promises, promises . . . keepers of the promise … conference... · keepers of the promise dr....

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Catholic Parents –�� KEEPERS OF THE PROMISE

Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM IHM Office of Formative Support

PROMISES, PROMISES . . .

1 At Parent’s Baptism

To live always as a member of Christ’s body – functioning as:

2 At Child’s Baptism

To give constant care to training your child in the practice of the faith

Priest, Prophet, King

The PROMISE made at your own baptism . . .

“God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. . . .”

“. . . He now anoints you with the CHRISM OF SALVATION.”

“ As Christ was anointed PRIEST, PROPHET, and KING, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.”

* * * PRIEST * * *

The function of a priest . . .

• To pray

• To intercede for others,

• To communicate with God

• To relay God’s response to others

• To teach others how to pray

* * * PRIEST * * *

• Jesus prayed “on the spot” -- spontaneously -- in the midst of ordinary circumstances.

• Jesus also sought solitude to pray.

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* * * PRIEST * * * PRAY-WAYS GROW

simple sentence, aspirations, formulas, poems, songs, psalms, hymns, heart-room prayer (meditation), guided imagery, rosary, stations of the cross, visits to & conversations with the Blessed Sacrament, participation at Mass, retreats, spiritual direction, contemplation . . .

* * * PRIEST * * *

Vocal & Mental Formal & Informal

PRAYER IS . . .

. . . CONVERSATION

* * * PRIEST * * *

Parents teach through example that . . . • God is present and interested in us, always and everywhere,

• We may lift our hearts to God at any moment with the ease and familiarity of taking a breath!

* * * PROPHET * * *

A PROPHET . . . • to be messenger of God’s word • to speak and live the values of Jesus

Be who you say that you are!

With your being proclaim that God is love!

* * * PROPHET * * *

To be a messenger of the WORD, we must know the Word!

• Teach children love for the Scripture.

• Help children become familiar with the life-giving messages in the Scripture.

Favorite Scripture Quotes . . .

• “I know well the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare; not for woe! Plans for a future full of hope.” (Jeremiah 29: 11-14)

• “The Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” (Exodus 14:14)

• “When you seek me with all your heart you will find me within you and I will change your lot.” (Jeremiah 29: 11-14)

• “By waiting and calm you shall be saved. In quiet and in trust your strength lies.” (Isaiah 30: 15b)

• “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (Corinthians 12: 7-10)

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Create a Rosary of

Christian Character

Scripture Passage

A “Jesus Clause” that references the Gospel

+ Scriptural Part of the “Hail Mary”

+

Peter’s Rehabilitation, Sea of Tiberias

(John 21: 15-17)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, JESUS . . .

Who wants us to give second chances like he did for Peter.

Ten Lepers (John 21: 15-17)


Who taught us the value of saying “THANK YOU.”

Paralyzed Man Lowered through Roof

(Luke 5: 17-26)


Who asks us, like he asked the Scribes and Pharisees, why we hold onto hurtful thoughts.

Son of the Widow of Naim (Luke 7: 11-17)


Who desires us to help others without being asked, as he did for the Widow of Naim.

Woman at the Well (John 4: 1-30)


Who challenges us to tell the truth like the Woman at the Well did.

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Teaching about Judgment (Matthew 7:1)


Who commanded us not to judge others.

The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12)


Who taught us to treat other people the way that we want to be treated.

Teaching about The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15)


Who taught us to forgive each other.

Teaching about True Riches (Matthew 6:26-34)


Who reminded us to depend on God’s providence to take care of us rather than worry about tomorrow.

Love of Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)


Who gave us an example to love our enemies and

to pray for people who hurt us.

Purity of Intention (Matthew 6:1-4)


Who advised us to keep our good deeds secret instead of bragging or showing off.

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Promote Christian Character

the Sunday Gospel

via

Gospel ABCs

A= Attitudes

B= Behaviors

C= Consequences

Manners or feelings . . .

. . . that lead to life and loving relationships like: openness, forgiveness, conversion, awareness, sensitivity . . .

. . . that block life and love like: suspicion, rash judgment, self-righteousness, or negativity . . .

ACTION or REACTION to a person or to a circumstance . . .

Life-Giving behaviors like: welcoming another, sharing gifts of nature and grace, owning up to mistakes, offering reconciliation, asking forgiveness . . .

LIFE-BLOCKING behaviors like: lying, betraying another, gossip, excluding others, acting on prejudices, seeking revenge . . .

EFFECT/RESULT of attitudes or behavior . . .

Positive attitudes/behaviors result in joy, energy, enthusiasm for life, vital relationships, healing . . .

Negative attitudes paralyze. They block the heart to what good there is and negativity becomes a “turn off” to others.

Crowds were around Jesus. Zaccheus was too short to see Jesus within the crowd. He climbed a sycamore tree in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus. Jesus initiated conversation and invited himself to the intimacy of supper in the home of Zaccheus. This caused observers to criticize both Jesus and Zaccheus. Zaccheus was moved to conversion and announced his decision to make restitution with his neighbors. Jesus called Zacchaeus a son of Abraham.

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector, Lk. 19: 1-10 A SUMMARY

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Zacchaeus the Tax Collector Lk. 19: 1-10

ATTITUDES

BEHAVIORS

CONSEQUENCES

Resourcefulness, creative hope, willingness to “go out on a limb,” compensating for and coping with a disadvantage, being proactive, claiming his desire/need/curiosity to see Jesus . . .

“think outside the box,” climb a tree, accepted

responsibility for past choices, . . .

Zee received personal invitation into relationship with Jesus, he converted, he made restitution, . . .

A Student Prayer . . . Jesus, I think you are

making me look at forgiveness today because I need to ask forgiveness from peers to whom I have been rude and mean. I am scared to do this because I am embarrassed by my actions. I will have difficulty talking to these people. Please give me the courage that I need. And please open up their hearts to hear me and to forgive me.

* * * SERVANT-KING * * *

Baptism makes us heirs of heaven and gives us a share

in the ROYAL MISSION of Jesus.

Jesus said, “I did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many.”

(Mk.10:45)

* * * SERVANT-KING

As servant-kings we are called to give SERVICE to each other

with the MINDSET of Jesus.

* * * SERVANT-KING

• to anticipate the needs of others

• to sacrifice personal time & preference for the good of another

• to express appreciation & gratitude

Teach children: * * * SERVANT-KING

• to contribute to the organization of the home

• to cultivate the joy of giving

• to embrace the attitudes expressed by St. Francis: “let me sow love, pardon, faith, hope, light, joy, understanding, consolation.”

Teach children:

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PROMISES, PROMISES . . .

1 At Parent’s Baptism

To live always as a member of Christ’s body – functioning as Priest, Prophet, King

2 At Child’s Baptism

To give constant care to training your child in the practice of the faith

At the baptism of a child parents pronounce PUBLIC PROMISES:

• To make it a “constant care” to train the child in the practice of the faith

• To bring the child to keep the commandments by loving God & neighbor

PUBLIC PROMISES: (continued)

• To keep the child safe from the poison of sin

• To help the child grow always stronger in his/her heart

PUBLIC PROMISES: (continued)

• By word and example to bring baptismal dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven

• To keep the light of Christ burning brightly

If you were on trial for PARENTING AS A CATHOLIC, would there be sufficient evidence for a jury to pronounce a verdict of guilty?

Suppose the prosecutor examined your children regarding how well you fulfill the vocation as “first teacher; first herald of the Gospel” – who leads them to grow in the knowledge, love, and service of God?

How well do you score in these TEN INDICATORS?

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# 1 I teach my child the words and the meaning of age- appropriate prayers like: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Angel of God, Act of Contrition, Acts of Faith, Hope, Love, etc.

# 2 My family prays Grace before and after meals.

# 3 I establish a bedtime ritual that includes prayer, examination of conscience, and an act of contrition. I bless my child

at the end of the day.

# 4 I oversee the study of religious education lessons.

• I read and study the lessons. • I help my child to memorize and practice faith-formulas like the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, precepts of the Church, and principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

# 5 I explain to my child that the TEN COMMANDMENTS are standards of love and expressions of a loving relationship rather than a set of rules.

I provide an age-appropriate understanding of the Commandments.

# 6

I cultivate within my child appreciation for the Blessed Sacrament -- the CENTER of Catholic worship.

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Celebration of Eucharist

! Preparation of Gifts ! Consecration ! Thanksgiving after

reception of Holy Communion

My child and I participate weekly in Sunday Eucharist.

Eucharistic Prayer

! Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

! ACTS of Love before

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

Adore, Confess, Thank, Seek ! Spiritual Communion

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (St. Alphonsus Liguori)

My Jesus, I believe that You are really present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You more than anything in the world and I hunger to be nourished by You. But since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, come into my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself to You now as I do when I actually receive You. Never let me drift away from you.

# 7 My child and I practice regular

reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

# 8

My child is growing familiar with the Gospels and learning to apply the messages of the Sunday Gospel to daily living.

# 9 My family demonstrates reverence for Mary and the Saints.

• Each member of the family knows the life and character-qualities of his/her patron saint.

• In addition to birthdays, we celebrate the patronal feastday of each member.

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# 10 Through word and action I cultivate

an attitude of service-to-others, particularly the poor among us.

WORKS OF MERCY

Warn the sinner. Instruct the ignorant. Pray for the living and the

dead. Forgive all injuries. Bear wrongs patiently. Counsel the

doubtful. Comfort the sorrowful. SPIRITUAL

CORPORAL

Feed the hungry. Give drink to the thirsty. Clothe the naked. Visit the sick. Shelter the homeless. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead.

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Call to Family, Community, Participation

Solidarity

Rights and Responsibilities

Care of God’s Creation

Dignity of Work & Rights of Workers

Catholic Social Teaching

Key themes that run through centuries of Church documents and tradition

If you were on trial for PARENTING AS A CATHOLIC, would there be sufficient evidence for a jury to pronounce a verdict of guilty?

What’s the Verdict ?

IHM Office of Formative Support for Parents & Teachers

[email protected]

Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM

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