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Faith
Formation Forum
—from online submissions
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Today is Epiphany. The wise men came from the east to worship the Christ Child and offered him presents. They gave the infant the status of a king.V L Patrick
Cochin, Kerala, India
Friday, January 06, 2012
Dear writer from Colorado, "Godparent Gussie" is available on DVD as part of "Exploring the Sacrament of Baptism" (Item D7100). In addition to "Godparent Gussie," this program contains the Franciscan Communications classic "Baptism: Sacrament of Belonging" about a boy, Alfredo, who lost his family and home and was disfigured in a fire. As for the other sacrament videos you named, they are not currently available. I will pass on your question about them to our Media Production department for consideration as a future project. Peace, JMEditor (JM)
Cincinnati, OH
Thursday, January 05, 2012
I have taught CCD for many years and love doing it. I have degrees in English/reading/literature/poetry, so these are skills that I love to use with my students! A way that I connect these skills is by having my students read something in the Bible, think about it, and write about it. This way, they strengthen the skills of read/think/write. Most important, they also strengthen their faith by reading many different topics in the Bible. After they read/think/write, they share with everyone in the class. This increases every one of these skills, specifically their faith! Students respond with questions, additional statements about the topics, etc. This process warms their hearts and minds. I love the quotation from Aristotle: "Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." This is a fact! Amen.Prof. Barbara
Fort Pierce, Florida
Thursday, January 05, 2012
I need help with lessons for 7th and 8th graders.Rose
NJ
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
I have the following question: Years ago, Franciscan Communications had a series on the sacraments--"Godparent Gussie," Marrying Melvin" and 5 others. I used them with some success and am wondering if they've been revised or if the editors have thought about revising them.CO
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Jean,
If your students are teens, "The Spitfire Grill" is an excellent movie for this time of year. It is rated PG-13 and is nearly two hours long. That may make it either too long or too old for your class. We offer a DVD collection "Stories of Christmas" (D1224). It contains two programs that would be suitable for young viewers ("The Mouse in the Manger" and "The First Christmas Crib: A Story of St. Francis of Assisi"). A third program, "Behold This Child: The Gospel Stories of Jesus' Birth," provides four segments for use by junior high to adult. Let me know if any of these programs worked for you--and how your students responded! Have a blessed Advent and Christmas season! JeanneEditor (JH)
Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
AL, The best place to start with "Come and See" is in the overview where you are given a template for a weekly session. Use this as your guideline, plugging in seasonal prayers, upcoming feast days and a healthy time for question and answers each week. If your group is a little hesitant to discuss, pass out index cards on which they can write down their questions anonymously. An additional resource in "Come and See" is the glossary of terms which just might have some answers you don't have. Some of the topics in our publication "Every Day Catholic" are timely and appropriate to the RCIA journey. You might find the prayer services particularly helpful. Be sure to look to the small-group guide that's available free online for every issue of "Every Day Catholic." God bless you in this wonderful ministry! JeanneEditor (JH)
Cincinnati, OH
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
I have a question. I need help. For our last class before Christmas, I like to show a good Christian movie. I have used the new "Nativity" movie, and I have a few oldies. I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion? Thank you.Jean
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
I purchased the "Come and See" collection for instructing RCIA, and this is just getting underway. I am brand new to this ministry and in this capacity and am always looking for helpful tips.AL
Hatfield, PA
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
We pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in song. It provides the opportunity to pray for those in most need of God's mercy, taking the focus of tendencies off the "me" prayers. In song is a great way to communicate and leave the everlasting message with your children. I have yet to meet a child who does not love to sing, and their eyes get big when you tell them they are singing to and for Jesus!Greg Kelly
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
We are always looking for new ways of incorporating day-long, retreat-type experiences into our programs for high school women. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. We're usually working with a group of 40.Christine
NY
Monday, October 17, 2011
Gloria from Arizona: I apologize for this late response to your question about a "prayer walk with Jesus." A Jesus walk begins with giving the children a verse from Scripture, reading a Bible story, etc. Then you invite them to imagine they are walking with Jesus and they and Jesus are having a conversation about the story, verse, etc. Then, everyone gathers back in the classroom, and they share their experiences.Editor (JH)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Monday, October 10, 2011
I teach 3rd grade students. My favorite saint is St. Frances Xavier Cabrini! She was only 4'9" and had to overcome small pox as a child growing up. She was criticized for being in poor health and was turned away by several orders of nuns. Overcoming every obstacle, she started the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was asked by Pope Leo XIII to help the Italian Immigrants in the USA. As a young girl, she had an accident and nearly drowned, but she was saved by a mysterious stranger that her uncle said was her Guardian Angel.
Overcoming her fear of water, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean approximately 36 times in her life. She even had a ticket for the Titanic, but due to the fact that her train was late, she missed the ship which had already left upon its doomed journey. She established numerous orphanages and schools, and helped establish hospitals to care for the poor. She became a US Citizen and is the first US Citizen declared a saint. She is known as the Patroness of the Immigrants. I get great joy sharing the stories of Mother Cabrini at the parish which I am a member which is in her great name.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to share a saint here.
Miss Susan D.
Teacher of 3rd GradersMiss Susan D
Houston, TX
Saturday, October 08, 2011
Leng, I apologize for the confusion about what we mean by a "model of faith." It might have been more clear if we had used the term "role model of faith," We simply mean people who are intentionally putting their faith into practice in their everyday lives. They serve as role models of Christians for those with whom they live, work and interact. We are, of course, all called to live our faith in visible ways--to be sacraments: signs of God's love to the world. While none of us achieve perfection in our attempts to respond to this call, some people are more consistent, more faithful, in their effort to do so and serve as role models for the rest of us. Their example both encourages (I can do this!) and challenges (I should be doing this!) us to live more faithful lives. The canonized saints are recognized role models of faith. We can each think of people in our personal lives (living and deceased) who also serve as such role models for us. Of course, we can each aspire to be a role model of faith for others as well. Peace to you! JoanEditor (JM)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Hi,
What is a model of faith? I find it quite difficult to understand and am trying to put something to it so it becomes more "tangible" and comprehensible.
Hope you can help.
Thanks. Leo Teng
Singapore, Singapore
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
"Actions speak louder than words." This message has always been very important to me because, if we "show" love, peace, mercy, compassion, patience, kindness, and respect to all whom we meet, it definitely does "speak louder than words." Parents are also required to do this for successful stimulation of Faith within their beloved children. Always "showing" love, peace, mercy, compassion, patience, kindness, and respect to our children strengthens everything within their hearts and their minds. All of this is a gift from God. He shows all of these gifts to all of His beloved children on this earth, through Jesus, His Beloved Son. Do we all see it????? Peace be with everyone! AMENBarbara S. Reall
Cranston, Rhode Island
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
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