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April 15, 2009
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Faith Formation Update
is a free monthly e-newsletter for catechetical
leaders with a focus on parish catechesis beyond textbooks and classrooms.
I'm Jeanne Hunt. In each issue I offer a brief starter and
my “Every
Family” column. My co-worker and fellow religious educator Joan
McKamey offers media resources and ideas in her “Seen
and Heard” column. Our co-worker Chuck
Blankenship suggests other faith-formation resources for adults from
St. Anthony Messenger Press in his column, “Sowing
Sampler.” Finally, we encourage YOU to share views and program ideas
about this month's topic on our online bulletin board, “Faith
Formation Forum.” Spring is a celebration of new life. As catechists we must proclaim the hope that is proclaimed through the season of Easter. This issue of Faith Formation Update brings wonderful examples of how these signs of the season teach the mystery of dying and rising.
—Jeanne Hunt |
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One of the most basic dogmas of Catholicism cannot be put into words; rather, it is witnessed and believed. The drama of Holy Week invites us to find support in our catechetical setting for the paschal mystery. Looking all around us, we watch new life as spring unfolds. It is in this setting that we can connect what we believe about the Resurrection with the patterns of the earth. Especially as we teach faith to small children, the amazing sequence of life returning to the winter landscape points the way to understanding God’s call to die and be born again. This is the time to take your class outside and watch new life: baby birds chirping in the nest, daffodils cascading down a hillside, pale green leaves emerging in the bush. All these things announce that life returns and hope reigns. While the Resurrection is difficult to explain to a young child, a walk around the parish grounds can teach more than any lesson plan. Let’s go for a spring walk. |
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This month’s issue of St
Anthony Messenger is
a real keeper. The focus of this special issue is sacraments. As
we think about signs and symbols of the Church, the natural expressions
are the sacraments. This issue is required reading for every catechist.
Father Tom Richstatter, O.F.M., gives a profound explanation of
the initiation rites of the Church that serves as a primer for
anyone who observes the drama of the Easter Vigil or wishes to
understand the connection between baptism, confirmation and
Eucharist. John Feister writes about the inspiring faith
of actor Clarence Gilyard and what the Eucharist brings to
his life. This witness is a great springboard for a junior-high
or high-school discussion on the Eucharist. The rest of the
issue visits the remaining sacraments with top-notch catechesis
and insight. This special issue should be a mainstay in our
catechist-resource library and a perfect addition to every
parish RCIA program.
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The paschal mystery—the suffering, death and Resurrection of Jesus—is central to our life in the Church and to our individual lives as Christians. We are reminded of this every time we celebrate the Eucharist, but especially during the Lent/Easter season of our Church year.
Light follows darkness. Life follows death. Good conquers evil. These are lessons of the paschal mystery of Christ. We see evidence of this pattern throughout our lives—spring follows winter, day follows night, eternal life follows bodily death, reconciliation follows sin, forgiveness follows wrongdoing—but nowhere is it as remarkable as in the life of Jesus Christ.
Many of our contemporaries are in a period of darkness right now. The struggling economy adds to the other challenges of their lives. We all need to be reminded of the promise given to us through Christ’s paschal mystery.
I’ve selected a video clip from the DVD program The
Church Celebrates Lent and Easter to share with you (RealMedia | Windows
Media). In it, you’ll see part of one man’s personal paschal mystery
story. Jimmy Heath’s alcoholism led to homelessness. He shares his
experience of spiritual death and rebirth. His story illustrates the
dying to self we all must undertake as true followers of Christ—and
the rebirth that is possible.
Jimmy has died since his story was recorded, but he lives on in the many lives he touched and, of course, in the arms of our loving God.
Share this video story with groups or individuals who struggle with dark times. Use it in mystagogy sessions with neophytes. Share it with small groups or in a large-group session on the season of Lent/Easter. Believe in the promise of the paschal mystery! |
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If you’re looking for a spring gift for your favorite young adult, consider God, Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer by Jim Beckman.
Beckman is the executive director of ImpactCenter and serves in various
leadership roles in national youth ministry. This is a book that teaches
young adults the path to intimacy with God through prayer. It is written
in a language that makes sense to the millennial generation.
The steps to learning how to pray are offered in a practical way that assumes
nothing and brings encouragement. The chapter on prayer principles could be a sourcebook
for even the most seasoned. "Acknowledge, relate, receive and respond," Beckman says.
With that simple formula he goes on to illustrate that an ongoing conversation with
God takes no special skill, only the desire to start talking. The author then encourages the reader to simply
keep at it. Steady practice at prayer is the only way to make the divine connection.
Continuing the inspiration theme, don’t forget to take a few moments to check out our Web sites:
www.FriarJack.org,
www.CatholicSAMPler.com, www.SAMPBooks.org and
www.ServantBooks.org. |
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Share your ideas on adult faith formation at our online bulletin board. Our editors will screen and post your thoughts, and you can learn from others' ideas. Submit your ideas by clicking here. |
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