Faith Formation Summer Newsletter

Dear Families,

This weekend we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, and the readings reiterate the importance of being a committed disciple and a devoted Christian.

In our first reading from the Book of Joshua, we find Joshua addressing “all the people” and questioning them as to what they believe. “If it does not please you to serve the LORD, decide today whom you will serve.” And Joshua proclaims to them...

Likewise, our second reading from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians reminds us to “Be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This reading was formerly (and is still sometimes) used in wedding liturgies. I personally don’t like being told that I must be subordinate to a man, but I perfectly understand being subordinate to Christ. We do that by following our call to put others needs before our own, and we accomplish that by placing Christ first in all that we do.

As Christians, it should be easy for us to place God in the forefront of our lives. Yet, as humans, we struggle with this because we are selfish by nature. It doesn’t’ help that we live in a society that has become increasingly self-centered. So, living in Christ and for Christ is something that must be encouraged, taught, practiced, and valued. We all know it’s easier to walk away than to follow. But if we aspire to be a disciple of Christ, then following is what we are called to do.

Our gospel passage from St. John gives us a perfect example of this as Jesus has just told his followers that he is “the bread of life.” That reality proved to be too much for many to accept as they “returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him.” Jesus reminded them, “It is the spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” This was a turning point for the remaining disciples. Simon Peter proclaims “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God." Do we believe – truly believe – that Jesus is our savior – the light of the world? If the answer is yes, then let’s get to work. We too must proclaim to all we encounter, with our words and actions, that Jesus Christ is the Holy One of God. We do this by placing the needs of others in front of our own. We do this through good works and prayer and devotion. We do this through LOVE.

Let’s “put on” Christ in all we do so that we in turn can lead others to live in God's grace and mercy. It’s not easy, but with God’s help, and some perseverance on our part, we can do it. The thing about following is that we don’t have to worry about where we’re headed or how we’re going to get there, as long as we just keep moving forward in faith. God is a leader we can trust and gives us all the help we need for the journey.

As we conclude the month of August, in which we honor the Immaculate Heart of Mary, take some time with your child(ren) to pray the Hail Mary (this video version is a simple guided meditation). We honor our Blessed Mother every day of the year! Please make it a holy habit to pray the Hail Mary daily.

Aug. 20: St. Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

Aug. 21: St. Pius X, Pope

Aug. 22: The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Aug. 23: St. Rose of Lima

Aug. 24: St. Bartholomew, Apostle

• To learn more about these saints, and all the saints of the month, follow this link: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/calendar/
• Below: Click the button for an article on the Queenship of Mary
  
• Further below: Video of Hail, Holy Queen from SISTER ACT - check it out!
  

My mother's youngest sister is 91 years old and has worn a brown scapular for most of those years! She told me she knew if she was wearing it when she died she would go directly to heaven. That's what the nuns told her over 80 years ago! If the sisters told her something about our faith...it was a fact in my aunt's mind. My mom was similar in her belief. She unabashedly and lovingly shared her faith in her daily life. Evidence of that could be seen throughout our home which was filled with sacramentals. Sacramentals are signs that remind us of God, Mary, the saints, and Heaven. They are an aid to prayer, and give us graces if we open our hearts to them. Some examples of sacramentals are: the Holy Rosary, the Sign of the Cross, holy water, crucifixes, icons, etc.

Another sacramental, which you may or may not have heard of is the brown scapular. On July 16, 1251, Our Lady appeared to Carmelite brother Simon Stock in Aylesford, England, and gave him a special sacramental called the Brown Scapular. A scapular is two small pieces of wool connected by two cords; it is worn with one side on the chest and the other on the back. Mary told Simon Stock: “It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection.” The scapulars worn by Carmelites are garments stretching from their shoulders to their feet, while those worn by lay people are much smaller — usually only an inch or two high and worn under clothing. You can use your scapular to help focus your prayer time, holding it while praying, for example. Pope Pius VI said, “The Scapular is a practice of piety, which by its very simplicity is suited to everyone.”

We are in the midst of a divisive political season. Let us keep in mind, as Catholics, the need for prayer, civility and compromise. We don't have to agree with one another to love one another. I think we all know people we don't like, but we are called to love them anyway. That's not easy, but with prayer and God's grace, we can lead by example.

In 2001, in a speech before Joint Session of Congress, President George W. Bush said, "“Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them.”

In 2016, Michelle Obama spoke at the Democratic National Convention, sharing sentiments she and her husband imparted to their daughters amid a slanderous political climate. “We explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don’t stoop to their level. No, our motto is, ‘When they go low, we go high,’ she said. ‘with every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us."

Words of wisdom to live by!