March: Praying With Scripture
On Sunday morning families spent time together reflecting on God’s word in scripture, specifically the Psalms (34:4-6) and the Gospel (Mark 1:16-20). The Psalms are a collection of “prayer-songs” written 1000 years before the birth of Jesus, yet still relevant in our prayer life today. The Psalms illustrate the five forms of prayer: blessing and adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise!
We know that Scripture is the inspired word of God and when we pray with scripture we grow in relationship and friendship with God. When we read the words of scripture, it is important to pause and listen for what God is saying to you. This is one way to personally encounter God! We also use images of scripture to help us meditate and contemplate the meaning of God’s word in our lives today.
In light of reflecting on scripture, families created their own Personal Guide to Lent. This plan includes prayer, fasting and almsgiving (charity).
Our guest speaker on Wednesday was Allan Wright. Allan is a husband, father, author, Principal of Koinonia Academy, International speaker, Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University, and Scripture Teacher for the Missionaries of Charity. Allan spoke with honesty, humility and humor, of the importance of bringing scripture into our everyday family life. The most important thing we need to do is START!!! We need to become experts in the story of our faith and demonstrate in the home why our faith is important to us. Lent is the perfect time to start!
An endorsement for Allan Wright’s recent book, Daily Companion for Young Catholics,
from Mrs. Mahoney, one of our catechists, ”My daughter, now 21, reads it and finds it to be very helpful and comforting.”
Parent’s reading for the March Session:
March Parent Essay, Lesson 10 Parent Guide pages 312-314
March Parent Essay, Lesson 11 Parent Guide pages 315-316
March Fridge Page Parent Guide page 205
March Car Conversation Parent Guide page 207
To do at Home this month:
Your Catholic Home, Pray The Angelus,Parent Guide page 204.
Suggested Activity Lesson 10: (Activity 1)*
Suggested Activity Lesson 11: (Activity 6)
Prayer Board Activity, Parent Guide page 242; Activity Book page 143.
Prayer Journal Activity, Parent Guide page 220; Activity Book page 183.
*On Sunday we covered Lesson 10, Activities 2, 3, 4, 7.
Catechist’s Corner – Resources for March Lessons:
Ms. Karipel, Praying with Scripture
Mrs. Mahoney, Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Mrs. King, Passover
Mrs. King, Types of Prayer
Mrs. Puorro, Praying With Scripture and Forms of Prayer
Mrs. Puorro, Reads The Story of Easter
Family Lenten Service Projects:
During Lent, we are called to commit to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We encourage families to perform a Family service project (individually or together with another family).
1. The OLP Food Pantry is being greatly utilized. On average, they have 40 clients each week.This Lent, we invite our Religious Ed families to help, as they are able, and provide needy families in New Providence and surrounding communities with an Easter Basket Dinner.
2. We are also looking for donations of candy stuffed plastic Easter eggs, stuffed with wrapped Easter candy (no nuts) for the BOLD Youth Ministry sponsored Easter Egg hunt. Your filled Easter eggs can be dropped at the rectory by Thursday, March 25. For more information, see attached flyer.
March Additional Resources for Parents:
Prayer: The Morning Offering
Video: How to hear God’s voice
Video: Hymn: Now Thank We All Our God
Video: Praying the Liturgy of the Hour – Breaking the Habit
Video: Bishop Barron – The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist
Article: How to Make a Holy Hour
Saint of the Month: Sts. Felicity and Perpetua, page 136-138
St. Joseph: The Church traditionally dedicates the month of March to the special veneration of St. Joseph, whose feast day is March 19th. Due to St. Joseph’s leadership of the Holy Family, he has been declared the protector and patron of the universal Catholic Church. Pope Francis has declared a Year of St. Joseph on December 8, 2020. Take a “road trip” with your family to The Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling NJ
Reminders:
April 1 through 3 – Attend Holy Week Services Click her to view bulletin for times
Sunday, April 11 – Family of Faith Zoom Session, 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 14 – Family of Faith Zoom Session, 7:30 p.m.
Links to Resources offered by our Guest Speakers:
Allan Wright
Chris Godfrey, Life Athletes
Chris Godfrey, Redeemer Radio/Sandwich Generation
Sr. Laura Arvin, Mount St. Mary’s House of Prayer