Building Strong Catholic Families Faith Formation
Many of us feel the pressure early in the holiday season to be ready for Christmas. But today's Gospel challenges us to be ready for something other than the gift-giving of Christmas. Read together today's Gospel reading. As a family, talk about what it means to be ready for the day of the Lord. One of the roles of the family, the domestic church, is to be a school of faith leading one another to salvation. Reflect together as a family on how your family helps one another to be better Christians. Commit to one thing that your family will do this Advent season to help one another be better Christians, to grow in holiness. You might choose to write this commitment down and post it in a prominent place in your home, perhaps near your family's Advent wreath. Pray together that God will help you in this Advent commitment. Pray together the Lord's Prayer or today's Psalm.
A Year of Coming to Know God
God chose certain leaders – and their communities – to be His representatives to the rest of humanity. God started with Adam, who was the head of the first human couple. Then God initiated a relationship with Noah and saved all of Noah’s family from the flood. Then God made contact with Abraham, and his extended family, who became the recipient of magnificent promises of land, and many descendants, and ultimately salvation. When Abraham’s descendants became numerous and were enslaved in Egypt, God called Moses to lead this new nation to the promised land. Generations later, God chose David to be in charge of the Kingdom and promised that one of David’s descendants would be the universal and eternal king. Leading to the Incarnation!
Hands of Christ Nominations
The Hands of Christ is a recognition program, sponsored by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, in which the Most Reverend Bishop Salvatore R. Matano affirms high school seniors of our parishes who have been the “Hands of Christ” in their Churches, homes, schools and communities. Seniors will be recognized at one of several diocesan recognition ceremonies in 2023. The Criteria to receive this very special recognition:
• Has consistently demonstrated a Christian attitude by word and example.
• Has been actively involved in the parish as well as their school or community.
• Has been a positive role model to their peers, younger children and adults.
• Is a practicing Roman Catholic in a parish in the Diocese of Rochester and attends Mass.
• Is currently a high school senior.
Contact the faith formation office for more information and nomination forms. Deadline December 1st!