ST. FAUSTINA FAITH FORMATION

ADVENT

Lectio Divina for the First Week of Advent

We begin our prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the paths of your Only Begotten Son, that through his coming, we may be found worthy to serve you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times. Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus said to his disciples: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses.

Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you.
 

Lectio Divina for the Second Week of Advent

We begin our prayer: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the paths of your Only Begotten Son, that through his coming, we may be found worthy to serve you with minds made pure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times. Matthew 3:1-12
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

 Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group, after the reflection time, invite the participants to share their responses.

Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that the Word inspires in you.

Contemplation (Contemplatio) Read the Scripture again, followed by this reflection: What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me? A voice of one crying out in the desert,/ Prepare the way of the Lord,/make straight his paths. When have I felt like a voice crying out in the desert? When have I failed to use my voice when I should have? The whole region around the Jordan … were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. What sins am I struggling with today? What prevents me from acknowledging my sinfulness and relying on God’s mercy? I am not worthy to carry his sandals. How can I serve the Lord? How can I grow in humility and docility to the Lord’s will? After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion, all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following: Closing Prayer: I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD —for he proclaims peace to his people. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and prepare the way of his steps. From Psalm 72 Living the Word This Week How can I make my life a gift for others in charity? Choose a spiritual or corporal work of mercy to practice this Advent to prepare your heart for Christ’s coming. Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition   

RITE OF ENROLLMENT

I would like to share with you our St. Faustina candidates for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation for this year.  On May 7^th at 11:00 Mass the following will make their Sacrament of First Holy Communion:
Andrew Castor, Nolan Dedaj, Evan Ewart, Brianna Kennedy, Domonic Lazar, Carter McAuley, Callie McAuley, Camden Manturuk, Adrian Tomczyk, Milena Tomczyk and Gia Tyburski

On March 5^th at the 11:00 Mass the following will make their Sacrament of Confirmation
Alrean Caballero, Mathew Caballero, Anthony Maceri

RCIA Candidates to be fully initiated into the Church at the Easter Vigil this year:
Raymond Brown, Manny Lobaito, Ralph Lobaito, Jamil Mamun, Adrian Rodreguiz
And Callie McAuley will be Baptized
As a community we will support you on your Journey.

 

FAMILY PRAYER

Lectio Divina

In today’s Gospel, Jesus sees Zacchaeus and spends time with him. Jesus sees you and wants to spend time with you too. Reflect on this Scripture passage using Lectio Divina. Learn more about Lectio Divina under the Family Prayer entry on January 23rd.

Choose a reader for the passage below. After each reading, allow for a minute or two of silence to let the words sink in. Listen for any words or phrases that jump out at you. After the third reading, pray about what God is calling you to focus on today. Family members are invited to share their experience afterward. This formula can be used for any Scripture passage.

Isaiah 41:10-13

Do not fear: I am with you;
do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Yes, all shall be put to shame and disgrace
who vent their anger against you;
Those shall be as nothing and perish
who offer resistance.

You shall seek but not find
those who strive against you;
They shall be as nothing at all
who do battle with you.

For I am the LORD, your God,
who grasp your right hand;
It is I who say to you, Do not fear,
I will help you.

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CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO PRINT REGISTRATION FORMS:
REGISTRATION FORM 1-8
9TH GRADE CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION FORM

 

The Letter | Unleash the Gospel

The link provided is a plan that is easy to follow to read the Bible in 365 days.
Father Mike Schmitz has made reading the Bible easier with videos and explainations.
I have copied the link to get you started.
Happy Reading!

Read the Bible in 365 days with Father Michael Schmitz-as a family