CATHOLIC IDENTITY

Leland Nagel

National

Conference for

Catechetical

Leadership

February 21, 2013

All you holy men and women

Pray for us.Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint .

St. Peter Damian (1007-1072)Maybe because he was orphaned and had been treated shabbily by one of his brothers, Peter Damian was very good to the poor. As Cardinal-bishop of Ostia, he wished to restore primitive discipline among religious and priests, warning against needless travel, violations of poverty and too comfortable living. He preferred examples and stories rather than theory in his writings. In 1828 he was declared a Doctor of the Church.

NDC, no. 18, p. 54

Catechesis is•Nourished when the Word of God is more deeply understood•Enlivened in the celebration of the Liturgy.•Enriched when the Word of God shines forth in the life of the Church, especially

– In the lives of the saints– In the Christian witness of the faithful

So What If . . .Mattie Stepanek, February

1998What if the world fills upwith so many peoplethat the earth can’t hold us all?Is that a reason for war?No.Is that a reason not to love unborn babies?No.Is that a reason to let sick people die?No.It is a reason we need to make extra room,first in our hearts and then into our worldIt is a reason to make room for prayerbecause God is the only “I AM.”

Who can answer such a “What If?”

Year of Saint Paul, the Apostle Ended several years ago

Be always JoyfulPray without ceasing

and Give Thanks in all circumstances,For this is the will of God for you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

Things DivinePoems Thrown into the WindBy Robert MorneauDon’t let people become strangers to things divine” cf. Ad GentesI was a stranger but God took me in and showed me things divine:• the Light behind a human smile;• the Love beneath a tender touch; • the Life beyond the pain of death.• Now, I’m a stranger no more• and I go forth – sent –• to prevent others• from being aliens to things divine.

PRAYER Lectio Divina

Divine ReadingAccepting the Embrace of

God• LECTIO (Reading)• MEDITATIO (Meditation)• ORATIO (Prayer)• CONTEMPLATIO (Contemplation)

LECTIO - Reading

• Deuteronomy 6: 4-9• LISTEN for one word/phrase• that seems to speak to you tonight• almost jumps out at you• Keep repeating it to yourself

Meditatio - Meditation• IT WILL BE READ A SECOND TIME• You can read along as well as listen.

• Ponder and ruminate on what was read.• Meditation engages thought, imagination,

emotion and desire.• What, in particular, strikes you?• What, if anything, raises questions?• What, if anything, can you affirm?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NSRV)

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”

Meditatio - Meditation• IT WILL BE READ A SECOND TIME• You can read along as well as listen.

• Ponder and ruminate on what was read.• Meditation engages thought, imagination,

emotion and desire.• What, in particular, strikes you?• What, if anything, raises questions?• What, if anything, can you affirm?

ORATIO- PrayerCONTEMPLATIO - Contemplation

• Contemplatio• What is God saying to you?• What is God asking of you?• What are you being asked of in your

being and in your doing?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NSRV)

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.”

ORATIO- PrayerCONTEMPLATIO - Contemplation

• Contemplatio• TAKE TIME TO CONTEMPLATE AND LISTEN FOR THE VOICE OF GOD• What is God saying to you?• What is God asking of you?• What are you being asked of I in your being and in your doing? • SHARE if you so desire.

Question of the MorningYou have 30 seconds to talk to anyone you feel might know the right answer, BUT, if I call on you. It would be a good idea if you had the right answer.What is the most important prayer for a Roman Catholic?

HINT: How do we begin all public worship and official prayers of the Church?

A N S W E R

SIGN OF THE CROSS

I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

North Dakota Oak Tree California Redwoods - Sequoia

To Teach as Jesus Did

• Kerygma– Knowledge

• Koinonia– Community

• Diakonia– Service

• Liturgia– Prayer and Worship

TRINITY ╬ O-N-E GOD

• Jesus Christ – Yesterday, Today and Forever– I will never abandon you

• Holy Spirit– Source of Unity– Points to the truth, regardless of the question

• God Our Father– ▬ God of Love– ▬ Always was, Always will be

Pope John XXIII

• The longest journey you will ever take is from you head to your heart

• From what you know is true to how you live your life.• From the words of everlasting life to the “word made flesh.”• From the philosophy and mission to everyday “policies and regulations”

CATHOLIC ANTHROPOLOGY

• How the Catholic perspective shapes:• Our way of life• Our way of relating to self• Our way of relating to others• Our way of relating to the world• Our entire modus operandi as human beings (persons)

Catholic Anthropology“…uses the lens of Scripture”

GOD IS the• Beginning of human existence & •End of human existence

With what kind of eyes do you look out upon the world?

╬ Elohist╬ Yahwist

Creation Stories Elohist

• Does God Have a Big Toe?: Stories About Stories in the Bible

• Authors: Rabbi Marc Gellman, Oscar De Mejo (Illustrator)

Creation storiesYahwist

• Ethiopian Tattoo Shop

• Author: Father Edward Hays

What story do you like best?TODAY – Right Now!

• What story best describes your view of life and the way you approach every day with God?• Which story symbolizes your view of God the Creator?• Which story would you choose to tell and why? Sharing one’s faith is catechesis

The Creation: The Story of How God Created the

WorldAuthors: Sheila Cassidy, Emma Hunk (Illustrator)

Profound and Perennial Truths● Person as Essentially Good and Dignified- Though Capable of Sin, Remaining in the Divine Image● Person as Partner with God and Ever in Need of God’s Grace

● Person as Partner in Community● Person Made from Love and for Loving

● Person with Eternal Destiny

Gift of Love

Music to theWords andPrayersof Mother Teresa

•Bradley James

Mother’s Business Card

• In the silence of the heart God speaks• Let God fill us then only we speak• Do small things with great love

• The fruit of silence is prayer• The fruit of prayer is faith• The fruit of faith is love• The fruit of love is service• The fruit of service is peace

God in your Life

• EARTH• AIR• WATER• FIRE

G O D I S

Defining Beauty

Danielle Rose

G O D I S

You want to know me? You want to see my face?

I do not age with time; I do not fit into a space

I transcend the capacity of your eye, so who am I?

G O D I SIt is the question of the moment; It is the question for all time I am you and you are mine

I am the beginning in the end I am the faith in your believing I am the color of truth I am the dreamer of your dreams

I am the falling in your love I am the words of a prayer I am the silence in the music I am the music in the silence

G O D I SI am your father; I am your motherI am the man who cannot cryI am the story in your eyesI am the orphan of war

I am the leper begging on the cornerI am the black slave in chains

I am the Muslim bride who cannot show her face

I’m the cross you carry again

G O D I S

I am the beginning in the endI am the faith in your believing

I am the color of truthI am the dreamer of your dreams

I am the falling in your loveI am the words of a prayer

I am the silence in the musicI am the music in the silence

G O D I S

I’m all you have forgottenI am all this you have not beenI am in you – all that is within you

Let the journey begin. Amen • I am in you, Amen.

G O D I S

I am the beginning in the endI am the faith in your believing

I am the color of truthI am the dreamer of your dreams

I am the falling in your loveI am the words of a prayer

I am the silence in the musicI am the music in the silence

T R I N I T YWhat do we call Y-O-U

• Names of GOD – your turn– Names you know/use for God or one of the

persons in God – Descriptive words/phrases associated with…

• We receive names from relationships– Desert mothers and fathers

In Hebrew culture, “To be nameless is to be worthless.”

Names for God

In God’s Name•Author: Sandy Eisenberg Sassso, • Illustrator:• Phoebe Stone

Ten Commandments• I. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have

strange Gods before me! • II. You shall not take the name of the LORD

your God in vain! • III. Remember to keep holy the LORD'S Day! • IV. Honor your father and your mother! • V. You shall not kill! • VI. You shall not commit adultery! • VII. You shall not steal! • VIII. You shall not bear false witness against your

neighbor! • IX. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife! • X. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods!

Decalogue – 10 Commandments Catholic Catechism for Adults • Believe in the True God

• Reverence God’s Name• Love the Lord’s Day• Strengthen Your Family• Promote the Culture of

Life• Marital Fidelity• Do Not Steal – Act Justly• Tell the Truth• Practice Purity of Heart• Embrace Poverty of Spirit

Mission of the minister Tell the good news

* The Reign of God is among us.* Everyone is welcome here.* Everyone is offered a place at

the table.* Forgiveness is possible.* Love your enemies.* Be generous with your money.* Follow the Spirit who is leading you.

The Reign of God is among us

The Rabbi’s Gift

The Messiah is one of us

There’s always somebody helping

Everyone is welcome here

Everyone is welcome here.

Forgiveness is Possible I am so, so sorry. I would give my life if your son could live again

I don’t know if you will ever be able to ask, so let me be first,

YOU ARE FORGIVEN

Love your enemies

Kim Phuc Kim Phuc Kim Phuc Kim Phuc

Forgiving the Church• When we have been wounded by the Church, our temptation is to

reject it. But when we reject the Church it becomes very hard for us to keep in touch with the living Christ. When we say, "I love Jesus, but I hate the Church," we end up losing not only the Church but Jesus too. The challenge is to forgive the Church. This challenge is especially great because the Church seldom asks us for forgiveness, at least not officially. But the Church as an often fallible human organization needs our forgiveness, while the Church as the living Christ among us continues to offer us forgiveness.

• It is important to think about the Church not as "over there" but as a community of struggling, weak people of whom we are part and in whom we meet our Lord and Redeemer. -Henri Nouwen

Love Your Enemies

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Be Generouswith your money

Are YOU Wealthy? Be GENEROUSIf you have • food in the refrigerator, • clothes on your back, • a roof overhead and • a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have – money in the bank, – money in your wallet or purse, and – spare change in a dish, drawer, jar at home

you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.'

If you have your own computer with internet access, you are part of the 1% of the world who can.

SPIRITUS – Breath - Inspiration Follow the Holy Spirit

FRUITS of the Spirit•LOVE•JOY•PEACE•PATIENCE•KINDNESS•GENEROSITY•FAITHFULNESS•GENTLENESS•SELF-CONTROL

Trinity as a plant

Father as a deep root

Son – the shoot that breaks forth into the world

Spirit that spreads beauty and fragrance

Composer

Imagination

Score

Performance

Architect

Mind

Plans

Structure

Saint Augustine

Lover

Beloved

Love Between

Saint Augustine

Giver

Recipient

Gift-given

Contemporary based on

Isaiah 46:6, 49:15 & Matthew 3:17

Mother

Beloved Child

Life-Giving Womb

One from whom

One through whom

One in whom

King of Glory

Prince of Peace

Spirit of Love

Rock

RedeemerFriend

Mobius Strip

• 1. Start with a long rectangle (ABCD) made of paper.

• 2. Give the rectangle a half twist. • 3. Join the ends so that A is matched

with D and B is matched with C.

ONE God, ONE Faith, ONE Church

ONE does not equal 1• O – God the Creator is perfect – don’t know where begins - always was, always will be• N – God the Son – Jesus. You can depend on me – I won’t let you fall• E – Holy Spirit – Always points in the right direction – same truthful answer every time.

In God’s eyes, one is never singular. How many did it take to make ONE?

The elements of a blessing

The first element in any blessing is that there has to be a relationship with God. When we bless, when we ask for goodness, we ask from the source of all goodness, we ask God. When things are going well in our lives – when the road seems to rise and meet us – our relationship with God will be positive.

Cursing is the furthest thing from our minds.

The elements of a blessing

When things are not going so well in our lives – when the road does not rise to meet us – everything in life can seem like an uphill struggle. It is during these times that we run the risk of losing our relationship with God. If we allow this to happen, we are unable to bless. We become like the embittered psalmist who can only curse.

Relationship with and belief in God are essential to blessing.

The elements of a blessing

The second element in a blessing is the ritual of transfer of the blessing or the goodness. Historically, this transfer of the blessing takes place physically through words that we pronounce and gestures that we make, such as uplifted arms or actual laying-on of hands.

The person giving the blessing transfers the blessing in such a manner that it will somehow

be experienced by the receiver.

The elements of a blessing

The sense of touch, whether it is the wind at your back, the sun shining upon your face or the firm hand of a person signing your forehead, can convey an enormous life-sustaining power.

A blessing is the bridge between heaven and earth. The transfer of the divine that occurs when we bless is truly a sacred moment.

The elements of a blessing

The third element of a blessing is the enhancement of the receiver, wherein we envision the goodness of the blessing. Even Jesus, when he pronounced the Beatitudes, envisioned a goodness that would give comfort and hope to millennia of believers. We have in our possession the ability to envision virtually any future for humanity.

The power to bless is incredibly awesome. It is the vision of divine enhancement, of a people resting in the

palm of God’s hand, that is the hallmark of a blessing.

Your Turn

• Bless (Give)

• and be Blessed (Receive)

B L E S S I N GMay you arise each day with a voice of

blessing whispering in your heart.

May you find harmony between your soul and your life.

May there be kindness in your gaze when you look within.

May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, mind you, and embrace you in belonging.

• To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donohue

B L E S S I N G

May the day never burden.

May dawn find hope in your heart.

May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.

May you go into the night blessed, sheltered and protected.

May your soul calm, console and renew you.

• To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donohue

B L E S S I N G

May you be blessed in the holy names of those who, without you knowing it, help to carry and lighten your pain.

May a window of light always surprise you.

May memory bless and protect you.

May you know that though the storm might rage, not a hair of your head will be harmed.

To Bless the Space Between Us, John O’Donohue

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