| Celebrating Our Faith |
HOME IS WHERE PRAYER BEGINS
Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God. The family is the primary prayer model for children. To help your children develop a life of prayer, it is important for you to set an example. Praying daily helps you build the practice of prayer into your own life as well as your children. There are many ways to pray and many types of prayer. We will be looking at these in the months ahead.
For more information go to:
Resources/ Learn More About Prayer
Go to Praying Your Way Through the Day for 12 tips to help you pray through the day.
Go to Helping People Pray/Praying Through the Day to help your children discover prayer on the go activities.
PRAYER JOURNEYS FOR THE SUMMER
Pilgrimages
A pilgrimage is a journey taken to a holy place in order to become closer to God. Some people take pilgrimages to the Holy Land or to Rome. A pilgrimage does not have to be far away from home. Why not visit some of the holy places this summer that are in our area. Here are a few ideas visit their websites for information, directions, and times.
Sacred Heart Cathedral. 296 Flower City Park, Rochester, N.Y
Mount Savior Monastery Pine City NY. 607-739-1688. Visit their website for directions and information.
Abbey of the Genesee 3258 River Rd. Piffard N.Y. Visit their website for directions and information.
Our Lady of Victory Basilica Lackawanna N.Y. 716 828-9444. Visit the web site for information.
Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Youngstown, N.Y. 716 754 7489 visit the Web site
Martyrs Shrine Auriesville N.Y.
Journey Prayer as you begin your Pilgrimage All powerful God, be our guide as we begin our journey. Watch over us that we may have a safe trip. Open our hearts so that we may feel your presence and become closer to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen |
CELEBRATING THE LITURGICAL YEAR
We never seem to tire of the changing seasons. Every year, we are still touched by the first hot day or the first snow fall. Our Church also celebrates seasons. Through the seasons of the Church year we look at God’s work in the life of Jesus and in our own lives. As with the changes of the four seasons we continue to be touched by God’s love for us and all humankind.
For more information about the Liturgical Year contact www.faithfirst.com go to Highlights and click on Living the Liturgical Year and The Liturgical Year.
Celebrating Ordinary Time
We are now celebrating the second period of Ordinary Time.
Ordinary Time is divided into 2 sections. The first is the time between Christmas and Lent and the second, which is the longest, goes from the Monday after Pentecost to the Saturday before the Advent Season.
When we speak of “Ordinary Time” it does not mean plain or uneventful for all times we gather to celebrate as church are extraordinary.
The color for Ordinary Time is green. It is a color of hope and life.
Scripture Readings during Ordinary Time
During Ordinary Time, the gospels stories tell us about the ways that Jesus encountered and healed people, worked miracles, and taught what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. These readings help us to reflect on the ways we walk with Jesus in our day to day lives:
Through the encounters we have with others.
Through the ways we feel God’s healing touch in the caring we give or receive from others.
Through the wonders of creation that are around us.
Through the ways we live as disciples of Jesus.
By opening our eyes to the many ways God is present in our lives, each day offers opportunities for us to meet Jesus in ordinary ways.
During the summer months listen carefully to the Gospel readings and take time to reflect on what these readings mean to your and your family.
To help your family reflect on the Sunday Readings during Ordinary Time. Click on the current date. This site offers scripture background, faith sharing questions and home activities for each of the Sundays in the Liturgical Year.
The game RTD is a simple way to help your household reflect on the Scripture Readings and talk about them on the way home from church, or at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Ask each person:
- What did you REMEMBER about the readings today?
- What THOUGHTS came to you as you listened to the readings or the homily?
- What will you DO during the week to live the message of the readings?
CELEBRATING FAMILY RITUALS
Thomas Boland notes that “the seeds of the sacred are sown for Christian families in the field of everyday experiences.” Throughout the day simple rituals like morning or bedtime prayers, grace before meals, taking time to bless a family member as he/she leaves for work or school are all wonderful reminders of God’s presence in our lives and homes. Milestone moments; birthdays, first day of school, graduations, marriage, anniversaries, and civic celebrations provide us with many opportunities to celebrate and share faith within our households. Here are a few ideas:
Independence Day - 4th of July
