A Holy Makeover

Three verses to look at this time:

Ezekiel 36: 26-27
2 Corinthians 5:17
Philippians 1:6

Read them and meditate a few moments on what they are saying?

What do these verses say about our potential for change? What do you think about that? Have you ever heard that you can't change someone? Well, isn't that the truth? The only one you can change is yourself. We can make a conscious decision to change. Not that it's easy (Ask anyone who's tried to quit smoking.). It's hard work and one has to be persistent.

How about changing yourself to make yourself more lovable to God? Commit yourself to spend more time praying, reading spiritual books, writing in a "spiritual journal." Any other ideas to get closer to Jesus?
<> <> <> <> <> <> >< <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
Joke:
Women marry men thinking that they'll change them.
Men marry women thinking they will never change.

Invitation

Attention all Pastors, ARISE Leaders
and Participants!

Are you inviting young adult Catholics in their 20's and 30's to participate in
ARISE Together in Christ ...Fall, 2009?

Please consider doing so!

Looking for a way to meet other Catholics in their 20s and 30s in a comfortable setting?

Do you want to deepen your faith but aren't quite sure how to do it?

Are you yearning for real conversation about issues that really matter?


You are invited to participate in ARISE Together in Christ... a new approach to spiritual renewal that is catching fire throughout the Archdiocese of Boston!

Join a group or start your own group of 8-12 peers who will meet weekly for six weeks for real dialogue about faith and life. Materials will be provided. The meetings last for approximately 90 minutes.

Groups in the parish are forming at a variety of times and locations or create a location/time that is convenient for you and your peers!

Season Three is called In the Footsteps of Chist!


It will offer a theological explanation of the Catholic understanding of discipleship,
and in particular, how this implies active commitment to charity and justice. It will assist in the understanding of the social teachings of the Church and the communal
dimension of life in Christ.


For more information please contact:

Mary Ann McLaughlin or Ann Cussen
ariseinchrist@rcab.org
617-779-3640

Everybody Needs Martha

Read: Luke 10: 38-42

One word for Mary. One word for Martha. Whom do you relate to?

What would happen if Mary never did anything but pray, day-dream, and finger her Rosary, all day? What would happen if Martha just worked and worked and never had time for anything else?

Is this the lesson? Combine the two. Sometimes, we can. Sometimes, we can't. But that's the ideal.

My thoughts:
My husband is my Martha. THANK YOU, JESUS! He is the one who took care of me when I had that purgatorial illness (yuck). He's the one who has lunch ready for me when I come home (all retired hubbies should). He's the one.........well...here's a poem describing how I feel about him.

Martha and Mary

I sit in the kitchen reading the Word
husband treads the path from stove to table.

his quick eyes check out my coffe cup--
down enough to warm up.

he's buttered my toast and flipped my eggs
to greet the morning and me.

praise God for good cooks and thoughtful lovers;
thank you, I pray with full mouth.

hhrrmmpphh! he snaps the Globe open
looking over the paper and

into my heart with laughing eyes
and no words spoken.

Workshops for Session III

The next workshops, scheduled for the Fall of 2009 have the theme, "In the Footsteps of Christ." These workshops prepare small group leaders to facilitate. They offer theological explanations, for the lay person, in a Catholic understanding of discipleship, and in particular, how it implies active commitment to charity and justice. They will assist small community leaders to understand the social teachings of the church and the communal dimension of life. As always, there will be time to network and pick brains, as well as to further develop facilitation skills. Pick the workshop convenient for you. See you there.


Monday, September 14
7-9 PM Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
Braintree -English

Tuesday, September 15
7-9 PM Blessed Sacrament, Saugus -English

Wednesday, September 16
7-9 PM Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
Braintree -English

Thursday, September 17
7-9 PM St. Agatha, Milton -English

7:15-9:45 PM St. Anthony, Allston -Portuguese

Friday, September 18
7:15-9:45 PM Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
Braintree -Spanish

Saturday, September 19
10-12 Noon Our Lady Help of Christians,
Newton -English

10-12 Noon St. John, Chelmsford -English

10AM-12:30PM St. Patrick, Lawrence -Spanish

5-7:30 PM St. Mary-St. Catherine,
Charlestown -Spanish

Sunday, September 20
7:15-9:45PM Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
Braintree -Portuguese

Monday, September 21
7-9 PM Archdiocesan Pastoral Center,
Braintree -English

7:15-9:45 PM Cathedral of the Holy Cross,
Boston -Spanish

Tuesday, September 22
7:15-9:45 PM Saint John the Baptist,
Peabody -Spanish

Wednesday, September 23
7-9 PM St. Maria Goretti,
Lynnfield -English

Thursday, September 24
7-9 PM St. Michael, Bedford - English

Saturday, September 26
10-12 Noon St. Michael, North Andover -English

St. Mary's Arise Team needs to notify these locations as to how many are attending and where and when. Please contact Joe DePalo 528-6609 depalo@comcast.net

God draws straight with crooked lines.

Read Romans 8:28

What image strikes you? Anything pop out?


What do you think it is saying?

Does it apply to your life? Or someone you know?


My thoughts: God is writing a greater story than just my personal life. As Paul explains in Romans 8:28, "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." It's is God's purpose, not mine that is important. Got that? It's not about me.
When God gave Joseph a dream of the moon and stars bowing to him, he didn't expect to be a slave in Egypt. But those terrible years shaped Joseph into a man that would eventually save his family and people.
When King Dariuis threw Daniel into the lions' den, Daniel didn't expect to be rescued miraculously, which resulted in the catalyst for the conversion of a nation.
When Lazarus died, Martha and Mary never expected to see him again.
But God always has a plan.
Keep that in mind when the bad happens.

Your Journey

While many people keep journals of daily events, feelings, dates, etc., a Bible reading journal will record what God is saying to us through His Word, and our response to him.

Here is a format that worked for me. Don't forget to date it. You'll be surprised as to how you've grown and changed over time.

Date____________________ What I read today __________________________

What word, phrase, or image from the Scripture reading touches my heart or speaks to my life, today?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How do you feel about this message? (Consoled, anger, confused, etc.)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Are you prompted to take any action? (Change, Continue, etc.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This week read Deuteronomy 4:32-40 and Matthew 28: 16-20

Theology on Tap

ARISE/RENEW's Theology on Tap Comprehensive Young Adult Ministry Process

This comprehensive process is rooted in what RENEW's Young Adult Ministry Team has learned are the four essential elements of building and sustaining a successful young adult ministry program:
A strong core community
A commitment to personal invitation
A pervasive spirit of hospitality
Meaningful follow-up
RENEW's Young Adult Ministry Team will assist you in setting up a sustainable model for young adult ministry.

This informational session will be presented by Kathy Motyka of RENEW International and will introduce you to these essential elements. The workshop will also demonstrate "how to create" sustainable young adult ministry in the parish.

COME HEAR ALL ABOUT IT!

All parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston are invited to this workshop!


WHEN/WHERE?

Wednesday, June 10

1:30 pm-3:00 pm - Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Braintree
6:30 pm-8:00 pm - St. Luke Church, Belmont


Thursday, June 11

1:30 pm -3:00 pm - St. John the Evangelist, Chelmsford
6:30 pm -8:00 pm - St. Augustine, Andover


To register for this ARISE/Theology on Tap
Informational Workshop
contact:

Mary Ann McLaughlin or Ann Cussen
ariseinchrist@rcab.org

or call 617-779-3640