Family with Teen(s)
Pray
Advent prayer during exams
Come, Lord Jesus.
You bring joy and salvation into the world.
Give us the strength to find joy amidst the stress of semester tests
And the wisdom to find truth in our studies.
We ask this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
You bring joy and salvation into the world.
Give us the strength to find joy amidst the stress of semester tests
And the wisdom to find truth in our studies.
We ask this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
learn
The Nativity Scene
Do you have a nativity scene in your home at Christmas time? What do the figures look like? Do they look like you and your family? Does it look like a scene from the Bible stories about Christ's birth?
Here is an interesting article that describes how people from different cultures imagine the nativity. Elements of various cultures and ethnicities have been incorporated into nativity scenes from different parts of the world. After reading the article, why don't you do what it suggests -- design you own nativity scene?
Here is an interesting article that describes how people from different cultures imagine the nativity. Elements of various cultures and ethnicities have been incorporated into nativity scenes from different parts of the world. After reading the article, why don't you do what it suggests -- design you own nativity scene?
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Do
See Christ in Everyone this Christmas.... and All Year
During Advent, we prepare to welcome Jesus. We remember Jesus who was born, lived, and died as a human being like us, and who was raised from the dead. We are reminded that Jesus is with us as we journey through our lives. And we anticipate Jesus coming again at the end of time to gather all things to himself.
As we prepare to welcome Jesus in all these ways, let's not forget to welcome Jesus present in other people. We are all created in God's image and likeness, and we are all equally loved by God. Jesus became human for all of us. Here is an article that discusses how the Church is to welcome everyone, no matter what. WE are the Church. WE are called to welcome all of God's children -- not only to Church, but at school, on our sports teams, in our neighborhoods.
As we prepare to welcome Jesus in all these ways, let's not forget to welcome Jesus present in other people. We are all created in God's image and likeness, and we are all equally loved by God. Jesus became human for all of us. Here is an article that discusses how the Church is to welcome everyone, no matter what. WE are the Church. WE are called to welcome all of God's children -- not only to Church, but at school, on our sports teams, in our neighborhoods.
confirmation connection
Images of the Holy Spirit
The December Faith Formation gathering had the teens searching the Bible for phrases and Scripture which we hear at liturgy. We then had the teens read the Pentecost readings and come up with some ideas of how to make the readings relevant to believers today. Here is a link to these readings. These readings introduce us to the many signs and symbols of Confirmation, including wind, breath, fire, and spirit.
Wind is very powerful. We feel it when we walk, it turns turbines, it can sail ships. We can’t see it or catch it or hold it. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is powerful. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can change our lives. The Spirit refreshes us, brings peace, calm and gentleness into our lives.
Fire burns and destroys. Fire warms us and we feel welcome as we gather around a fire. The Holy Spirit melts away sin and molds us into the type of people God wants us to be. We pray, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
The Confirmation Rite includes more symbols. The candidate is called by name. God knows our name. Our names are special. When called by name by the bishop, we are reminded that the young person belongs to God and is committing to God.
Anointing with oil is an ancient tradition. Priests, kings, and prophets were consecrated with oil, as a sign of receiving special strength from God. It was a sign of being specially chosen for a mission by God. When the candidate is anointed with the Chrism oil, they are called to be a witness to the faith. It seals their baptism. The bishop says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” God seals the candidate as God’s own.
Share your thoughts with your teen about these symbols. When you see wind or fire, let it be a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit in each of us.
Adapted from Confirmation Symbols
Wind is very powerful. We feel it when we walk, it turns turbines, it can sail ships. We can’t see it or catch it or hold it. Like the wind, the Holy Spirit is powerful. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can change our lives. The Spirit refreshes us, brings peace, calm and gentleness into our lives.
Fire burns and destroys. Fire warms us and we feel welcome as we gather around a fire. The Holy Spirit melts away sin and molds us into the type of people God wants us to be. We pray, “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.”
The Confirmation Rite includes more symbols. The candidate is called by name. God knows our name. Our names are special. When called by name by the bishop, we are reminded that the young person belongs to God and is committing to God.
Anointing with oil is an ancient tradition. Priests, kings, and prophets were consecrated with oil, as a sign of receiving special strength from God. It was a sign of being specially chosen for a mission by God. When the candidate is anointed with the Chrism oil, they are called to be a witness to the faith. It seals their baptism. The bishop says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” God seals the candidate as God’s own.
Share your thoughts with your teen about these symbols. When you see wind or fire, let it be a reminder of the power of the Holy Spirit in each of us.
Adapted from Confirmation Symbols
