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FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY

6/24/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
"Road to Emmaus" by Robert Zünd (1826 - 1909)
"In the Holy Eucharist we become one with God like food with the body."
(St. Francis de Sales)


Read:
Exodus 16:2-16
Psalm 78

Luke 24:13-32

Study:
1) Handouts:
The Eucharist; Real Presence; Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament
2) 3MC:
38 – What is the Eucharist?

3) CCC 1322-1332, 1342-1372, 1378-1405 (YOUCAT 208 - 223)

Meditate:
Why is the Eucharist something that should be adored? Why is the Eucharist something we should strive to receive frequently? The Eucharist is received in the context of a Mass and this word comes from "Ite, missa est" which means "go, you are sent". When I receive Holy Communion, what am I then being sent out to do and why do I the Eucharist to do it? If our journey's end is heaven where we spend eternity with God, what sacrifice is it to spend some time with Him in adoration or weekly, even daily reception of Holy Communion?

Pray:
Blessed be God.
Blessed be his holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus.
Blessed be his most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be his Most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be the St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.


Imitate:
St. Dominic Savio

Apply:
Do I take time aside to be close to Jesus? Do I recognize Him in the breaking of the bread?

Extra:

Understanding the Eucharist (Part 1) - Dr. Scott Hahn
Understanding the Eucharist (Part 2) - Dr. Scott Hahn
Understanding the Eucharist (Part 3) - Dr. Scott Hahn
Who Can Receive Communion?
Mysterium Fidei - Bl. Pope Paul VI
Ecclesia de Eucharistia - St. Pope John Paul II

On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with His chosen band,
He, the Paschal Victim eating,
First fulfills the Law's command;
Then as Food to all his brethren
Gives Himself with His own Hand.
3 Comments

REAL PRESENCE

6/3/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
Last Supper, by Carl Bloch
"God would have given us something greater if he had had something greater than himself" (St. John Vianney)

Read:
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
Psalm 78
John 6:22-59
Matthew 26:17-30

Study:
1) Handouts:
The Eucharist; Real Presence; Reservation of the Blessed Sacrament

2) 3MC:
38 – What is the Eucharist?

3) CCC 1323, 1333-1341, 1373-1377 (YOUCAT 208 - 223)

Meditate:
Why does the Church teach that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith? Knowing that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist, how does this change the way I approach this sacrament? If Christ gives all of Himself to me in the Eucharist, how then do I give all of myself back to Him as a act of worship?

Pray:
Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Lord, in your great generosity, heal my sickness, wash away my defilement, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness. May I receive the bread of angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with humble reverence, with the purity and faith, the repentance and love, and the determined purpose that will help to bring me to salvation. May I receive the sacrament of the Lord's body and blood, and its reality and power. Kind God, may I receive the body of your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born from the womb of the Virgin Mary, and so be received into his mystical body and numbered among his members. Loving Father, as on my earthly pilgrimage I now receive your beloved Son under the veil of a sacrament, may I one day see him face to face in glory, who lives and reigns with you for ever. Amen.

Imitate:
St. Thomas Aquinas

Apply:
How can I prepare myself to receive Christ in the Holy Eucharist? Is Christ at the center of my life? Does He fill everything I am, everything I experience, everything I do?

Extra:
Sophia Sketchpad: The Eucharist
The Eucharist - Steve Ray
The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist - Bishop Robert Barron
Catholic Encyclopedia: The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
The Real Presence
Christ in the Eucharist

Jesus, whom now I see hidden,
I ask you to fulfill what I so desire:
That the sight of your face being unveiled
I may have the happiness of seeing your glory. Amen.
3 Comments

EQUIPPED FOR BATTLE

5/27/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
The Accolade (1901), by Edmund Leighton
"In Baptism the Christian is enlisted in the army; in Confirmation he is equipped for battle. In Baptism the Holy Spirit imparts the fullness of innocence; in Confirmation, the perfection of grace. In Baptism we are reborn to life; after Baptism we are confirmed for combat. In Baptism we are cleansed; in Confirmation we are strengthened. Baptism soothes us to peace; Confirmation rouses us to arms." (Pope St. Melchiades)

Read:
Isaiah 11:1-3
Psalm 20
John 15:26-16:14

Study:
1) Handouts:
Confirmation; The Gifts of the Holy Spirit; Martyrdom; The Holy Spirit

2) 3MC:
37 – What is Confirmation?
51 – Who is the Holy Spirit?

3) CCC 243-245, 683-741, 1127-1128, 1285-1314, 1695, 1830-1832, 2670-2672 (YOUCAT 113 - 120, 193, 203-207)

Meditate:
What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how do they help me lead a life worthy of heaven? How are these gifts related to the virtues? How can I cultivate the fruits of the Holy Spirit in my life? If we have received the Holy Spirit at Baptism, why do we receive Him again at Confirmation? How many times can we be "filled" with the Spirit and how can one be filled? Why is the Holy Spirit necessary to live the life God calls us to lead? What does the word witness mean in it's fullest sense?

Pray:
Lord Jesus, by Faith, I now put on the whole armor of God. I put on the Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Your Righteousness, I gird myself about with the girdle of Your Truth. On my feet I put the shoes of the Gospel of Your Peace. I take up the shield of Your Faith (which surrounds me like a tent) and the sword of the Spirit (which is God’s Word). I cover myself with the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses me from all sin and around me like a cloak is the Holy Spirit. I praise and thank You, Lord Jesus, for all that You have done for me, and I relax into You now, knowing that You are protecting me from all evil intents and purposes. Thank You Jesus. I pray also that I may yield to the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Amen.

Imitate:
Bl. Miguel Pro

Apply:
If looking forward to Confirmation, have I prepared myself to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who is God? If I have been confirmed, am I living by the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Do I see the fruit of God's work in my life? If not, what do I need to do to change?

Extra:
Sophia Sketchpad: Confirmation
Outside da Box: It's NOT Graduation
Catholic Encyclopedia: Confirmation
Catholic Encyclopedia: Holy Ghost
Catholic Encyclopedia: Charismata
Confirmation
How Does the Holy Spirit Work In Our Lives?

Come Holy Spirit
3 Comments

GO FORTH YOU ARE SENT

5/20/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
St. Ignatius of Loyola, By Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640)
"evangelism - (n.) one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is." - Matt Fradd

Read:
1 Peter 2:4-10
Psalm 40
Matthew 5:13-16

Study:
1) Handouts:
Evangelization; The Priesthood of the Faithful, People of God

2) CCC 849-856, 871-873, 897-913, 1267-1270, 1546, 2632, 2820, 2822 (YOUCAT 138 - 139)

3) Basic Evangelization Training Handout
Meditate:
What does it mean to be witness to the Gospel? How can every member of the Church work toward the salvation of the world? How is every Baptized Christian called to participate in the ministry of Christ?

Pray:
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’  But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10: 13-15)

Heavenly Father,
Pour forth your Holy Spirit to inspire me with these words from Holy Scripture. Stir in my soul the desire to renew my faith and deepen my relationship with your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ so that I might truly believe in and live the Good News. Open my heart to hear the Gospel and grant me the confidence to proclaim the Good News to others. Pour out your Spirit, so that I might be strengthened to go forth and witness to the Gospel in my everyday life through my words and actions.  

In moments of hesitation, remind me:
If not me, then who will proclaim the Gospel?
If not now, then when will the Gospel be proclaimed?
If not the truth of the Gospel, then what shall I proclaim?

God, our Father, I pray that through the Holy Spirit I might hear the call of the New Evangelization to deepen my faith, grow in confidence to proclaim the Gospel and boldly witness to the saving grace of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Imitate:
St. Francis Xavier

Apply:
Have I fulfilled my duty to share my faith in love with those I encounter? Do I live a life that reflects my beliefs and what I am called to share?

Extra:
Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World) by Bl. Pope Paul VI
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) by Pope Francis
The Great Omission
Syracuse Diocese Office of Evangelization
USCCB: Evangelization
Catholic Encyclopedia: Laity
Why Evangelize Non-Catholic Christians?
How Evangelization Can Strengthen Your Faith
How to Evangelize Family Members
Evangelization in the Workplace
Tips on Evangelizing Spouses
Tips for Evangelization
Effective Evangelization

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.
3 Comments

BORN AGAIN

5/6/2016

3 Comments

 
Picture
The Baptism of Vajk by Gyula Benczúr 1875
"Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Read:
Romans 6:3-11
Psalm 33
John 3:1-6

Study:
1) Handouts:
Baptism; Infant Baptism; The Virtue of Faith; The Virtue of Hope; The Virtue of Charity

2) 3MC:
36 – What is Baptism?

3) CCC 26, 35, 142-175, 185-197, 537, 826, 977-978, 1113-1130, 1127-1128, 1213-1274, 1812-1829, 1832, 1889, 2011, 2086-2094, 2657-2658 (YOUCAT 20-24, 105, 108, 130, 146, 151-152, 193-202, 305-309, 337, 352, 493)


Meditate:
What does the Church mean when she says that Baptism is necessary for salvation and what exactly does Baptism save us from? What if someone has never been baptized or has never had the chance? What does it mean to have new life in Christ? Why is water so important for Baptism? Why is the name of the Triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invoked during Baptism? What are the theological virtues and why are they so important to our life as Christians? What can we do to prepare ourselves or others for baptism? After baptism, how should we live? What does it mean to participate in Christ's ministry as priest, prophet, and king?

Pray:
My Lord and my God, take from me everything that distances me from you. My Lord and my God, give me everything that brings me closer to you. My Lord and my God, detach me from myself to give my all to you. Amen.

Imitate:
St. Patrick

Apply:
Every Baptized person is incorporated into Christ and His Church. Do my life and actions show that I am a child of God and a member of His Church? Am I ready to really live up to my Baptismal promises?

Extra:

Deus caritas est: God is Love - Pope Benedict XVI
Spe salvi: Saved by Hope - Pope Benedict XVI
Lumen fidei: The Light of Faith - Pope Benedict XVI/Pope Francis
Baptismal Grace
The Necessity of Baptism
Born Again in Baptism
Baptism: Immersion Only?
Infant Baptism
Early Teaching on Infant Baptism
Trinitarian Baptism

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)


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    Welcome

    This forum is for participants of St. Mary's Living The Faith Series and RCIA.

    Resources used for this forum include:

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    AUTHOR:
    Caleb Payne

    Caleb began his journey with Christ in 1997. He worked as a Protestant missionary for 8 years in China. It was soon after that he was challenged to consider the Catholic Church. After much prayer and study, he realized he had nothing to protest anymore and was received into full communion with Christ and His Church at the Easter Vigil Mass of 2011. For him the joy and peace that comes with receiving Christ in the Eucharist has turned into an insatiable desire to lead others to this same banquet. Caleb is first a husband, a father of three, and works in the Cortland area as a Registered Nurse. Caleb is a member of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic, the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, and is an Evangelist for Saint Paul Street Evangelization. He has Certifications in Thomistic/Catholic Philosophy, Catholic Theology, and Catholic Apologetics through the New Saint Thomas Institute. He is also currently in the Formation for Ministry Program of the Syracuse Diocese. 
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