Formed In Faith
Sharing the Word through Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Louisville
Even if we’re ‘Where the Wild Things Are,’ God’s table awaits
Mural of characters from “Where the Wild Things Are,” at a Thundercloud Subs shop in Austin, Texas
First holy Communion is celebrated in May at our parish. We’ve structured our program around a parent-centered role, honoring them, as the church does, as “the first and best” teachers of the faith. So when I suggested a book they could read with their children to help them better understand the feast to which they are welcomed, I chose a book many parents know well, one which most of us have read aloud to a child: Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak.
Sendak was neither a theologian nor a Christian, but he wrote an enduring story that begins and ends with a meal and a table, a table that remains waiting for the child even when the child abandons the table in search of more exotic pleasures. He writes of a meal that is never hidden from us, of a table that is always full, always welcoming.
The book begins on the night “Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another.”
Sendak writes, “His mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said, “I’LL EAT YOU UP!”
There is nothing sweet about a wolf. No child goes to bed cuddling his stuffed wolf. Wolves are always the villains (“I’LL EAT YOU UP!”) and never the heroes. The wolf suit stands for all the ways we disguise and disfigure our humanity with sin. It separates us from ourselves and from others, in this case the most vital other, Max’s mother. “Mischief of one kind and another” is storybook language for the real damage our disfigured humanity wreaks, upon other people and upon the created world.
Finding God in the Dishes: Gaudete et Exsultate
by Emily Reimer-Barry
https://catholicmoraltheology.com/
In Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis reaffirms the universal call to holiness and says that he explicitly wishes to propose it “in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges, and opportunities” (2). My colleagues David Cloutier and Matthew Shadle have already reflected on key themes of the document here and here, so I will try to avoid repeating what they have articulated so well already. I will focus on the theme of spirituality in everyday life, and especially on how the pope describes ordinary work as a path of sanctification. As a lay woman theologian who is also a working mom, my daily life combines both reflection on the reality of God and mundane tasks to keep the family going. But it would be a mistake to think that one is superior to the other in terms of bringing me closer to God.
Much of what Pope Francis writes about regarding holiness in ordinary life is not new. Ignatian spirituality has been a resource for many Christian seekers who have found encouragement to “find God in all things.” Kathleen Norris, in her 1998 Madeleva Lecture in Spirituality, “The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy, and Women’s Work,” draws on monastic traditions and feminist theology to help readers think about how daily work can be a place for finding God. Wendy Wright, James Martin, SJ, Henri Nouwen, Gregory Boyle, SJ, and many others have written about the spiritual life and finding God in unlikely ‘everyday’ places.
Here are some of the messages I found most life-affirming in Gaudete et Exsultate:
Click here to continue reading this article.
New papal document provides practical help for parishes
Cardinal Cupich, others praise ‘Gaudete et Exsultate’ for addressing spiritual hunger
Apr 13, 2018
Parishes and individual Catholics will find much wisdom in Pope Francis‘ new exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate (“Rejoice and Be Glad“), a document many say is practical, accessible and applicable to the challenges in today‘s U.S. church and society.
Calling it “one of the most important magisterial documents on holiness since Vatican II,“ Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said the pope has given Catholics an accessible “guide to holiness“ that “urges us in a very practical way to cultivate a disposition of mercy toward the other.“
In particular, he hopes the document‘s section on the Beatitudes would be adopted in church programs for adults and young people alike, from parish study groups, to RCIA, to marriage preparation.
“Just as his reflection on 1 Corinthians in Amoris Laetitia offers practical insights for married couples and those preparing for marriage, so now a meditation on the Beatitudes in Gaudete will prove to be an enormously rich resource for Catholics at all stages of faith formation,“ Cupich told NCR in an email interview.
Those who work in lay ministry, religious education and pastoral care in parishes and dioceses agree the document will be useful in their work, especially when they encounter “push back“ from Catholics who see faith only as intellectual assent to a series of beliefs.
Instead, in Gaudete et Exsultate, released April 9, the pope stresses the importance of both prayer and action — specifically mentioning the plight of migrants — in discernment toward holiness that goes beyond merely following rules.
To continue reading this article click here.
Webinars from Sadlier Religion
Presented by Donna Eschenauer, PhD on Thursday, April 12, 4 p.m. EDT
“From ancient times the conferring of the gift of the Holy Spirit has been carried out in the Church through various rites. These rites have undergone many changes in the East and the West, but the significance of the conferral of the Holy Spirit has been kept” (The Order of Confirmation, Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Conformation).
Explore the innate meaning of the Sacrament of Confirmation with Donna Eschenauer, PhD. Through practical application and questions for reflection, you’ll see how the gift of the Holy Spirit is the beginning of a life-long journey with Christ.
Presented by Lori Dahlhoff, EdD on Tuesday, April 17, 4 p.m. EDT
Every era of human history faces challenges in forming and educating members of faith communities.
In this unique webinar, you’ll discover tools available to catechists, teachers, and leaders in the digital age. Lori Dahlhoff, EdD, explores educational practices including backward design and micro-learning, and how they’re natural and effective tools for forming faith at all ages.
Walking with Purpose
Learn About Walking with Purpose Event
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish
Louisville, KY
Tuesday, April 24
11 am to 1 pm
Do you have a heart for other women and a desire to connect them in the parish, to encourage an authentic women’s faith sharing community, to meet women where they are and draw them closer to Christ? If so, please attend a Learn About Walking with Purpose event this April at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Louisville.
Walking with Purpose, a women’s Catholic Bible study offering a Scripture-based program that is approachable, relevant and focused on conversion of heart, invites women and parish leaders to attend a Learn About Walking with Purpose Event and find out about this fast-growing program.
Meeting women where they are in a personal and transformational way, Walking with Purpose offers at-home study and weekly small group discussions that link women’s everyday challenges with the solutions found in the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church. Walking with Purpose is currently offered in the Louisville diocese at Our Lady of Lourdes and Holy Spirit parishes.
Women ministry leaders and pastoral staff seeking to bring other women closer to Christ through Scripture study and fellowship are invited to learn from local WWP leaders about their experience bringing the program to their parish. WWP national staff will explain the WWP discernment process, leadership training and mentoring support offered.
There is no charge for the event and lunch will be provided. To register or obtain more information about this Learn About Walking with Purpose Event, please contact Beth Freeman via email at bethf@ourlourdes.org.
Our Resource Page
We have added new links to our resource page. You can now find Pope Francis’ new apostolic exhortation, Rejoice and Be Glad. Pope Francis explores the heights and depths of practical Christian holiness. He looks at the call to holiness in today’s world, with wit, insight, and encouraging counsel, and invites Christians to embrace the fullness of the Beatitudes.
Summer Catalogue 2018
It has arrived (just in time for Easter)!
Mercy & Mary Retreat – Louisville, KY
EXPERIENCE the TIME of MERCY
with Father Michael Gaitley!
Join the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy for an inspiring Mercy & Mary Retreat, featuring bestselling author of 33 Days to Morning Glory and acclaimed speaker Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC.
Take time to recharge and refocus as you learn the secrets of this “Time of Mercy.”
Join us for a full immersion experience into Divine Mercy and Mary. Enjoy talks by Fr. Gaitley, Mass, Adoration, testimonies with the Marian Missionaries, and much more!
*PLEASE NOTE: This retreat has a limited number of spaces available and may sell out fast! Register Today!
Your Mercy & Mary Retreat Includes:
- ♦ 5 Conferences with Fr. Gaitley:
- — Personal Testimony: Now is the Time of Mercy
- — St. John Paul II: Fatima and the Great Mercy Pope
- — St. Maximilian Kolbe: Mary’s Instrument of Mercy
- — St. Thérèse: The Way of Merciful Love
- — Your Role in this Time of Mercy
- ♦ Retreat Mass
- ♦ Chaplet of Divine Mercy
- ♦ Adoration & Benediction
- ♦ Book Signing with Fr. Michael Gaitley
- ♦ Coffee and Donuts
- ♦ Lunch with the Marian Missionaries
- ♦ And more!
Potential Lodging
- Retreatants will need to make their own arrangements for accommodations.
Retreat Details (Retreat times subject to change)
This retreat begins on Friday evening, June 22nd, 2018 with Fr. Gaitley’s first conference. The conference will begin around 7:15 p.m. and it will be the only event of the evening.
Saturday Schedule
• 7:45 a.m. Retreat Mass
• Retreat Check-in/Registration/Coffee and Donuts
• Conference #2
• Break
• Conference #3
• Lunch Break & Fr. Gaitley begins Book Signing
• Personal Testimonies – More about the Marian Missionaries
• Conference #4
• Break
• Adoration/Chaplet/Benediction
• Conference # 5
Retreat officially concludes at 4:30 p.m.
Payment Information
Your payment for the Mercy & Mary Retreat supports the mission of the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy. Your generosity allows our level one missionaries to perform ministry with the homeless, poor, and needy in Boston, New York City, and our local community.
The Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy is a not-for-profit religious organization. A portion of your registration is a donation and will be tax deductible.
*Please note: You may pay online or by mail-in check. Due to a high volume of registrations, if you wish to pay by check, we cannot reserve your spot on the Mercy & Mary Retreat until your payment has been received. We strongly encourage payment online. Online registrations will be processed immediately.
Cancellation Policy
We cherish every contribution to our ministry and our missionaries work hard to ensure every dollar is put to work helping those most in need. When we receive your registration, we believe it is your full intention to support our efforts to meet those less fortunate in our communities. Because the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy has limited support staff, we do not have the ability to issue refunds. If you must cancel, you may transfer your registration to another party or donate your reservation to someone less fortunate who may want to attend – this is possible up to one week before the event. After this time, cancellations are no longer transferable and are considered a donation to the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy. ALL EVENT REGISTRATIONS ARE FINAL. We thank you for understanding.
Additional information is sent to registered participants in the final two weeks before the event. We invite you to add Events@MarianMissionaries.org to your email address book to ensure all of our communications arrive in your Inbox.
Archdiocese of Louisville
USCCB
Formed In Faith 