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GIFT: Generations of Faith Together
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May Gift Recap |
Download the 2011-2012 Evaluation We value your input if you have come to GIFT and wish to help us strengthen the program for next year.
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Schedules |
May Recap
It's about hope, a gift of God.
We can't live without it. St. Augustine believed it to be the greatest of all virtues. It helps us to see the glass half full. It is a treasure, tied to our Easter faith. It is also a habit to hope for things great and small.
We hope it won't rain on our parades. We hope the new kid on the block will be a friend. We hope the runner rounding third will be safe. Or, depending on the color of his sox, we hope he will be thrown out at the plate.
Hope is the theme of our May GIFT events. As Father Hession told hundreds of adults last week, hope is one of the three great virtues. It is also a gift from God. "I can't make myself a virtuous person," he said. But "if you want to be happy, do good."
As more than 200 of us joined together on Sunday for the intergenerational portion of the GIFT program, children in Grades 1-3 "recited" the Hail Mary in sign language. Parents and grandparents enjoyed a God moment, hard to put into words. As Father Mark commented, "When does Easter happen? It happens every day."
Benedict was the hero/saint and Bill Bussiere his emissary. Together, they gave our January GIFT some useful advice on balancing body, mind and spirit.
It's not exactly breaking news that we live in stressful times. But who knew that St. Benedict had the answer more than 1500 years ago. And Kipling told us when we were in fifth or sixth grade "if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs..." Delivering God's message with joy and optimism is Bill's gift. As a man who sees the glass half full, he strikes a balance in his own life between merchandizing and ministry.
With Helen Curran to teach the youngest, Charlene Colon to guide the tweens and Father Mark to facilitate the adult sessions, we talked about the challenge of living lives of spiritual wholeness, specifically how to find time in a crowded day for work, sleep, rest, recreation, fun times and prayer times.... Body, mind and spirit!
At our session in the K of C Room, Father Mark asked adults how they dealt with time management in a typical day. Let me count the ways. Are there moments in 7/24 for prayer and reflection, for time alone and time with others? One young mother was met by a burst of empathetic laughter when asked how much time she spent with others. "Every waking hour," she responded. Father Mark closed with the Serenity Prayer and every one joined in. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."
November 18 Update
We built a wall of separation and the wall came tumbling down. Little hands learned to sign the Lord's Prayer. Larger hands traced the sign of the cross on children's foreheads, while moms and dads gave hugs, high fives and kisses. Grandparents smiled.
November's GIFT is all about forgiveness and the kids get it. Sarah Finn led us in the song, Loving and Forgiving with Dot Lortie at the piano. Coordinator Bill Bussiere asked the pertinent question, "Why does God want us to forgive?" A young voice answered, "Because He forgives us." Andrew brought some wise words by an unknown author: "You can't undo anything you have already done, but you can face up to it. You can tell the truth, seek forgiveness and let God do the rest." The wisdom of Solomon from a young boy.
Father Mark told the intergenerational group gathered in the Parish Center how the Hebrew king came by his reputation. Solomon could have had it all. Yet he did not ask God for riches or power. He asked for one gift alone----an understanding heart. Google him up and you will learn that Solomon took the throne in 967 BC, 2978 years ago. He was wise beyond his years!
Sunday's adult discussion in the K of C Hall ranged from the practical to the Biblical. Moms and dads had many concerns. How do I instill Christian values when the culture has done away with the language of right and wrong? How do I teach my child to tell the truth when politicians no longer lie: they mis-speak. How can I be an effective role model? How can I do it?
Father Mark read from St. Luke the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. He asked us to imagine what Jesus was writing that day when he traced some words in the desert sand. We know that the “would be” stone-casters left in a hurry. Father Mark shared his personal reflections on the subject. What we heard was rich, powerful, imaginative and adult. As the pastor likes to say, GIFT is not only for children and teens. Grownups have the most to gain.
Grownups, stay tuned. January's theme is Stress or Balance: You Pick!
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November 10 Update
More than 1200 members of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Community will come together as families the week of November 12 to reflect on the need for true forgiveness. "Not seven, I tell you but seventy-seven times," words taken from the Gospel of Matthew, will be the theme of six GIFT events held in the parish center, 230 So. Main St., Centerville.
Rev. Mark R. Hession, pastor, embraced the concept of Generations in Faith Together in 2008 "to call families back to faith, especially of praying together on Sunday. We don't just drop off our kids for religious instruction. We hold their souls in the palms of our hands," Fr. Hession explained. Each GIFT event draws small children, teens and adults to share a meal and a spiritual experience. As first teachers of their children, parents deepen their own knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith through workshops and discussion led by clergy and parish staff.
About GIFT
Does this include you? Yes! GIFT is for all ages including: Singles, Couples, College Students, Teenagers, Kids, Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, Students, Empty Nesters, Newcomers, Families, Retired People and All Parishioners!
Based upon the Gospel and the call of Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessors for a new evangelization and stronger catechetical effort, we will be doing a couple of “pilot” programs this year of Generations of Faith. GOF uses a liturgy-centered, lifelong, and intergenerational approach to Catholic faith formation. The goal is to help and support everyone who wishes to become a better disciple by integrating faith, worship, and life in light of the Gospel. Since this is an ongoing, lifelong task, we invite everyone in the parish to participate. All are welcome!
Some specific goals are to:
· Enhance awareness that Catholic faith formation leads to and flows from regular participation in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration
· Take greater advantage of the unique formational power of community worship
· Continue to adapt formational activities to an intergenerational community
· Offer primary and middle school children more ministry and service programs
· Expand follow up discussion and service work opportunities for adults
· Family-friendly flexibility
So how exactly does GIFT work?
Participating households attend the parish Faith Formation Event. The events are learning experiences that prepare participants for a church event which provides the content for the learning.
Events begin with a simple meal, followed by an all ages opening activity and prayer, a break out session (age appropriate) and conclude with a large group closing activity and prayer.
At each Event, participating households receive a Home Kit. The material in the Home Kit is designed to reinforce the lessons learned at the festival in preparation for the event. In addition, the kits include activities designed to empower families to share and practice their faith.
An invitation – Opportunities for GIFT Ministry
The success of the GIFT program depends on you. Your willingness to share your time and talents will enhance the program. The program is dependent on help from everyone. Whether you can afford an hour a month or would like to run a portion of the program, we need your voice, talent, and experience to help us make GIFT an effective faith formation program.
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Program Overview for 2011-2012
September 2011: Why a Lectionary Life?
A major reason for GIFT is to call families back to faith, especially praying together on Sunday; we don’t just “drop-off” our kids at a CCD lesson, we hold their souls in the palms of our hands! The lectionary is the special Bible story we hear at Mass each Sunday; it is the “story” that helps make sense of our story—our life. Come along for a bible study that just may change the way your family relates to each other and the world.
November 2011: “Not Seven, I tell you but Seventy-Seven Times” Matthew 18.22
How have you been hurt? Let me count the ways… How many people who have hurt you are you willing to forgive? For you to forgive, does it matter who the person is? Does it matter if the person is worthy of forgiveness? Why forgive others and seek forgiveness for ourselves? Because Jesus said so. Join us as we explore the need, desire, and peace that comes from true forgiveness of others and reconciliation. We must have a loving heart and an openness to
receive the Holy Spirit as we face our own uncertainties, fears, and prejudices.
January 2012: Stress or Balance: You Pick!
Finding “spiritual wholeness” in a time when stress has become the norm can be difficult. St. Benedict teaches us that one need not take on extraordinary spiritual practices, but rather be rooted in prayer, Scripture, and community life. Join us as we reflect and consider the balance of working hard, praying often, living fully, welcoming all, and seeking the face of Christ in all we encounter. We will explore expressions of spirituality and how they can be brought into our lives as ordinary Catholic individuals, families, households, and the whole parish community of Our Lady of Victory.
March 2012: Embracing Change
We come together every week on Sundays to worship our Lord, give thanks for what is important and feed the spirit within us to continue Jesus’ work everyday. But sometimes it can be a struggle; we experience obstacles; we are challenged in new ways; we are asked to change. How do you adapt to change? Why do we need change? Embracing change together as a community, we will learn and explore the new translation of our prayers, chants, and scripture readings used during the Mass that invites us to a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit.
April/May 2012: Proclaiming Hope!
You are my hope, Lord; my trust, God, from my youth. On you I depend since birth; from my mother's womb you are my strength; my hope in you never wavers. Psalm 71:5-6)
Have you ever felt hopeless? Where do we find hope in a world where violence, greed, racism, war, poverty and hunger still exist? No one can live without hope. Hope is the virtue which helps us get through the day. God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness is our anchor, our hope in this chaotic world. We will reflect on God’s promises of hope found in the Scriptures and traditions of our faith.
Generations of Faith Event Dates for 2011/2012 (NOTE DATE UPDATE FOR MARCH)
Day Time Dates
Saturday |
9:30 - 12:00 pm |
9/17 |
11/12 |
1/21 |
3/3 |
4/28 |
Sunday Afternoon “1” |
12:30 - 3:00 pm |
9/18 |
11/13 |
1/22 |
3/4 |
4/29 |
Monday |
5:30 - 8:00 pm |
9/19 |
11/14 |
1/23 |
3/5 |
4/30 |
Wednesday |
5:30 - 8:00 pm |
9/21 |
11/16 |
1/25 |
3/7 |
5/2 |
Sunday Afternoon “2” |
12:30 - 3:00 pm |
9/25 |
11/20 |
1/29 |
3/11 |
5/6 |
All students registering for First Penance/Eucharist (Grade 2) and Confirmation I and II (Grade 9 & 10) are required to attend all GIFT Sessions and the following events in preparation for receiving the Sacraments:
First Penance/ Eucharist Parent Orientation: 10am or 7pm Wednesday September 7th
First Penance 1 day Retreat: 12:30 - 3pm Saturday October 15th
Sunday October 16th
First Eucharist 1 day Retreat: 12:30 - 3pm Saturday February 4th
Sunday February 5th
Confirmation Parent/Student
Orientation: 7pm Thursday September 8th
Confirmation I Retreat: 2:30 - 6:30pm Sunday February 12th
Confirmation II Retreat: 9:00 – 5:30pm Saturday March 24th
STUDENTS MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE RETREAT!
STUDENTS MUST BE PRESENT FOR THE ENTIRE RETREAT!