Please consider attending the Catholic Men's Conference April 18 or the Catholic Women's Conference April 19. It is a good follow up to the ARISE program.
The Theme of the Men's Conference is "In the Footsteps of Christ." It will be at Boston College's Conte Forum on April 18th. The speakers are Jim Caviezel, Jerry Yourk and Curtis Martin.
The Theme of the Women's Conference is "Trust in the Lord with all Your Heart." Speakers include Jim Caviezel and his wife, Kerri, Sr. Nancy Keller SC, and Johnette Bencovic from EWTN.
Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley will celebrate Mass at both conferences.
Information as the times, price, lunch are available on the conference web site: www.CatholicBoston.com
Monday, March 30, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
More Testimonies
I had been angry with God, not going to church, my life was pretty messed up. My wife and I decided to be in different groups. While we respected confidentiality, we did compare what we experienced in our respective groups. It was beyond my expectations. Our conversations and sharing as a couple changed our marriage. I can hardly wait for Season Two.
Our group was so open and it was obvious that this was the work of the Spirit. Initially the sharing was a stretch for some but as the weeks went on they opened up beautifully. At every session each person brought a contribution for our food pantry. I was inspired to read the Gospel more.
In our group everyone was a minority. We were two men, only one person was born in the parish, one was a convert, two were from Cameroon, one from Ghana and two from Nigeria. We were so aware that Jesus was alive in our lives in all these places throughout our journeys. I was shocked at the sharing. We named our group Zaccheus because all Zaccheus had before he met Jesus was his curiosity…Jesus did the rest.
I met a man who shared with me about his great experience in Season One. Thursday, his WC? meeting day, always seemed to be the worst day of his week: the kids' schedules were crazy, work was stressful, life in general was tough. So even thinking about going to the small community was added stress but he made the decision to go anyway. He said that not only was the experience in the group wonderful but he began to notice that the following day after the meeting always was a really good day and he began to make the connections. Time spent in seeking God gave him a deeper sense of peace and purpose.
Our group was diverse in age; we had 20 year olds and 70 year olds. As we shared our images and knowledge of Jesus we learned that the elders in the group as children knew God, not necessarily Jesus. They are now coming to know Jesus. The opposite is true for the younger folks, at least in our group. One of the actions we did was to get the names of our seminarians. We wrote to them, told them what we were doing and promised to pray for them. They are writing back and sharing who and what they are about. It has been wonderful for all.
In the third session of Season One we were encouraged to read the Cardinal’s letter on Jewish-Catholic Dialogue. I read it and found it wonderful. It is a tremendous reminder of how the Roman Catholic Church is reaching out to its closest relative - the Jewish community. As a result of reading this letter, I reached out to our local rabbi. I met with him and was shocked with how much he knows about Jesus! I thought I’d know more than he. As a result, we have met on more than one occasion and we extended an invitation to the rabbi to come and speak on discipleship at our parish this Lent. He has graciously accepted and looks forward to meeting our parishioners in order to continue this outreach.
In our group we learned we had very common experiences of Jesus but that Jesus was also uniquely a part of each one’s life.
We learned so much about the divinity and humanity of Jesus and the challenge of discipleship. We came to understand how difficult it is to change one’s heart. We saw how Jesus in the midst of activity always took time for silence and prayer and we realized how important it is for us to do the same. Moving to action was simple for our group; things just fell into our laps. It was so obvious that this was the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the beginning the sharing was difficult; our group was very diverse. As the weeks progressed it got easier. The mutual support and learning came easier all the time.
Our group shared easily on the Scripture and we learned a lot. Most of the group was reluctant to lead prayer. We didn’t do any action as a group but relied on the individuals who are fairly involved already.
For me what was so good was that I realized Jesus is happy for me. I never knew this before.
I learned that Jesus is not only my Savior but my friend; “you have to love the guy!”
All the people in our group have a special relationship with Jesus Christ and that was really great to see and hear about.
Our group got increasingly more comfortable with sharing about Jesus and who he is.
One of the women in our group shared how she believes that God answers her prayers - always! At one of our ARISE Together in Christ sessions she stated how she was feeling she should spend more time with her mother, who has Alzheimer’s, and resides in a local nursing home. That week the woman fell and broke her hip. She ended up in the same nursing home as her mother. At first she felt sorry for herself but then she realized - there was God answering her prayer. Now she gets to have breakfast with her Mom, plays bingo and meets her for tea in the afternoon.
Our group came into contact with a family in our town that has a four-year old child with cancer. We took the whole family under our care for Christmas, purchased gifts and even arranged for a baby-sitter so the parents could get out.
As a facilitator I was so concerned with listening and including everyone that I don’t think I internalized as much as I could have. This will be my goal for Season 2.
I didn’t participate in Season One (even though I was on the ARISE Together in Christ Parish Team and responsible for bringing it to the parish). We had more people sign up the two weeks after Sign-up Sunday than on Sign-Up Sunday which is not a bad thing but it drove us crazy. In spite of it all the preparation and working with the team profoundly impacted my personal relationship with Jesus.
I came to look at Jesus Christ as a friend rather than Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for being my friend today.
I am a soccer mom who wrote to a friend who lives down the block because we hadn’t been in touch for a long time. I know her address as well as I know my own but the card came back in the mail, “undeliverable”. Duh! It was clear to me, go in person to say hello and re-kindle the relationship.
We pray for students in our Confirmation classes and many of us in my group worked at the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence over the Christmas weekend. We prepared and served dinner. We brought our spouses and children with us. It was an awesome experience and many people are asking to go back.
In our group we became aware that many of us, even those who are cradle Catholics, do not know a lot about our faith. Out of this awareness we spoke with our pastor who has scheduled a “teaching Mass” for Feb 21st. As he celebrates the Eucharist, he will stop and tell us what he is doing and why. We will learn about the gestures, the ritual, the prayer and the sacrament.
In our group we had a woman who was estranged from her Mom and Dad. Her birth mother had died when she was young and her father re-married. There was never a good relationship between her and her step-mother. As a result of one of our sessions she decided to reach out to her step-mother in a gesture of reconciliation. She asked the group to support her with prayer which we did willingly and God was with her.
We had someone in our small community who was from Ghana. This person has a friend who is a doctor there and who works with children afflicted with diabetes. This doctor was having a difficult time acquiring needed medications. Another woman in the group has a son who is a doctor at Mass General Hospital. She asked her son for help. The two doctors were put in communication and now pediatric medications for diabetic children are arriving in Ghana from Boston.
One of our groups took the names of the sick and the deceased from Sunday’s Mass and read them into our prayer each week. Another group is actively advocating for a larger and more visible chapel at our local hospital which is in the midst of renovations. A third group heard about the Cor Unum Meal program in Lawrence and have begun a commitment of service there.
As part of the ARISE Together in Christ Team, I responsible for assigning people to their groups. I prayed a lot about doing this. After the first week a woman, a woman came and said that she was not comfortable in her group and asked if she could come to my group. I knew she had had a son who committed suicide and she is still pretty fragile. She fit in well with our group and as we progressed through the sessions, another woman shared for the first time about her son’s suicide. It was so clear that these two women were meant to be together. The mutual support was wonderful and our group became a strong community. For me, Jesus was certainly present in this situation.
We had a group of twelve men, sound familiar? We always started with music. It was the fastest hour and a half any of us experienced. We had a 91 year old who explained how he felt he had grown so much closer to Jesus as a result of our sharing. We were humbled.
I want to speak to the absolute importance of confidentiality within the group. I was inspired by the depth of sharing that was done, especially by the men in our group. Honoring the experience of others is a huge responsibility.
I so enjoyed the aspect that everyone in our group had a stake in the process. No one was teaching; the sharing on the gospel was deep and everyone got something out of it.
As a leader, I felt inspired by the sharing in my group and they challenged me to “elevate my game.”
I felt challenged by the questions that were raised in my group and I want to add more members – more people need to hear this.
My experience is that we all came from different places on the faith journey but with the sharing, we found we are all going to the same place and we are richer for it. We are just beginning with one group of twelve. Our hope is to have twelve groups come the next season.
Our group had a brand new Catholic in it. We were all so happy to be involved in this adult faith formation for we have seen the lack of it for so long.
I am a member of our Pastoral Staff and we decided to do ARISE together. The blessings of our working together are great but now to be praying together is even better!
As the DRE using the ARISE children’s materials, we asked the first graders to bring in from home their activity page and they did. We displayed them all on a huge bulleting board in the foyer of the church. Many parents came by to take a look.
We found the children’s materials worked well at our Family Mass, where we had both Religious Education and Catholic school children present.
We were able to use the children’s materials in conjunction with the Sadlier program and highlight the gospel story. We were able to get the buy-in of the teachers this way.
We were happy to have some parents call in to inquire were the children doing ARISE? Apparently, their first grader came home talking about how Jesus cured the man who came through the roof! (1st session of Season 1)
We are using the ARISE Youth materials for 9th and 10th graders preparing for Confirmation. The teachers love it! We ask the youth to journal some of their reflections.
There is a great comfort in knowing that 30,000 people are sharing on the same topics in all the groups around the Archdiocese. Isn’t it great that so many are coming to know Jesus in a more intimate way? Jesus really came alive for me in my group.
My group was all middle-age Moms but so diverse in their experiences. What a blessing to see Jesus come alive for us in our messy, chaotic worlds!
I had a few converts in my group and what came to us was how simple the message of Jesus is. Making eye contact and smiling at someone on the street, greeting one another – you would be surprised at the reaction one gets!
A young adult shared that her group (all young adults) mostly all have work experiences that involve people who don’t understand or accept their value systems and whom they find it difficult to engage. They decided to practice tolerance and patience with these co-workers and they saw a change happen, not right away but eventually, the working rapport became much more pleasant.
Our group was mostly elderly and we had a 95 year old (he just passed away this month) who was legally blind and somewhat deaf. He decided that for his action one week, he would memorize the Sermon on the Mount. When he came back the next week, he performed the sermon as he thought Jesus would have preached it. He did a great job and we honor his life by sharing this story. Another action our group did was to gather the names of all the sick in the parish and send them get well cards.
I led a group after the 9 am Mass each week. There were mostly widows in the group. One week we focused on how Jesus “touched” people. I realized that many of these women had no physical contact with anyone in the course of the week so we decided to be more conscious of the gentle touch, pat on the back or hug and be freer in offering what was appropriate to one another and others in the course of our day. There was one woman who was challenging and I thought she must be very lonely- so she became for me the one I focused on in this way – giving her a hug at the end of each session. As the weeks went on, she became more patient and less apt to monopolize the conversation.
Two things happened in our group that was very inspiring. One was that, the participants found they were reading the bible much more and enjoying it. The other is that they decided to reach out in these difficult economic times by buying gift cards to supermarkets, Target, etc. to leave at the rectory in order to respond to people who came by asking for help.
My group expressed having difficulty in dealing with certain people in their lives. This was especially true when it came to exhibiting patience. We made a pact to stop and pray a decade of the Rosary for patience when we were feeling stressed in this way. People came back to share that it actually worked! Praise God!
As the leader of the group I felt compelled to articulate what action I would do each week. One of my actions involved a phone call that needed to be made to initiate reconciliation. Initially, I felt resistance because I had, in the past, reached out and it didn’t go anywhere. I felt it was the other person’s turn to reach out to me. At one of our sessions, I experienced a heart-felt desire to be the one to extend a hand. I did and my call was received positively and we were reconciled. It was not nearly as difficult as I had envisioned it.
In our group we were so aware that Jesus is different for each person and yet the same for all. As the Season progressed, people shared more deeply. The “silver birds” in our group were pleasantly shocked when they heard the twenty-six year old share about his relationship with Jesus. I became aware that living in Jesus can often happen in very little things as well as big ones. For example, I was on line at the supermarket, thinking about the sharing we had done the night before. The lady in front of me was paying her bill and was short three cents. She searched and fumbled through her bag and pockets for the pennies. I realized that I had change in my pocket and put the needed three pennies on the counter. I saw a burden be lifted from her shoulders and she displayed surprise and gratitude. It was really nothing but it was a big deal for her.
I always saw Jesus as God and I related him as God the Father, somewhat distanced from me and my life. As Season One progressed, I realized that my understanding of Jesus was changing. I now see him as my best friend, walking with me, never abandoning me, always there.
We became aware of how easily Jesus forgives us and how hard it is for us to forgive ourselves. We seem to torture ourselves. We struggled with moving our faith to action because everyone is so busy.
Our group was so open and it was obvious that this was the work of the Spirit. Initially the sharing was a stretch for some but as the weeks went on they opened up beautifully. At every session each person brought a contribution for our food pantry. I was inspired to read the Gospel more.
In our group everyone was a minority. We were two men, only one person was born in the parish, one was a convert, two were from Cameroon, one from Ghana and two from Nigeria. We were so aware that Jesus was alive in our lives in all these places throughout our journeys. I was shocked at the sharing. We named our group Zaccheus because all Zaccheus had before he met Jesus was his curiosity…Jesus did the rest.
I met a man who shared with me about his great experience in Season One. Thursday, his WC? meeting day, always seemed to be the worst day of his week: the kids' schedules were crazy, work was stressful, life in general was tough. So even thinking about going to the small community was added stress but he made the decision to go anyway. He said that not only was the experience in the group wonderful but he began to notice that the following day after the meeting always was a really good day and he began to make the connections. Time spent in seeking God gave him a deeper sense of peace and purpose.
Our group was diverse in age; we had 20 year olds and 70 year olds. As we shared our images and knowledge of Jesus we learned that the elders in the group as children knew God, not necessarily Jesus. They are now coming to know Jesus. The opposite is true for the younger folks, at least in our group. One of the actions we did was to get the names of our seminarians. We wrote to them, told them what we were doing and promised to pray for them. They are writing back and sharing who and what they are about. It has been wonderful for all.
In the third session of Season One we were encouraged to read the Cardinal’s letter on Jewish-Catholic Dialogue. I read it and found it wonderful. It is a tremendous reminder of how the Roman Catholic Church is reaching out to its closest relative - the Jewish community. As a result of reading this letter, I reached out to our local rabbi. I met with him and was shocked with how much he knows about Jesus! I thought I’d know more than he. As a result, we have met on more than one occasion and we extended an invitation to the rabbi to come and speak on discipleship at our parish this Lent. He has graciously accepted and looks forward to meeting our parishioners in order to continue this outreach.
In our group we learned we had very common experiences of Jesus but that Jesus was also uniquely a part of each one’s life.
We learned so much about the divinity and humanity of Jesus and the challenge of discipleship. We came to understand how difficult it is to change one’s heart. We saw how Jesus in the midst of activity always took time for silence and prayer and we realized how important it is for us to do the same. Moving to action was simple for our group; things just fell into our laps. It was so obvious that this was the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the beginning the sharing was difficult; our group was very diverse. As the weeks progressed it got easier. The mutual support and learning came easier all the time.
Our group shared easily on the Scripture and we learned a lot. Most of the group was reluctant to lead prayer. We didn’t do any action as a group but relied on the individuals who are fairly involved already.
For me what was so good was that I realized Jesus is happy for me. I never knew this before.
I learned that Jesus is not only my Savior but my friend; “you have to love the guy!”
All the people in our group have a special relationship with Jesus Christ and that was really great to see and hear about.
Our group got increasingly more comfortable with sharing about Jesus and who he is.
One of the women in our group shared how she believes that God answers her prayers - always! At one of our ARISE Together in Christ sessions she stated how she was feeling she should spend more time with her mother, who has Alzheimer’s, and resides in a local nursing home. That week the woman fell and broke her hip. She ended up in the same nursing home as her mother. At first she felt sorry for herself but then she realized - there was God answering her prayer. Now she gets to have breakfast with her Mom, plays bingo and meets her for tea in the afternoon.
Our group came into contact with a family in our town that has a four-year old child with cancer. We took the whole family under our care for Christmas, purchased gifts and even arranged for a baby-sitter so the parents could get out.
As a facilitator I was so concerned with listening and including everyone that I don’t think I internalized as much as I could have. This will be my goal for Season 2.
I didn’t participate in Season One (even though I was on the ARISE Together in Christ Parish Team and responsible for bringing it to the parish). We had more people sign up the two weeks after Sign-up Sunday than on Sign-Up Sunday which is not a bad thing but it drove us crazy. In spite of it all the preparation and working with the team profoundly impacted my personal relationship with Jesus.
I came to look at Jesus Christ as a friend rather than Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for being my friend today.
I am a soccer mom who wrote to a friend who lives down the block because we hadn’t been in touch for a long time. I know her address as well as I know my own but the card came back in the mail, “undeliverable”. Duh! It was clear to me, go in person to say hello and re-kindle the relationship.
We pray for students in our Confirmation classes and many of us in my group worked at the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence over the Christmas weekend. We prepared and served dinner. We brought our spouses and children with us. It was an awesome experience and many people are asking to go back.
In our group we became aware that many of us, even those who are cradle Catholics, do not know a lot about our faith. Out of this awareness we spoke with our pastor who has scheduled a “teaching Mass” for Feb 21st. As he celebrates the Eucharist, he will stop and tell us what he is doing and why. We will learn about the gestures, the ritual, the prayer and the sacrament.
In our group we had a woman who was estranged from her Mom and Dad. Her birth mother had died when she was young and her father re-married. There was never a good relationship between her and her step-mother. As a result of one of our sessions she decided to reach out to her step-mother in a gesture of reconciliation. She asked the group to support her with prayer which we did willingly and God was with her.
We had someone in our small community who was from Ghana. This person has a friend who is a doctor there and who works with children afflicted with diabetes. This doctor was having a difficult time acquiring needed medications. Another woman in the group has a son who is a doctor at Mass General Hospital. She asked her son for help. The two doctors were put in communication and now pediatric medications for diabetic children are arriving in Ghana from Boston.
One of our groups took the names of the sick and the deceased from Sunday’s Mass and read them into our prayer each week. Another group is actively advocating for a larger and more visible chapel at our local hospital which is in the midst of renovations. A third group heard about the Cor Unum Meal program in Lawrence and have begun a commitment of service there.
As part of the ARISE Together in Christ Team, I responsible for assigning people to their groups. I prayed a lot about doing this. After the first week a woman, a woman came and said that she was not comfortable in her group and asked if she could come to my group. I knew she had had a son who committed suicide and she is still pretty fragile. She fit in well with our group and as we progressed through the sessions, another woman shared for the first time about her son’s suicide. It was so clear that these two women were meant to be together. The mutual support was wonderful and our group became a strong community. For me, Jesus was certainly present in this situation.
We had a group of twelve men, sound familiar? We always started with music. It was the fastest hour and a half any of us experienced. We had a 91 year old who explained how he felt he had grown so much closer to Jesus as a result of our sharing. We were humbled.
I want to speak to the absolute importance of confidentiality within the group. I was inspired by the depth of sharing that was done, especially by the men in our group. Honoring the experience of others is a huge responsibility.
I so enjoyed the aspect that everyone in our group had a stake in the process. No one was teaching; the sharing on the gospel was deep and everyone got something out of it.
As a leader, I felt inspired by the sharing in my group and they challenged me to “elevate my game.”
I felt challenged by the questions that were raised in my group and I want to add more members – more people need to hear this.
My experience is that we all came from different places on the faith journey but with the sharing, we found we are all going to the same place and we are richer for it. We are just beginning with one group of twelve. Our hope is to have twelve groups come the next season.
Our group had a brand new Catholic in it. We were all so happy to be involved in this adult faith formation for we have seen the lack of it for so long.
I am a member of our Pastoral Staff and we decided to do ARISE together. The blessings of our working together are great but now to be praying together is even better!
As the DRE using the ARISE children’s materials, we asked the first graders to bring in from home their activity page and they did. We displayed them all on a huge bulleting board in the foyer of the church. Many parents came by to take a look.
We found the children’s materials worked well at our Family Mass, where we had both Religious Education and Catholic school children present.
We were able to use the children’s materials in conjunction with the Sadlier program and highlight the gospel story. We were able to get the buy-in of the teachers this way.
We were happy to have some parents call in to inquire were the children doing ARISE? Apparently, their first grader came home talking about how Jesus cured the man who came through the roof! (1st session of Season 1)
We are using the ARISE Youth materials for 9th and 10th graders preparing for Confirmation. The teachers love it! We ask the youth to journal some of their reflections.
There is a great comfort in knowing that 30,000 people are sharing on the same topics in all the groups around the Archdiocese. Isn’t it great that so many are coming to know Jesus in a more intimate way? Jesus really came alive for me in my group.
My group was all middle-age Moms but so diverse in their experiences. What a blessing to see Jesus come alive for us in our messy, chaotic worlds!
I had a few converts in my group and what came to us was how simple the message of Jesus is. Making eye contact and smiling at someone on the street, greeting one another – you would be surprised at the reaction one gets!
A young adult shared that her group (all young adults) mostly all have work experiences that involve people who don’t understand or accept their value systems and whom they find it difficult to engage. They decided to practice tolerance and patience with these co-workers and they saw a change happen, not right away but eventually, the working rapport became much more pleasant.
Our group was mostly elderly and we had a 95 year old (he just passed away this month) who was legally blind and somewhat deaf. He decided that for his action one week, he would memorize the Sermon on the Mount. When he came back the next week, he performed the sermon as he thought Jesus would have preached it. He did a great job and we honor his life by sharing this story. Another action our group did was to gather the names of all the sick in the parish and send them get well cards.
I led a group after the 9 am Mass each week. There were mostly widows in the group. One week we focused on how Jesus “touched” people. I realized that many of these women had no physical contact with anyone in the course of the week so we decided to be more conscious of the gentle touch, pat on the back or hug and be freer in offering what was appropriate to one another and others in the course of our day. There was one woman who was challenging and I thought she must be very lonely- so she became for me the one I focused on in this way – giving her a hug at the end of each session. As the weeks went on, she became more patient and less apt to monopolize the conversation.
Two things happened in our group that was very inspiring. One was that, the participants found they were reading the bible much more and enjoying it. The other is that they decided to reach out in these difficult economic times by buying gift cards to supermarkets, Target, etc. to leave at the rectory in order to respond to people who came by asking for help.
My group expressed having difficulty in dealing with certain people in their lives. This was especially true when it came to exhibiting patience. We made a pact to stop and pray a decade of the Rosary for patience when we were feeling stressed in this way. People came back to share that it actually worked! Praise God!
As the leader of the group I felt compelled to articulate what action I would do each week. One of my actions involved a phone call that needed to be made to initiate reconciliation. Initially, I felt resistance because I had, in the past, reached out and it didn’t go anywhere. I felt it was the other person’s turn to reach out to me. At one of our sessions, I experienced a heart-felt desire to be the one to extend a hand. I did and my call was received positively and we were reconciled. It was not nearly as difficult as I had envisioned it.
In our group we were so aware that Jesus is different for each person and yet the same for all. As the Season progressed, people shared more deeply. The “silver birds” in our group were pleasantly shocked when they heard the twenty-six year old share about his relationship with Jesus. I became aware that living in Jesus can often happen in very little things as well as big ones. For example, I was on line at the supermarket, thinking about the sharing we had done the night before. The lady in front of me was paying her bill and was short three cents. She searched and fumbled through her bag and pockets for the pennies. I realized that I had change in my pocket and put the needed three pennies on the counter. I saw a burden be lifted from her shoulders and she displayed surprise and gratitude. It was really nothing but it was a big deal for her.
I always saw Jesus as God and I related him as God the Father, somewhat distanced from me and my life. As Season One progressed, I realized that my understanding of Jesus was changing. I now see him as my best friend, walking with me, never abandoning me, always there.
We became aware of how easily Jesus forgives us and how hard it is for us to forgive ourselves. We seem to torture ourselves. We struggled with moving our faith to action because everyone is so busy.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
More on taking home the Crucifix
The March 4th post talked about each person taking turns bringing a crucifix to their session. Mmmmmmmmmmm I think I have a couple of people in my group who don't own a crucifix. There must be others in other groups, also.
My solution is to bring one crucifix and have someone bring it home, each week--much like St. Mary's Vocation Crucifix. I have an interesting cross that my group likes and the taking home has been working very well.
The cross is old and well ugly. Maybe crude would be a better word. Ugly is fine because dying on a cross is ugly. The cross is black and about a foot tall. The corpus is metal. You can barely see the face on the corpus, yet it manages to convey agony. The eyes are just slits. There is a nose. It's the mouth that gives the face expression; it's open in an "O". It's poignant.
The left hand of Jesus has broken off its nail. But you can sort of clip it back. So essentially, you're putting Jesus back on the cross. The nail through the feet must have fallen out because the nail that's holding them there, now, is too long. That nail has been bent down so that it's not protruding out. Yet, be careful when you pick up this crucifix, because you'll get stabbed by that nail. How apropos!
I've often thought of throwing it out. It's old and broken. But it has often been a means of meditation (after nailing the hand back on and getting stabbed by the nail through the feet).
I guess I'll keep it.
My solution is to bring one crucifix and have someone bring it home, each week--much like St. Mary's Vocation Crucifix. I have an interesting cross that my group likes and the taking home has been working very well.
The cross is old and well ugly. Maybe crude would be a better word. Ugly is fine because dying on a cross is ugly. The cross is black and about a foot tall. The corpus is metal. You can barely see the face on the corpus, yet it manages to convey agony. The eyes are just slits. There is a nose. It's the mouth that gives the face expression; it's open in an "O". It's poignant.
The left hand of Jesus has broken off its nail. But you can sort of clip it back. So essentially, you're putting Jesus back on the cross. The nail through the feet must have fallen out because the nail that's holding them there, now, is too long. That nail has been bent down so that it's not protruding out. Yet, be careful when you pick up this crucifix, because you'll get stabbed by that nail. How apropos!
I've often thought of throwing it out. It's old and broken. But it has often been a means of meditation (after nailing the hand back on and getting stabbed by the nail through the feet).
I guess I'll keep it.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Addition to the Resurrection Cookies
I made these cookies last night. They didn't come out like they should. They weren't little peaks. They tasted fine but they weren't tall enough to be hollow inside. This is an important part of the lesson of Resurrection Cookies--Jesus' tomb is empty, as the hollow cookie would demonstrate.
Tonight, at the Sunday night group at the Olive Branch we ate the cookies. I learned that what I did wrong was add the sugar too fast. They are correct. I just threw the entire cup in at once. I should have added the sugar in very slowly, while beating it. That's why the mixture didn't stay in firm peaks.
Outside of the flatness, the cookies were a hit. Everyone loved the idea of the theology lesson, along with the making of the cookies.
They tasted good, too.
Tonight, at the Sunday night group at the Olive Branch we ate the cookies. I learned that what I did wrong was add the sugar too fast. They are correct. I just threw the entire cup in at once. I should have added the sugar in very slowly, while beating it. That's why the mixture didn't stay in firm peaks.
Outside of the flatness, the cookies were a hit. Everyone loved the idea of the theology lesson, along with the making of the cookies.
They tasted good, too.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Resurrection Cookies
Make these cookies with children (or not) and bring them to share with your Arise group. Print out and distribute the recipe because everyone's going to want to make them. Enjoy God's bounty.
Resurrection Cookies
Resurrection cookies are as much about making as they are about eating. Make these cookies with the young people in your life on Holy Saturday and they’ll be ready to eat on Easter Sunday. Follow the directions and give the children a Bible lesson at the same time.
Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans 1 teaspoon vinegar, plus some to taste
3 egg whites pinch salt, plus some to taste
1 cup sugar, plus taste
Tools:
Rolling pin or wooden spoon cookie sheet
Plastic bag with a zipper lock wax paper
Tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300* F. Place pecans in the zipper bag and let children or someone beat them with a rolling pin or wooden spoon, to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19: 1-3
Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head…They kept coming up to Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking Him, again and again.
Let each child smell and taste the vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the Cross He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19: 28-30
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, He said (in order to fulfill the Scripture). “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, He said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10: 10-11
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it as you put the teaspoon of salt into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27
A great number of the people followed Him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18
Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add the sugar to the egg mixture and give some to the children to taste. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet (do not use a baking stone!). Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt 27: 59-60
So Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Joseph, wrapped it in a clean linen sheet and laid it in his own tomb which had been cut out of rock.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the “tomb.” (oven door) Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt 27: 66
So they made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Go to bed. The children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20
Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice: you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Take a bite and notice the cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt 28: 5-6
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has been raised, as He said, Come, see the place where He lay.”
Resurrection Cookies
Resurrection cookies are as much about making as they are about eating. Make these cookies with the young people in your life on Holy Saturday and they’ll be ready to eat on Easter Sunday. Follow the directions and give the children a Bible lesson at the same time.
Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans 1 teaspoon vinegar, plus some to taste
3 egg whites pinch salt, plus some to taste
1 cup sugar, plus taste
Tools:
Rolling pin or wooden spoon cookie sheet
Plastic bag with a zipper lock wax paper
Tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300* F. Place pecans in the zipper bag and let children or someone beat them with a rolling pin or wooden spoon, to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19: 1-3
Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head…They kept coming up to Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and striking Him, again and again.
Let each child smell and taste the vinegar. Put vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the Cross He was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19: 28-30
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, He said (in order to fulfill the Scripture). “I am thirsty.” A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, He said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed his head and gave up His spirit.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John 10: 10-11
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it as you put the teaspoon of salt into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27
A great number of the people followed Him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for Him.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18
Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add the sugar to the egg mixture and give some to the children to taste. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.
Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet (do not use a baking stone!). Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matt 27: 59-60
So Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Joseph, wrapped it in a clean linen sheet and laid it in his own tomb which had been cut out of rock.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door, and turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the “tomb.” (oven door) Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed.
Read Matt 27: 66
So they made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
Go to bed. The children may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20
Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice: you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Take a bite and notice the cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt 28: 5-6
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has been raised, as He said, Come, see the place where He lay.”
Found in the April 2009 edition of Catholic Digest, "Easter Cookies."
Friday, March 13, 2009
Theology On Tap
The Office for the New Evangelization
of Youth and Young Adults
and ARISE Together in Christ
Present
RENEW International's
THEOLOGY ON TAP
WHAT?
THEOLOGY
ON TAP
is a discussion series for
Catholic young adults and
their friends, married and
single, in their 20s & 30s.
WHERE?
Hennessy's Irish Pub
(upstairs)
25 Union St.
Boston, MA 02108
7 pm
WEDNESDAY, April 22nd
Free admission!
To register or for more information please call:
Lauren Hardegen
Young Adult Ministries Coordinator
youngadults@rcab.org
617-746-5812
PRESENTED BY
The Office for the New Evangelization of
Youth and Young Adults
ARISE Together in Christ
Office of Worship and Spiritual Life
of Youth and Young Adults
and ARISE Together in Christ
Present
RENEW International's
THEOLOGY ON TAP
WHAT?
THEOLOGY
ON TAP
is a discussion series for
Catholic young adults and
their friends, married and
single, in their 20s & 30s.
WHERE?
Hennessy's Irish Pub
(upstairs)
25 Union St.
Boston, MA 02108
7 pm
WEDNESDAY, April 22nd
Free admission!
To register or for more information please call:
Lauren Hardegen
Young Adult Ministries Coordinator
youngadults@rcab.org
617-746-5812
PRESENTED BY
The Office for the New Evangelization of
Youth and Young Adults
ARISE Together in Christ
Office of Worship and Spiritual Life
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Arise for the Homebound
The homebound can participate in the ARISE Program through Boston Catholic TV. The six week series which began on March 2nd features readings and reflections on Lenten themes and faith sharing. Tune in Mondays at 12:30pm, Fridays at 11:30am and Saturdays at 10:30am.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Practical Conversion
1. First step in conversion is to admit that something in us might be wrong, why else would we change? We must first accept whatever is to changed and then move forward to make the change. "Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self." - Francis of Assisi
2. There is a relationship between conversation and conversion. To be in conversation is to turn together in interaction. Conversion is to turn one's heart, behavior, thoughts, or actions to Christ. Conversion demands relationships. We need to be conversing in order to be converted--conversing with the poor, with those who know suffering, with those who are wise, with those we look up to.
3. The Church is a mediator between conversation and conversion; the community is necessary for conversion. The Church is where we participate in the celebration of the Eucharist--hope for the world; a place of renewal; a place of unexpected moments of grace.
4. No one of us contributes it all to conversion and peacemaking. BUT we all have something to contribute! Father Richard Rohr says that dialogue and faith sharing is the gospel's opening tool and means for conversion. Should this be in quotes? From dialogue to conversion.
2. There is a relationship between conversation and conversion. To be in conversation is to turn together in interaction. Conversion is to turn one's heart, behavior, thoughts, or actions to Christ. Conversion demands relationships. We need to be conversing in order to be converted--conversing with the poor, with those who know suffering, with those who are wise, with those we look up to.
3. The Church is a mediator between conversation and conversion; the community is necessary for conversion. The Church is where we participate in the celebration of the Eucharist--hope for the world; a place of renewal; a place of unexpected moments of grace.
4. No one of us contributes it all to conversion and peacemaking. BUT we all have something to contribute! Father Richard Rohr says that dialogue and faith sharing is the gospel's opening tool and means for conversion. Should this be in quotes? From dialogue to conversion.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Theology of Conversion
The word conversion comes to us from the Greek word "Metanoia." This means to change one's heart, to turn away from something in order to turn toward something else.
Conversion is about radical transformation. Conversion must be seen as the beginning of our ascent to Christian perfection. This is very churchy language. What is needed is not a second conversion by which such perfection is secured but the continuing and maintaining of a conversion that is never completed in this life. Evangelical theology in the tradition of the Reformation contends that we can make progress toward perfection, but we can never attain it as a realized goal. We believe that even the converted need to repent, even the sanctified need to turn again to Christ and be cleansed anew.
Conversion is both an event and a process. It signifies the action of the Holy Spirit upon us by which we are moved to respond to Jesus Christ in faith. It also includes the continuing work of the Holy Spirit within us purifying us of discord, remolding us in the image of Christ. This work of purification is accomplished as we repent and cling to Christ anew.
Conversion is both personal and social. While conversion basically connotes a change in our relationship with God, it indicates at the same time an alternation in our attitudes toward our fellow human beings. Conversion is a spiritual event with far reaching social implications. An example of someone whose personal conversion can have social implications might be Mother Teresa -- her own conversion had an effect on the whole world regarding: raising the dignity of the dying. Another example comes from a man in a maximum security prison who experienced a total conversion. He is studying to be a counselor for adolescents in order that he might convince them not to make the same mistakes he made; meanwhile, he is writing programs for the youth in his home parish. His conversion is having social implications. It entails accepting Christ not only as Savior from sin but also as Lord of all of life.
Conversion is a gift and a response. We cannot be converted through our own power, but we can repent and turn to Christ through the power of his Spirit. We cannot maintain our walk with Christ on the basis of our own resources, but we can maintain this walk with the aid of his Spirit. Conversion entails the promise of sanctification just as it reveals the gift of justification.
Conversion is about radical transformation. Conversion must be seen as the beginning of our ascent to Christian perfection. This is very churchy language. What is needed is not a second conversion by which such perfection is secured but the continuing and maintaining of a conversion that is never completed in this life. Evangelical theology in the tradition of the Reformation contends that we can make progress toward perfection, but we can never attain it as a realized goal. We believe that even the converted need to repent, even the sanctified need to turn again to Christ and be cleansed anew.
Conversion is both an event and a process. It signifies the action of the Holy Spirit upon us by which we are moved to respond to Jesus Christ in faith. It also includes the continuing work of the Holy Spirit within us purifying us of discord, remolding us in the image of Christ. This work of purification is accomplished as we repent and cling to Christ anew.
Conversion is both personal and social. While conversion basically connotes a change in our relationship with God, it indicates at the same time an alternation in our attitudes toward our fellow human beings. Conversion is a spiritual event with far reaching social implications. An example of someone whose personal conversion can have social implications might be Mother Teresa -- her own conversion had an effect on the whole world regarding: raising the dignity of the dying. Another example comes from a man in a maximum security prison who experienced a total conversion. He is studying to be a counselor for adolescents in order that he might convince them not to make the same mistakes he made; meanwhile, he is writing programs for the youth in his home parish. His conversion is having social implications. It entails accepting Christ not only as Savior from sin but also as Lord of all of life.
Conversion is a gift and a response. We cannot be converted through our own power, but we can repent and turn to Christ through the power of his Spirit. We cannot maintain our walk with Christ on the basis of our own resources, but we can maintain this walk with the aid of his Spirit. Conversion entails the promise of sanctification just as it reveals the gift of justification.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Crucifix
It has been suggested that each week someone different bring one of their crosses from home. I'd add, a statue, or maybe the music. It helps set the atmosphere. It is also an opportunity for the participants to feel that they are more involved with the program.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Cancellation
Due to the threatening weather, the Sunday night session, held at the Olive Branch, is cancelled, for March 1, 2009. See you next week.
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