Good Shepherd Gathers - PRAY (Teens)
​​Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Live In Peace

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  En nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo.

We say these words so often, we might forget to stop and think about what they mean. So this Trinity Sunday let's stop and reflect upon this mystery of our faith - our God is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In a special way this week as we witness the damage to human beings and human relationships presented by the sin of racism, let's reflect upon how God, who is love, reveals himself to us in the Trinity as a God of relationship. There is no love without relationship, and God embodies the perfect relationship in the Trinity.

WATCH: What Is the Holy Trinity? (2:39 min) to help you understand how God embodies the perfect relationship in the Holy Trinity. 
​Because God is a God of relationship, and we are created in God's image and likeness, it stands to reason that we are also called to be in loving relationship with one another. Because God is perfect love, we are called to build relationships and communities grounded in and nurtured by love. In our world today we see how hard it can be to live in communities of mutual love. How do we build the Kingdom on earth that God calls us to?
​
​Catholic Social Teaching
​​The Church teaches that we must put love into action, and that active love has two feet that move individuals and communites forward: Charity and Justice

We often talk about charity --  How can you put love in action by promoting justice? 
​
First it's important to understand the elements of social justice...

​Seven Pillars of Catholic Social Teaching
​​​The Church teaches that there are 7 pillars of social justice. Click HERE to learn more about each pillar. In light of current events this week, let's focus on SOLIDARITY:

"We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Blessed Pope Paul VI taught that “if you want peace, work for justice.” The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict."

Watch this video to dig deeper into what Solidarity means - Catholic Relief Services: Solidarity
​
At times like this it can be overwhelming to ask yourself, "What can I do?" Remember that God does not want you to be overwhelmed! When we are overwhelmed, we feel paralyzed, and when we feel paralyzed, it's hard to get outside of ourselves to love and serve others. Start by taking some time this week to reflect on how you can take some first steps:
PRAY
We need prayer to guide our actions. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you on your journey.
LISTEN and LEARN
Seek out reliable sources (don't believe everything you see or read on the Internet) and seek to listen and learn with an open, curious mind about the history and experiences of those whom have suffered historic, systemic racism in our country.
  • A place to start: Talking ABout Race, an educational portal created by The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

ACT
What can you do to promote justice?
  • A place to start: Use this week's second reading from St. Paul's letter to the early Christian community in Corinth to examine your own heart -- how you think, feel, and act in your own community of family, extended family, friends, school, activities. In this letter, St. Paul asks the Corinthians to: 
Mend your ways -- Are there changes you can make to your behavior to bring peace and love to your communities?
Encourage one another -- How can you be positive and encourage those around you to promote peace and love?
Agree with one another -- You don't have to have the same opinions as others, but try to genuinely see another person's point of view and respond with empathy.
Live in peace -- Are you in conflict with those around you? How can you reduce or heal interpersonal conflict?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PREVIOUS POSTS​​​​​​
Sunday, May 31 - Pentecost Sunday
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

​This week we come to the end of the Easter season as we celebrate an important beginning: The Birthday of the Church at Pentecost! During this Easter season (Easter is not just one day), Christians celebrate Jesus' resurrection, ascension into heaven, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon thedisciples at Pentecost. See the graphic on this page to see how far we've come on our walk with Jesus to Pentecost!

What is Pentecost? The Feast of Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter and marks the birthday of the Church - the time when Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit (remember the Advocate from 2 weeks ago?) is fulfilled so that they can have the strength and courage needed to go out and spread the Gospel - the Good News - all over the world. Before the Holy Spirit came, they were afraid to go out and share Jesus' message. After they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they overcome their fears and reach out to everyone - and not just the Jewish people. The Holy Spirit empowers them to share God's word with people of all nations and languages.

Understanding what happened at Pentecost is central to understanding what happens in the sacrament of Confirmation. In Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we received in Baptism are strengthened in us in a special way. Why? Because it is hard to be a Christian and we need help, just like the disciples did. Just as Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to empower, guide, and console the disciples so that they could continue Jesus' work, the Holy Spirit empowers, guides, and consoles us in our mission to be co-workers with God in building His Kingdom on earth. Indeed, the Holy Spirit INSPIRES (which literally means TO BREATHE INTO) us to fill our lungs and our hearts with God's love and purpose so that we can reach out and serve all of God's children on this earth with love, mercy, and compassion.

THIS WEEK
Read: Acts 2: 1-11 (First Reading for Pentecost Sunday) ​

​Watch:​
1. The Story of Pentecost. A creative dramatization of the story of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and equipped them to follow Jesus' command to go out and "make disciples of all nations." (2:32 min)
2. Pentecost in Two Minutes. A summary of the meaning and significance of Pentecost and its connection to the sacrament of Confirmation. (2 min)
3. The Power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to put our faith into action - to love and care for every one of God's children. (5 min)
4. The World Needs You. In the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), God chooses you and empowers you to fulfill His mission of building His kingdom on earth in the way you live your daily life. (5 min)
​Reflect:
​In Father Tom's video introduction to this week's theme, he tells us to be careful what we ask for when we say "Come, Holy Spirit, Come!" Why? Because the Holy Spirit will challenge us to get out of our comfort zones to be instruments of God in the world. 

Before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the disciples were  afraid to go out and share Jesus' message with other people. The Holy Spirit challenged the disciples and gave them the courage they needed to come out of hiding and proclaim the joy of the Gospel to people far beyond Jerusalem - people of all nations and languages.

Sometimes you, too, may feel insecure about talking with people you don’t know or have much in common with. You may not literally speak a different language than someone, but you may still feel like there is a world of difference between you, such as interests, social groups, religions, races, ethnicities, etc.
  • Who in your world are you insecure about talking to, reaching out to? Why? 
  • How might you reach out to someone who is "different" to find out what you have in common?
  • How can you share God's love with people who are "different" from you?
​Act: 
Finish your Service Project, take a picture of it, and email it to Ms. Rosie at r.driscoll@gs-cc.org by Monday, June 1. Remember, you have a choice to do ONE of the following: If you are behind and can't complete it in time, don't stress. Just send Ms. Rosie an email and ask her for further guidance.

​ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​
  • Check out The Shepherd's Voice, where Father Tom has been explaining each of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in a series of short videos.
  • Listen to the song Same Power by Jeremy Camp and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the music and lyrics.
Sunday, May 24 - Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Go and Make Disciples

​In the last 6 weeks of our journey through the Easter season (see the graphic on this page), we see that, after the resurrection, Jesus keeps showing up to the disciples to help them “get it” -  to help them understand the Good News: that God sent His only son to teach and heal us; and to suffer, die, and be resurrected to show us the way to abundant life in this world and eternal life in the next. 

In this the 7th week of our Easter Journey, we celebrate Jesus’ ascension to heaven. In his final visit to the disciples before returning to the Father, they are still uncertain and confused. Even though they are not quite there in their understanding of the Good News, Jesus commands them to “go out and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). This sending forth to share the Gospel message with the whole world is known as the Great Commissioning.

As young people preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation, you, too, may feel like you’re not quite there. You may have your doubts and wonder what this “Good News” is all about. But no matter where you are on your journey to Confirmation, take heart. As Father Tom said in his intro video this week:

 “If those disciples doubted in the presence of Jesus Himself, we can hope that Jesus will have patience with us too in our moments of doubt and worry and fear...What a consolation for us - Jesus has from the beginning chosen people to be not only followers but also co-workers from among the ranks of the doubters and those who are worried and afraid.” (Father Tom)

Jesus called the disciples - and he calls you - to continue on the path of discipleship - to continue to learn, and to be a co-worker in continuing His mission. And he makes a crucial promise:  “I am with you always, until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). You are never alone!

So this week we’ll explore what the word DISCIPLE means, and how you can be a  disciple of Jesus in your own life. 
THIS WEEK
Read: Matthew 28: 16-20

​Consider:​
WHAT is a disciple?  
  • A disciple is one who learns, following the path of a teacher and doing what the teacher does (we learn by doing!). 
HOW can you be a disciple of Jesus? 
Reflect:
Fr. Mike describes 4 habits of discipleship: relationship, showing up, consistency, commitment. Reflect upon what those 4 habits mean, and ask yourself: 
  • Who in your life fits the description of a disciple?
  • Which of the 4 habits is the hardest for you right now?
Consider writing or drawing to help you focus your thoughts, and having a conversation with a parent, Confirmation sponsor, or other trusted person. 

​Act - 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​
Listen to the song I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin and invite God to speak to you through the music and lyrics.
Sunday, May 17 - 6th Sunday of Easter 
Jesus: I Will Come to You
In this Sunday's Gospel reading we see Jesus, as we did last week, consoling his disciples at the Last Supper. He reassures them that although he will leave them, he will not leave them alone. He will send them the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit, the 3rd person of the Trinity, is difficult to grasp. Pictured throughout the Bible with images such as a dove, fire, wind, and breath, this week the Holy Spirit is described by Jesus as an Advocate. 

What does that mean?

​The word Advocate is an English translation of the Greek word Parakletos ​used in John's Gospel. Literally it means one called alongside of, especially to the aid of.  It's also been translated as counselor or helper. In John's Gospel, Jesus describes this Advocate as the Spirit of Truth that lives in each one of us. Just as the sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd in Jesus' parable of the Good Shepherd that we read two weeks ago, we recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit that whispers to us God's Truth - about ourselves, about others, and about Him. We need this truth to guide us closer to God as we walk on our life's road. 

The Holy Spirit offers us seven gifts to help us grow in God's love. We received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Baptism, and they are strengthened in us in a special way in the sacrament of Confirmation. When we use these gifts, they bear special fruit in our lives and in the lives of others (see the graphics for the seven gifts and twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit). 
​
The Holy Spirit moves through you when you use any of these gifts in service to others, and see the fruits of those gifts grow.

You can see the Holy Spirit at work in your life when you experience others sharing the gifts of the Holy Spirit with you, and you experience their fruits. ​
THIS WEEK
Read - the Gospel reading for the 6th Sunday of Easter, John 14:15-21

Watch - The Holy Spirit, Catholic Central to learn more about the Holy Spirit. (4:30 min)

Listen - Listen to the song Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns and invite God to speak to you through the music and lyrics.
​
Reflect -
  • Who is an advocate/counselor/helper in your own life?
  • For whom are you an advocate/counselor/helper?
​Consider writing or drawing to help you focus your thoughts, and having a conversation with a parent, Confirmation sponsor, or other trusted person. 

​Act - 

​ADDITIONAL RESOURCES​

 Holy Spirit and Seat of Wisdom
  A Prayer by John Paul II

Holy Spirit and Seat of Wisdom
help us in the great endeavor that we are carrying out
to meet on a more and more mature way
our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Through all the means of knowledge, of mutual respect, of love,
may we be able to rediscover gradually the divine plan.
Teach us constantly the ways that lead to unity.
Help us all to proclaim Christ and reveal the power of God
and the wisdom of God hidden in His Cross.
How greatly I desire to entrust to You
all the difficult problems of the societies, systems, and states--
problems that cannot be solved with hatred, war, and self-destruction,
but only by peace, justice, and respect for the rights of people and nations.
Amen. ​
Sunday, May 10 - 5th Sunday of Easter 
Jesus: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

​Have you ever been in the car with someone who refuses to ask for directions, even if you are hopelessly lost?  Or in the opposite situation - have you been with someone who follows the GPS so closely that they would drive into a lake before realizing they are getting faulty directions?

Right now, we are on a journey and it may feel like we don’t know where we are going or where to get the best guidance. We don’t know what lies around the next corner or how long this journey will be. We may feel lost or disoriented, or we may have set our sites on an unrealistic path.  

Throughout the Easter season, we have learned about how Jesus accompanies us on our life's journey (see the infographic on this page). This week, we learn where our walk with Jesus is taking us - His Father’s House, Heaven.  We also find guidance on how to get to our destination.  Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Jesus himself is the compass that guides us to Heaven.

THIS WEEK
​Read: This Sunday's Gospel reading, John 14: 1-12

Watch: One-Minute Homily: God's Guideposts (Fr. Marc Fryer, SJ)
​
Reflect: ​Take some quiet time this week to reflect on the following questions raised by Father Marc in his one-minute homily.​  
  • ​​What people, places, things, and events have served as guideposts for you on your journey to grow closer to God?
  • What keeps you from paying attention to those guideposts?
  • In what ways can you pay closer attention so that you don't miss God's guideposts?

​Consider writing or drawing to help you focus your thoughts, and having a conversation with a parent, Confirmation sponsor, or other trusted person. Ask them the same questions.

​​​Act: Do the Community Activity - Map Your Way - found on the LIVE page HERE.
  • Don't forget to send a photo of your map to gather@gs-cc.org!
  • Here are some ideas of how to include Jesus guideposts in your life map this week:
​​The Way - Service: Jesus shows us the way by His example of loving and serving others.   
  • ​Sunday is Mother's Day! For your Acts of Mercy Project this week, do something kind for your mother. If your mother is no longer with you, do something kind for a person who is like a mother to you.
  • Pray to our Blessed Mother Mary for your mother and all mothers. 
​The Truth -  Scripture: We learn God's eternal truth through the Bible, Jesus’ parables, the Ten Commandments,  the Beatitudes, the Our Father prayer, the obedience of Mary, and so much more. 
  • Read a chapter a day, or a chapter a week, of one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). 
  • Pray the words Jesus gave us: the Our Father, or el Padre Nuestro
  • Review the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.  How can you use these as a guide this week?
​The Life - ​Sacraments: We know that we must have food and drink to sustain life. Jesus provides us His body and blood through the Eucharist to sustain our spiritual life.  All of the sacraments are gifts from God that nourish us on our life journey.
  • Sadly we can't receive the Eucharist at this time, but we can pray the Spiritual Communion Prayer before watching the Mass (or at any other time). 
  • Remember the sacraments you have received - get out photo albums, share stories, ask family members to share as well. ​​
​​ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

​LIVE OUR FAITH AT HOME
Click on the blue house for this week's Community Activity and a list of service opportunities.
Sunday, May 3 - 4th Sunday of Easter 
Jesus, the Good Shepherd: We Recognize his Voice and Follow Him
In the Gospel reading for Good Shepherd Sunday, we hear Jesus tell a parable about a Good Shepherd who knows, loves, protects, and guides his sheep. He calls them by name, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. In the parable, the sheep represent us -- like sheep, we often get lost if we are left to our own devices. We need Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to guide us on the path to happiness and holiness.  
THIS WEEK
LEARN: Read Jesus’ parable of the Good Shepherd HERE. Then, let’s take a look at three important lessons Jesus teaches us in this parable. ​​

​Jesus calls us by name. Jesus knows each one of us by name - as unique individuals. Like the Good Shepherd calls His sheep by name, God calls each one of us to our own special mission, or VOCATION. The root of the word vocation is vocare - “to call.”  VOCATION is:
  • God’s call to each one of us to a particular state of life: married life, single life, priesthood, religious life, AND
  • God’s call to each one of us (no matter what state of life we choose) to dedicate our talents to a mission that will make the world a place of love, kindness, and mercy.
Watch Matthew Kelly, Made for Mission 11.1 - The World is a Mess (6:44 min) ​​​
​​
 We recognize His voice. We are intimately connected to God our Father, who loved us into existence. We recognize his voice like the sheep recognize their shepherd. Although the following video clip is about a puppy rather than a sheep, check it out!  You’ll see the puppy’s reaction when he hears his foster mom's voice coming from his forever mom’s cell phone. ​The puppy recognizes the voice of the one who held him and nurtured him for the first 8 weeks of his life, and responds with tail-wagging love and joy! If there can be so much joy in a puppy recognizing his foster mom’s voice, how much more joy might we feel when we recognize God’s voice! 
​​
We follow Him. To follow Jesus is to live God's mission for you, whereby you collaborate with God in building a better world. When we follow the life path Jesus calls us to, we gain "abundant life."
  • Watch this recent story about a man who heeds God’s call to feed the hungry and, despite hardships, finds abundant life and joy: Bruno’s Story (3:02 min)
​Reflection Questions: Take some quiet time this week to reflect on the questions below. Consider writing or drawing to help you focus your thoughts, and having a conversation with a parent, Confirmation sponsor, or other trusted person. Ask them the same questions.

How Can I Hear God's Voice?
In this week's intro video, Father Tom says:  "We hear the voice of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and recognize His presence in our lives:
  • when the words of the scriptures are proclaimed;
  • in the prayers we say which are so familiar to all of us;
  • when He speaks to us in the silence of our hearts;
  • and when we recognize His voice in the words, deeds, gestures and glances of the people whom we love."
Have you heard God's voice in any of the above? Try to quiet whatever noise surrounds you so that God's voice can break through.

How Can I Follow Him?
Your unique talents and your deepest desires hold the clues to help you discover your mission in life.
  • What are your unique talents? What activities bring you joy? 
  • How might you use your talents and your joy to serve others?

LIVE: Here are a few ways you can live what you've learned.
  • Continue your Acts of Mercy Project. Ask yourself each day, “What’s my mission today? What is Jesus calling me to do today to help my family, friends, neighbors, or community?”​
  • Do the Community Activity on the LIVE page. Invite your family to do it with you!
  • Listen to the song Be Still (The Fray) and invite God to speak to you through the music and lyrics.

​​ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
​On this Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Please pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, especially for our diocese, that God will raise up good shepherds among us: 
 
​   Father you call each one of us by name and ask us to follow you.
   Bless your church by raising up dedicated and generous leaders
   from our families and friends who will serve your people
   as Sisters, Priests, Brothers, Deacons, and Lay Ministers.
   Inspire us as we grow to know you,
   and open our hearts to hear your call.
   We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Sunday, April 26 - 3rd Sunday of Easter 
Walking Together With Jesus
​ 
​This Sunday we meet two of Jesus’ disciples traveling from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus after Jesus’ resurrection. They think their world has fallen apart after Jesus’ crucifixion. They're confused and scared. While they walk, Jesus joins them on the road, but they do not recognize him. He listens to them talk about the terrible things that have happened, then explains the Scriptures to help them understand all that the prophets foretold. Still they do not recognize him. But they are so drawn to him they invite him to share a meal. When Jesus breaks and blesses the bread as he did at the Last Supper, they finally recognize him as Jesus, the Risen One.
​
The Road to Emmaus story reminds us of the many ways that Jesus makes himself known to us on our own life’s journey:
  • He meets us as we wake, as we eat, as we go to school (even now at home!), as we play, as we rest, as we worry, as we rejoice, as we reflect in our minds and hearts about our experiences.
  • He meets us in our conversations with one another.
  • He meets us in the Scriptures we hear at Mass and read on our own. He wants to share his story with us!
  • He meets us in the Eucharist we receive at Mass, and in the many ways we “break bread” when we share God’s love and mercy with one another.
​THIS WEEK
1. Read the Road to Emmaus story HERE.
2. Watch a short video of the story HERE. (Scroll down to Luke, Chapter 24)

Questions for reflection: Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, sometimes we don’t recognize Jesus walking with us on our life journey.
  • What things blind you to Jesus’ presence in your life?
  • How do you recognize Jesus walking with you?
Activities:
  • Take a walk outside - look for signs of God’s presence.
  • Go to the LIVE page to do the “Jesus Sightings” activity. Invite your family to do it, too!
  • Continue your Acts of Mercy Project so that you can share yourself with others as Jesus shares himself with us in the Eucharist. Let people recognize Jesus’ presence in you.
Sunday, April 19, 2020 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Divine Mercy Sunday
Jesus, I Trust in You!

This Sunday is called Divine Mercy Sunday. In the Gospel reading, we encounter the disciples hiding in a room after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. They are anxious and disoriented. Things did not turn out as they expected, and they are fearful of what might happen next. 

​We may be able to relate to the disciples during these weeks when we are sheltering in our homes. Like them, we may feel anxious about the future, uncertain of what lies ahead. We may question, "Where is God in all of this?"

But Jesus arrives and tells his friends,, "Peace be with you." He shows them his wounds and they realize that he is indeed the Risen Lord. Jesus does not scold them for not understanding the resurrection sooner, or for having abandoned him at the cross. Rather, He offers them mercy. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we are invited to trust in Jesus' mercy toward us, and hear his call to action for us to show mercy toward others.​
THIS WEEK
​1.  What is Mercy? Mercy is the feeling of compassion for someone in distress. 
To explore this question further, watch How We Participate in Divine Mercy, Fr. Mark Mary, Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
  • Reflect:  Who are the people in your life to whom you struggle to show mercy? Why is it hard?​

​2.  How Do We Put Mercy Into Action? The fruit of mercy is action - specifically, service to those in need.
  • How can we put mercy into action this week and in the coming weeks?

We Can Pray: 
There are many ways to pray. This week, in celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, we'll pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
  • A chaplet is a vocal prayer and can be prayed as a petition, or in adoration, or in thanksgiving, or in reparation for personal sins or the sins of the nation.
  • Typically, a chaplet follows a set sequence of prayers and then repeats those sequences, commonly known as “decades” of ten or seven repetitions. 
Watch this video of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet: Divine Mercy Chaplet | Franciscan Friars of the Renewal . ​
  • You will hear repeated: “For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
  • As you watch and listen,  replace “the whole world” with the names of particular people in your life who need mercy.

We Can Serve:
First and Second Year Confirmation Students: Acts of Mercy Project
In response to the fact that everyone is sheltering at home, we have changed the original service project requirements for 1st and 2nd Year students.
  • Your new service project will run from this Sunday, April 19 through Pentecost Sunday, May 31.
  • Please read the instructions and details HERE. 
  • Contact Ms. Rosie with any questions, r.driscoll@gs-cc.org or 703-780-4055, ext 330

Confirmation students AND teens who have received Confirmation: 
​Go to the LIVE page below to see this week's Community Activity, which is tied to the Acts of Mercy Project.
Sunday, April 12, 2020 - Easter Sunday
He Is Risen!
​Alleluia!  He is Risen!
On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Through Holy Week we have walked with him in his suffering. On Easter Sunday, we celebrate God's transformation of the suffering of the cross into life for the world - into life for each one of us! As Jesus emerges from his tomb, he invites us to do the same - to come out of the tombs that keep us dead to love and joy, and follow Jesus on the path to true life.
​​ 
​THIS WEEK
One-Minute Homily: Easter Changes Everything
  • Watch this one-minute homily by Fr. Michael Rossman, SJ. 
  • Reflect on the questions below. Try writing or drawing while you reflect.
  • Have a conversation with your parents, your Confirmation sponsor (if you have one at this point), a sibling, a trusted friend or mentor. Ask them how they would respond to the same questions.
​​Questions for Reflection and Discussion
1. Father Michael reminds us that believing in Jesus means believing that love triumphs over death, and suffering does not have the last word.
  • What struggles (crosses) have you been bearing lately?
  • What good has come or might come out of those struggles?
2. He also challenges us to see that this belief has a claim on us - which means it changes not just how we think, but also how we act in the world.
  • How might you share that goodness (new life) with others?
​​ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
  • ​Music Video: Sidewalk Prophets, Live Like That
  • Prayer: Jesus, no one knows change better than you. You died on the cross, and three days later you rose from the dead. Forty days later you ascended into heaven, and the world was transformed for the rest of time. Help me to transform my heart, to die to sin and death, and to be reborn in your love and eternal life. Amen. (from Dynamic Catholic)
Sunday, April 5, 2020 - Palm Sunday
Walking With Jesus
​The coming week brings us to Holy Week, the holiest week of the Christian calendar. It starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly with crowds waving palms and hailing him as king. But as we walk with Jesus through Holy Week, we see that everything gets turned around - expectations are shattered as Jesus is condemned, has to carry his own cross to Calvary, is crucified, dies, and is laid in the tomb. On Easter Sunday, we see that God has actually set things right, raising Jesus from the dead and showing us the way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the next. This way to happiness is to walk with Jesus always - learning from his words and actions, and imitating him so that we can build his Kingdom here on earth.
​THIS WEEK:
To help us walk with Jesus in a special way this Holy Week, we are going to pray the STATIONS OF THE CROSS. The Stations of the Cross are 14 stations representing different moments on Jesus' journey from being condemned to being placed in the tomb. Participants walk with Jesus and meditate on the experiences he had on his journey to the cross. Meditating on the steps he took helps us to connect to Jesus on our personal journey as we carry our own crosses.
​
First, watch this video to learn about how this form of prayer came about and why we do it.
​Next, watch this Stations of the Cross Meditation created several years ago by a group of Good Shepherd teens. As you watch, you'll learn exactly what the stations are, and see a reflection question for each station. Don't feel the need to do anything at this point other than watch and take it all in. 

After you watch the video, reflect on the following questions that go with each station. Consider writing your thoughts down in a journal or just some plain paper to help you center your thoughts and connect to Jesus.
Stations of the Cross Reflection Questions
1. JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH.
Reflection: Think about a time when you were unjustly punished for something you didn’t do. How did you feel?
2. JESUS TAKES UP HIS CROSS.
Reflection: What is something in your life that is difficult to deal with?
3. JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Reflection: Think about a time you struggled and failed. How did you feel?
4. JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER.
Reflection: How do your family members show their love and support for you when you are suffering?
5. SIMON HELPS JESUS CARRY HIS CROSS.
Reflection: When have you helped someone through a difficult time?
6. VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS.
Reflection: What are some simple ways you can show compassion to friends who are having a hard time?
7. JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME.
Reflection: What is something that you have really struggled to do but didn’t give up on?
8. JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM.
Reflection: Who are 3 people in your life who really care about you? How do they show they care?
9. JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME.
Reflection: What is something you eventually succeeded at doing in spite of great difficulties?
10. JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS.
Reflection: When have you felt humiliated and disrespected?
11. JESUS IS NAILED TO THE CROSS.
Reflection: Think about how hard it must have been for Jesus to be crucified.
12. JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS.
Reflection: Consider how very much Jesus loves you.
13. JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS.
Reflection: Consider how Jesus’ friends and family felt when they watched his body be taken down from the cross and his body taken away.
14. JESUS IS LAID IN THE TOMB. Silent Reflection.

We pray that after walking with Jesus through the Stations of the Cross, you may feel comforted that He is always with you. He has expereinced all of your sufferings, understands you, wants to comfort you, and wants to show you how to transform your pain into new life for yourself and others as He did for us.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Sunday, March 29, 2020 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Finding Peace in Suffering
Picture
In this Sunday's Gospel reading (John 11:1-45), we hear the miraculous story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. Like all of Jesus' miracles, it is a story of transformation: from despair to hope, sadness to joy, death to life. It foreshadows Jesus' own resurrection that we will celebrate two Sundays from now at Easter, which is the core mystery of our faith. It's a mystery that not only gives us hope for eternal life in heaven - it helps us live a life of hope on earth. We can find peace in the difficulties of our daily lives when we are connected to God and feel His presence, accompanying us in our pain and showing us how we might transform our challenges into new life - for ourselves and for others.

In order to be connected to God, however, we need to devote time to conversation with Him in PRAYER. Last week we invited you and your family to create a special place for family prayer in your home. This week, we invite you to develop your personal prayer life. We find peace in our suffering when we see that God is with us in it - let's encounter Him and get to know Him in prayer.
THIS WEEK:
1. Watch the two short videos about prayer.
2. Read and think about the reflection questions.
3. Have a conversation with your parent, Confirmation sponsor, and/or any other trusted person in your life about prayer. Ask them how would they respond to the reflection questions. Share with them your responses. Feel free to ask questions.​​

SILENCE
1. What noise in your life keeps you from hearing God's voice? 
​2. Has that noise changed with the change in your routine now that school and activities are cancelled?
3. Do you find it difficult to be in silence? Is silence comforting to you?

THE BIG QUESTION
1. Do you have a place to go to pray by yourself?
2. Do you have a habit of prayer?
3. If so, what helps you maintain that habit? If not, what gets in the way of that habit?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
1.The Examen Prayer Card: A five-step prayer method from St. Ignatius of Loyola. Click HERE.
2. St. Francis DeSales, Prayer for Peace: Click HERE
3.The Saints' Litany: A litany is a form of prayer containing a series of petitions (requests) followed by fixed responses. This one, sung by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, asks a series of saints to pray for us. A great way to pray through music. Click HERE.