Mary knows the pain of a pierced heart.This month is dedicated to Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows. A lot of the time we see Mary as someone full of joy, and rightly so! She is often depicted with a peaceful face, radiating with love for her blessed Son. We might forget her deep agony as she watched her Son, the Savior of the World, be tortured and crucified. Maybe some of you know the pain of loosing a child. I'm sure it is a pain deeper than most ever have to know, but Mary has gone through it. Her heart was and is so closely unified to Christ's that she did not escape His suffering, but endured it with a 'Yes' to God's will just as she did in her Fiat.
Prayer to our Sorrowful Mother for a particular graceO, mother most holy and sorrowful, Queen of Martyrs, you who stood by your Son as He agonized on the cross; by the sufferings of your life, by that sword of pain that pierced your heart, by your perfect joy in heaven, look down on me kindly as I kneel before you, sympathizing with your sorrows and offering you my petition with childlike trust. Dear Mother, since your Son refuses you nothing, ask of His Sacred Heart to mercifully grant what I ask, through the merits of His sacred passion, along with those of your sufferings at the foot of the cross. Mother most merciful, to whom shall I go in my misery if not to you who pities us poor sinful exiles in this valley of tears? In our name, offer Jesus but one drop of His most precious blood, but one pang of His loving heart. Remind Him that you are our sweetness, our life and our hope, and your prayer will be heard. Amen
Honoring Mary's SorrowsThere are many ways to honor Mary's Seven Sorrows during the month of September. Here are a few ideas for you and your family to try out! Click each one to find out more! -Emily Gignac, Director of Faith Formation
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Check out these three ways your family can engage in your faith this year: Elementary Faith Formation Classes Grades 1-5 Public & Catholic School Students Faith Formation classes are held every Wednesday from 6:15-7:30 pm in the school. Elementary Faith Formation focuses on involving parents as the primary catechists of their children by including multiple family nights, family Masses, as well as family Adoration and Reconciliation nights. Faith Formation classes will teach the basics of the Faith and provide opportunities for kids to encounter Jesus at Church and at home. Middle School Youth Ministry Grades 6-8 Public & Catholic School Students This relational ministry will focus on encountering Christ through fun, faith filled activities and discussion. Middle School Youth Ministry will meet every Wednesday from 6:15-7:30 pm in Kearn Hall and the Youth Room. This ministry focuses on empowering teens to start claiming their faith as their own and growing in a community of Catholic peers. High School Youth Ministry Grades 9-12 Public & Catholic School Students Teens in high school are incredibly busy, so there are two options for High School Youth Ministry. Each offering is a small group that will promote open discussion more than lecture-style learning, as well as a lot of fun and games too. On Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30 in the Faith Formation Room, there will be Youth Ministry focused on discussing who Christ is, and is great for teens who are still questioning their Faith. On Sundays from 7:00-8:15 pm in the Youth Room, there will be Youth Ministry focused on deepening your Faith life through a discussion of the Gospels. Students can sign up for whichever group they feel would be best for them. All programs start at the end of September. Watch out for signup info in August! A word from our Faith Formation Staff:
I saw that our current program wasn’t reaching a lot of our youth. I wanted to listen to what teens today want, how they learn, and what is important to them. Youth Ministry is more than learning, it’s a relational ministry designed to draw teens into a deeper relationship with Christ.” -Emily Gignac, Director of Faith Formation “Change is seldom easy, but the traditional way of teaching is not necessarily the best way to spread God's Word. Family Faith Formation should confirm, strengthen, and expand the faithful dynamic within a strong Catholic family. With support and involvement throughout our parish, all will benefit from our new program. We are encouraged and excited to travel this journey with Christ on a more personal level, while continuing to share instruction and guidance of our Catholic Faith." -Julie Testin, Coordinator of Faith Formation In Part One, I shared that your perspective affects your experiences and therefore affects your ability to rejoice in the good times and difficult times. Today I would like you to consider what it means to Pray Always. How can we pray at all times? Let's first begin by looking at what prayer is. Prayer is the communication that exists between us and God. It is about talking to God and listening to Him. It is about asking the Saints and Angels to pray for us. Prayer can be difficult some days and easy other times. The best way to create the habit of prayer in your life is to set aside time each day to pray. Morning, meal time & before you go to bed are great times to begin praying at if you are not yet doing so. During Meal Time, you can say the meal prayer: "Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen." Or consider finding a fun, family-friendly prayer to say together. I know my daughter likes to teach us the meal prayers she has learned from pre-school. In the morning or before bed time, read the scripture of the day which can be found at USCCB.org There are also formal prayers such as the Rosary, Our Father, Morning Offering, Prayer to the Holy Spirit and more. You can download an app on your smartphone to help you to prayer. I have two on my phone that I use regularly: Laudate and Daily Examen. You can also create your own prayer and speak openly from your heart. Tell God what you are thankful for. Tell God about how good or bad your day has been. Ask God for what you or others you know need. My parents never taught me how to pray. I briefly learned how to pray during Religious Education but nothing really stuck with me. Once I got involved in Youth Ministry, I would regularly visit my youth minister and ask her a million questions about how to pray. It is thanks to her, other adults from that parish and friends throughout my life that I have learned how to pray. It has not been an easy journey towards understand prayer. It took me a while to create a habit of daily praying. I still struggle to pray regularly in the morning. I have recently become aware of the importance of praying for all those who I encounter throughout my day. Why not pray for:
I often wonder how many people that I see throughout my day have no one to pray for them? That makes me sad. Praying for other is so simple. I just ask God to be with that person. I don't need to know their name or their story. Everyone is in need of prayers. Let's start lifting each other up in prayer. If we all prayed for each other more often, imagine the change that would take place in the world. So next time you see a stranger or consider talking behind someone's back, try praying for that person to hear God’s voice and be open to God’s will. - Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5: 23
“As Christian Stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.” - United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - About 15 years ago, I moved across town and switched to St. Matthew Church as a divorced mother with one child in grade school, one in middle school and one starting high school. I was rather busy with a full time job and kids activities but something was missing. I was just going through the motions. I got a call to be a catechist for 7th grade Religious Education. I had taught at St. Jude’s for several years and missed the community feeling. This was my first stewardship commitment at St. Matthew & I have been a catechist ever since. Sharing my faith with youth has always uplifted my spirits and brings me closer to God. I learn from them probably more than they learn from me. This feeling is what had me yearning for more. The more time I spend sharing my faith the more peace and joy I experience. God’s love is addictive and I cannot get enough! Along with being a Catechist for Faith Formation Classes, I have been or am currently involved in Pastoral Council, Stewardship Committee, Parish Festival Planning Committee, Green Square Meals, Family Promise and my most honored position as an Eucharistic Minister. To be able to help nourish others with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ brings me closer to God and to those who come to receive. You will never know how stewardship opportunities can be a blessing until you wander out of your comfort zone. -Brenda Kowalsky - "All of the teachings of stewardship come directly from the Gospels, the Old Testament and the letters of the New Testament. Stewardship is not a new fad, or environmental word. Stewardship is the way God has expected His people to live since the beginning of time."
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matter; I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” Matthew 25:23 I have recently been meditating on the phrase pray always. As I reflected this led me to reading the Bible and praying about what God meant by the words from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18. “Rejoice Always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight. The first Service Trip I ever attend was to Nazareth Farm in West Virginia. After arriving, we headed out on a hike up the mountain. I did not know we would be hiking that first day and it was not an easy hike plus there were tons of stranger. We all quickly learned that strangers are just friends we haven’t met yet. As we reached the top of the mountain, we read scripture together and sat in God’s beauty for a while before heading back down the mountain to begin our service to those in need within the valley. Throughout the week, I experienced joy while on the mountain top and also while serving the people and making new friends. I feel like this is a great way to understand the phrase “Rejoice Always.” It is easy to be filled with joy when we are on top of a mountain, in those moments when life is truly beautiful yet in the hard moments in the valley, we might not experience joy as easily but once our attitude is one of gratitude and openness to God, joy is easily accessible. Your perspective affects your experiences and therefore affects your ability to rejoice. When my grandfather passed away, all of my family was by his side but my husband, kids and I because we live four hours from them all. I found joy in the fact that as my grandpa was born into eternal life, he was surrounded by his family and we were there through prayer. Even in the difficult moments, we can experience joy with a grateful heart open to God’s will. If you continue to struggle to rejoice always, all you have to do is ask God to give you joy. - Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate - Part two will be posted soon and dive into what it means to pray without ceasing. “Jesus calls us, as his disciples, to a new way of life – the Christian way of life. He calls us individually, by name. God intends each one of us to play a unique role in carrying out the divine plan. The challenge, then, is to understand our role – our vocation – and to respond generously to this call from God.” -USCCB- I would like to take a moment to introduce myself, I am Derek Jensen. Jill, our four children & myself have been parishioners of St. Matthews for around 8 years. About three years ago I had a desire to become more involved, it became very important for me to have a stronger relationship with my parish. I started working with Father Dave on where my talents might be best utilized. I first was asked to join the Stewardship Committee, where I have served for over 2 years. I then was appointed to the Finance Council by Father Dave and within a few months was asked to serve as the chairperson. I attend the monthly Pastoral Council meetings as part of my commitment to the Finance Council as well. Being a steward of the parish in my volunteer duties has allowed me to be closer to my faith, accomplish my personal goal of being more involved and allows me to feel better about myself. I have learned in the process that being a good steward of the parish means much more than monetary giving, it means giving my time and talents as well. By doing so, only now do I feel I am giving all I can to my parish. - Derek Jensen - “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10 “Christian Stewards respond in a particular way to the call to be a disciple. Stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live. Jesus’ disciples and Christian stewards recognize God as the origin of life, giver of freedom and source of all things. We are grateful for the gifts we have received and are eager to use them to show our love for God and for one another. We look to the life and teaching of Jesus for guidance in living as Christian stewards” -United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - All are welcome to share a short reflection (300 words or less). Please include how you live stewardship within your life, how you give back to God for the gifts He has given you, and why it is important for you to be a good steward.
I'm sure some of you are thinking that you are not a good steward or that you don't do enough to write a reflection but the truth is, you only needed to say yes to one thing in order to be considered a good steward. If you have any questions or would like to submit your stewardship reflection, please contact Kate Tyler at 363-5238 or [email protected] I really enjoy the St. Matt's Mingle because you're able to socialize with people you normally wouldn't have an opportunity to meet. You get to know a variety of affable St. Matthew's parishioners and share good food, drink, and great conversation! With the daycare option provided, it's nice to mingle and get somewhat of a night out, while still knowing your children are safe and secure in the church. I would highly recommend others join us at the St. Matt's Mingle on April 22nd after the 6 p.m. Mass for the opportunity to make new friends and strengthen a sense of community with our St. Matt's family!
- Emily Moses - Parishioner - Often we celebrate the Triduum focusing solely on Jesus, and for good reason. After all, this week is the height of our Faith. We reflect on the Passion of Christ with great sorrow and love. But even our fullest experience of the Triduum is nothing to what Mary experienced as she walked through these three days with her most beloved Son. This Triduum, I encourage you to reflect on the Passion of Jesus in light of Mary, His Mother.
This Easter season, let us walk with our Mother through the Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Let her be our spiritual guide, and let her take us to a deeper level of understanding and devotion. -Emily Gignac Director of Faith Formation If you would like to read more about Mary and Jesus' Passion, here are a few articles that I found very touching, and helped me in writing this article.
To Altar, Cross and Sepulchre with Mary: A Triptych for the Sacred Triduum The Mystical Sorrowful Mysteries The Importance of Mary at Easter Mary was Witness to the Whole Paschal Mystery "As Christian Stewards, we receive God's gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others and return them with increase to the Lord." - United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - Our Parish Stewardship Committee has decided to monthly highlight those from our parish who are good stewards of the gifts God has given to them. The first of two ways you will see this information shared is through a bulletin insert on the 4th weekend of every month. Each bulletin insert will include details about stewardship. We will showcase reflections written by parishioners exemplifying their acts of stewardship within our parish and/or larger faith community. The second way is through our parish blog. Bulletins are a great way to spread information but so is the internet! All are welcome to share a short reflection (300 words or less). Please include how you live stewardship within your life, how you give back to God for the gifts He has given you, and why it is important for you to be a good steward. I'm sure some of you are thinking that you are not a good steward or that you don't do enough to write a reflection but the truth is, you only needed to say yes to one thing in order to be considered a good steward. For example, I said yes to a friend who asked me five times to get involved in youth ministry at my parish as a teenager. From that yes, I was asked to attend a retreat that winter. Because of that yes, I was asked to attend a Steubenville Youth Conference that summer which then led me to say yes to serve on the Student Ministry Team, go on a service trip, attend World Youth Day in Germany and....well I could go on for days about how each simple yes led me to the next thing which eventually led me to becoming the Pastoral Associate here at St. Matthew's but my point is that saying yes once is all it takes to be a good steward. Have you said yes to being a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server or Hospitality Minister? Have you said yes to helping with an activity at the School, Faith Formation Classes or in the Parish? Have you said yes to attending Mass at St. Matthew's? Have you said yes to attending a program promoted by our parish? If you said yes to any of those questions, then you would be considered a good steward and we want to hear your story. Your reflection and a photo can be emailed to me at [email protected] Two times each month, we will share a reflection right here on our Parish Blog. Can't wait to share with you soon about what all of you are doing within our parish. St. Matthew's Catholic Parish is blessed to have so many wonderfully gifted human beings as a part of our family. Thank you for your willingness to share your gifts with the parish as well as for helping share your example of stewardship. - Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate - 2016 has ended. A new year has begun. For the past week people have been reflecting on everything that happened last year and have started their resolutions for 2017. It is easy to reflect on the big events that happened during the past year whether they were positive or negative. I encourage you to consider two deeper questions "What did you learn in the past year and how do you hope to grow this year?" These questions help me to reflection on how God has been working in my life this past year as well as come up with my goals for the new year. I spend time reflecting on the past and then begin planning for the future. Yet it is in my daily actions that I form habits which then create the person I will become. Every year, I make it a goal to grow closer to God. I think this is a new year's resolution for everyone. There is always more to learn about God and our Catholic faith. We can all work on our prayer life. Thankfully our parish has access to a great resource to help us to learn more and grow spiritually. FORMED.ORG offers plenty of ways to grow closer to God and deeper in knowledge about our Catholic Faith. If you do not yet have our parish access code contact the Parish Office at 363-8269 or email [email protected] or [email protected] Here are few suggestions of things to check out on FORMED.ORG: Programs: - ECHO: A 36 part video-based study of the United States Catholic Catechism of Adults (USCCA) presented by Bishop Donald Hying of Gary, Indiana. These short and engaging videos introduce each chapter of the USCCA and provide an inspiring start to personal or group study of our rich Catholic Faith. https://formed.org/course/581cb21072e0ff781f728326 - LECTIO - PRAYER: In six video sessions, Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God captures the secret to opening our hearts and minds to Scripture as the means to hear from God and then respond in conversation, basking in his presence and resolving to live in and through his love. The Lectio Divina approach includes Reading, Reflecting, Responding, and Contemplating. https://formed.org/course/5661d4098d0f20c00f1075c4 - BELOVED: This series has 6 videos to help couples to understanding the true meaning of marriage is one thing, living it out is another. Beloved: Living Marriage examines the day-to-day challenges of being united as husband and wife, while maintaining individuality. Whether you are preparing to get married or have been married for years this is a great resource to use with your spouse or spouse-to-be. https://formed.org/course/55a92486505d8ba80aa99c21 FORMED also has Audio Talks to listen to, Movies to watch and Ebooks to download and read. There are even resources for Children to check out on FORMED. The best way to find out what is available on FORMED.ORG is to go search and find what interests you.
So next time you are doing the dishes or clean, consider turing on an audio talk instead of the radio. The next time you are waiting in a doctor's office, consider downloading a book and reading it while you wait. Instead of renting a movie, consider picking one of the movies about the lives of a Saint. What program, movie, audio talk or book have you enjoyed on FORMED.ORG? We love to hear your suggestions. - Kate Tyler, Pastoral Associate - |
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