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LIVING OUR FAITH

SHARING AND LIVING OUR VALUES 

Values are qualities that guide our lives.  They give our life purpose and direction. 

Our values are like a compass; they guide us in our choices and remind us of what is important in life. They shape the way we think about the world, and how we choose to act.   By themselves values are just words but when they are lived out, the meaning and importance become clear

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Teaching Our Children Values

All the teaching in the world can be undone if our kids watch us behave in ways that contradict everything we've said.  It is through the example of parents and other adults that children learn values and a sense of morality.

CHRISTIAN VALUES AND HOW WE LIVE THEM
December A Time of Giving, A Time of Generosity

Generosity is the willingness to give or share what we have. For Christians, God’s gift of Himself, through Christ, represents the ultimate form of generosity, and serves as a model for us. 

Jesus Teaches About Generosity

• In Mark 12: 41-44 Jesus tells the story about the Widow's Offering.  The woman in the gospel gave from her heart not out of her abundance as the others did.  I remember a time when this Gospel was proclaimed at Mass and afterward a family of six who were unemployed and  had just $50 to spend on their weekly groceries went after church  to buy the local market and came back to church with half the food to be shared with a needy family. The family had talked about it and planned a few very simple meals. 
• Jesus reminds us “What you give to the least of my brothers you give to me.”  Matthew 25:40.  A few years ago a young girl was celebrating her 12th birthday; instead of having her guests bring gifts for herself she asked them to bring gifts for a girl who lived outside of Dansville.  The girl was also celebrating her birthday but would not be receiving any gifts because her family was poor.    The girl from our church felt she was very blessed and wanted to share what she had with someone less fortunate.
• Jesus showed his generosity, love and thoughtfulness throughout his life. In the story of Matthew 14:21 we see how Jesus fed the 5000.  In China, when people meet friends, they ask whether the friends have eaten a meal yet.  This custom dates back to the great famine.  What ever food someone had they shared it.  So many of our towns and parishes have food cupboards that we can donate to. 

How Can Parents Teach Children To Be Generous?

As Christmas approaches we are probably thinking about what we will be buying for our children and our children are probably thinking about what they want. It is not enough to tell our children they should be generous we must show them by example and offer them opportunities to practice generosity.  Take time to include the value of generosity in this holiday season.  The more you do, the more your children will learn to be generous. 

How Can Your Family Practice Generosity? 

As a household think about what you have, that you can share:  time, knowledge, things or money.

• Help those who are hungry by donating to a food cupboard
• Share your gently used clothing.
• Why not reduce your own Christmas list and take the money to purchase a new gift for someone in need.
• Be generous with your time by visiting a relative, or neighbor who is lonely.

Follow the example of St. Nicholas (information about St. Nicholas can be found under Celebrating our Faith} and learn from his kindness and generosity.

At dinner or before bed each night take a minute to share a way each member of your household has been generous.

Take every opportunity to give of your time, your talents, your possessions, your money, or a helping hand or listening ear.

LIVING JUSTLY

Our faith calls us to work for justice; to serve those in need; to work toward peace, and defend life, dignity, and rights of all our sisters and brothers.  This is the call of Jesus, the challenge of the prophets, and the living tradition of our church.  (Century of Catholic Social Teaching, U.S. Catholic Bishops 1990.)

Principles of Social Justice

1. Dignity of the Human Person. All people are sacred.
2. Call to Community and Participation. The human person is a social being, one part of the human family.
3. Rights and Responsibilities.  All people have fundamental rights and a responsibility to respect the rights in others.
4. Option for the Poor. Society’s most vulnerable members must be treated equally.
5. Dignity of Work.  People have a right to work and to receive fair wages. 
6. Solidarity.  We are one human family called to work toward justice.
7. Care for God’s Creation.  We have a responsibility to care for the goods of the earth and the gifts from God.

For further reflection on applying the themes of Catholic Social Teaching   

HELPING YOUR HOUSEHOLD LIVE THE CALL TO JUSTICE

CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION

“There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed according to need.”  Acts 54:34-35 

Created in the image of God, we have a responsibility to build a sense of community in our families, in our schools, in our parish, local community, our country and our world.  In Catholic Social Teaching, justice is understood as the right and responsibility of every person to participate in these communities. 

For more thoughts on Community and Participation

THE CHURCH CALLS US TO:

• Recognize that we live in relationship with all members of the human family.
• Become fully involved in our families, our communities and our world.

WHAT CAN YOUR FAMILY DO?

Our faith is about people together in community with one another.  It does not always require a heroic effort to make a difference.  Most of us will remain in our homes and wonder what we can do. Prayer and small acts add up to help make a change.

Important messages to children about our community responsibilities can begin with little things

What can you do to create a sense of community in your family?

Pope John Paul II in his Letter on the Family, challenges families to “become what your are-a community of life and love.”

• Spend time together as a family to hang out, and have fun.  Put away those I pods, turn off the computer and tv.  Just be together. Play a game, go for a walk. 
• Are there things you would like to do but don’t seem to have the time. Block off time on your calendar today.  Make it happen. 
• Try to eat together a few times a week.
• Help one another, share, and listen to each other.
• Celebrate together and pray together.

How can you help to create a sense of community in your town or city? 

• Take some time to think of needs you know about in your neighborhood, city or town.  Is there something your household could do?

• Caring for another’s children when a family needs help
• Fix meals for shut-ins
• Donate food to a Soup Kitchen or working at a kitchen
• Participate in clothing drives.
• Ring the Salvation Army bells as a family at Christmas time.
• Organize a neighborhood soup supper and donate the proceeds to a local food cupboard or kitchen
• Contact Diocesan Catholic Charities or Ruth Putnam, Works of Love coordinator at 585-328-3228 for suggestions of volunteer opportunities throughout the Diocese.

How can you can help create a sense of national community?

• Are there any national disasters where people need your help or donations?
• How could you challenge political leaders to improve life for the hungry or homeless families of our country?

How can you help create a sense of global community?

• Participate in Operation Rice Bowl during Lent
• Take time to pray for other countries at dinner time.  Ex. Those starving in Africa.
• Visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. for numerous national  and world social service agencies.

To find out ways your home can be built on the 7 Social Justice Principles