Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Family Feature Friday: Wall-E
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Today and tomorrow we celebrate two hearts, one of a son, the other his mother. Today is the solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Tomorrow is the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If you have not already checked out Fr. Anthony’s blog, click HERE; he shares information about the two hearts as well as the consecrations to both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Elementary Activities:
High School Activities:
Learn about the St. Margaret Mary and the vision of Jesus and his Sacred Heart HERE.
Reflect on the Readings for the Sacred Heart HERE and the Immaculate Heart of Mary HERE.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Playlist
Family Feature Friday: Wall-E
The movie for this Family Feature Friday is Wall-E. It is rated G and runs 1 hr and 38 min and can be rented/purchased HERE. It is a movie about robots trying to fulfill their purposes, they are all trying to help humanity in each of their own programmed ways. However, the movie anthropomorphizes the robots with feelings and wills, which means we should think of them as representative of humans with their full range of emotions for the purposes of the following questions.
Wall-E’s job is to clean the earth to make it habitable for human beings, but the task appears to be way more daunting and improbable for that lone robot to handle. However, he never gives up on his duty, even though it seems hopeless. Do we ever feel like giving up on our duties? Do we sometimes feel like everything we do doesn’t make a difference. How can we learn from Wall-E to fight those feelings? What benefits does Wall-E get for never giving up on his job?
The humans aboard the Axiom are portrayed as extremely lazy. They commission robots to do everything for them, even to clean the earth while they wait and merely exist in space. What negative effects does having every need attended to have on human beings? What happens to the humans who only interact with each other online even though they are only a few feet from each other? Are their lives healthy? Are their relationships healthy? What is the purpose of their existence just sitting in the chairs? Or are they called to be more than that? What does this say about how we should limit our time online on the internet, phone, or in video games.
What are the similarities to the story of Adam and Eve and this movie? Who/What is the snake? What did Adam and Eve have to do to the earth when they left Eden? (A: They had to work hard to till the land and feed themselves with the swear of their brow)
How are we called to be good stewards of the earth? God created earth for humans, so earth exists to serve us, but how can we abuse that gift? What did the humans do at the end of the movie to be good stewards? Did this give them more purpose than when they were in the spaceship?
Reflect on this Bible passage and how it relates to the movie:
He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds of the air nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-bringing forth food from the earth. (Psalm 104:10-14)
6.Eve was at first repulsed by Wall-E’s shoddy appearance, but he slowly grows on her. What qualities did Wall-E have that made Eve look past his physical appearance? (A: from question 1, his dedication, determination, and perseverance; all virtues he gained by never giving up on his seemingly futile task).
Creation Series: Let There Be Light
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“Then God said: ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called ‘night.’ Evening came, and morning followed—the first day.” (Genesis 1: 3-5)
Elementary Activities:
Home Light Box
Light Take Home Packet
Light Hand Shadow Puppet Show
Light and Darkness Home Craft
High School Activities:
At the beginning of creation, the world was chaotic, “without form and void” (Gen1:2). Out of nothing, God begins to create. Over the next six days God would change the formlessness and the emptiness. Days 1-3: God forms this world with day and night, sea and sky, and land and vegetation. Days 4-6: God fills with emptiness with the sun, moon, and stars, fish and birds, man and animals. On day 7, God rests.
*For more information, look at footnotes in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: Genesis.
In the first day, God creates day and night. Here time is created. On the fourth day, there will be a parallel with the creation of the sun, moon, and the stars, where our concept of the length of 24-hr days begin. Yet, how was there light before the sun existed? We continue to visit the importance of reading Genesis in context, we are not seeking so much scientific answers, but the answers to the philosophical questions. This first chapter of Genesis answers better the Why? questions as opposed to the How?
Yet light plays such an important role in not only our physical lives, but our spiritual lives as well. One big childhood fear is usually being afraid of the dark. Yet, God brings forth light; he conquers our fears. In John’s Gospel, we are reminded that Christ, the Son of God is the light of the world, and the darkness cannot overcome him.
What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1: 3b-5)
We are called to be lights in this world. God uses us as new creations to be lights among the chaos and fears of darkness. We have an important role, in sharing this Gospel of light to others. Even when we fear the future or the evil that surrounds us, we can stand as lights, showing others the faith that will bring all joy, peace and consolation.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
(Mt 5:14-16).
Corpus Christi Sunday
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This week we celebrate Corpus Christi Sunday, giving us a space to reflect on the highest point of our faith, the Eucharist. Christ Jesus gave us himself entirely, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist. As we celebrate the first public Sunday Mass in the San Diego diocese, we reflect on our dire need to be nourished by Christ and our Lord’s abundant mercy in nourishing us.
Elementary Activities:
High School Activities
Reflect on the Gospel for this weekend through Lectio Divina.
Article: Corpus Christi: How to Live the Feast
Article: Corpus Christi: The King(dom) is Here!
Family Feature Friday: Finding Nemo
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Today’s Family Feature Friday is Finding Nemo (2003). It is rated G and runs 1hr and 40min. It can be rented or purchased HERE. This movie is a heartwarming story of a father and son that become separated. The story explores the complex dynamic between freedom and safety. It also has a great analogy about a father who is willing to move heaven and earth to save his son, which is a common analogy that the Bible uses to describe God.
1. Nemo blatantly disobeys his father just to rebel. He is under the impression that his father just wants to keep him from having fun and being popular. Were the rules for Nemo for his own good? Reflect on the following maxim: "Actions have consequences".
2. How does Marlin treat Dory at different times in the movie? What does this say about how we should treat other humans with mental disabilities? What are the qualities that Dory has that most people don't have that allow her to be a good friend?
3. Reflect on the following Bible verse and how it relates to the movie:
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Mt 18:12-14)
4. In what ways is Marlin similar to God? In what ways is he different?
(A: God also will do anything to save us, including sacrifice himself (confrontation with the sharks and jellyfish etc. Talking about the differences is a good time to talk about free will. God does not try to force us to follow us, he just wants the best for us, and we have to reciprocate.)
5. From the point of view of Nemo, calamity befell him because he disobeyed his father. It was this terrifying journey away from his father that made him realize he wanted to be with and listen to his father. Do you think Nemo would have come to this realization had something bad not happened to him? What does this say about one of the several reasons that God lets bad things happen in the world?
6. Nemo has a physical disability, but he doesn't let that stop him. He perseveres bravely forward. In what ways is Nemo a good example? Is Nemo self conscious about his fin? Or is he comfortable with it?
Creation Series: Creation Overview
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We have benefited so greatly from science on how the world came to be. We have researchers who have dedicated their lives in pursuit of knowing the hows. But science doesn’t give us the why of creation. Only the Creator himself can. God created out of nothing, freely choosing to do so. He had no need to create but does all for our sake- that we may experience his goodness and life.
Elementary Activities:
Creation Cube Activity
Days of Creation Wheel
In the Beginning Bookmark
High School Activities:
God created because he is love itself. When we reflect on creation, we reflect on the desire God has to make himself known. Throughout salvation history he does this.
Thus the revelation of creation is inseparable from the revelation and forging of the covenant of the one God with his People. Creation is revealed as the first step towards this covenant, the first and universal witness to God's all-powerful love. And so, the truth of creation is also expressed with growing vigor in the message of the prophets, the prayer of the psalms and the liturgy, and in the wisdom sayings of the Chosen People. -CCC 288
God calls creation to share in his own life. God gives life to all things and calls everything into existence. Creation finds its fulfillment in the return back to God, eagerly awaiting the completion of man’s redemption, for it will then be glorified with him (Romans 8:19-21). God in his providence sustains and guides all creation back to himself.
Reflect on the Creation accounts in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2
Do we believe that all of creation was done in six 24-hr days? The Church fathers give evidence that this not the case. Catholic Answers had a brief synopsis on the Church Fathers and Genesis HERE.
Creation Series: Creator and Family Feature Friday: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
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Throughout the next few weeks, we will be going over the creation account in Genesis. Today we will be looking at our Creator. Creation is something that reveals God to us and helps us understand Him. However, creation is also something that is revealed to us by God and throughout the next few weeks, we will look at the truths of the faith to help us understand the created order.
High School Activities:
We are more than just cosmic accidents. We have a God that loves and care for us. By our very existence and interaction with creation, we can know that there is a God. This is what we call natural revelation. It’s natural because our own reason can provide for us the conclusion that their is something beyond us.
However it is through Divine Revelation- God speaking and revealing himself to humanity, that we know the Christian God. We know God is trinitarian, not by our own reason but by God’s very revelation to humanity. We know our Creator, and we know him intimately because he wants us to know him.
CCC 50: By natural reason man can know God with certainty, on the basis of his works. But there is another order of knowledge, which man cannot possibly arrive at by his own powers: the order of divine Revelation. Through an utterly free decision, God has revealed himself and given himself to man. This he does by revealing the mystery, his plan of loving goodness, formed from all eternity in Christ, for the benefit of all men. God has fully revealed this plan by sending us his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
We were more than just cosmic accidents. We were loved into existence.
A lot of people will critique the Church for not engaging in science, but this is far from the truth. The more we learn about the created order, the more we learn about the Creator himself.
For great information on the connection between faith and science, check out the Magis Center. They have a plethora of free resources to answer the tough questions on the relationship between faith and science. Click HERE for a talk on Faith, Science and Creation.
Family Feature Friday: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
This week for Family Feature Friday, the movie will be Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 version please). It is rated G, runs 1hr 29min, and can be purchased or rented HERE. This is a children's movie with an underlying Christian theme behind the whole story. Even though the whole plot and movie are designed to entertain children, there can be quite a dark undertone as calamity befalls each child. The reason that the 1971 version is so important is because of what Charlie does to deserve the Chocolate Factory is completely different in each movie. In the 2005 version, it almost seems like Charlie wins the factory by "being less bad" than the other kids and the movie seems to imply that being poor is a merit in itself. However, in the 1971 version, what earns Charlie the factory is his remorse, and repentance for his actions.
1. Each of the children represent a deadly sin in their own right. Which deadly sin belongs to each of the children?
A: Veruca: Greed; Violet: Pride; Augustus: Gluttony; Mike: Sloth.
2. Charlie's grandpa is the one that comes up with the idea to quickly steal a sip of the fizzy drink because "no one is watching". He then says, "a small one won't hurt us". He takes a sip himself, and then shares the forbidden drink with Charlie. What famous Biblical Story does this remind you of?
A: Adam and Eve eat from the tree.
3. The Oompa Loompas come out to sing a song every time something happens to one of the children and they say "if you are wise you'll listen to me". What do they preach in each of their songs. If you act like them, what will you gain according to them?
A: For the most part, they preach moderation, but in one of the songs they blame the parents for making their children spoiled. You will live in happiness just like the oompa loompas do.
4. Reflect on how the following Bible verse relates to the movie.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Did each of the children create their own predicaments? Or were they unavoidable accidents?
5. The Chocolate Factory is meant to represent paradise, but each of the children disqualify themselves from living in paradise (like the oompa loompa do) by breaking the rules. Even Charlie Breaks a rule. So why does he get paradise in the end?
6. At the end of the movie, Charlie's Grandpa, after being told that "you lose!", walks away making disparaging remarks about Willy. He essentially accuses Willy of being cruel for not over looking the rule-breaking. He then huffs and tries to convince Charlie that he is better off without Wonka or his paradise. Who wants to be a part of something so exclusive he thinks.
Who are the people or what are the things that make us think that we don't really need paradise to be happy? What made Charlie realize that his grandpa was wrong? What would have happened if he followed his grandpa out the door?
Happy Birthday Church: Pentecost
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Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost! This marks the birth of the Church, as the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples in the upper room. It is through the Holy Spirit that Christ continues to remain through the Church. It is through the Holy Spirit that the grace is available to the Church. It is through the Holy Spirit that conversions continue to happen everyday.
Elementary Activities:
Pentecost Cookies
Pentecost Coloring Page
Family Feast of Pentecost
Fire Sticks
Middle and High School Activities:
Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost. A few weeks back, we talked about the Sacrament of Confirmation and touched a bit on the feast of Pentecost.
One of the most powerful prayers we can pray is the Come Holy Spirit prayer. As we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives, we can do incredible things by God’s grace; we just first need to let him in.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Here are some resources to help study Pentecost:
God’s Pentecost Promise Ascension Press Article
Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit Podcast ft. Dr. Edward Sri
Pentecost Sunday with Jeff and Fr. Mike
Holy Spirit and Confirmation C2 Slides
Below Are Some Scriptural Study Videos from Dr. Brant Pitre on Pentecost and Charismatic Gifts:
Family Feature Friday: UP
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This week’s Family Feature Friday is Pixar’s Up . It runs 1hr and 36min and is rated PG. It can be rented or purchased HERE. This Pixar movie focuses on Carl, who overcomes grief through an adventure with an unlikely friend and neighborhood scout, Russel.
Up has one of the best and most moving montages throughout all of cinematography. Within four minutes at the very beginning of the film, we see Carl and his wife Ellie stand together in marriage, working to overcome the numerous obstacles and sufferings they face within everyday life. They embrace the trials together, which only helps their love grow stronger.
Reflection Questions:
What are some things within the montage of Ellie and Carl that you see within your life? When are some sufferings or trials that brought your family closer? How do you find joy in the everyday life?
In Genesis 2:18, The LORD says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suited to him.” How do Carl and Ellie complement and help each other? How do you see your parents or grandparents serve and help each other?
We are called to love our neighbors as God loves us, and we have the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy in helping us do so. Carl and Ellie show love for one another, especially in works of mercy: caring for the sick, comforting the afflicted, and burying the dead. How do you show mercy and care for your family, friends, and neighbors?
When Carl is alone, he is grumpy and frustrated, but when Russel comes to help him, he slowly starts to warm up and to see beyond himself. We are saved and come to know God through the body of the Church. Why do you think we need others in our life? Why do you think community is so important?
Carl conflated the house that he and Ellie built together with her. At some point he has to choose between saving the house or saving Russel. What helped him to choose to let go of the house and to save Russel?
Carl is there for Russel, even when Russel’s dad is not there for him. God is their for us even when our human relationships fall short. How have your seen God with in moments when your needed him the most?
Here are slides on the Incarnation and the Movie Up from a youth night back in January. We talked about how God continues to pitch his tent among us all throughout Salvation History. We see it in the Tent of Meeting with the Israelites in the Old Testament, in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, and in the Church today. Throughout this Pandemic, OLMC has kept Christ accessible with daily Eucharistic adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and an open Church. That has not been the case for every parish or diocese, but nevertheless, Christ is still with his Church, especially through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Normally on May 31st (since it falls on a Sunday this year, Pentecost takes precedence), we celebrate the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth. Shortly after Gabriel the Archangel visited Mary to announce that she will become the Mother of God (the solemnity of the Annunciation), Mary made haste to her cousin Elizabeth who was miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist.
Both women had parallel pregnancies. Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband had also been greeted by Gabriel and was promised that Elizabeth, who was thought to be barren, would bear a son. Mary, was told that she would give a virgin birth to the Son of God. Though both pregnancies seemed impossible, the Lord made true to his promises, and salvation came forth.
Mary, though pregnant herself, made haste to help and care for Elizabeth. We reflect on the mystery of the Visitation in the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. The fruit of reflecting on this mystery is Love of Neighbor. Mary continues to show her love for others, coming forth from her immense love of God.
Elementary Activities:
Do You Love Your Neighbor Worksheet (with Instructions)
Spot the Difference Visitation Worksheet
Visitation Coloring Page
Ways to Be a Good Neighbor
High School Activities:
Sometimes we can be turned off from the idea of helping others when we are struggling ourselves. Mary reminds us to pour out and to give even out of our necessity.
Mary makes haste to tend to her cousin Elizabeth, and as she arrives, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and John the Baptist leaps with joy in her womb. Elizabeth acclaims,
“Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:42-44).
Mary, filled with both humility and magnanimity, proclaims the greatness of the LORD in her Canticle. (Luke 1: 46-55).
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Below is a beautiful rendition of the Canticle of Mary:
Mary remained with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her home.
Our Lady models for us the virtue of hope. She knows both her dependence on God and the great things that he can do in working through each of us. She trust in the promises that God has made, and she gives completely of herself to others.
How can we give out of our necessity? How can we love our neighbor even when we feel like there is not much to give?
Additional Resources:
Here is a super cool and brief Scriptural study of the Visitation account in Luke: Mary’s May Crowning from Ascension Press
The Visitation through Mary’s Eyes from Ascension Press
Family Feature Friday: Meet the Robinsons
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Today’s Family Feature Friday is “Meet the Robinsons”. It is rated G and runs 1hr and 34 min. It can be rented or purchased HERE. "Meet the Robinsons" (2007) was written for and made in honor of Walt Disney's death. As such, it can probably be considered the last Disney movie of that "Walt era".
Since then, most of the new Disney movies (with the exception of the Pixar ones) have seemed to have some sort of agenda behind their making. "Meet the Robinsons" is the definition of family friendly. It has a simple narrative with tons of excitement, but at the same time it delves deep into real human emotions. "Meet the Robinsons" is a story of two orphan kids trying to find their proper place in the world. They both long for family, acceptance, and purpose; the movie follows their discovery of these things.
Reflection Questions:
1. Lewis almost abandons his unique strengths because he became too afraid of failure. Are we sometimes afraid of being too unique? Do we sometimes avoid something good, just because there is a chance that it might not work out? How does FEAR keep us from doing good or great things? Do we let fear influence our decisions?
2. The following passage talks about fear and worry as it applies to physical items like food and clothes, but it can also be applied to things like fear and worry about rejection and failure.
Matthew 6: 25-34
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ...You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
3. The theme of the movie is "Keep Moving Forward". How does this motto affect Lewis? ? What would have happened to Goob if he listened to the advice of this motto? Is the motto similar to the saying: "Fall down 8 times, but get up 9 times"? How does these motto's apply to the sacrament of Confession? What should we be trying to move forward to all the time? (A: many acceptable answers here like "God" or "becoming a saint")
4. We see two possible outcomes for the future of "Goob". What led to each of those futures? What does this say about free will? Is it possible that even someone like Hitler could have been a good person had he made different choices in his life? What was the deadly sin that Goob fell prey to? (A: Envy)
5. Sometimes, we can take things that we have for granted. But when we see other people who do not have those things that we take for granted, it can help us appreciate those things. Lewis did not have a family at the beginning. What should you appreciate about your family? Why did Lewis want a family? What did living with a family give Lewis? What does your family do for you?
Ascension Sunday
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This Sunday, we are celebrating the Ascension of Jesus. This complete the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ, and it is in the ascension, that Jesus brings the humanity to Heaven. God met mankind in the Incarnation of Christ, and then brings us with him in his Ascension into Heaven. During the Ascension, Christ entrusts the Apostles and promises to give them the Holy Spirit.
Elementary School:
Ascension Color by Number
Ascending Jesus Craft
Middle and High School:
Do you know of any famous last word? People are there most authentic when they are about to leave this earth. That is why many people make sure that their last words are their most important ones. Some people will utter the names of their loved ones with their last breath like T.S. Eliot, and others like Bob Marley will share a core part of their life philosophy.:
“I will hear in Heaven” - Ludwig von Beethoven (was deaf)
“Pardon me, I didn’t do it on purpose” - Marie Antoinette (To her executioner at her unjust execution)
“I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have” - Leonardo de Vinci
“Money can’t buy life” - Bob Marley
“Valerie” - T.S. Eliot (his wife)
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20). When Jesus ascended into heaven, with his last words he thought about us. And we know these were the most important things he wanted to say to us because they were the last things he physically got to say to us. We call these last words, "The Great Commission".
The Great Commission has 4 commands:
Go
Make Disciples of all nations
Baptize
Teach them to observe all that he has commanded
One of my favorite Gospel passages is the Great Commission. This Sunday, we will be celebrating Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven, and it is here that we will hear Jesus’ final words.
Christ reminds us of the task that we are to carry out, which is so deeply united to the Sacrament of Confirmation. This Great Commission is a sharing in the divine mission, which Jesus modeled for us within his earthly life. In Confirmation, we are sent, like the Apostles during Pentecost, and Christ, who call us friends, lets us share in his mission. We get to be Christ’s hands and feet to the world. We get to share in the prophetic voice of speaking God’s hopeful message of freedom and truth to everyone we encounter. We get to be Christ’s arms, ready to welcome all into God’s family, the Church.
Last words are carried with high value. Christ gave these words with high responsibility. Yet he also reminds us that he is going to remain with us, as he is to send an Advocate, the Holy Spirit to remain with us and empower us so that we can carry out his mission.
Ascension Press: Do You Believe the Words Jesus Spoke Before His Ascension?
King of the Cosmos- Article on the Ascension of Christ
Confirmation: Welcome into God's Mission
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In this final section of the reflection of the Sacraments of Initiation, we are reflecting on the Sacrament of Confirmation. This Sacrament is one of the three Sacraments that leave an indelible (or uneraseable) mark upon one’s soul. This means that once you are confirmed, you are confirmed for life; nothing can take away the Sacrament, and there is nothing you can do to receive it again. It is so powerful, that even when you die, you are still confirmed. The other two Sacraments that also leave an indelible mark are Baptism and Holy Orders.
Baptism and Confirmation go hand-in-hand. In Baptism, God welcomes you into the family; in Confirmation, God welcomes you into the mission of the Blessed Trinity. Though there are many misconceptions about what the Sacrament of Confirmation is, this Sacrament is what made the Church possible.
Elementary Activities:
Dove Flame Stained Glass Activity
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Fruits Science and Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Still Fruit Water Coloring
Activities and Information for Teens and Parents:
The question that stumps the most people in the year 2 Confirmation Exit Interview has been, “Describe to me the Sacrament of Confirmation. What is it?” The candidates are at the final stage of two years of preparation, and most aren’t quite sure.
This Sacrament is often confusing. The majority believe that Confirmation is us confirming our faith to God, and it is what makes us adults in the faith. Some even go as far to say that this is a graduation from faith formation, and unfortunately this belief often times become practiced. There has been a great decline in participation in faith during college aged years. Yet the Sacrament of Confirmation is much more than a graduation. Though it happens that the Diocese of San Diego has the Sacrament conferred at the age of 15, some dioceses it is celebrated as early as third grade (and even the Eastern Catholic Church celebrates chrismation/Confirmation as infants- to read more about the age differences click HERE). Confirmation is more about God maturing our faith than it is about our maturity in age. If we knew what the Sacrament of Confirmation really does, our lives would be forever changed.
This is a Sacrament, not where we confirm our faith (though we do profess and affirm the Creed)- but rather it is where God confirms our faith within us. In Baptism we are made children of God, but in Confirmation, the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are stirred and sealed within us, so that we can enter into God’s mission- which is the salvation of souls. We get to become coworkers in God’s heavenly vineyard, and we are given the strength to share the Gospel and to evangelize to our friends, family, peers, and even strangers!
We will soon be celebrating Pentecost, which is when the Holy Spirit, the Advocate whom Christ speaks, comes upon the disciples in the upper room (read the verses in Acts). This is the birth of the early Church. These disciples, who were in fear because Jesus had ascended into Heaven, were filled with zeal at Pentecost. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were able to speak in the native languages of the peoples so that everyone could understand the Gospel message. Their boldness was mistaken for drunkenness.
It says in Acts 2:14-15, “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. These people are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.” He continues in 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 3000 were baptized that day because of the Gospel message!
In Confirmation, we receive our own Pentecost, we are sent on the same mission as the Apostles! It is just the beginning of the faith journey, as we are entrusted with the divine task of sharing the Gospel. This is why we have the Sacrament of Confirmation, as we cannot do divine work without God’s grace. The Sacrament is conferred by anointing with Sacred Chrism, which is what was used to send soldiers out for battle. We are being sent out on a spiritual battle to rescue and bring back all our brothers and sisters into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.
Additional Resources
Confirmation Slides from C2 Class
Misconceptions About Confirmation
Avoiding Errors in Confirmation Catechesis
Unpacking Confirmation, Baptism, and the Birth of the Church
Family Feature Friday: The Lion King
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This week’s Family Feature Friday is The Lion King (1994). It runs an 1hr 28 min and is rated G. It can be purchased or rented here.
The Lion King is probably one of Disney's best animated movies of all time. It is also one of the darkest Disney animated films dealing with murder, conspiracy, oppression, and a son trying to come to terms with his father's death. Animation already softens the horror of real life, but combine it with the personification of animals, and you get a family friendly movie that deals with real emotions that any adult or teenager can be impacted by.
1. How did Mufasa respond when Simba deliberately disobeyed him by going to the elephant graveyard? Was he firm and strict? Or was he understanding? Was he a good father?
Answer: He was both firm and understanding. The fear of the moment was a punishment in itself; it's own natural consequence.
2. What does Scar promise the hyena's to turn them into his minions? What deadly sin did Scar appeal to? How did that turn out for the hyenas at the end of the movie? Did they get everything they wanted?
Answer: He promised them unlimited food and access to fresh kills instead of the scraps. He appealed to their envy of the lions.
3. Early in the movie, Mufasa revealed to Simba what his purpose in life would be and the rules Simba would need to live by with the responsibility of King. When did God reveal to us his purpose for ourselves? When did he reveal to us the rules we need to live by? Did Simba fulfill those obligations when he ran away to the oasis?
4. Are lions meant to eat bugs, or are they designed for another purpose? Why was it wrong that Simba was just eating bugs? Do we sometimes settle for things that are beneath our design just because it is easier? What things do we settle for? What are we designed for? How can we avoid being tempted by bugs and cheap slogans (hakuna matata)?
Answer: That was not what he was created to be. He was avoiding his responsibility by living off of bugs instead of the feast of gazelle he was meant to have. He taught himself (wrongly) to settle for something less that what he was created to do.
5. What deadly sin is Simba guilty of? Were Timon and Pumba good virtuous friends? How does Simba overcome his sin and who helped him realize it? What fear was causing Simba to fall into sin? Who else suffered because of his refusal to do his duty?
Answer: Sloth. Timon and Pumba led him to sloth. Rafiki, Nala, and his own conscious (the apparition with Mufasa) all helped him overcome his sin of sloth. They helped him overcome his fear of failure, rejection, and duty.
6. If your children are old enough, here would be a great time to bring up how Men desire to make themselves better so they may be worthy of a woman. At the same time, it is women's expectations of men that push them to become better individuals. Therefore, it is important to teach our daughters to have high expectations of men and to not settle. And it is important to teach our sons to master themselves in order to prepare themselves for marriage. This observation is a small part of Theology of the Body.
7. Reflect on the following Bible verses and how they relate to the movie:
Ecclesiastes 10:18
"Through slothfulness the roof deteriorates, and a house leaks because of idleness."
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10:
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
Our Lady of Fatima
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three children of Fatima: Lúcia Santos, and St. Francisco and St. Jacinta Marto
