GIFT: MORALITY/ “LIVING FAITHFULLY” February 3 & 6, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENTS  Mind Body Spirit Retreat – Feb 9 th from 10-4:30 pm  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday February 13 th – we have Masses at 7:30 am & 7:30 pm.  Join the community for Stations of the Cross or Taize prayer followed by soup supper’s on the Friday’s during Lent at 6:30 pm.  Lenten Service Project: Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Collection SHOW WEBSITE  Reminder about Evaluation Forms & People of Faith magazines.

INTRODUCTION In this Living the Moral Life session will explore our family relationships and how we make moral decisions. We will also explore how the Church guides our conscience formation and how parents help their children and teenagers make decisions based on values and their conscience.

FORMAT FOR THIS GATHERING…  Introduction  Opening Prayer  Break Out Groups …K-8 th with Catechists …H.S. and Adults with Fr. Craig  Return for Summary and Closing Prayer  Dismissal – Home kits

OPENING PRAYER

GATHER Begin “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…”

LISTEN Luke 2:39-52 The Boy Jesus in the Temple

 One member from each family brings their family photo to the prayer table.  Ask each person to write their name on the cross that is on your table.

RESPOND – LEADER: Let us pray for all families, and particularly those who lead our families – for wives and mothers, for fathers and husbands.

RESPOND – LEFT SIDE: As parents, watch over us Lord, and keep our families safe, as the mother eagle guards her young.

RESPOND – RIGHT SIDE: O God, you spoke to Samuel as a still, small voice. Help all parents to find you in everything small and ordinary, and to share you with their children, no matter their age.

RESPOND – LEFT SIDE: We teach our little ones to stand and walk, carefully coaxing balance, and later help to teach them balance in school and play, in friendship, in serving others, in work.

RESPOND – RIGHT SIDE: O God, you trusted Noah with the care of your creatures while they weathered the storm. Help all parents protect those they love, during tempests and travel, in pools and parks. Be the extra eyes they need to keep their families safe, and guide all parents through their fears.

RESPOND – LEFT SIDE: As parents, we deliver our children once, in joy and pain, then deliver them a hundred times more – to school, to practices, to doctors’ appointments.

RESPOND – RIGHT SIDE: O God, as a father you put Jesus under Joseph’s care. Give all parents love and patience enough, to help their families in every way they can.

RESPOND – LEFT SIDE: Guide our families Lord, and keep them upright, falling neither into harm nor selfishness.

RESPOND – RIGHT SIDE: God of us all, you have been steadfast in your presence. Grace all parents with stamina, make them strong enough to stay the course and gentle enough to know your care.

RESPOND – ALL: Teach us Lord, to lead with our love, trusting that you are there beside us.

GO FORTH Lord God, thank you for calling us into a special relationship with you. Open our ears that we may treasure your love for us. Give us the courage to live healthy family lives, and to remain faithful and true in our relationships. Amen.

BREAK OUT GROUPS GroupSunday CatechistWednesday Catechist Kinder/1 st GradeMs. Sharon/Ms. Gigi and Nicole Greenberg 2 nd GradersMs. Jenny & Ms. Susan 3 rd GradersMs. Joanne ThompsonMs. Debbie B. 4 th GradersMs. LauraMr. Michael 5-8 th GradersMs. Sabrina, Ms. Sandy, Ms. Debbie G., Mrs. Rose H.S. /AdultsFr. Craig Forner

SUMMARY  Think of everything you have done in this session to understand how the Church guides us to make moral decisions. To help you take your learning from this session and apply it in your lives, reflect on the following questions, discuss briefly with your table group then share with the large group.

 What would you like to share that you learned today?  Which pieces of advice do you think will be most helpful to you as individuals or as a family?

CLOSING PRAYER  Light the candle on the prayer table.  Begin, “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

GATHER Let us conclude our session with a Gospel story about Jesus and his friends gathered for a special meal. As you listen to the story, remember that Jesus and his disciples spent all their time together for three years or more. They were like family. So, in a sense, this is a story of a family meal and a special time for the “family” to heal and reconcile. Remember that Peter had denied Jesus three times…

LISTEN John 21:1-19 “Breakfast on the Beach”

RESPOND  R: We seek your guidance, O God.

GO FORTH O God, we are grateful for the rich wisdom embedded in all your commandments. You tell us to honor our mothers and fathers, and in turn we learn what it means to be a healthy and whole family. You call us to faithfulness and fidelity, and in turn we learn how to appreciate the extraordinary gift of our sexuality. For all this we are truly grateful, and even more so knowing that you are there to guide us on each step of our learning journey. Amen.

DISMISSAL  Please make sure you pick up a copy of the People of Faith: Generations magazine to take home and continue learning!  Check out our newly designed parish website: