Faith Sharing Journey

This is a year of challenge! We are challenged to make renewed efforts to be more Christlike, to put more enthusiasm into living the Gospel, to be genuinely loving to one another. This year, think of the characteristics of the Christian community as based in Acts 2:42-47:

Write a paragraph or two about how you participate in your Christian Community (your Christian Community is anywhere where you interact with others) by answering all of the following questions:

How do you see yourself as part of your Christian community of St. Edward’s Church?

How do you give witness to your faith in word and deed in your Christian Community?

Which of these areas (worship, service, community or witness) do you most need to work on

1. Every week at Mass we make a profession of faith in the words of the Creed. The Creed contains the beliefs of our faith. Read the Creed to yourself. Christians of every century have held strongly to these beliefs. Some have given up their lives to defend them.

Ñ Why are these beliefs important to you? Answer this question in writing in a complete sentence.

2. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace instituted by Christ to make us holy – or

- an outward sign of an inward grade instituted by Christ in which we encounter Him at key

Fill in the chart on the following page and hand it in with the rest of September’s Faith Sharing. The first Sacrament, Baptism, is already done for you.

As you begin your year of service in preparation for Confirmation, think about the extra acts of service you can do:

v be cheerful at school, go out of your way to be kind to those you find difficult

v pay more attention to your studies, put more enthusiasm into your service projects and Confirmation preparation

Community is very important in Christian life. It is through others that we come to know God. While the creative power and majesty of God are made apparent to us through the magnificence of nature, it is only through human community that we come to know God’s compassion, kindness, mercy, generosity and love. Jesus commanded us to love one another because he knew that when we share unconditional love, we come to see the face of God. Begin by brining to mind your membership in the most basic human community – the family.

© Describe in writing, the members, of your immediate family and any significant members of your extended family, especially those living with you. This is not meant to be a list of your family members, but a description of each family member. You should describe their personality traits.

© Describe in writing the ways that you contribute to the healthy functioning of your family.
(Think not only in terms of duties or chores, but describe ways you support various members emotionally and spiritually.)

How will you try to grow in prayer during this year of preparation for Confirmation?
Be specific. Write down a plan for how and when you will pray every day. You can write one plan that you will follow every day; it doesn’t have to be a different plan for each day. Remember; make it a realistic prayer plan. It is better to set up a reasonable “prayer program” and really work at it, than to resolve to do too much, and find it overwhelming.

2. Listen carefully at Mass. The readings and Gospel from October 11th are attached. Reread each of the readings and the Gospel for Sunday. Answer the questions that follow each reading, including giving an example of how you or someone you know lives or has lived what the reading is trying to tell us – you can write a summary or draw a picture.

Ñ Baptism is the sacrament by which you were incorporated into Christ and became a member of the Catholic Church. What does baptism mean to you?

Ñ Get in touch with your sponsor - You can do this in person, by phone, email or even through a letter.

o Together, talk about the responsibility of a sponsor that you both consider most important.

o Invite your sponsor to be part of this entire year of your faith journey! You can make a copy of this Faith Sharing or you can get a copy from Mrs. Curtis or on the web site (www.stedwardbowie.org). Discuss your reflections with your sponsor each month. This is a wonderful way for you and your sponsor to get comfortable discussing faith issues and how they impact your life. Your sponsor is your role model and support in your Catholic Faith.

In addition to our family, your “circle of friends” makes up another form of community. Whether you are a person who prefers the company of just a few trusted friends or are a person who loves to be part of a group, friendship communities become very important. Friends are often a great support – and often the source of much tension and pain. While no friend is perfect, real friends want what is truly good for us. Christ’s love abounds in a real friend.

Real friends try to walk down the same road that Jesus walked. It is usually less glamorous and appears more difficult and less exciting. But people who live the values Jesus taught find their lives to be joy-filled and anything but dull.

© Write a paragraph about your most important friends. Who brings out “the best” in you? Who allows you to “be yourself” and who accepts you for the person you are? Do any of your friends make you feel “inadequate” or behave in ways that make you feel uncomfortable? Try to include a sentence telling in what way this person on is a real friend to you and how Christ’s love is shown in your friendship.

Each activity and service project in the St. Edward Confirmation Program falls under at least one of these three categories: Knowledge, Worship, and Service. These together are the foundations of our faith. Not one of these categories can be diminished or erased and still allow you to develop in the Catholic faith.

Reading 1
Wisdom 7:7-11

I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.
Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light,
because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.
Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands.

This reading is from the book of Wisdom. Where is this book located in the Bible?

Before Jesus was born, wisdom was believed to be the knowledge of how one might live the good life. In the Book of Wisdom it is seen as God’s revelation of His loving will and the mystery of His person. When we read the Scriptures or hear them proclaimed, it is God speaking to us. What is God telling us about Wisdom in this reading?

Give an example of how you use God’s Wisdom or how you have seen someone else use God’s Wisdom in their daily life. You may answer this question in writing or draw a picture (you can use the back of the paper).

Brothers and sisters:
Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.
No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him
to whom we must render an account.

The epistles are letters written after Jesus ascended into heaven. They are written to specific audiences to help them strengthen and live their faith. All that is written in the letters is inspired by the Holy Spirit and they are also written for us to help us in strengthening and living our faith. What is this letter telling us about the word of God?

Give an example of how the Word of God helps you in strengthening your faith or how you have seen the Word of God help strengthen someone else’s faith. You may answer in writing or draw a picture (you can use the back of the paper).

Gospel
Markk 10:17-30

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him,
"Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered him, "Why do you call me good?
No one is good but God alone.
You know the commandments: You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal;
you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother."
He replied and said to him,
"Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth."
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him,
"You are lacking in one thing.
Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."
At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,
"How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at his words.
So Jesus again said to them in reply,
"Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, "Then who can be saved?"
Jesus looked at them and said,
"For human beings it is impossible, but not for God.
All things are possible for God."
Peter began to say to him,
"We have given up everything and followed you."
Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters
or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel
who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age:
houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,
with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come."

The Gospels are the stories of Jesus’ life. There are 4 Gospel writers – Mark, Matthew, Luke and John. When the Gospel writers tell these stories, they are telling them for us. When we read them or hear them proclaimed we are hearing Jesus speak to us.

Give an example of how you have followed Jesus’ teaching in this Gospel or how you have seen someone else follow Jesus’ teaching. You may answer in writing or by drawing a picture.

A healthy prayer life includes all of these types of prayer. Examine your life of prayer:

V EACH DAY for a week write down the prayers you have prayed and tell what type of prayer they are. Please do this by filling in the chart on the next page. Include both learned prayers (for example – Our Father or Hail Mary) and personal prayers (these are prayers where you talk to God using your own words).

1. In writing, define each of the following signs of Confirmation and explain how each is used during the Confirmation ceremony. We discussed these at the Parent/Confirmand Retreat on September 22. You can find this information in your handouts from the retreat.

2. Read Acts 2:1-12. Answer the following questions in sentence or paragraph format:

Take a look at the community of believers with whom you worship – your parish family. Along with your family and friends, St. Edward’s parish is an important source of support as you prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Two of the reasons we celebrate the Rite of Enrollment are: It makes the St. Edward community aware of your preparation and It asks the St. Edward community to support you through prayer and encouragement.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#782) says The People of God is marked by characteristics that clearly distinguish it from all other religious, ethnic, political or cultural groups found in history:

- It is the People of God: God is not the property of any one people. But he acquired a people for himself from those who previously were not a people.

- One becomes a member of this people not by a physical birth, but by being “born anew,” a birth “of water and the Spirit,” that is, by faith in Christ, and Baptism.

- This People has for its Head Jesus the Christ … Because of the … anointing, the Holy Spirit, flows from the head into the body this is” the messianic people.”

- The status of this people is that of the dignity and freedom of the sons of God, in whose hearts the Holy Spirit dwells as in a temple.

- Its law is the new commandment to love as Christ loved us. This is the “new” law of the Holy Spirit.

- Its mission is to be salt of the earth and light of the world. This people is “a most sure seed of unity, hope, and salvation for the whole human race.

- Its destiny, finally, “is the Kingdom of God which has been begun by God himself on earth and which must be further extended until it has been brought to perfection by him at the end of time.

Begin with the name of the parish and describe important aspects of the faith community. This can include the physical appearance of the church building, specific people who help the St. Edward’s community grow, liturgical music you find meaningful, etc. Also include any way you contribute to the St. Edward’s community, whether through a ministry or through prayer or service to a parishioner.

Christ came to the earth because he loves you. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:

V Read both nativity narratives (Luke, 1:5 – 2:52 and Matthew 1:1 - 2:23). Fill in the chart on the next page to list the similarities and differences in the 2 narratives.

V What is your favorite part of the story of the Birth of Jesus? Why? You can describe it using complete sentences or draw a picture of it,

V Find the Christmas hymn you find most meaningful (all of the hymns can be found in the music books at Church). Write a prayer using the words of this hymn.

When we pray the Rosary, we reflect on the mysteries of Jesus’ life. There are 4 different categories of mysteries – Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous.

? Write down the Joyful mysteries and tell what they mean in your own words.

Remember, December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Holy Day of Obligation on which we honor Mary. A Holy Day of Obligation is a day on which all Catholics must attend Mass. See the bulletin on Sunday December, 6 for Mass Times at St. Edward’s.

What is the meaning of Mary’s Immaculate Conception? Write your answer using complete sentences.

Luke speaks of the Gospel value of simplicity. Answer the following in complete sentences.

Ñ How can you make this Christmas season simpler, less filled with the business of buying and selling?

Ñ How do you plan to make Christmas a time for showing love to Christ? To others?

St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church

Faith Sharing Journey

DUE: JANUARY 31, 2010

WORSHIP

Look up 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and read it aloud.

V Evaluate yourself on it. Write down how well you love.

V Reread the same selection from Corinthians. This time say your own name in place of the word love.

V Write down how you feel now about how well you love.

Prayer is an important part of living a Catholic Christian Life. Reading Bible passages and reflecting on their meanings is one way to pray. When we read the Bible we need to listen to what God is saying to us.

V Read the following 3 sets of Bible passages from the Old Testament and New Testament

1. Old Testament - Genesis 12:1-4

New Testament - Matthew 17:1-9

2. Old Testament – 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19

New Testament – John 1:35-42

3. Old Testament – Genesis 18:1-10

New Testament – Luke 10:38-42

V Then fill in the chart on the next page, answering all of the questions about the Bible passages. You may answer the Reflection question in writing on the chart or you may draw a picture.

KNOWLEDGE

1. Jesus taught us what we must do to be his followers. His teachings are found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Using the attached “Beatitude Chart”:

? Write down each of the Beatitudes.

? In writing, tell what each beatitude means in your own words.

? Pick one Beatitude – In writing or by drawing a picture tell how you live that Beatitude or how you’ve seen someone else live that Beatitude.

1. In writing, Name our pastor and parish deacons. What are their roles and how do they lead us in living Catholic Christian lives?

COMMUNITY & SERVICE

Answer the following in writing using complete sentences:

Ñ How do the Beatitudes relate to the attitudes needed for Christian service?

Ñ Have you been giving service in a cheerful way?

Ñ How have you reached out to the discouraged, lonely or elderly?

Ñ List all the things you have done for service so far.

Ñ Write a paragraph about how the extra acts of service affected you and those in your community.

You are familiar with the main parts of the Eucharistic celebration (the Mass) surrounding the sacrament of Confirmation. Remember the Confirmation rite involves the entire assembly. Those that will gather in the church with you and the other Confirmands are not spectators. They are witnesses to the sacrament of Confirmation and through their own faith, they support and empower you as they have from the time of the Rite of Initiation. The sacrament of Confirmation emphasizes that we are a part of the whole Church, the people of God.

In writing and complete sentences, answer the following questions in a paragraph:

Ñ At the time of your baptism, you became “priest, prophet and king.” These are titles of great importance and they also carry awesome responsibilities. What does it mean to be a “prophet” in today’s world? How can you live as a prophet in today’s world?

Ñ Many people wonder why the bishop asks the confirmands questions during the homily and become anxious about the questions and the consequences of an incorrect answer. While the ability to answer the questions well is a measure of how well you have prepared for the sacrament of confirmation, this time is not meant as a test. Over the span of your life and sooner than you may expect, you will be called upon to defend your faith to those who are skeptical or unfriendly. The questions merely provide you with the opportunity to defend your faith in the company of your communities of family, friends and faith. Know each witness is their to support you. Now what does it mean to you to be a “prophet” in today’s world?

In the final blessing from the Rite of Confirmation we are told:
The Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples
and set their hearts on fire with love:
may he bless you, keep you one in faith and love
and bring you to the joy of God’s kingdom.
How can your reception of this sacrament change the way you live your life?

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTATMENT

REFLECTION

Read Genesis 12:1-4

What does the Lord say to Abraham?

What does Abraham do?

What does God promise Abraham?

Read Matthew 17:1-9

Who appears to Jesus and the disciples?

Where does Jesus take Peter, James, and John?

What happens to Jesus on the mountaintop?

What does the voice of God say?

What do the disciples do when they hear the voice of God?

When have you found it difficult to follow Jesus?

When have you experienced a powerful moment with God?

How does the transfiguration of Jesus relate to your baptism?

Read 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19

How does the Lord call Samuel?

What does Eli tell Samuel?

How does Samuel finally respond to God’s call?

Read John 1:35-42

Who are the disciples looking for?

Why do they follow Jesus?

What does Jesus invite the disciples to do?

How do you listen for the voice of God?

How can you “come and see” who Jesus is?

How is following Jesus challenging at times?

OLD TESTAMENT

NEW TESTATMENT

REFLECTION

Read Genesis 18:1-10

How does the Lord appear to Abraham?

How do Abraham and Sarah welcome their guests?

What message does God have for Abraham and Sarah?

How is God’s message delivered?

Luke 10:38-42

How does Mary receive Jesus?

What is Martha busy doing?

Why does Martha get upset with Jesus?

What does Jesus tell the two women?

How do you make people feel welcome at school and in your home?

How is serving others like serving Jesus?

How can you take the time to sit before Jesus and listen?

? Pick one Beatitude – In writing or by drawing a picture tell how you live that Beatitude or how you’ve seen someone else live that Beatitude.

Remember confession is an incredible gift given to us by Christ. The Sacrament of Reconciliation enriches our spiritual journey with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

V Examine your conscience each day for at least one week (There are 2 examinations of conscience attached; please alternate between the 2 of them). Look prayerfully at how you have imitated Christ in your life today. This is between you and God, please do not write down your answers. After you have though about this, pray to the Holy Spirit, asking to be more Christlike.

V Make resolutions about how you will be more Christlike and write them down using complete sentences.

V At the end of the week, answer this question, using complete sentences: How has a daily examination of conscience helped your spiritual life?

? Write down each of the Ten Commandments, using the attached chart. In the first column write down the commandment and then in the second column write a sentence describing or draw a picture of how you can follow this commandment in your daily life. This is not a summary of the 10 Commandments; you need to look at each one individually.

Look over the past few months and evaluate how your confirmation preparation is helping you grow in your relationships with Christ, your family, your friends and the Catholic Church. In complete sentences, answer the following questions:

Scripture tells us that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the gifts of the Spirit make us open to “Obeying divine inspirations” (#1831).

Ñ Reflect on those in one of your communities that you truly admire and respect. Remember: You are a member of the community of your family, your community of friends and your faith community. Look in one of these places for someone you admire.

Ñ In writing, using complete sentences, describe one individual who is a hero to you. The emphasis is not on accomplishment, but rather on character. Consider these questions when describing your hero:

First Commandment

This commandment tells me that I should love God more than any other person. God should be more important to me than anything.

v Do I sometimes praise and thank God when I see all the beautiful things He has made?

Second Commandment

Third Commandment

This commandment tells me I should go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days to celebrate God’s love for us and remember everything God has done for us.

v Do I willingly go to religion class so I can learn to know and love the Lord better?

Fourth Commandment

This commandment tells me I should listen to, respect and love my parents and those who take care of me when I am not with my parents.

v Do I obey my parents and teachers quickly and joyfully and try to make them happy?

v Do I sometimes thank my parents and teachers I am sorry when I have done wrong and ask them to forgive me?

Fifth Commandment

This commandment tells me I should treat other people with love and respect. I should care for myself and help care for other people.

Sixth Commandment

This commandment tells me a husband and wife should be loyal to each other. They have a special love that they share only with each other. This commandment also tells me I should respect the privacy others.

Eighth Commandment

This commandment tells me I should always tell the truth. I should only say good things about other people. I should not tell lies about other people.

This commandment tells me that I should be happy with the special people God has given me in my life. I should not be envious and want someone else’s family or friends.

v Do I wish I had my friend’s parents because they let my friend do things my parents will not let me do?

Tenth Commandment

^{* You may use the
back of the page or another paper if you need more room to draw pictures}

The prayer given to us by Jesus is the Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer. It is a prayer of love and unity, of sorrow for sin and gratitude for God’s mercy. It has been the prayer of Christians throughout the centuries.

V Using the attached “Lord’s Prayer Chart” write down each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer. Then next to each phrase what it means to you.

Jesus told us to “pray always.” When we read the Scriptures and listen to what God is telling us we are praying. We need to be open to what God is saying to us.

V Read the following 3 sets of Bible passages from the Old Testament and New Testament

Answer the following questions by writing in complete sentences: You can find information on www.adw.org

? What do you know about each of them? You can find biographies and information about them on www.adw.org (the Archdiocese of Washington web-site). This answer should be more than just one sentence.

The Works of Mercy give us examples of how we can live Christian lives. There are 8 Corporal Works of Mercy and 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy. In Writing and using the attached “Works of Mercy Chart”, list both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Then, pick one Corporal Work of Mercy and one Spiritual Work of Mercy and give an example of how you can follow it by drawing a picture or describing it in written format.

Did you ever think of how much service others are constantly offering to you? Remember to look first to those in your family. Using complete sentences answer the following questions:

Ñ What are you doing to show you are really interested in being a member of the St. Edward’s faith community?

Ñ What does it mean to give witness of your Christian faith to those of your own age?

* You may use the back of the page or another paper if you need more room to draw pictures

This is your Faith Sharing Journey for your Confirmation year. This part of your journey will start in September and end in March. There is more than one page for every month. Please read through each month’s instructions and answer all questions – you cannot pick and choose which questions you want to answer.

All work must be turned in on separate sheets of 8 ½” x 11” paper and on the charts that are included. Do not write on the instruction sheets themselves. The Faith Sharing Journey may be either handwritten (try to do your best handwriting – Mrs. Curtis and/or Mrs. Eloshway will read what you hand in) on loose leaf or typed. Please answer all of the questions using complete sentences, not just “yes” or “no”.

Each month the Faith Sharing Journey is due on the last Sunday of each month. It should be turned in when you attend Mass that weekend. All Faith Sharing Journeys must be placed into the folder located on the Confirmation bulletin board in the CCD hall.

Every month on the Schedule, there is a Tuesday evening (it will be on Wednesday in November and December) “Faith Sharing Help Session”. This help session can be used if you need help on that month’s Faith Sharing or if you just want to use this as time to set aside to work on your faith sharing; it is an informal session you can come anytime between 6:30pm and 8:00pm. Mrs. Curtis is available during this time to answer questions, but this is not the only time you have to ask questions – you can ask Mrs. Curtis or Mrs. Eloshway a question at any time.

The help session is also an opportunity to complete the previous month’s Faith Sharing. If you have not handed in your Faith Sharing for the prior month, you will be required to attend the help session. Also, if the Faith Sharing you handed in was incomplete, you will be notified and required to come to the help session. The specific days are September 22, October 20, November 18, December 16, January 19, February 16, March 16 and April 6.