in others even beyond the messiness of life, or is your

heart so impure that all you see in others is their brokenness and you

cannot see God?






November 15: Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called children

of God



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the seventh

Beatitude: Blessed/Happy/Holy are the peace makers, for they shall be called

children of God. Our stained glass window pairs this beatitude with the appearance

of the angels to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus.




The appearance of the angels to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night

watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of

the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said

to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy

that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been

born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will

find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly

there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and

saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his

favor rests.” When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said

to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken

place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found

Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they

made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard

it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all

these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been

told to them.


Do I think apologizing is a sign of weakness?

Do I accept violence in films, television, and sports?

Do I build bridges or walls in family arguments?






November 16: Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for

theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.



God: Self-Gift. In your prayer today, you are invited to consider the eighth Beatitude:

Blessed/Happy/Holy are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the

kingdom of Heaven. Our stained glass window pairs this beatitude with the stoning

of Saint Stephen.




Stephen’s Martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60)

When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But

he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God

and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens

opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in

a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out

of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet

of a young man named Paul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord

Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice,

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them”; and when he said this, he fell asleep.


Am I embarrassed to stand up for what is right?

Have I called myself a Christian without living the way I should?

Do I support those who openly defend justice for others?

Do I believe that the cross of Jesus Christ can conquer injustice with peace

and love?

Am I a source of hope for others?

Does my faith in God bring me joy?






November 17: My personal call to holiness


pray. Ask God to show you your personal path to happiness and holiness.

Pope Francis said: Every state of life leads to holiness, always. Holiness is not

the prerogative of only a few: holiness is a gift that is offered to all, without

exception, so that it constitutes the distinctive character of every Christian.

...Some people think that holiness is closing your eyes and putting on a pious

face... No! ...When the Lord calls us to be saints, he does not call us to

something hard or sad... Not at all! It is an invitation to share His joy, to live

and offer every moment of our lives with joy, at the same time making it a gift

of love for the people around us.


What is the vocation/path that God gave me as my personal path to happiness?

How have I experienced happiness and transformation into self-gift through

my vocation?

Am I giving my all to my vocation?



What is God moving you to do? What is God asking you in living out your vocation

to happiness?

Close your prayer by talking to Mary as you would talk to a friend about your

vocation and complete surrender to God’s will. Finish by praying a Hail Mary.

November 18: We journey together

Today, the prayer is meant to be a repetition of yesterday’s prayer, but you are

invited to do it with your spouse or with a close friend or family member.

As the two of you come to prayer together ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and to

teach you how to pray. Ask God to show you how you support each other in your

personal path to happiness and holiness.

Pope Francis said: Every state of life leads to holiness, always. Holiness is not

the prerogative of only a few: holiness is a gift that is offered to all, without

exception, so that it constitutes the distinctive character of every Christian.

...Some people think that holiness is closing your eyes and putting on a pious

face... No! ...When the Lord calls us to be saints, he does not call us to

something hard or sad... Not at all! It is an invitation to share His joy, to live

and offer every moment of our lives with joy, at the same time making it a gift

of love for the people around us.

Reflect and share on the following questions:

How has God made the other a support and a model in your vocation?

How has each one of you experienced happiness and transformation into self-

gift through your relationship?

Do you appreciate the gift of your relationship and give it your all?



What is God moving you to do? What is God asking you in living out your vocation

to happiness in this relationship?

Close your prayer by sharing and saying an Our Father together.

November 19: A Happy/Holy Household

May our home be a church that builds all its members up as human beings

created for happiness and holiness.

Today look through the binder at the suggested family activities in the different take

home activities for the different age groups. Faith is specially nourished by prayer,

ritual and conversation at home.

november 2: remembering the faithful departed ask …stbenedictonline.org/documents/2016/10/ideas to...

Documents