St. Francis of Assisi Weekly Reflections

Strengthening your Faith

04-29-2018Question of the Week

Reading I: Acts 9:26-31 - Saul visits Jerusalem
Reading II: 1 John 3:18-24 - The actions of believers
Gospel: John 15:1-8 - The vine and the branches
Key Passage: [The vine grower] removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. (John 15:2)

Adult: When have you been "pruned" by your experiences in a way that led to greater abundance?

Child: When have you felt stronger or better because you did something hard to help another person?

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First Communion Dress

04-29-2018Liturgy CornerFr. Paul Turner © 2002 Resource Publications, Inc.

Girls sharing communion for the first time traditionally wear a white dress and veil. But the tradition is fairly recent, and the garment is not required. The origins of this custom are not clear. References to white first communion dresses appear in the 18th century. At that time children shared communion for the first time around age 10 to 12 or even older. Several interpretations of the dress emerged: It was the dress of angels who worshiped at God's throne. It imitated the garb of those serving in a royal court. It recalled the baptismal garment. And, of course, it resembles a wedding dress.

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Remaim in Me and you will bear much fruit

04-29-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 2

“Remain in me,” Jesus tells his disciples repeatedly in the Gospel, and you “will bear much fruit” (John 15:4-5). He is the vine; his disciples, the branches. The vine and the branches work together to extend and expand over a large area and to bear fruit in abundance. All this is done under the guidance of the vine grower, God the Father, who prunes the vine to increase the amount of fruit it will bear. What a rich metaphor! But none of this will happen unless we remain in Jesus as Jesus remains in us. John explores this further in his first letter: “Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them” (1 John 3:24). This is how we bear fruit. When we love God and one another by showing that love through our actions “in deed and in truth,” Jesus remains in us and we in him (1 John 3:18). A wonderful example of this is found in the work of Saint Paul, still called Saul in the first reading. His work to build up the Church in the Gentile world has borne fruit now for two thousands years.

How can you bear fruit, and in so doing, witness to the presence of Jesus?

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Eucharistic Prayer Choice

04-22-2018Liturgy CornerFr. Paul Turner © 2004 Resource Publications, Inc.

The Eucharistic prayers used at Mass are in four categories. The first group, simply numbered one through four, contains the principal prayers for Mass throughout the liturgical year. A second group is used for Masses of reconciliation. The two prayers of this group were originally composed for the holy year 1975 when Paul VI was pope, but they have been approved for general use, especially in penitential seasons and days when the Scriptures invited us to reconcile.

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Called to be Shepherds

04-22-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Acts 4:8-12 - The stone that has become the cornerstone
  • Reading II: 1 John 3:1-2 - Recognizing the Son
  • Gospel: John 10:11-18 - The Good Shepherd
  • Key Passage: Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

Adult: Whom are you shepherding in your life right now, and who shepherds you?

Child: Who has been like a shepherd to you by their example? For whom could you be a shepherd?

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I am the Good Shepherd

04-22-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 2

From the stone that the builders rejected to the parable of the Good Shepherd, we hear some very familiar passages from scripture today. Peter starts us off, testifying before the Sanhedrin regarding a cure he performed the previous day. He tells the authorities that it was actually Jesus Christ who effected the cure; Peter was merely acting in his name. He turns the tables on the authorities: the one you condemned to death was raised from the dead and continues to bring life and healing to those who believe. Peter cites Psalm 118, which we sing today: “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22). Jesus is the cornerstone, the foundation holding the building together. He is also the Good Shepherd, holding the flock together. When Jesus says in John’s Gospel, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead,” he may be referring to Gentiles or other outsiders (John 10:16). But he also be referring to future generations of believers, including us. He knows us and lays down his life for us, just as he did for Peter and the other apostles.

How is Jesus the cornerstone of your life? How is he the Good Shepherd?

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Praying the Eucharistic Prayer

04-15-2018Liturgy CornerFr. Paul Turner © 2003 Resource Publications, Inc.

The Eucharistic prayer is the most important part of the Mass. It is also the demanding part. The Second Vatican Council invited the full, conscious, active participation of the people at Mass. During the Eucharistic prayer, the priest has almost all the words, but the assembly is not passive. Even here –especially here – in silence and acclamation, we offer full, conscious, active participation.

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The Living Christ

04-15-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 - Peter's discourse on Jesus' resurrection
  • Reading II: 1 John 2:1-5a - Keeping the commandments
  • Gospel: Luke 24:35-48 - Jesus appears to the Eleven
  • Key Passage: Jesus said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself."
    (Luke 24:38–39)

Adult: What questions about Jesus still arise in the midst of your faith?

Child: What question would you like to ask someone about Jesus' appearance to the Apostles?

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FORGIVENESS leads to Conversion of the HEART

04-15-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 2

Appearing to the apostles after the Resurrection, Jesus reminded them that scripture said the Messiah would rise from the dead and that repentance would be preached in his name to all the nations. Jesus had fulfilled the first part. Now the apostles need to fulfill the second. One of the disciples in that room would have been Peter. Peter accepts this call and we hear him in the first reading admonishing the people of Jerusalem for denying Jesus in front of the authorities. How can he of all people say this, since he himself denied Jesus three times that fateful night? But Peter repented and has been forgiven. Now he wants to extend this forgiveness to the people. Consider that his audience may have included some who were actually part of that crowd on Good Friday. It may even have included one of the people who accused Peter of knowing Jesus. But Peter excuses them, for his purpose is to lead them to repent and be converted. We are all sinners, in need of repentance and conversion of heart. If God can raise Jesus from the dead, to which Peter and all the disciples can attest, then certainly God can redeem those who have sinned.

Can you forgive someone who has hurt you or someone you love?

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Witness through the Eyes of Faith

04-08-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 2

You may not have realized it last week, but Easter Gospel did not feature the risen Lord. Last week, the disciples were afraid and disturbed when they saw the empty tomb. They could not comprehend what had happened. They did not understand “rising from the dead.” The crucifixion they’d understood. They had witnessed it. But no one had seen the burial cloths thrown off. No one had seen the stone rolled away. No one had seen Jesus emerge. No one had seen the risen Christ. Until now. Now Jesus came into their midst, brought the Holy Spirit, and commissioned them to preach the Good News. Now, once again, they can be witnesses. Now their testimony can tell the whole story. The Messiah’s life did not end in an ignominious death. It did not end at all. Now they can testify that Jesus joined them whenever they gathered together. Now they can witness to the Holy Spirit, whom he’d promised before he died. This community of believers, once barricaded behind locked doors, has been transformed to one that grew as it preached the Good News and lived “of one heart and mind” (Acts 4:32).

Can you be a witness as well, through the eyes of faith?

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Following the Example of Jesus

04-08-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Acts 4:32-35 - Life of the Christians
  • Reading II: 1 John 5:1-6 - Belief in Jesus Christ
  • Gospel: John 20:19-31 - Appearance to the disciples
  • Key Passage: Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul; no one claimed private ownership of any possessions; everything they owned was held in common. (Acts 4:32)

Adult: What could you do this week to inspire your family to resemble the early Christians more closely?

Child: What could you and your family do to help others who are in need?

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Baptismal Certificate

04-08-2018Liturgy CornerFr. Paul Turner © 2002 Resource Publications, Inc.

After you were baptized, your name was inscribed in the baptism register of the Catholic parish where the event took place. Your entry also includes the names of the minister, your parents (if you were a child when baptized), your godparents, the place and date of your baptism and the place and date of your birth. You or your family probably received a record of that entry in a document commonly called a baptismal certificate. The certificate is your copy of the official record held at your parish of baptism.

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Made New by Christ

04-01-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 - Peter's discourse
  • Reading II: Colossians 3:1-4 - Mystical death and resurrection
  • Gospel: John 20:1-9 - Peter and the disciple at the tomb
  • Key Passage: Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Adult: What change could the hope of the resurrection of Christ inspire you to make?

Child: What bad habit would you like to "clear out" during the hopeful time of this Easter season?

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Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

04-01-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 2

Alleluia! He has risen. Alleluia! He has conquered death. Alleluia! He has brought salvation to the world. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Today we welcome Alleluia! back to our vocabulary. We sing it, we shout it, we proclaim it. Throw open the doors and windows! This is too big to be contained. The veil of the sanctuary, torn in half when Jesus died on the cross, is a sign of this, for the sanctuary could no longer contain it. The stone that was rolled away from the entrance to the tomb is, too, for the tomb could not longer contain it. The new life that Jesus brought about through his death and resurrection is too great to be closed up. It needs to escape into that open, bursting forth for all to share. Last night, the Church around the world welcomed its newest members. Today we renew our own baptismal promises, recalling the day that we became members of the Church. As members of the Church, we are called to spread the Good News, as the apostles did after Jesus’ death and resurrection. We do not just shout and sing Alleluia! to ourselves. We celebrate the redemption Jesus won with everyone. Alleluia indeed!

How will you share this Easter joy today and throughout the year?

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Immersion

04-01-2018Liturgy CornerFr. Paul Turner © 2005 Resource Publications, Inc.

Baptism in the Catholic Church may be administered either by immersion or pouring. The two options are always listed in that order, indicating a preference for baptism by immersion, even though pouring is more commonly practiced.

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Love and Betrayal

03-25-2018Question of the Week
  • GOSPEL: Mark 11:1-10 (Welcomed with palms)
  • Reading I: Isaiah 50:4-7 (Salvation only through the Lord's servant)
  • Reading II: Philippians 2:6-11 (Jesus, compassionate high priest)
  • Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47 (The passion of Jesus)
  • Key Passage: The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times." (Luke 22:61)

Adult: When have you felt that you betrayed the confidence of another, as Peter did when he denied Jesus?

Child: When have you let someone down who trusted you? How did you feel?

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Truly this man was the Son of God

03-25-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 1

After Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, after the Last Supper, after his arrest, after being sentenced to death, in the very moment that he died on the cross, two significant things happen in Mark's Gospel. First, "the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom" (Mark 15:38). What is this veil and what is its significance? The veil of the sanctuary separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. The Holy of Holies was regarded as the closest approximation of God's presence here on earth. Out of respect no one was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies except for the high priest, and even he could only enter once a year, on the feast of Yom Kippur. Now the veil was gone.

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Palms

03-25-2018Liturgy CornerFr. Paul Turner © 2005 Resource Publications, Inc. (edited by Jonathan Branton)

The Catholic faithful use palm branches at Mass on Palm Sunday and bring them home for devotional purposes. “Palm Sunday” is the popular name for the Sunday before Easter, though its full title is “Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.” Two Gospel passages are proclaimed at Mass that day: One tells of people waving branches or spreading cloaks to welcome Jesus in triumph to Jerusalem, and the other tells of his Passion and death.

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I will write it upon their hearts.

03-18-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 1

What does it mean when we “take something to heart”? When we take something to heart we recognize its significance and take it seriously. We make it a part of our lives, our very selves. We change the way we act. The covenant that has been featured in the readings from the Old Testament over the last few weeks enters a new dimension in Jeremiah. No longer is the covenant written on stone or paper; it is now written “upon their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33). In writing it upon their hearts, God has given the people the power to be faithful to the covenant. Before this, God had to take people by the hand to lead them. But now God’s people have this power within them. This power is God’s grace. This is the new covenant. Jesus, who proclaimed the new and eternal covenant at the Last Supper, provided an example of how this power can be exercised. Though troubled, he remained obedient to his Father’s will even unto death. God’s Chosen People had not been able to remain steadfast on their own. But now God gives us the grace we need to take our baptismal promises to heart and to remain faithful to the covenant.

What have you taken to heart that has changed the way you act?

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Life Everlasting

03-18-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Ezekiel 37:12-14 (prophecy of restoration)
  • Reading II: Romans 8:8-11 (the flesh and the Spirit)
  • Gospel: John 11:1-45 (the raising of Lazarus)
  • Key Passage: Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25–26)

Adult: Christ calls us from death to new life. To what new life are you being called during this Lent?

Child: How does Jesus help you do what is good and avoid what is not?

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Source of Light

03-11-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a (Samuel anoints David)
  • Reading II: Ephesians 5:8-14 (duty to live in the light)
  • Gospel: John 9:1-41 (the man born blind)
  • Key Passage: For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as Children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. (Ephesians 5:8–9)

Adult: What are you doing in your life right now to move toward light rather than darkness?

Child: How can you let the light of your faith in Jesus shine for others to see?

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God's Love for Us is Infinite

03-11-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 1

Nothing can contain the love God bears for humanity. We see this in today’s readings, from the time of the restoration of Jerusalem to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. In Second Chronicles, God repeatedly showed compassion to the Chosen People but Judah rejected all attempts at reconciliation. Eventually Jerusalem fell to foreign powers. But seventy years after the destruction of the temple, Cyrus, another foreign ruler, directed its rebuilding. In the eyes of the faithful, God had relented and forgiven them. God’s graciousness had won out over punishment. In the Gospel, John writes that God’s love for “the world” is so strong that God’s own Son was given to us so that all would have the opportunity for eternal life. In his Angelus address of March 15, 2015, Pope Francis called this passage the summary of the whole Gospel, God’s free and boundless love expressing the whole of faith and theology. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians glories in this generosity and in fact is written as if the ultimate gift has already been given, saying God “raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). Love unbounded, indeed.

How can you extend that love of God to others?

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Source of Strength

03-04-2018Question of the Week
  • Reading I: Exodus 17:3-7 - Water from the rock
  • Reading II: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 - Faith, Hope and Love
  • Gospel: John 4:5-42 - The Samaritan woman at the well
  • Key Passage: Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4:13–14)

Adult: Where have you found a source of "living water" for your own journey of faith?

Child: Name some times when your belief in Jesus helped make you stronger.

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Indulgences

03-04-2018Liturgy Corner

An indulgence is the remission of punishment for a forgiven sin. If your child breaks a window at home and tells you, "I'm sorry," you may forgive the young offender, but you may still issue a punishment. In the Catholic Church the sacrament of reconciliation brings forgiveness of sins, which may still carry punishments. Indulgences relax the punishments.

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Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up

03-04-2018Weekly ReflectionWe Celebrate Worship Resource, Vol. 43, No. 1

Our ways are not God’s ways. Our perspective is not God’s perspective. In the Gospel, Jesus drives the money changers and animal dealers out of the temple. It would appear that he was upset about all this commerce in this most holy place. But there was a legitimacy to the practice. The faithful who came to the temple needed to pay the temple tax and make sacrifices in accordance with the law. They needed to exchange their Roman money for coins without Caesar's image. They often needed to obtain animals to sacrifice when it was impractical to bring their own. But this is human logic. Jesus hints at His perspective when he says, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19). The time of fulfillment is now. The temple in Jerusalem pales in importance to the temple of Christ’s body. The temple building—the paramount sign of God’s presence—is replaced by Jesus himself. There is no need for animal sacrifice when Jesus will make the ultimate sacrifice. But this was lost on the authorities. Paul echoes this when he points out that worshiping one who suffers and dies makes no sense from a human perspective. But from God’s perspective, this sacrifice, freely made, will save the world.

What does your life look like from God’s perspective?

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