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Engaging Faith

Practical Lesson Ideas and Activities for Catholic Educators
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How to Go to Confession

The end of summer and the start of the school year is a most approriate time to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. In order to help teens prepare, make a plan to review the steps for "How to Go to Confession." Spend some time examining your conscience. Consider your actions and attitudes in each area of your life (e.g., faith, family, school, work, social relationships). As yourself: Is this area of my life pleasing to God? What needs to be reconciled with God? With others? With myself? Sincerely tell God that you are sorry for your sins. Ask God for forgiveness and for the grace you will need to change what needs changing in your life. Promie God that you will try to live according to his will for you. Approach the area for confession Wait at an appropriate distance until it is your turn. Make the Sign of the Cross with the priest.  He may say: “May God who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust his mercy.” You reply: “Amen.” Confess your sins to the priest. Simply and directly talk to him about the areas of sin in our life that need God’s healing touch. The priest will ask you to express your contrition or sorrow and to pray an Act of Contrition. Pray an Act of Contrition you have committed to memory. See page 00 for an example. The priest will talk to you about your life, encourage you to be more faithful to God in the future, and help you decided what to do to make up for your sins—your penance. The priest will then extend his hands over your head and pray a prayer of absolution for your sins. You respond: “Amen.” The priest will wish you peace. Thank him and leave. Go to a quiet place in church and pray your prayer of penance. Then spend some time quietly thanking God for the gift of forgiveness. A very creative review for celebrating the sacrament is presented by Outside da Box media. Check it out here.

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The Crucial Issue of Religious Freedom

With issues around the First Amendment to the United States Constitution swirling in the news, including around the recent Supreme Court Decision in the Hobby Lobby case, and worldwide in the brutal persecution and decimation of Christians in the Middle East, please note the following articles and resources: Pope Francis' plea and hope for peace in the Middle East. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2014 Fortnight for Freedom/Freedom to Serve was held June 21 to July 4. Several resources and links appropriate for study and action around this topic are linked here. Ave Maria Press offers a five-day mini unit on Religious Freedom with full lesson plans, handouts, and links to several films. The mini unit is free of charge. It is appropriate for use in Catholic high schools and parish youth ministry programs.

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Reflection on Driving While Drunk

With summer here, teens run the risk of many dangerous situations including the possibility they will drive or be in a car with someone who is impaired by alcohol. Use the occasion of summer to share with them the very meaningul poem below.   Party Poem I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said, You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead, I felt really proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would, I didn’t drink and drive, Mom, even though others said I should. I know I did the right thing, Mom, I knew you’re always right, Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone drives out of sight, As I got into my car, Mom, I know I’ll get home in one piece, Because of the way you raised me, Mom, as responsible and sweet. I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled onto the road The other car didn’t see me, Mom, and it hit me like a load. As I lie here on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say The other guy is drunk, Mom, and I’m the one who’ll pay. I’m lying here dying, Mom, I wish you’d get here soon, How come this happened to me, Mom, my life burst like a balloon? There is blood all around me, Mom, most of it is mine, I hear the paramedic say, Mom, I’ll be dead in a short time. I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn’t drink, It was the others, Mom, the others didn’t think. He didn’t know where he was going, Mom, he was probably at the same party as I, The only difference is, Mom, he drank and I will die. Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life. I’m feeling sharp pains now, Mom, pains just like a knife. The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, I don’t think it’s fair, I'm lying here dying, Mom, while all he can do is stare. Tell my brothers not to cry, Mom, tell Daddy to be brave, And when I get to heaven, Mom, write “Daddy’s Girl” on my grave. Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive, If only they had talked to him, Mom, I would still be alive. My breath is getting shorter, Mom, I’m becoming very scared, Please don’t cry for me, Mom, because when I needed you, you were always there. I have one last question, Mom, before I say good-bye, I didn’t ever drink, Mom, so why am I to die? This is the end, Mom, I wish I could look you in the eye, To say these final words, Mom, I love you and good-bye.                                                       —Author Unknown  

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Bike Rally/Movie Event for Summer Fun

If you have occasion to work with teens in the summer through a parish-sponsored Youth Ministry program, here's an idea that works well with both younger and older adolescents.   Description This is a bike rally (not a race) in which teens follow a predetermined map to the homes of three or four parishioners (typically parents of teens in the group), where they can play a game and have a simple snack and drink. The final stop of the rally is at the local movie theatre where the teens take in an appropriate afternoon feature. Plan a map from your starting point at the parish in a logical order to each of the homes or parents or parishoners who have agreed to sponsor a stop along the way. Give each person a map and remind them to observe all biking safety rules. At each home, wait for everyone to catch up. Take a break with a short game or activity. (You will need to arrange for all game items to be at the homes prior to the rally.) Possible activity ideas might include: First Stop Play a series of the old Twister game. While some of the teens are playing, the others can enjoy a drink of lemonade. Second Stop Divide into two teams. Play a game where all can participate; for example, any form of a trivia quiz game. Third Stop Play a friendly game of "spin the bottle." Seat everyone in a circle. The two people the bottle points to exchange compliments with one another (not kisses!). Fourth Stop Get into the movie theme. Play a game of "movie charades" in which the teens act our famous movie titles or scenes and the rest of the group tries to guess the name of the movie. Movie Stop End the rally at the movie theatre. Make sure to lock the bikes. Then enjoy the movie. If your group is large enough, you may be able to quality for a group discount. After the movie, ride together back to the parish at a leisurely pace where parents can meet for pick up.

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Tips to Share with Your Graduates about College Orientation

The following is an exerpt from Ready for College: Everything You Need to Know by Michael Pennock. Share the information with your graduating seniors (and juniors too as a preview). You may wish to adapt the presentation to fit with particular colleges in your area and others your students have applied to and been accepted at. Colleges vary greatly on how they handle freshman orientation. Some colleges hold a grand orientation week or long weekend for all freshmen (and oftentimes their parents, too) before the term begins. Other colleges have groups of freshman come in for two or three days throughout the summer for orientation and registration. Still others handle parts of the orientation through snail mail or over the Internet with campus meetings taking place at a later date. Typically, freshmen orientation sessions are designed to help you: learn what the college expects of you both in and out of the classroom; become familiar with the college campus and its many offerings; meet other new students; take placement exams; meet with academic advisors to learn about your major if you have chosen one; take care of college business like financial aid, health forms, ID cards, etc.; register for courses for the fall term. Orientations can be intense days of meetings and tours. They typically involve many icebreakers and socials and immerse you into what your particular college has to offer. Online orientation is also becoming increasingly more common. College allows students to take placement exams, download vaccination forms, buy books, check out dorm rooms, and meet roommates online. This book is geared for success during your first semester, so a very strong recommendation is for you to pick an early orientation session if you are given that choice. More importantly, register for courses as soon as you are able to. The advantage here is for you to have the pick of the courses you want and need before any of them close. Choosing classes can be challenging for first-time college students who are not aware of the difficulty of certain professors or specific courses. Here are some other important tips that have helped my own children and many of my former students: Ask around among upper class students about the professors of the courses you are considering. What is required of a particular course? How does the professor rate as a lecturer? When in doubt, it is always best to choose recommended profs over courses that “seem” appealing. Register for an extra course with the full intention of dropping the one you like least sometime in the first or second week of the semester. It is always easier to drop a course (even if you are charged a fee) than to add one after the term begins. Don't overload with hours your first semester in college. Fifteen or sixteen credit hours are plenty. Many colleges require one of your courses to be a Freshmen Seminar. This makes choosing a little easier. Also, balancing one reading intensive course with a math or a science course is also a wise choice. Generally you should not take more than one lab course your first semester. Most colleges require a core of courses for all undergrads, regardless of major. Other courses are prerequisites that you may have to take depending upon your high-school program, SAT or ACT scores, or placement exams. Besides your required Freshmen Seminar, it is probably a good idea to register for a couple of your core courses your first semester. Sample a variety of subject areas. Distribute your choices between one tough course, one easy course, and one or two moderately difficult ones based on your interests and skills. Core courses can serve as a foundation on which to build, especially if you have yet to choose a major. If a particular core area is one that you hate, or have had a tough time with in high school, don't take it first semester. You need a successful first year. By waiting, you'll have time to check out an ideal prof to get you through the “dreaded” requirement. Suggestion: Consider taking this difficult requirement at a community college and have the credit transferred to your college’s program. Depending on your work schedule the summer before you go off to college, you might consider taking it then. If you are fortunate enough to enter college with considerable advanced placement credit, don’t overload on upper division courses your first semester. You need to have some experience with courses at your college before you jump into a bunch of advanced courses. Even the brightest students need time to adjust to full-time college life. Decide if you learn best in the morning or afternoon. This is not an automatic decision. Even though you may believe you learn better later in the day, studies have proven that learners retain knowledge best in morning hours. Besides, coming from high school, you are used to being in class in the morning. However, true night owls should probably not sign up for 8:00 a.m. classes. Pick courses accordingly. You might even consider taking an evening course that meets once a week. This will free some study time during the day. My son took this advice and found that his professor was more understanding about course requirements for students who enroll in evening classes since some of them have day jobs. Choose a schedule that eliminates down time. Better to have three courses in the morning than one at 8:00 a.m., another at noon, and a third at 4:00 p.m. The all-too-human tendency with a schedule like that would be to waste time waiting around for class. Sometime in the pre-orientation period before arrival on campus, you will be asked about roommate preferences. Many colleges use computer programs to match roommates according to personality traits, work habits, preferences for food and music, sleep patterns, noise tolerance, and other qualities like how much closeness potential roommates desire in each other. Be honest in what you report about your likes and dislikes. It might help save trouble later. For example, if second-hand smoke causes you problems, you should make sure to indicate a preference for a non-smoking roommate, even if the college outlaws dorm-room smoking. Remember that you want a successful start to your academic career. Tip: Choose a quiet, substance-free dorm that reserves many hours in a day for study. You can always visit rowdier friends on their turf and preserve your room for the relatively quiet retreat for study and sleep that you want it to be. Think of your freshmen orientation experience as a golden opportunity to make friends. Research has shown that the most important survival tip for freshmen year is to have a reliable friend. So, during orientation, make a point to meet new classmates. Break out of the temptation of just hanging with high-school friends. Participate in the icebreakers and planned activities, even if some of them seem pointless. Concentrate on learning and remembering names of people you meet. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to new people. Share something about yourself and then take it from there. Also, avoid typical high school behaviors because of aloofness or trying to “act cool.” Finally, your orientation days are a good time to get to know the campus and where some of your classes might meet. Secure a good campus map and get familiar with it. Check the college website before orientation and locate several buildings you definitely want to visit when on campus for orientation.

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Listening to the Voices of Women Entering Religious Life

“American Women, American Nuns” is an audio recording with quality reflections about different dimensions of American women in religious life. WBUR interviewed four young women May 27, 2014 who are discerning religious life or who are in formation. The total interview runs forty-six minutes. You might begin the audio in a class session and assign the rest for homework.These are the participants. Sr. Colleen Gibson is 28 years old and graduated at the top of her class at Fairfield University. She is in formation with the Sisters of St. Joseph. Danielle Gagnon is a graduate of Assumption College and discerning her call to religious life with the Sisters of Mercy. Sr. Josephine Garrett graduated from the University of Dallas and is in formation with the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Sr. Patricia Dowling is a vocation director with the Sisters of the Bon Secours Follow-up Questions These are some questions that you can ask your students to respond to during the interview or afterwards. Sr. Colleen Gibson talked about her parents’ response to her interest in religious life. What were some of the issues that concerned her parents? How did Sr. Colleen ultimately interpret her parents’ concerns? How have Danielle Gagnon’s friends who have a more secular orientation reacted to her discernment process? What are some interesting parts of Sr. Josephine Garrett’s story? In particular, what role did her choice of college have in shaping her future? What is Sr. Pat’s role as a vocation director in helping young women discern religious life? How do women often find her congregation? What might be some issues that would prevent a woman from entering religious life? The father who has two children entering religious life suggested that discernment is really for all people no matter what walk of life they take. What is your opinion of his statement? How do these women understand their roles as “women in the Church” in the sense that women in the Catholic Church do not have the same authority as men? What is one way that the sisters as young women have responded to the number of aging sisters in their religious communities? Sr, Josephine wears a habit but Sr. Colleen does not. What do each of them like about their own way of dressing as a sister?

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Summary of Pope Francis' Visit to the Holy Land

Pope Francis historic visit to the Holy Land is over. The Catholic bishops of the region have prepared and maintained a webpage with images, articles, and video of the trip. Included in this detailed reference is an article of other papal visists to the Holy Land. Among the many other items to share with your students is the official anthem of the Pope's visit, written by a group of Holy Land musicians. The English refrain and lyrics are below: In the footsteps of Francis Refrain: With you we go onward as witnesses to Christ Spreading the light of the Word in the footsteps of Francis 1. With you we go like Mary with the light of the Nativity We keep the covenant that we gained in the water of baptism And the Cross of our Redeemer, its power, protects us We carry it and go forward, good news for the enslaved. 2. With you we seek the face of the Redeemer in every human being We plant love that blossoms into joy, we witness to faith And the Church of our Redeemer invigorates us with her sacraments We are nourished by them and we go forward immersed in safety 3. With you we vest the cloak of mercy among all creatures We become apostles of peace among the nations of the earth The Gospel of our Redeemer, its light guides us We live by it and go forward calling for amity. 4. With you we raise our prayer from the land of holiness We pray for the East in pain, lost on its way The love of our Redeemer preserves us and enriches us We clothe ourselves in it and go forward on the path of deliverance. 5. With you we sing the resurrection and proclaim life Bearing witness to Peter meeting his brother once again Jesus our Redeemer commands us to unity Let’s listen and go forward, our goal to gratify Him.

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Prayer for Pope Francis’ Trip to the Middle East

From May 24 – 26, Pope Francis will be visiting Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. Father Rifat Bader who is organizing the trip, wrote this prayer in honor of the visit. Pray for the Holy Father's safety, the people of the Holy Land, and the success of his trip.   Heavenly Father, you never tire of being compassionate and loving, the successor of St. Peter, His Holiness Pope Francis, plans to visit the Holy Land sanctified by your Son’s birth, baptism, teaching, death and resurrection, be with him, sanctify and bless him, spread the mantle of your kindness over every stage of his pilgrimage among us, that one may we see in him a believing pilgrim, a wise teacher, and a humble leader Lord Jesus Christ, as you prayed for the unity of your Church, saying, “may they all be one”, make the meeting in Jerusalem between the Holy Father and the Ecumenical Patriarch an incentive to increase our efforts for the unity of your children, Make the encounter of the Pope with the political authorities fruitful for justice and peace, protect all the residents of this land and the adherents of the religions of the Middle East, so that they may be in harmony, dialogue and cooperation for the achievement of full citizenship Good Shepherd, whose image Pope Francis carries on his pectoral cross, walking in the spirit of humility with which you have graced him: deepen within us the awareness of our Christian identity, that as true disciples, we may bear witness to your Good News and your resurrection in our churches, our society, and all the world, especially by serving the sick, the poor and the refugees. Bless, Lord Most Holy, this fourth papal visit to our Holy Land, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, all the saints of the Holy Land, and the two new saints, John Paul II and John XXIII, Amen.

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