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Activities for May
Activities for April
Activities for March
View below, or download the activities for the month 
March 26
March 19
March 12
March 5
Activities for February
View below, or download the activities for the month.
February 27
February 20
February 13
February 6
Activities for January
January 30
January 16 and 23
January 2
Activities for December
December 26
December 19
December 12
December 5
Activities for November
November 28
November 21
November 7 and November 14
Activities for October
October 30
October 24
October 17
October 10
October 3
Activities for September
September
26
September 12 & September 19
5/7 This coming weekend is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Jesus’ love for us was so great that he died for us on the cross so we could share eternal life with him. Jesus asked us to share his love with each other. This week it’s Mother’s Day put your love into action by showing your mom, stepmom, grandmother how special they are!
5/14 This coming weekend we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, when Jesus returned to heaven. “Go to every part of the world and tell the Good News!” Mark 16.15. Let us respond to Jesus’ invitation to carry on His mission by sharing your gifts to transform this parish, this community, your home and the world. Sharing your gift can be as simple as spending time with someone, making another smile or saying a prayer.
5/21 This coming weekend we celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles fifty days after Easter. “As the Father has sent me, so I send you. ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” The Apostles were given the Gifts of the Holy Spirit - WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING, RIGHT JUDGMENT, COURAGE, KNOWLEDGE, REVERENCE, WONDER AND AWE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. Seek to do good through words and actions inviting the Fruit of the Holy Spirit to grow inside you; LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, SELF-CONTROL, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS.
5/28 This weekend we honor our belief in The Holy Trinity -the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is the three persons in one. Every time we come to Mass, begin or end our prayers we make the sign of the cross as a statement of our belief and desire to carry on the mission of Jesus. Share around the kitchen table how you can share your love for God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Tell someone “I love you”. Call or visit that someone that you do not see or talk too often. Do thoughtful deeds…be polite, take turns, offer to do something to help a neighbor or friend. Give of yourself and your talents. Be helpful at home and at school. Slow down; pray for yourself, your friends, and for those you don’t like. Write letters to friends and relatives. Make someone feel important.
April 9
This coming weekend is the Sunday of Divine Mercy with its great message of hope: ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I send you. … Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:21-23). Jesus rose from the dead to bring us peace and forgiveness, this week be kind to each other, loving and forgiving one another as Jesus has taught us!
April 16This coming weekend is the Third Sunday of Easter. Are you ever so busy with a task that you forget the “real” reason you why are doing something? Take time this week to for you, your family and your faith by remembering why we do what we do; for the love of it, for the smile it brings, for the needs of others, because we BELIEVE!
April 23 and April 30This coming weekend begins our April GIFT session on Hope! What is a sign of Hope for you? All of us Hope…Hope for a good summer, Hope to win our games – baseball, football, lacrosse, hockey, we are meant to be hopeful people but sometimes it’s hard! At home this week reflect on your favorite signs of hope, it can be something from nature, a person, even a quote. We will share our signs of Hope during our opening!
This week we begin to prepare for the start our Holy Week with the Passion of the Lord on Palm Sunday - the day of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his ultimate victory over death. Fill in the blank with the correct jumbled word!
1.Palm Sunday is the Sunday before ___________. sartee
2. It is the sixth Sunday and the last Sunday of ________. nelt
3. Palm Sunday is the first day of ________________. (two words) weohleyk
4. The feast commemorates the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in the days before his _______________. inpasos
5. Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of ________ . aovesrsp
6. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people laid down their ___________ in front of him, and also palm branches. olsakc
7. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "__________ to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! __________ in the highest!" (same word twice) aohnasn
8. The palm branch was a symbol of _____________ and of victory. urtimhp
9. Because of this, the scene of the crowd greeting Jesus by ____________ palms and carpeting his path with them has given the Christian festival its name. igwanv
10. It was a common custom in many lands in the ancient Near East to cover, in some way, the path of someone thought worthy of the highest ____________. roohn
March 19
From this week’s Gospel “unless a grain of wheat falls” provides us with the opportunity to prepare ourselves during this Lenten season, to be that seed that falls to the ground, that is buried deep in our hearts waiting for the motivation. Sacrifice, prayer, contemplation of God and His Word provide our motivation. Then on Easter Sunday we can bear the fruit of the Resurrection of Jesus and a new us is revealed. Take time this week to purchase and plant some seeds. With love and nurturing watch as those pretty flowers or yummy vegetables shown on the front of the package bloom into their full potential!
At GIFT this month we experienced Jesus’ Last Supper concluding with a teaching Mass. Did you learn anything new? In our busy and chaotic lives have you ever thought about how hard it is to get to that church door some Sundays when the kids are tired or you have work or a hockey game too? For all of us it can be difficult at times but once we walk through the church doors we know the Body and Blood of the One who said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” John 14.6 will give us the strength and balance we need on our journey of faith.
GIFT began this weekend… From Betty Reilly, “The sound of silence filled the Parish Center March 4th as Jim Bancroft, portraying Jesus said the blessing, recalling Jesus’ final meal—His Last Supper. The smallest children held their breath as Judas rose from the table and abruptly left the room…”
We come together each week equal, as one body, for God to hear our collective prayers, listen to His word, and then receive Him in Communion. Have you ever wondered how the Mass began?
This month at GIFT we experience Jesus’ “last supper” and conclude with a Mass that teaches us that the answer to the question, “what are you looking for?” comes from joining us each week at Mass. What you are looking for is found in Christ’s love which then gives us the ”balance” we need to cope with today’s stress. Take time this week to read Luke 22.14-23.
Perhaps we could learn a little about balancing our spiritual life in the art of balancing a peacock feather? Sound crazy? Check it out…
Watch the following video How to Balance a Feather on your Chin, by Curtis Zimmerman. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxIUF6xdGrs
Reflect this week on a quote from St. Benedict. Simply carry the quote with you, and several times during the day or week pray and reflect on the challenges of this message on Hospitality:
"All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: 'I was a stranger and you welcomed me' (Matt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith and to pilgrims" (RB 53:1-2).
Reflect this week on a quote from St. Benedict. Simply carry the quote with you, and several times during the day or week pray and reflect on the challenges of this message on Humility:
“Imitate by your actions that saying of the Lord: 'I have come not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.'” (John 6:38) (RB 7:31-32).
Reflect this week on a quote from St. Benedict. Simply carry the quote with you, and several times during the day or week pray and reflect on the challenges of this message on Community:
"In this way, they do what the words of Scripture say: 'They each should try to be the first to show respect to the other' (Rom 12:10)" (RB 63:17).
More than ever we need to find balance in our lives where stress has become the norm! The key to finding balance is The Word of God found in our hearts, proclaimed at Mass and found in the Bible. Spend a few minutes at the same time each day this week and reflect on the dynamics and relationship style of your family or household spirituality. What works best for you? No matter what you choose follow its path to embrace a journey of faith following Christ in all that we do.
GIFT begins this weekend…
Are you tired of the everyday stresses of life?
Are you looking for balance? How can a 6th century monk, named Benedict help?
Be in the know! Go to one of these websites to learn more:
www.thedome.org/SeekGodWithUs/NourishSpiritOnline/BenedictineSpirituality/index.html.
www.explorefaith.org/livingspiritually/benedictine-spirituality/index.php.
www.americancatholic.org/Features?Saints/saint.aspx?id=1441.
Be ready to join the discussion. See you at GIFT!
This coming Sunday is the Epiphany of the Lord. The three wise men were believed to be kings from the East representing all the peoples of the world; Melchoir, Caspar and Balthazar in Persia. As it was written by the prophet: “And you Bethlehem in the land of Judah… shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” Matthew 2:6 The three kings journeyed from the East following the bright star in search of the infant king, our savior until the star appeared to stop. Filled with wonder and joy when they saw Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus they dropped to their knees to worship him and present him with gifts fit for a king. As we continue to celebrate Christmas pray together:
“Like the three wise men, we are here today to worship you, Jesus. We have no gold, but we give you love. We have no frankincense, we give you prayers. We have no myrth, so we give you ourselves. Amen”
12/26
This Sunday will we honor Mary, the Holy Mother of God. Mary loved God so much that she said yes to God’s messenger to become the mother of God. Let us ask for her help so that we to will always say yes to whatever God asks of us. Pray together the Hail Mary:
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
12/19
Next Sunday is Christmas! On Christmas Eve light the center Christ candle along with all the other candles of hope, peace, joy and love giving light to the world. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” John: 8.12
12/12
Sunday will be the Fourth Sunday of Advent. We will light a blue candle celebrating Love…God’s endless love for us and our love for one another. As you open your heart to welcome Christ this Christmas season pray together: “Loving God, make room in our hearts for people who need us. We thank you for friends and strangers who have received us when we were lonely, afraid, or tired. May we be ready to receive the love you offer us and have the courage to share that love with others through loving action.” Amen.
12/5
This weekend the Third Sunday of Advent we will light a pink candle as a sign of Joy. The pink candle has a name, “The Shepherd’s Candle” because of the good news the shepherds heard from the Angels that Christ was born! As you light the candles read the following prayer: “Jesus is the light of the world. Help us to live as children of the light, sharing Jesus with the whole world, by keeping our belief in him and all that he taught us alive in our hearts.”
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God sent John the Baptist to prepare the people for the coming of his son. He told them to ask for God’s forgiveness and to change their ways in preparation for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. God is always ready to forgive and help us make a fresh start. The season of Advent symbolizes our spiritual journey, as we affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again bringing peace on earth. This coming Sunday, the Second Sunday of Advent we will light a blue candle for Peace. A prayer as you light your candle of peace: Let your light of peace and love shine in our world. Give us eyes to see the signs of your presence in the world.
Help us to prepare our lives and our homes to receive the One who
said, “I am the light of the world.” Amen.
This weekend begins the New Year of grace in our Catholic faith; The First Sunday of Advent and the beginning of cycle “B”, the gospel of Mark. During Advent we prepare to welcome the Messiah at Christmas and look forward to the day when He will come again in Glory. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus light the candles of your Advent wreath along with us each week at Mass and ready your home for the return of the Son of Man. The First Sunday of Advent we light a blue candle to celebrate the Hope of Christ among us as told by the prophets.
We just finished our November GIFT session; “Not Seven, I tell you but Seventy-Seven Times” Matthew 18.22
Here are some more scripture references as we seek to find the strength to forgive and be forgiven!
Matthew 18:15, Reprove another who sins
Romans 13:10, Love for one another
Genesis 50:15-21, Joseph forgives his brothers
Luke 23:34, Forgive enemies
Luke 5:43-44, Prodigal Son
Matthew 5:43-44, Love your enemies
John 20:22-23, Sacramental forgiveness
“Not Seven, I tell you but Seventy-Seven Times” Matthew 18.22
The power of forgiveness… What “quote” on forgiveness resonates within you, within your family? Come to GIFT with your favorite quote, poem or Bible passage to share during your November GIFT session.
Here are some quotes on forgiveness:
- “If you really want to love we must learn how to forgive.” Mother Theresa
- "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Gandhi
- “No peace without justice, no justice without forgiveness.” Pope John Paul II
- “What power has love but forgiveness?” William Carlos Williams
- “To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." Robert Muller
- "We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love." Martin Luther King, Jr.
- “Perhaps all peacemaking must begin in a similar spot- in prayer to God, praying for another, asking blessing for the one who has injured us, and opening our hearts for godly examination.” Debra Evans
- “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.” Ephesians 4:32
10/30
At Mass this coming Sunday we will here how Jesus tells the parable of the bridesmaids to remind us that we must be prepared. Matthew 25:12-13 “Truly I tell you, I do not know you. Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the son of man is coming.” Take time to think about what you might want to do…need to pray more, do it now...want to care for the poor, start today...forgiveness is paramount, so don’t put it off till tomorrow.
10/24
John 12:24-26 “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.” Tuesday November 1st we honor all our Catholic Saints. The Saints were extraordinary people who responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint. Who are your favorite saints?
10/17
Jesus taught us to love each other more than anything else in our lives. By loving God all we can, each of us becomes more loving in turn and ready to share that love with one another. Matthew 22: 37-40 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.
10/10
We are Disciples Transforming the World - Through Gifts.This coming Sunday we honor our laity. 1 Corinthians 12 “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored all rejoice together with it.”
We are the laity of Our Lady of Victory Parish Church. Discover your gifts and use them to transform the parish, community, your home and the world. Sharing your gift can be as simple as spending time with someone, making another smile or saying a prayer.
10/3
Beginning this Sunday 10/9/2011, it is National Vocation Awareness week. Make a commitment to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” God has given each one of us an invitation to join him in his heavenly kingdom; therefore we must make the effort to do what is right, to build a world of love, to lead a life of service and discipleship.
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9/26
A tale that resonates…The Cracked Pot…
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.' The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?' 'That's because I have always known about your flaw,
so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
Each of us has our own unique flaws. It's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding... Accept each person for whom they are; look for the good in them because we all are children of God; you have a right to be here!
9/12 and 9/19
What is your favorite Bible story?
Here you will find activities for you to explore as a family to connect one GIFT session to the next...praying, learning, doing, acting, making the connection to our faith, church, Mass and community.
"If what I say resonates with you, it's merely because we are both branches on the same tree." W.B. Yeats
What "story" in the bible resonates within you, within your family? Come to GIFT with your favorite passage from the Bible to share during your September GIFT session.
Let us hear how His story connects to your story!
You can join us on Facebook to give us your thoughts!
"See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all." Thessalonians 5:15