Amazing Catechists

Teaching and learning the faith together

Parent Meetings and Evangelization

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Can evangelization happen at a parent meeting?

Parent meetings are often looked at by DREs and parents as difficult and a waste of time. One year I decided to change my focus, shift my attitude and see what would happen.

There is usually one meeting at the beginning of the year where I go over the plans for the year, and the schedule and meet new families.  And then there are the sacrament preparation meetings, one for Penance/Communion class and the other for the Confirmation class.  I don’t like these meetings.  I didn’t like attending them when I was a parent and I dislike holding them as the director of said programs.  Why?  Because the parents and I are at cross purposes before we even see each other.  Their interest in the meeting is to get the facts about the sacraments:  dates, times, dress, and photo information. And how long will the service be and do we have to come to the rehearsal?  And in the case of Penance and Communion, well, do we really need to talk about Penance at all? That’s not a big deal like First Communion.

I, of course, spend weeks thinking and praying and searching for all the right things to include in this meeting.  I look at it as a chance to share the faith, to give adults an update, to once and for all find the perfect blend of professing the truth with such love that everyone begins to go to Mass every Sunday and has a conversion experience.  Is it any wonder I have trouble planning the meeting?

The meeting is important since, in many cases, it’s the first time I am meeting the parents and probably the last time we will be together for this long a period of time.  But even more so, it’s an opportunity to reach out in love and invite people to take another look at their faith, at Jesus, and the Church.  How do I engage the parents so that they desire more?  First, I must stop thinking it is all up to me.  It is God who will invite them into a deeper relationship.  I need to allow him to use me.  Only then will evangelization be possible.

Yes, there can be evangelization

I had decided ahead of time that my primary focus would be on presenting the sacrament of Penance and less on Holy Communion. In an ideal world, I would have two meetings, but I can’t.

I began by welcoming the group and telling them about myself.  Then we began talking about the sacraments and why they are important.  I brought out the point that in our relationships with our spouses, children, family, and friends, we verbalize it when we have done something wrong and apologize.  If we didn’t, it would be difficult to stay in the relationship with a good attitude.  I drew out from that analogy that it is the same with God.  We cannot harm our relationship with Him and then act as if we did nothing wrong.  We talked about venial and mortal sin, the difference between the two and why confessing even venial sins is important. I find that there is a huge disconnect on that point, even with clergy saying that only serious or mortal sins need to be confessed.  While technically that is true, if you are constantly committing a certain sin, such as losing patience with your children, if it turns into constant yelling, your children cowering, and your husband not wanting to come at night, well, it has become serious.

Why go to Confession?

I showed a video, Confession Explained from the Diocese of Richmond.  Parents took notes, wrote down the links mentioned in the video, and had questions.  I also reminded them to approach Penance as something joyful, as an event for the family to participate in together.  I gave examples from my own family life and let them know that it is a healing sacrament to receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace, not judgment or condemnation.  I used this quote from Pope Francis, “Going to confession is not like going to the dry cleaners to have a stain removed. No! It is going to meet the Father …” (Pope Francis, during his Jan. 23 daily Mass at the Vatican) to help make my point of why we need confession.

We wrapped up Penance and discussed Communion.  We finished up with all the logistics, and I gave out information about what we’d covered, including the prayers their children need to learn.

After the meeting, a few parents approached me by asking more questions or thanking me for the review since they’d forgotten most of it.  This meeting was different, and as I thought about why I think it came down to two main reasons; I very consciously relaxed and let the Spirit fill and guide me, I approached it from the perspective that this might be threatening to some parents and so I stopped making them the “bad guys” and proceeded with the thought they are trying to do their best for their children.

The Liturgical Year

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As a south Florida resident for over thirty-five years, the change of seasons passes me by with little notice. When I lived in New York my favorite season was fall. The leaves, the crisp air, apple picking and pumpkin patches in actual fields. I think being aware of the seasons made the Church seasons less important to me. Now, the Church seasons mark time for me as the natural seasons did when I was younger.

What are the Church seasons?

We have five liturgical seasons or times; Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, the Triduum (a part of Lent, but different in tone), and Easter. We begin our Church year at Advent.  Advent continues until Christmas, which leads us into Ordinary time on the first Sunday after January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. We stay in Ordinary time until Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Lent ends on the Wednesday before Holy Thursday. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday is called the Triduum, and then we enter into the Easter season, which begins on Easter Sunday and ends on the Feast of Pentecost. After Pentecost, which is fifty days after Easter, we are in Ordinary time again until Advent. These feast days (except Christmas) are on different dates each year, depending on when Advent and Lent begin.

Signs of Change

Just as in the seasons of nature, there are different signs of change so too in the Church. For example, each season has its own liturgical color. This means that during each specific season that is the color of vestments, altar coverings, and banners used. Ordinary is green, Advent and Lent are purple, while Christmas and Easter are gold or white. Red is used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost and Confirmation as long as it does not take place during Advent or Lent. The color rose is seen occasionally, on the third Sunday of Advent and the fourth Sunday of Lent; though some priests choose not to wear vestments in that color.

The readings we hear at Mass also have a different focus depending on the season. During Ordinary time we hear about Jesus’ public ministry.  Advent is a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth, while during Lent we focus on walking with Jesus in his final weeks leading up to his passion, death, and resurrection. Christmas tells us the story of the Holy Family, while in the Easter season, we read from Acts and focus on the early Church.

Prayer Life

In our own private prayer life, we can also follow the seasons. Ordinary time is a good time to focus on learning about Jesus or new ways to pray. Advent is spent in preparation and anticipation. Lent is six weeks to devote time to prayer, penance, and going deeper into our faith we are ready to suffer and then rejoice with our Lord. Christmas and Easter seasons are times of praising and thanking God and remembering to live as joy-filled, resurrected people.

Visual reminders are also helpful and a family prayer space that reflects the season is always appropriate. Children find it especially meaningful to have advent wreaths, candles, different saint statues, and pictures.  If they can help with setting up this space, they will enjoy it even more. A great website to find books and prayer space items is Holy Heros.

Making the Church liturgical seasons a part of your life will make them as real and important to you as the natural seasons. It gives a rhythm and movement to our lives as Catholics and reminds us that our faith life has order; order that is needed in our often chaotic world.

 

FYI: The dates of our liturgical seasons in 2022-2023 are as follows: Advent, November 27, 2022; Christmas, December 25; Epiphany, January 8, 2023; Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 9, 2023; Ordinary Time, January 10, 2023. Lent (Ash Wednesday) February 22, 2023; Easter, April 9, 2023; Pentecost, May 28, 2023; Ordinary Time May 29, 2023.

 

Advent JOY Lesson

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The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means joy. Gather with your faith formation groups or your family on December 11, 2022 for Gaudete Sunday and celebrate with JOY!  Here is the outline and activities:

Opening Prayer:

Use the 3rd Sunday of Advent prayers for lighting an Advent wreath. Include a song if you’d like.

Short Teaching:

Explain the purpose of the Advent wreath and the colors and why we use the pink candle today for joy. I also include an explanation of JOY as an acronym for Jesus, Others, You.

Craft:

A set of 3 votive candles wrapped in colored paper with the letters “J” “O” “Y” on each to spell out JOY. You can use letter stickers or handwrite them. (I would do one set per family.)

Imaginative Prayer:

Read Luke 2:1-20 slowly, asking everyone to close their eyes and visualize what is being read. Ask the group what they noticed, how they felt.

Closing: A birthday cake for Jesus.

You’ll need to bake the cake ahead of time and then add the other elements when you are with the group. Here is an outline for the cake:

1. Make it round — like the never-ending circle of His love for all of us.
2. Make it chocolate — like the darkness our sins brings to us and others.
3. Make it covered with white frosting — like His purity covering our weakness.
4. Top it with a yellow star and put an angel —bearer of the first glad tidings.
5. Put twelve red candles on top — like the twelve months of the year that Christ is our light; red for the blood He willingly shed for us.
6. Encircle this loving cake with evergreens — the symbol of everlasting life.

I hope you can use this lesson or some parts of it to bring some Advent JOY into the season!

Catechist Self, no Soul-Care

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Self-care can be such a buzzword, being the reason given for spending time and money on ourselves, having a night out with friends or even exercising. It seems like we cannot take care of ourselves without external permission. This is not true. We are created in the image and likeness of God, who loves community and rest. Many times, in scripture, we see Jesus going off on his own to pray or to spend time alone with his apostles, away from the crowds. We can certainly take note and have Jesus as our model rather than the self-care the world considers important. Let’s focus on soul-care, rather than self-care.

As a catechist, you give of yourself – possibly without thought to yourself. As the saying goes, you cannot give from an empty cup. What does our soul need?

5 Ways to Care for your Soul

  1. Start your day with a prayer

It does not have to be long or formal. Each day, when you wake up, say a short and simple prayer: Lord, I consecrate this day to you. Be with me in all I do.

  1. Read scripture

Have the daily Mass readings sent to your inbox. Or use one of the many Mass books with the daily readings, Magnificat, The Word Among Us . 

  1. Spend time in nature, noticing the beauty of God’s creation

Confession time, I think this is very helpful but don’t do it as often as I’d like. And I live in a place where the weather makes this so easy. Have your morning beverage and prayer time outside. If you have children go outside and play with them, ride bikes, play tag, or hunt for bugs or leaves.

  1. Sit in silence for a short time

I am quite good at talking to God. I have the list of needs, prayer requests of friends, and rote prayers. Stop talking. Be still. Sit in silence and be in His presence. It may be the most efficacious prayer you ever pray.

  1. Practice gratitude

Every day, at least one thing you are grateful for, is articulated to someone else. I am on a text thread where we say what we are grateful for that day. Some days it is as simple as a good night’s sleep, while other times for great joys, college acceptances, healing, or a new baby. Big and small, thank the giver of all gifts.

 

 

 

Imaginative Prayer

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I am part of the core team for the middle school youth group in my parish.  Every Monday we come together to play, snack, pray, and hopefully learn something about the faith.  When it was my turn to plan the night, knowing that the theme was prayer, I chose to teach how to pray with the scriptures using imaginative prayer which St. Ignatius of Loyola taught.  Here is the outline of the night:

  1. Scripture Charades:  break up into teams, with five or six on each team.  Give each team a different scripture passage and five minutes to figure out what they want to do.   Have each group stand up in front of the group and act it out; group that guesses it first goes next.
  • Here are some possible passages to use:  Jesus washing the Disciples feet, John 13;  Jesus Calls the Apostles to him, Matthew 4; Jesus heals a Blind Man, Mark 8; Jesus makes Peter the leader of the Church, Matthew 16; Jesus calms the storm, Luke 8. Print out the entire passage in case the group is not familiar with the story.  Note:  This took about 20 minutes with six groups.
  1. Opening Prayer
  2. Give the group the overview of the night: We are going to learn about St. Ignatius and way he taught people to pray.  Talk about St. Ignatius of Loyola and show some pictures of him.
  3. Explain what Imaginative Prayer is to the group: In this type of prayer, we read a Gospel passage and enter into it, putting ourselves into the story.  We think about what we can see, hear, smell, touch and maybe even taste.  We think about our reaction to what Jesus is saying or doing.
  4. Practice with the group using a familiar story. I used Jesus’ birth.    Ask these types of questions:  what do you see, smell, hear?  Who is with you?  Are you a shepherd, wise man, angel? Why?
  5. After you talk through the process and students respond, use a Gospel passage. I used Matthew 14:22-33, The Walking on Water.  Have the group spread out, sit in a relaxed position and close their eyes.  Read the passage slowly and with feeling.  When you are done reading, wait a few moments before having them open their eyes.  Discuss where they saw themselves in the passage, why and what it meant to them.   Questions: Where did you put yourself in the passage?  What did you notice from that point of view?  Why did you choose that person/perspective?  When you saw Jesus, how did you feel?  What did you learn about Jesus, yourself, others by doing this?
  6. Closing Prayer Time: Set up a table set up with tea light candles in the shape of a cross, one candle per student.  Play “Lord I need You” by Matt Maher while each student comes forward to light a candle, praying silently for a specific intention.  With just candles and low lights, talk about why prayer is necessary and important.

 Talking points for #’s 3, 5 and 7

#3  Talk about St. Ignatius very briefly:  was a soldier, a bit of a  flirt, liked to have fun, fought in war, cannonball to the legs, very vain, had legs broken and reset so they would look good; long recovery with nothing to do except read holy books, lives of saints and the Bible; had a conversion and realized he was living his life for all the wrong things.  Went off lived in a cave for a year, never cut his nails or hair, eventually formed a group of men who went about teaching and preaching, Jesuits.  Ignatius was very practical.  One way he suggested to pray was Imaginative Prayer.  We enter into the Gospel and see ourselves there, with Jesus in the story.

#5 It’s a cool evening and Mary and Joseph have finally found shelter, we say they were in a stable, but it probably was more like a small cave.  It offered protection and privacy.  They were very tired after travelling to Bethlehem from Nazareth.  Mary was going to have her baby, her son, who would be the savior of the world.  She gave birth and wrapped Jesus in a blanket.  Jesus was a beautiful little boy, perfect with lots of hair and sweet blue eyes.  He hardly cried as Mary laid him down so they could sleep.

Joseph watched over them, thanking God all was well.  He breathed a deep sigh of relief and closed his eyes.

Joseph stirred and opened his eyes.  What does he see?

Ever so quietly, shepherds had come to see the baby Jesus after an angel came and told them the good news that he was born.  A multitude of heavenly angels saying Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rest.  Gently Joseph wakes up Mary and she picks Jesus up, showing her son to the shepherds.

Other soon come to Jesus, they bring food and drink for Mary and Joseph.  One day, three Kings come to visit.  They bring gifts for Jesus.  Gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Mary is a bit confused as to why a baby would need these, but accepts them with grace.

Finally all the visitors stop and the Holy Family has time to rest before the next journey.

#7  Prayer: where we sit and focus on God, maybe read the Sunday readings and put ourselves in the Gospel; maybe it’s praying a rosary; maybe on a Friday you can go to Adoration.  We can’t treat God like a once in a while thing, or we’ll forget about him.  Or if we only reach out when we need him; what do we think about people who do that to us?

 

Three reasons to take a course with the LiveNotLukewarm community

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3 Reasons +1

  • One, content is delivered live and group discussion is encouraged but not required.
  • Two, materials are developed and delivered by Deanna and Deacon John, so we know what the answer ought to be!
  • Three, you will come away with a deeper knowledge of who Jesus is and how to live out his teachings.
  • Bonus reason: combined we have over 100 years’ experience.

A New Liturgical Year

A new liturgical year begins on Nov 28, 2021, with the start of Advent. At Sunday Masses, Cycle C will be used for the readings. FYI: there are 3 cycles, A, B, and C. The Gospel used in cycle C is Luke. Luke was written sometime between 80 and 90 AD, for Gentiles. The same person who wrote Luke wrote the Book of Acts, as a continuation of the Gospel. Luke is believed to have been an associate of Paul.

Much of the material of Luke comes from Mark and the Q source, with some material specific only to Luke. His Gospel includes an infancy narrative, uses many agrarian and fishing references and features many meals in his writings. We are excited to begin learning more about the Gospel of Luke with you!

Course Details

Beginning in October, Deanna & Deacon John at LiveNotLukewarm.com will offer a course on the Gospel of Luke. You have the option of Wednesday morning or evening. Sessions are offered live via Zoom and recorded so you can access it if you miss a session or want to watch it again. This link will provide more information and you can register for the course.

Grow in your faith at Inform, Engage, Inspire

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Are you a catechist or parent looking to be energized? Do you want to learn more about scripture? Are you a director of faith formation looking for something to offer to catechists or parents? I have an answer for you! Become a part of An Every Day Catholic: Inform, Engage, Inspire.

What is Inform, Engage, Inspire?

It is an online community of people interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. I have webinars which I offer live and then record to keep on the website. In my experience, people are searching for information and answers, stated in ways that are straightforward and easy to understand. My goal is to share the truth, beauty and goodness of Catholicism.

What kinds of topics do you cover?

Our past webinars include a series on Grace in the Catechism, scripture and saints; The Call to Abundance which explores the life Jesus offers us; Inspired for Freedom talks bout how to live out our Christian life. We also hosted a book study on What to say and How to say It by Brandon Vogt.

What is your next offering?

In August, we will begin a Bible study on the Book of Acts which I am very excited about. Acts has 28 chapters, which we will cover from Aug 5 to Sept.2. I have written a downloadable study guide which includes an overview of Acts and questions for discussion and personal reflection. Each evening we will meet using a Zoom link and I’ll give an overview of the chapters for the week and then discuss the questions. The point of the webinars is not just to listen to a lecture, but to engage with each other and ask questions.

What do participants need to do?

The best way to learn about God’s word is to read and study it. It will be helpful to read the chapters ahead of time, answer the questions and note any questions you have. If that’s not possible, come to the webinars anyway – you will still get something out of our time together.

Is there a cost for this?

Yes and no. The study guide is $7 and while optional will allow for greater participation. There is no charge for the webinars, though you can give a free-will offering at the end of the study.

What is your experience teaching Bible study?

I have served in parish ministry for over 40 years as a catechist, director of faith formation for children and adults, youth minister, prayer leader, retreat leader and stewardship director. I also have a master’s degree from Loyola University. I have always been involved in facilitating and teaching Bible study even when it wasn’t my job. I’ve published a study Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life with Our Sunday Visitor.

How can I sign up for the Acts study?  acts study

It’s pretty simple! Click on Study of the Book of Acts, enter your email address and you’ll receive all the information you need. You can also email me (Deanna) at dgbartalini(at)gmail(dot)com.

 

Always Discerning, An Ignatian Spirituality for the New Millennium by Joseph A. Tetlow, S.J.

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I have had this book by Joseph A. Tetlow, S.J. for 2 years sitting in my to read stack, always near the top but somehow getting overlooked. Maybe it wasn’t time before now.

This book was excellent; of course, since it was written by someone “hailed as a world authority on Ignatian spirituality” it would be. But it’s not a heavy, textbook read. It made so much sense. I was taking pictures of the text and sending them to my friends and posting them on social media as I read. It is a very accessible book. I often feel like I am “always discerning” and it can get overwhelming and tiresome, not only for my brain but possibly others, if you know what I mean. Which you do if you are also “always discerning.”

The topics covered range from discerning in a Christian way, the great discernments in our life, why discernment is good, desolation and consolation in relation to discernment, gratitude and putting it all together. Each part has 4 to 6 short chapters, a section called “Touchstones” at the end of each part and a beef excerpt of a talk, homily or letter (usually, but not always) from Pope Francis. Fr. Tetlow also begins each chapter with a quote from Pope Francis. A feature of the book format I loved are the callouts, highlighting a key point on various pages.

One idea that has really stuck with me is about engaging our heads, hearts and hands in discernment. It is not about one of those aspects, it’s about using all of them to live out our baptismal call. The chapters on consolation were a help to understanding the concept better and seeing it in my life. He says, “but in fact, just accepting, on a dull workday morning, that God has made me holy is, in itself, a spiritual consolation.”  Another often recurring theme in life is detachment, that line between wanting what is good and becoming consumed with it, letting the desire control you. Think about this instead: “Spiritual detachment requires accepting my true feelings and ideas but wanting to follow them insofar as they lead me toward God.”

There is much wisdom in this book. And it was written for us, in our time, using contemporary examples and writings to respond to them.  Whether you are a student of Ignatian spirituality or not, you can gain much by reading this book. I know I will go back and read different sections again, as the need arises in my spiritual life.

Always Discerning is available on Loyola Press and Amazon.

Sharing your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips and Testimonies, by Nancy H.C. Ward

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I believe we all have a story. And it’s not done until we have left this world for heaven. I love other people’s stories, reminding me of how God pursues us all differently; the still, small whisper is heard in different ways for different reasons and each of us responds differently. The power of stories is not only the differentness of them all but the sameness of them all. I think if we share our faith story it draws people to us and to God. The problem is, how do you do that? We talk about knowing Jesus personally and the new evangelization,  but how does one explain that to those who don’t have those words or ideas in their consciousness as I do?

Nancy Ward has laid it all out for us. No joking here or over exaggeration. I enjoyed reading this book because it gave me a glimpse of who Nancy is as an individual. Her faith journey as a convert is laid out as an example of how to tell your own story. But she goes further than an example. She gives us the steps, one by one, with instructions, on writing your testimony and using it.

We don’t tell our whole story each time or the same one; it varies based on who we are speaking to, where, why. We share what is necessary for the person to hear, in evangelization starting where you are is not helpful, you must begin where the other person is, otherwise it’s as if you are talking about yourself for your own edification! And I don’t think that will help evangelize anyone.

If you have ever thought you’d like to talk more about how God moves and works in your life but wondered how this is the book for you. I have, like Nancy, been a part of many groups in the Church; Cursillo, Charismatic, Magnificat; both as a participant and a leader. This is the first time I’ve read a book that lays out how to tell your story. I think it would be very helpful for all those who serve in parish ministry. Your story can be an authentic witness to your faith journey. We need authentic witnesses to speak in love to others.

But it is also for those who want an answer at family dinners and work lunches and neighborhood conversations. You know, all those times you want to say something but hold back, if you prepare yourself, you’ll have a response that you can be confident about speaking aloud, not just in your head hours later.

That’s what this book can help you with, gaining confidence in telling your story. If you want that, get yourself a copy!

PS: The second section of the book is a collection of other people’s testimonies. Read them to remind yourself that God is at work.

Gaze Upon Jesus – Book Review

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Gaze Upon Jesus: Experiencing Christ’s Childhood through the Eyes of Women is a beautiful book that helps us enter into the scriptures with the help of many women: those in the scriptures themselves, like Mary, Elizabeth, and Anna–and then the women who wrote the book!

Based on the Gospel stories of the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Presentation, the Flight into Egypt, and the Finding in the Temple, there is something for everyone, whether you want to read a fictionalized account of the Gospel, dig more deeply into the historical and biblical accounts, or meditate on beautiful art.

There are also discussion questions and suggestions for putting what we’ve read into action. Isn’t that one of the main reasons to read and study scripture, to make it a part of us and our lives? There is no point in reading God’s Word as if it’s like a novel, enjoyable thoughts that never cross from the head into our soul or daily life. Gaze Upon Jesus provides context for discussion, and the questions help you to make connections that you otherwise might miss.

As the editor, Kelly M. Wahlquist has put together a volume that can be used during Advent or any time you want to delve more deeply into Jesus’ birth and early years. Read it on your own or in small groups. Personally, I find a small group better helps me to internalize what I’ve read, but I often read and study on my own. Either way, the rewards will be great.

I highly recommend this to those who are taking their first look at Jesus in the Word, as well as those who are looking for a different type of study. This study engages you on many different levels, and that is what is so appealing about it.

For more information or to order, go to Ave Maria Press.