Session #25 - Holiness is Possible

I - The Holy Moment 

a.     What does it mean to be holy? The word “holy” means “to be set apart”. And WE have been set apart by God and called for unique mission. It is our goal, as Christians, to achieve holiness.

b.     Part of achieving holiness is perseverance. Let us hear more about the virtue of perservance: 

c.     One thing all saints have is perseverance. They have all moved forward, even in the toughest times. Do you struggle with pushing forward when things are difficult?

II - How do We Obtain Holiness?

b.     Love is what drives up to be the best version of ourselves – which is what holiness is!

c.     Is it possible to be holy? ABSOLUTELY. However, it all comes down to YOU. As we have been discussing all year long, life is about choices. We choose how we respond to the opportunities God gives us everyday to love Him and be loved by Him.

III - Everything is an Opportunity

a.     EVERYDAY is an opportunity for all to achieve holiness. How? In the small, ordinary, little things that we do/say. The choices that we make shape us, and our relationship with God and others.

                                             i.     What are some of the little actions you can do to come closer to holiness?

                                            ii.     When was the last time you did something with great Love?

IV - Dream!

a.     We all have free will and the ability to dream.

b.     To dream goes beyond the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. The ability to dream challenges you to use your unique gifts and talents to see beyond what people say you can do, and have the COURAGE to see what God has planned for you.

c.     But it all comes down to YOU and what you choose to do.

d.     When you come back for your final year of Confirmation preparation, I ask you: Will you come back knowing who God is in your life? Will you come back knowing what you want God to do with you and for you?

V - Do Not Be Afraid!!!

     

Pray for us, oh Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ! Amen!

We are Queen of Angels!

Session #22 - CONFIRMATION

I – What is Confirmation? (Decision Point: pgs 244 & 245)

·      It is one of the seven sacraments. A “sacrament “ is “encounter with Jesus Christ” (pg. 244), which helps us to grow spiritually. Each sacrament gives us graces we need in order to live the life Jesus asks us to live.

·      REVIEW: there are seven sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Annointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders.

o   The first three of these are called “Sacraments of Initiation”, which (as the name indicates” helps us get started in our Christian life.

·      When you were baptized, the Holy Spirit planted the seeds of your gifts. And your parents and godparents made promises on your behalf to nurture your relationship with God and His Church.

·      When you are confirmed, the Holy Spirit will be unleashed in your life and these gifts that were given to YOU will grow and help you throughout your life. It will especially help you live out the life mission/calling that God has given YOU.

II – The Power of Preparation (Decision Point: pgs. 248 – 250)

·      How do you prepare for big events in your life? Do you start months before the big day or do you leave it to the last minute? Does it depend?

·      The preparation for Confirmation is a process. It walks you through not only the basic teachings of our Church, but it also encourages you to build a personal relationship with Jesus (especially through prayer).

·      Here are some of the steps we encourage you to take as you get ready for this big day (next year):

o   Reconciliation – when was the last time you went to confession? The sacrament of Reconciliation provides us with the opportunity to get rid of those things (SIN) that are getting in the way of our relationship with Jesus, and start fresh.
We all have things that can get in the way of us growing into the best version of ourselves. The version God wants us to be so we can also live our best life! Check this out for steps regarding this sacrament:

o   Prayer – as we have talked about throughout this year, prayer is our conversation with God. And just like we do with our parents and the people we love, we should talk to God EVERY DAY!
In one of our earlier classes, we talked about the “Prayer Process” (remember your prayer journal?). If you need a refresher, you can see page 102 in your textbook. Prayer is such an important and powerful tool in our lives, that some saints have called it “oxygen for the soul”.
If you are finding prayer/praying difficult, start with your basic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be), which I gave you as well. The important thing is that you START and have at least a couple of minutes everyday where you talk to God about your day, your dreams, your fears, or simply a quick hello!

III – How Will Confirmation Change You? (pgs. 254-255)

·      As I shared at the beginning of this lesson, the Holy Spirit has already placed gifts in you when you were baptized. I also shared that when you are confirmed, the Holy Spirit will be unleashed in your life – opening TONS of different possibilities.

·      HOWEVER – this also depends on you. One of the points we have discussed is free will. God does not force you to have a relationship with Him – but He is ALWAYS wanting, calling, and willing to speak with you.

·      Change comes when we are willing and open to the Holy Spirit and the graces He wants to bestow upon us. When we open up to the Holy Spirit, life changes and we are able to live life in a different and amazing way!

 

 

IV – When the Day Comes and What Comes Next…

·      When your Confirmation day comes, we (yes, WE) will all rejoice and celebrate. It will be an important family and Church affair. Some of you will even have dinners/parties to celebrate such an important occasion!

·      Pages 258 and 259 of your textbook gives you a brief overview of what to expect during the Rite of Confirmation. The parish, family, and friends will witness how YOU will answer the Bishop’s questions about your faith. YOU will confirm your belief in God and His Church.

·      WHAT ABOUT AFTER? Will this become a beginning or an end for you? God wants you to think of this as a great beginning. But this comes down to you and the decision you make.

HOMEWORK (due on 4/11/21)
- Answer questions on page 267 in your Decision Point textbook.
- In your Bible, read the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 19-31

Session #21 - Holy Week, The Tridumm, and Easter

 I - What is the Holy Week?

* Holy Week is what leads us to the celebration of Easter.
* Starts with Palm Sunday and ends on Saturday (daytime). Once Saturday evening starts, we enter the Easter Season.
* The Triduum is the Latin word for "The Great Three Days" - and they are the last three days before Easter: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
* We also take advantage of the opportunity to go to confession, in case we have not done so in a while!

II - Palm Sunday

* We commemorate Jesus' arrival to Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.
* He was welcomed like a king.
* We all have palms and receive blessings from the priests with holy water.

III - Holy Thursday

* We commemorate the Last Supper - Jesus' last time he spends time with the disciples before his betrayal, death, and resurrection.
* We also commemorate the Institution of the Eucharist by Jesus himself - read Gospel of John, chapter 13, verses 1-15.
* Lastly, this is a day where priests celebrate their Holy Orders, and they renew their vows to the Church.

IV - Good Friday

* "Good Friday" is the one day of the ENTIRE YEAR where the Church does NOT celebrate Mass. There is commemoration service held, plus other traditions.
* On this day we are called to truly reflect on how out of love to us - God sacrificed His only, for our salvation.
* We abstain from meat, we fast, and we offer little sacrifices and prayers for us and those who know that are in need of prayers.

V - Easter Vigil (Saturday evening)

* It is the most beautiful and important Mass of the YEAR!
* We begin in darkness, at sunset, Saturday night.
* The Paschal candle for the 2022-2023 year is lit.
* The priests chant and sing prayers and the Litany of Saints.
* Some people (children and adults) may receive their first Sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) and welcomed to the Church.

VI - Easter Sunday

* Jesus has beaten death. Jesus has risen! These are the images the Church uses to remind us the importance of Easter.
* For those who do not attend the Vigil, Easter Sunday lets us know about what happened when Jesus' tomb was found empty. Read the Gospel of John, chapter 20, verses 1-9.
* The Season of Lent is over and the SEASON of Easter starts and it lasts for close to 50 days, when the feast of Pentecost (the Church's bday) is celebrated.

VII - Traditions
* During Holy Week, our Church has traditions that we are more than encouraged to participate in:
        * Palm Sunday - before Mass, we are given palms in order to participate in the "welcoming of Jesus to Jerusalem". Some people make crosses with the palms. The leftovers are burned - these are the ashes that will be used next year on Ash Wednesday.
        * Holy Thursday - 12 volunteers are asked to come forward and the priest washes their feet. This is reflecting a sign of service to one another, based on the Gospel reading for Holy Thursday. Also the Blessed Sacrament is taken out of the tabernacle - as a symbol of Jesus' arrest.
        * Good Friday - While no Mass is celebrated, there is a special service. Also, the Stations of the Cross are prayed as a community, and all images are covered in the Church. The altar is also stripped and kept barren from Holy Thursday (after Mass) until Easter Vigil.
        * Easter Vigil/Easter Sunday - we dress up and we celebrate. Some cultures choose to celebrate with a big meal, gatherings, and simply being thankful. The Church rings the bells and the "Gloria" is sung through the Easter season.
        * Reconciliation Monday - all throughout NY (and other states), a date is chosen for ALL Churches to offer the sacrament of Confession. For us - this is call Reconciliation Monday. It is a great way to prepare ourselves for the Triduum and Easter Season. THIS YEAR, IT FALLS ON APRIL 11!
        * We PARTICIPATE in the readings of the Gospels as the "Crowd".

HOMEWORK (due by 4/18)
* Participate in some of the Holy Week activities (online or in-person). Check this Sunday's (4/10) bulletin for more information regarding Holy Week schedule: https://www.queenofangelsnyc.org/sites/QOA/Bulletin/Bulletin.pdf 

Session #21 - Made for Mission (Part 2)

I - Made for Mission: Pentecost – where the Church started!
- As discussed in Session #18, Pentecost is considered the birth of our Catholic Church AND how the Holy Spirit gave the Apostles the gifts they needed to fulfill the mission they were made for. Here is a reminder of what happened on Pentecost:

At the end of the last class (see Session #20 notes), I shared with you that we are called to be the change – and of this change is to live the mission we are made for. The gifts the Holy Spirit has given you helps you to fulfill this mission. But you may be asking: “What is my mission?”

II - Finding Your Mission

Each of us have been designed by God with a specific mission. This mission is one that is unique to YOU. Let us hear what our Australian friend has to say: 

- As part of your journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation, you will be asked to choose a "patron saint".
    * A saint is a person who has been called by God to be example of Christian life and holiness. They are old/young, men/women, all cultures/races, who decided to live a life of mission and follow God's call.
    * All saints have one thing in common: they lived life like you and I. They experienced temptations, rejection, fear, doubts, joy, hope, and love. They all had plans and dreams about their life.

- As we deepen our connection with God, we start seeing clearer what He has planned for us. Plans that are beyond our dreams, but also plans that ONLY us can fulfill. But how do we figure this out:

    * Prayer – remember: this is our conversation/connection with God.
    * Sacraments – going to Confession, going to Mass, receiving the Eucharist, being active with your community (inside AND outside of Church).
    * Practice! At the beginning of our year, we spoke about what helps us make good decisions (see pgs. 2-5 in textbook).

- The more we practice making good decisions, being aware of our “Stinking Thinking” and staying away from it, and always relying on God through prayer – helps us get closer to that mission God has planned for us.

III - Your Untapped Greatness (pgs. 286 -288)

- The last point of “how to figure out your mission” was “practice”. One of the ways we practice is by good decision making. One of the best decisions we can always make is to live the things we learn about our faith.

- How can we live our faith? We are called to go beyond ourselves and serve others:

 

- The Works of Mercy – it is the way we LIVE our faith by putting our unique gifts to the service of others. This is how we experience the love of God for us and others! In pages 287 and 288, you will see examples of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Read it carefully – chances are that you have/are currently doing some of these things. By performing these works, you will also come closer to your vocation (calling).

HOMEWORK (due on 5/8/22) 

- At the end of the last video, we are given a challenge: to intentionally practice works of mercy for 30 days:
    * Would you do it? If not, why? These are things to think about, not just write in a piece of paper or in the blog notes.
    * Imagine what the world would be like if we ALL would practice at least ONE work for mercy - what would it look like?

Session #20 - Made for Mission (Part 1)

I – Made for Mission
* Throughout this year, we have been discussing what it means to be "the best version of ourselves". This always starts with the understanding that "Life is about choices" (see Session #1).
* We were created for a purpose – we were created with a mission. But what does that mean? 

·     

•      What do you think your mission is? How it is connected to your hopes and dreams? We have all mentioned things we want to be “when we grow up”. Some of the career choices that some of you have mentioned in class are connected to this mission that has created for you. We have learned the word for this before: “vocation”.

• ·    In Session #15, I mentioned the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each of you, as baptized Christians, have these gifts already in you. When you are confirmed, these gifts will come alive and will help you in your mission and in your life. However, there are certain things that can get in the way of this. And this can lead to a messy world.

II – The World is a Mess

• ·        We are living in times where we hear about many sad and even frightening stories. Some of you may have even heard some people say “the world is a mess”. What are some examples of this “mess”? We see it in the world through poverty, illness, hate, greed, discrimination, etc.

• ·        As many examples as we can give of the mess we see in this world. Some of you may even have ideas of how to fix some of these messes. However, you may think “I am too young for this?” or “what can I offer?”

• ·       “Now is the time to start thinking about how you can make a difference. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about your mission in life.” (pg. 271). 

III – A World Without Neighbors

• ·      Sometimes we are called to do something that goes against what our “group” tells us. This is the story of the “Good Samaritan”:   
  
  
  

• ·      “Love thy neighbor” is a phrase that many can consider easier said than done. But Jesus reminds us through His teachings and actions, that we are all called to live this commandment.

o   What are some of the issues that can get in the way of treating our neighbor with respect?”

o   Are we called to only love those that we know? Or is Jesus calling us to love all people – even the ones that are very different from us?     

•          The story of the “Good Samaritan” reminds us that we are to consider everyone in the world our neighbor. As such, we must always be mindful that there will be times where we will be the person in need of help, and sometimes we will be the person who can help someone else.

·      Our mission is to be part of the change and not the problem. We start this change by simply loving our neighbor (whether we know them or not).

HOMEWORK (due 4/3/22)

* Answer questions in page 278 of your Decision Point textbook.

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Session #19 - The Church

 I - What is the Church?
* When you think of "Church", what are some things that come to mind?
* What is the one thing you like about your Church?
* What is the one thing you find confusing about the Church?
* Lets review how the Church was born...

II - The Early Christians & the Early Church
* St. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans (chapter 12, verse 5) "...so we, though many, are one body in Christ." = we are all part of the Church. We need the Church - and the Church needs us.
* "We are the Church..." (pg. 216)

* When the world tells you that you are not loved, remember that:

III - The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, & Apostolic

IV - So Why be Catholic?
* Many may have a list of reasons as for why is best or "convenient" to not be Catholic.
* Once you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation - this is also a choice that you will face. And there will be times where you may not want to come and be part of the Church.
*BUT... here are ten GREAT reasons to be Catholic:

 

 

HOMEWORK (due on 3/27/22)
* Answer the questions on page 236
* Read Psalm 16 (located on page 226) and answer the following question:
    - What is the one thing that stands out to you in this Psalm?

Session # 18 - The Holy Spirit (part 2)

 I - Review: Who is the Holy Spirit?
* He is the Third Person of the Trinity.
* He lives within every Baptized person.
* He gives you the graces you need, which helps you make the right decisions (remember Charlie in Willy Wonka?)
* He helps you maintain joy in the midst of suffering.
* There are 7 gifts that the Holy Spirit can grant: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord
* Which gift(s) would you choose and why?

II - The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

* Which of these fruits do you see more in your life?
* Which of these fruits do you wish you had more of?

III - The Holy Spirit and the Prayer Process
* Review of the Prayer Process

* What is the most challenging part of prayer?
* The Holy Spirit helps us with prayer. How? Please see the video below:

 

IV - The Holy Spirit and the Birth of the Church
* What is Pentecost? Pentecost is when we commemorate the birth of the Catholic Church!

HOMEWORK (due on 3/20/22) - You will need your textbook for this HW. If you have not done so already, please pick up your textbook at Queen of Angels' Rectory (as announced two weeks ago). 
- Read Psalm 139 (located on pg. 208 of your "Decision Point" textbook)
    * What parts of the Psalm you identified with and why?
- Answer the three questions on pg. 211 of your Decision Point textbook; and submit your answers.