“Faith formation is more than a subject to be taught...it is an invitation to a way of life.” -- Joe Paprocki. Click header for copy of latest faith formation news and recommendations.
And it was on Sunday that Christ inaugurated a new creation, and it is on that day and into that new creation that we were grafted when we were baptized into Christ. CLICK TITLE TO LISTEN AND / OR READ THIS POST BY BRANT PITRE...
Sometimes I think we overlook all the hours of preparation that goes into all of our worship here at Saint Thomas More. There are many dedicated people who prepare our worship space for us to gather each weekend to celebrate the Sacred Mysteries of our Faith. Perhaps when you see these people, especially those not mention by name, you can thank them too! CLICK TITLE TO READ THE MAY ISSUE OF "AS I SEE IT"
Prayer is an absolute must for all of us. It maintains the relationship we have with the Lord. The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes it as “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God” while humility is its foundation. We often think of prayer as... CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE
Do you know what a Catholic understanding of the word “study” is? How best do we study as Catholics? What is the sign that our studies to learn are leading us into greater intimacy with Jesus Christ, the Truth in person? How about committing yourself to including some studying in your warm, summer days? CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE
Formation Quiz: Mary, Mother of God - “This woman of faith, Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of God, has been given to us as a model in our pilgrimage of faith. From Mary we learn to surrender to God’s will in all things. From Mary, we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary, we learn to love Christ, her Son and the Son of God.” -- Pope St. John Paul II, Homily, October 6, 1979, Cathedral of St. Matthew, Washington D.C.
The time has passed quickly and our Lenten journey has come to a close. Have we managed in some very small way to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel? These past days have been a preparation for the sacred mysteries of the coming week, the very apex of the Church’s liturgical year. CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE ABOUT HOLY WEEK
Formation Quiz: The Paschal Mystery of Jesus - comprises his passion, death, resurrection, and glorification, stands at the center of the Christian faith because God’s saving plan was accomplished once for all by the redemptive death of his Son Jesus Christ. From COMPENDIUM OF THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2005, ¶112.
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK: On the First Sunday of Lent, we begin our journey of forty days to the celebration of the Paschal Mystery. The days between Ash Wednesday and the first Sunday of Lent introduce us to the major themes of the season. Penance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving are really an integral part of our Christian life. The Scripture readings for the Masses on these days reflect this. CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE...
Formation Quiz: Lent, Fasting, and Penance - “Dear brothers and sisters, the ‘lenten’ period of forty days spent by the Son of God in the desert of creation had the goal of making it once more that garden of communion with God that it was before original sin (cf. Mk 1:12-13; Is 51:3). May our Lent this year be a journey along that same path, bringing the hope of Christ also to creation, so that it may be 'set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God’ (Rom 8:21). Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion.” – Pope Francis’ message for Lent 2019. CLICK TITLE FOR QUIZ
Formation Quiz: Holy Family and Marriage - “The Child Jesus with Mary and Joseph are the icon of the family, simple yet illuminating. The light they radiate is the light of mercy and salvation for the whole world…” ~ Pope Francis. Photo: ‘Holy Family Figurine,’ Karen Hahn/Enesco Foundations #CatholicPriestMedia
Formation Quiz: Holy Name of Jesus and Divine Revelation - “The sweet Name of Jesus produces in us holy thoughts, fills the soul with noble sentiments, strengthens virtue, begets good works, and nourishes pure affections.” ~ St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Photo: by Edal Anton Lefterov https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity#/media/File:Jesus-Christ-from-Hagia-Sophia.jpg
Formation Quiz: Advent and Incarnation of Christ - “Advent increases our hope, a hope which does not disappoint. The Lord never lets us down.” - Pope Francis. Photo: “How to Use an Advent Wreath” - Aleteia | Shutterstock
Formation Quiz: Beatitude and Last Things/End Times - “In the Beatitudes, we find a portrait of the Master, which we are called to reflect in our daily lives.” ~ Pope Frances writes in Chapter 3 of “Gaudete et Exsultate” (“Rejoice and Be Glad”). Photo: “Sermon on the Mount” by artist Carl Bloch. Public Domain
Formation Quiz: Seven Sorrows of Mary and Holy Rosary - “Mary remains ever the path that leads to Christ. Every encounter with her can only result in an encounter with Christ Himself." ~ St. Paul VI. Photo: ‘Vintage Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Rosary Beads in her hands while Praying’ #CatholicPriestMedia
Formation Quiz: Vice / Virtue and Sacrament of Reconciliation - “Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.” ~ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI
Formation Quiz: “At his Transfiguration, Christ showed His disciples the splendor of His beauty, to which He will shape and color those who are His: ‘He will reform our lowness configured to the body of his glory.’" -- St. Thomas Aquinas. Photo: 'Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament’, Saint John XXIII Church, Fort Collins, CO, USA #CatholicPriestMedia
Formation Quiz: VOCATIONS - Single, Married, Consecrated, Religious. “Our eyes have seen God incarnate, and because we have seen Him present among us and have mentally received Him into our arms, we are called the new Israel. Never shall we forget this presence; every year we keep a feast in His honour.” ~ #SaintSophronius. Photo‘Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple’ #CatholicPriestMedia
Formation Quiz: Trinity and Eucharist - “You, eternal Trinity, are a deep sea. The more I enter you, the more I discover, and the more I discover, the more I seek you.” -- St. Catherine of Siena Photo: ‘Most Holy Trinity Stained Glass Window,’ St Anne’s Catholic Church, San Diego, CA, USA/Beyer Studio #CatholicPriestMedia