November GIFT Follow
Up Email
Thank you for
attending our November GIFT Gatherings! We hope that you enjoyed learning about
different Catholic prayer traditions like Intercessory Prayer, Meditation,
Praying with Scripture (the Ignatian way) and Taize Prayer Around the Cross. If
you were not able to attend the GIFT sessions this month, please click the link here to download the PowerPoint presentation from the event.
At this month’s
gatherings, the Catechists led the K-4th grade children through
chapter 5 in their books. Please work through the remaining chapters in Unit 2
with them before the 1st week of December, chapters 4 & 6. The
website for the text is http://calltofaith.osv.com which is where you can download the home lessons for chapters 4
& 6.
The 5-8th
graders explored the prayer styles with the adults and high school students during
these sessions.
There are a couple of
FREE apps that I would like to share with you to enhance your prayer lives…1)
Loyola Press (Jesuit) has a 3-Minute Retreat app that features a short
scripture verse, question to reflect upon and soft music in the background.
It’s timed so if all you have is 3 minutes – that works! 2) the
World Community for Christian Meditation has an app which includes timers for
your meditation (like Jeff Erickson mentioned on Weds night) but it also
features the weekly readings.
Other Resources:
Pinterest – November
Family Faith Ideas http://www.pinterest.com/smff2013/november-family-faith-ideas/
There are some really good ideas for creating family prayer boxes or prayer
boards.
Vibrant Faith @ Home – www.vibrantfaithathome.org
Sabrina’s Blog – Do you children ever ask you faith
related questions that you are just not sure how to answer? Or do really cool
things related to their faith that you want to share with the community? If so,
follow the blog http://faqsfaithandquestiosn.blogspot.com
Attached are the
Taking Faith Home handouts for each week until we meet again on Dec 1st
or Dec 4th for the December
GIFT sessions: Following Jesus: “Preparing for the Messiah”. (Mea culpa – I
forgot to put the issue out for this past week – so I’ve included it in here).
Also – there are
several opportunities coming up for families to celebrate Advent &
Christmas. Please put these on your calendars!
·
Nov 30th –
Dec 8th is our annual GIVING TREE. The gifts you bring help the St.
Francis Center in Redwood City. More information will be available in the
bulletin.
·
Dec 8th –
Las Posadas – we re-create Mary & Joseph’s journey through the streets of
Bethlehem trying to find lodging so that the Baby Jesus can be born. We
celebrate in song and with a reception at the end
·
Dec 14th –
Breakfast with Santa from 10-12 noon. Free breakfast and pictures with Santa –
donations gratefully accepted
·
Dec 14-15th
– Third Annual Christmas Creche Exhibit – display your Nativity Set and have it
blessed after all the Masses
·
Dec 24th –
Christmas Eve Pageant at 4:30 pm – rehearsals on Dec 15th and Dec 18th
–must attend at least one of the rehearsals
Finally, here are the SEVEN FAITH PRACTICES FOR FAMILIES
1.
Offer a prayer at meal time
2.
Call upon the saints
3.
Reach out to help a neighbor in need
4.
Savor a few minutes of silence
5.
Ask for God’s blessing each morning
6.
Receive the Holy Eucharist for strength and
nourishment
7.
Give thanks to God each night
How’s your Family Faith Plan coming along? I’d love to hear
what you all decided, how you’re planning to implement your ideas and if you
need any support from the parish community or staff!
