The Upper Room is the place the Apostles spent time during the passion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The Last supper and washing of the disciples’ feet took place in the Upper Room the night before Jesus’ death. The disciples used the space as a home base during the 50 days following Easter. While in the Upper Room, they spent time discussing what they just experienced, they prayed together and finally they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. They were then sent out unafraid to serve God and spread the Good News. With these Scriptures in mind, we were inspired to create a weekly event called Upper Room. Each Monday night and Tuesday night all are invited to join us as we dive deeper into what Jesus taught us, make time for prayer, have discussion and learn how to go out into the world to be disciples of Christ. There are two different types of programs as a part of Upper Room. One will be the Catholic basics and the other will go deeper into Catholic topics. Monday nights will go over the Basics of the Catholic Faith. All are invited to join us. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, then Monday nights is made with you in mind but all are welcome to join us. There is always so much we can continue to learn about our faith and our relationship with God. We will meet for 10 weeks from March 11 to June 3 leading up to Pentecost on June 9 when those interested in becoming Catholic will join the Church at Mass. Tuesday nights will go deeper into the faith. For 5 week from January 29 to February 26, we will take a Biblical Walk though the Mass. We are still finalizing the details on what we will do throughout Lent to continue to grow closer to God. PARISH ACCESS CODE FOR FORMED.ORG IS C98696 During the winter months we take a break so that we can all slow down to enjoy the Advent and Christmas Seasons. Between now and when we begin meeting again, you are invited to check out Formed.org. This is like a Netflix of Catholic Resources. Use our Parish Access Code to use these resources for free. Here are few suggestions to check out on FORMED.ORG: LISTEN - Audio Talks: The Case for Jesus with Dr. Brant Pitre, True Worship with Father Mike Schmitz, This Changes Everything with Ken Yasinski, Made for Greatness with Leah Darrow, Pray like a Saint with Matthew Leonard, WATCH-Movies: Joan of Arc, Bakhita From Slave to Saint, Restless Heart, Saint Francis of Assisi His life & Miracles, Mary of Nazareth, Pope John Paul II There are 168 hours in a week. We are asking for just 3 hours a week to build a relationship with Christ.
Calendar & Topics for Spring 2019 Upper Room We will meet in the Faith Formation Room at 7pm.
If you have any questions, contact Kate Tyler at 319-363-5238 or [email protected]
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St. Matthew’s is excited to begin a new faith formation program for families starting this fall! Family Formation draws families together to grow in faith at home and within the Parish. It replaces Wednesday evening classes. Family Formation is designed for ALL Parish families with kids in Grades K-5! This includes those at St. Matt’s school, public schools, and home schools. Mission: Family Formation is designed to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” and to help families grow in the transforming love of God by understanding and living the Catholic Faith. “The family is a domestic church.” - Lumen Gentium, 11 - Starting this fall, our Faith Formation program for elementary aged children will change to meet the needs of our Parish. Family Formation is a family-based catechetical program for all Parish families with children in Kindergarten through Grade 5 with an emphasis on adult formation. Why the Change? “Parents are the primary educators in the Faith. It is for this same reason that the Christian community must give very special attention to parents. By means of personal contact, meetings, courses, and also adult catechesis directed towards parents, the Christian community must help them assume their responsibility of educating their children in the faith.” – General Directory of Catechesis, articles 227 and 255. In Baptism, parents promise to raise their children in the Catholic faith. Our current Wednesday evening programs focus mostly on teaching children directly, and do not equip parents properly for their role as the primary catechists of their children. Changing to a family-based faith formation program empowers parents to make faith a part of their home. What will Family Formation Look Like? Family Formation combines a monthly church gathering with weekly at home lessons. The first Sunday of each month, children meet in grade-specific class settings while parents gather for adult catechesis and formation. We complete each monthly gathering with the celebration of parish Mass. Parents are given materials and an overview of weekly home lessons to teach their children the Faith. - The program coincides with the school year from September through May, starting in the Fall of 2018. - Monthly gatherings will be on the first Sunday of each month from 8:30AM – 11:30AM, with families attending 10:30AM Mass. - There will be 3 home lessons each month, with families given the flexibility to do these according to their schedule. - First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation is incorporated into this program for second graders. Registration begins April 15 for Family Formation! Visit our website and click on Grow In Faith for much more information and to sign up your family!
Come and See! You are invited to attend our Family Formation Preview Night on Wednesday, April, 25 from 6:15-7:30 PM in St. Matthew’s school gym. Families with children in Grades K-5 can come to experience our new program during a night of fellowship, prayer, and education. You will be given more information on Family Formation, as well as home lessons to try out. “Parents are the primary educators in the Faith… Indeed in the same way as the Church, the family is a place in which the Gospel is transmitted and from which it extends.” - General Directory for Catechesis, Article 255 - 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 - You may think of Catholic education as just attending a Catholic school, but there are multiple ways to provide children with a Catholic education. You can participate in your parish's religious education program, teach the faith at home, or enroll in a Catholic school. None of these options are better than the others, they all provide wonderful and unique blessings in the formation of young Catholics. Let's look at three amazing aspects of each form of education. Religious Education
Catholic School
No matter what avenue of education you have had, or you choose to provide for your children, know that they are all good. They all provide children with the knowledge, community, and relationship with God they need to live as members of the Body of Christ. When thinking about Faith Formation, remember that it starts at the home. What parents do to pass on their faith has the biggest impact on that child's future. So before you start stressing about what school to attend, start talking about faith in your family. That is where real Faith Formation begins.
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