PLANNING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
"We are not social workers. We may be doing social work in the eyes of some people but we must be contemplatives in the heart of the world. We have to learn to pray the work.
To do it with Jesus, for Jesus, to Jesus."
(Mother Teresa, National Prayer Breakfast, Washington, DC, February 3, 1994)
To do it with Jesus, for Jesus, to Jesus."
(Mother Teresa, National Prayer Breakfast, Washington, DC, February 3, 1994)
GETTING STARTED
First things first, we must keep in mind that ministry, of any sort, is always magnified by a group effort among the communion of saints and our leading Lady all following the course of the Holy Spirit. We all hold, within ourselves, the potential force of due change because of the Divine presence fighting within us. But, as in any relationship, both parties have to be willing to meet and agree in order for this change to occur. When we, as human beings, admit our incapacities and relent to our true calling, union with our One, True, Merciful Creator, we can do extraordinary things. We have to learn to listen and to follow God’s lead. When ideas are fruitless and times are particularly dry, usually, that’s a real indicator that we’re not listening to our ministry partners and that we are not truly collaborating with the Divine. In God’s plan, He created us to be one large collaborative family. As Father, He has the final say; however, He is deeply invested in our hearts, our fullness and our dreams and has made us to be even more so dependent upon His will.
THE PLAN
1 Pray to God who is listening.
2 Prepare.
3 Ask for human help.
4 Promote.
5 Implement.
6 Enjoy & Give Thanks.
First things first, we must keep in mind that ministry, of any sort, is always magnified by a group effort among the communion of saints and our leading Lady all following the course of the Holy Spirit. We all hold, within ourselves, the potential force of due change because of the Divine presence fighting within us. But, as in any relationship, both parties have to be willing to meet and agree in order for this change to occur. When we, as human beings, admit our incapacities and relent to our true calling, union with our One, True, Merciful Creator, we can do extraordinary things. We have to learn to listen and to follow God’s lead. When ideas are fruitless and times are particularly dry, usually, that’s a real indicator that we’re not listening to our ministry partners and that we are not truly collaborating with the Divine. In God’s plan, He created us to be one large collaborative family. As Father, He has the final say; however, He is deeply invested in our hearts, our fullness and our dreams and has made us to be even more so dependent upon His will.
THE PLAN
1 Pray to God who is listening.
2 Prepare.
3 Ask for human help.
4 Promote.
5 Implement.
6 Enjoy & Give Thanks.
1. PRAY TO GOD WHO IS LISTENING
“Fear not, Jerusalem! He who gave you your name is your encouragement.”
(The American Bible, Baruch 4:30)
Mission and ministry are meant to move us out of our comfort zones and beyond our normalities into a vibrant change. This change is not only meant for the sake of others but, also importantly, for ourselves. In order to be an effective minister, we first need to realize that ministry is meant to help us move after a God who wills us to fly after Him. Without a relationship with God, ministry has no real purpose. And, if there is no dialog with God, than ministry is without any true aim, "...they labor in vain who build." (Psalm 127:1-2). You can not give that which you do not posses. Yes, ministry is a call to help others; but, for the God of life, He is ready and willing to give you anything you might need for your benefit in this life which leads us into the next. This is a message worth drilling into our hearts and should exasperate the hearts of those to whom we are ministering.
If we want to be effective ministers then we must duly respect, delight and partake in the love of God. If we want to share the Good News and lead others to Christ, then we must first realize our own value in God’s eyes. God loves us. God is listening to us. God desires to give us everything. We must believe in God’s friendship. Only, after we have realized that we have been loved first, can we truly love, can we truly trust. Building trust in God should always be our first priority. As you move forward in your ministry, this bond with God will prove itself time and time again. He is always there to help you, support your faith, bring you to truth, give you ideas, challenge your group, direct your hearts and convict your spirit and speech. Believe that He cares that much to be so intimate with you and your teens and together this ministry will move mountains. God loves you. So, first things first: spend the time meeting with your God.
OPPORTUNITIES:
“Fear not, Jerusalem! He who gave you your name is your encouragement.”
(The American Bible, Baruch 4:30)
Mission and ministry are meant to move us out of our comfort zones and beyond our normalities into a vibrant change. This change is not only meant for the sake of others but, also importantly, for ourselves. In order to be an effective minister, we first need to realize that ministry is meant to help us move after a God who wills us to fly after Him. Without a relationship with God, ministry has no real purpose. And, if there is no dialog with God, than ministry is without any true aim, "...they labor in vain who build." (Psalm 127:1-2). You can not give that which you do not posses. Yes, ministry is a call to help others; but, for the God of life, He is ready and willing to give you anything you might need for your benefit in this life which leads us into the next. This is a message worth drilling into our hearts and should exasperate the hearts of those to whom we are ministering.
If we want to be effective ministers then we must duly respect, delight and partake in the love of God. If we want to share the Good News and lead others to Christ, then we must first realize our own value in God’s eyes. God loves us. God is listening to us. God desires to give us everything. We must believe in God’s friendship. Only, after we have realized that we have been loved first, can we truly love, can we truly trust. Building trust in God should always be our first priority. As you move forward in your ministry, this bond with God will prove itself time and time again. He is always there to help you, support your faith, bring you to truth, give you ideas, challenge your group, direct your hearts and convict your spirit and speech. Believe that He cares that much to be so intimate with you and your teens and together this ministry will move mountains. God loves you. So, first things first: spend the time meeting with your God.
OPPORTUNITIES:
- Adoration
- Daily Mass
- Spiritual Communion
- Lectio and/or Visio Divina
- Daily Examen Prayer
- Prayer Journaling
- Private Devotions
- Spiritual Reading
- Knowing the Saints
- Prayerful Planning
- Prayerful Study of the Catechism
(Catechetical podcasts, videos and audio books are available too.) - Listen to Cardinal Wuerl's Homily from the opening Mass at the 2016 GIVEN Forum.
2. PREPARE
“It is true we must take upon ourselves the sweet yoke and light burden of Christ. Yet, it is this burden itself that is carrying us rather than we ourselves carrying the burden: the many feathers lift up the bird rather than weigh it down. ‘Pluck out the feathers and its body will, by its own weight, plunge into the depth.”
(Cistercians in Texas: The 1998 Jubilee, a collection by the Cistercian Abbey of Dallas, St Bernard of Clairvaux, Ep 385, 3)
IN YOUR PARISH: Find a space and a time.
- After receiving approval from your parish priest or your parish youth ministry, pick the day of the week and hour prudently; perhaps, take a poll with families to see what works best for them. Ideally, Sunday evening sets the proper tone of “anticipation” and “preparation” for the next Mass and usually people are available. If Sunday doesn’t work, try Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Approach the parish office about the availability of space for that chosen day and time. Make sure the space is large enough to accommodate activities and has the proper furnishings. (Be prepared for your original plan to do some flexing and changing.)
- Ask the parish office what their procedure is for reserving that space on a weekly basis.
- Choose a start date and schedule it on the church calendar. (See "Forming a Calendar" below.)
FORMING A PROGRAM: Defining essentials, timetables and finding media guides.
- Review the "Vision & Culture" and make a list of the ways you wish to identify and promote the virtues, practices and focus points within your program.
- Review the "Lectio & Visio" standard procedure and accommodate your parish needs to the following timetable:
(For added clarity, read about the "History & Traditional Prayer".)
Meet in a gathering space/Provide welcome, program brief and materials/Visit the Blessed Sacrament:
(When visiting the Blessed Sacrament: the facilitator needs to be extremely brief but clear and everyone keep reverent silence.)
Visio 3 min Visio Divina – Ask, “What about the image impacts you & why?”
Adoratio 1 min Prayer – Read Aloud
Lectio 3 min Lectio Divina – Ask, “What words speak to your heart & why?”
Meditatio/Contemplatio 5 min Questions for Meditation/Journal Reflection
5 min break/Move to a "teen center" or a designated meeting room:
Oratio 20-30 min Sharing, discussion, catechetical lesson & wrap up
Actio 10-15 min Exercise: activity, examination or scenario
- Choose media sources to study by. These media aids will be of use when forming meditative questions, lessons, exercises, and so provide clarity, cohesion and correctness to our catechism. The media can come in a variety of formats, including but not limited to: spiritual reading books, Eucharistic conference talks, catechetical DVDs and prayer books. Make sure the aid is “meaty” enough to last through the whole season of study and is relevant to the topic of the season (i.e. fall: building blocks & basics; winter: duties & responsibilities; spring: discipline & prayer). Also, be certain that any media you choose corresponds to at least one of the focus points: “Understanding the Catechism”, “Loving the Eucharist”, or “Preparing for the Holy Mass”. See our media pairings for the liturgical seasons under the "Media Guides" or use other prayerful and Catechetical media that you can easily get your hands and heart around.
(See "Forming a Calendar" below for more about seasons and liturgy topics.) - Begin collecting favorite images, prayers, activities, scenarios and examinations that all correspond to the Gospels.
(Browse our collection under the "Resources".)
FORMING A CALENDAR: Prepare your calendar, corresponding to the liturgical year and to the school year.
- In order to form your calendar and identify how many and which weeks to prepare for, use the liturgical calendar as a basic template. The liturgical seasons act as great stopping and starting points from which to move from one media aid to another and which inspire many new ideas and movements within the Church, and therefore, the program. (These suggested seasons are outlined below.)
- Next, subtract holidays, parish-wide retreats, final exams, spring-break or any other days that make it hard for the teens to attend. In the program outline (below) some of these “off-days” have already been taken into consideration. The seasons (below) are suggestions that mark the days the program could take place while assuming that the program is scheduled on a Sunday. Adjust this information as needed.
- Also, take into consideration scheduling an Advent party or a Thanksgiving feast if these youth ministry events aren't already provided by your parish.
The following topics for Catechesis correspond to the liturgical seasons and are meant to aid volunteers in unifying, simplifying and focusing lessons with the Gospel themes:
PART 1/FALL: “Building Blocks & Basics of the Faith” Catechesis
- 9-10 week Fall Program (September – November), Ordinary Time
(20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th or 25th Sunday of OT – Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
- Advent Party/ Mary Movie Night, Two Optional Events
(1st Sunday in December/ 2nd Sunday in December) - 6-9 week Winter Program(January – February/March), Ordinary Time
(Epiphany – Last Sunday of OT)
- 3-5 week Spring Program(February/March – March/April), Lent
(1st Sunday of Lent – 5th Sunday of Lent) - Holy Week Program, Optional
(Palm Sunday) - 0–3 week Easter Program, Optional Part 4
(Divine Mercy Sunday – End of April)
3. ASK FOR HUMAN HELP
“‘The true apostolate is not what one says but what one is. There is nowadays a kind of loud, busy apostolate. Our apostolate is holiness. When a soul rises, it lifts the world up too.’ We do the little we can to sanctify ourselves and leave the rest to God.”
(The Life of Little Saint Placid, by Genevieve Gallois)
Taking on a leadership position grants you an awesome opportunity to stir the Word of God in the hearts of others and provide them with their own opportunities to serve. Just as important as it is to serve, charity also demands allowing others serve us. It is necessary, for a parish ministry, that you communicate with your parish priests and your parish youth ministry team to honor their respective decisions. We experience a great deal of humility in realizing that we just can’t do it all and, even if we could do it, we shouldn’t. Remember that your youth ministry extends far beyond serving the youth but in all actuality it is about a collective service to the whole Church. We need to serve our adult leaders too by making opportunities of service available so that our gift of service will be dispersed, multiplied and the work magnified.
“‘The true apostolate is not what one says but what one is. There is nowadays a kind of loud, busy apostolate. Our apostolate is holiness. When a soul rises, it lifts the world up too.’ We do the little we can to sanctify ourselves and leave the rest to God.”
(The Life of Little Saint Placid, by Genevieve Gallois)
Taking on a leadership position grants you an awesome opportunity to stir the Word of God in the hearts of others and provide them with their own opportunities to serve. Just as important as it is to serve, charity also demands allowing others serve us. It is necessary, for a parish ministry, that you communicate with your parish priests and your parish youth ministry team to honor their respective decisions. We experience a great deal of humility in realizing that we just can’t do it all and, even if we could do it, we shouldn’t. Remember that your youth ministry extends far beyond serving the youth but in all actuality it is about a collective service to the whole Church. We need to serve our adult leaders too by making opportunities of service available so that our gift of service will be dispersed, multiplied and the work magnified.
- Don't be too particular with your aiding ministers. Most of us approach ministry jobs because we, too, are in need of the ministry. Let God give us the prayer and support we have been needing through His choice of aiding ministers and their own special abilities and talents.
- "Try to gather together more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise him. For when you come together frequently, Satan's powers are undermined, and the destruction that he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith." (St Ignatius of Antioch to the Ephesians)
- Provide educational opportunities to adult ministers, whether it is sharing the materials you are referencing for the program, sharing relevant scripture, sharing spiritual books or sharing catechetical experiences.
- Be clear and definitive about tasks so that everyone knows how and when they can help.
- Communicate openly with those helping you so that everyone, including yourself, can grow in humility, experience, skills and enthusiasm.
- Be open to all suggestions and take all advice to prayer.
- Thank your volunteers for their willingness and enthusiasm to serve the teens of the parish.
- Coordinate a time and date for a volunteers’ meeting.
- Open your meetings in prayer.
- Briefly discuss the “Sabbath Life” culture, virtues, focus points and timetable for the program. After that discussion, agree upon the environment for the program. And with input from your team, write out specific ways the team can best promote that community culture amongst the teens during and after the program.
- Introduce the first media guide to the team. Explain the role of this guide and any future needs for media suggestions.
- Assign tasks and establish easy forms of communication, especially with those members who are coordinating the program material (i.e. lessons, activities, scenarios and additional supporting media.)
- Schedule intermittent meetings to touch base with your volunteers throughout the year.
4. PROMOTE
“The Divine Word is creative… it does not limit itself… it brings about… ‘It creates in us both the willing and the doing.’”
(The Meaning of Sacred Scripture, by Louis Bouyer)
It is next to impossible to over promote, “but a bad flyer is worse than no flyer,” says Kyle Heimann, Catholic speaker, author, podcaster, blogger, graphic designer and youth missionary of sorts.
Promotion should be simple, to the point and available everywhere the teens are. There are a lot of people out there that are interested in youth programs but don’t know enough about them, haven’t been personally invited, forgot, or just don’t see the appeal. Take it from Pope Francis:
"(133) It is not enough that evangelizers be concerned to reach each person, or that the Gospel be proclaimed to the cultures as a whole. A theology – and not simply a pastoral theology – which is in dialogue with other sciences and human experiences is most important for our discernment on how best to bring the Gospel message to different cultural contexts and groups. (131) Differences between persons and communities can sometimes prove uncomfortable, but the Holy Spirit, who is the source of that diversity, can bring forth something good from all things and turn it into an attractive means of evangelization." (The Joy of the Gospel)
Calling on the Holy Spirit for inspiration and running to the Eucharist with pen in hand is the best way to begin thinking about any ministry needs. But more than anything we can make or plan, it takes trust in the Divine intervention and a radical connection between human beings to manifest the winning one-two punch combination of loving God and having the humble attitude in wanting to serve and promote human dignity.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION:
“The Divine Word is creative… it does not limit itself… it brings about… ‘It creates in us both the willing and the doing.’”
(The Meaning of Sacred Scripture, by Louis Bouyer)
It is next to impossible to over promote, “but a bad flyer is worse than no flyer,” says Kyle Heimann, Catholic speaker, author, podcaster, blogger, graphic designer and youth missionary of sorts.
Promotion should be simple, to the point and available everywhere the teens are. There are a lot of people out there that are interested in youth programs but don’t know enough about them, haven’t been personally invited, forgot, or just don’t see the appeal. Take it from Pope Francis:
"(133) It is not enough that evangelizers be concerned to reach each person, or that the Gospel be proclaimed to the cultures as a whole. A theology – and not simply a pastoral theology – which is in dialogue with other sciences and human experiences is most important for our discernment on how best to bring the Gospel message to different cultural contexts and groups. (131) Differences between persons and communities can sometimes prove uncomfortable, but the Holy Spirit, who is the source of that diversity, can bring forth something good from all things and turn it into an attractive means of evangelization." (The Joy of the Gospel)
Calling on the Holy Spirit for inspiration and running to the Eucharist with pen in hand is the best way to begin thinking about any ministry needs. But more than anything we can make or plan, it takes trust in the Divine intervention and a radical connection between human beings to manifest the winning one-two punch combination of loving God and having the humble attitude in wanting to serve and promote human dignity.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION:
- After Mass announcement – This works the best when made personally by a youth minister. (Or, better yet, a priest!)
- Bulletin and Church Website – Make sure you keep this information up-to-date.
- Bulletin Boards – Probably the most underutilized space but could have a great impact on a passer-by.
- Flyers – Post them around the church and on social media.
- Prayer Cards with Dates and Times – These are great handouts to promote the group & the faith.
- Posters – Set them on easels where people gather before and after Mass or in other high traffic areas.
- Word of Mouth – Gather a team, of all ages, to share the news with peers and families.
5. IMPLEMENT
“The Liturgy put into his mouth words he never dared utter. His words formed his thoughts and his thought formed his being… and when it had transformed him, then rose to God as the expression of his own being, little Placid.”
(The Life of Little Saint Placid, by Genevieve Gallois)
THE SETUP: arriving
To begin, it’s always safe to show up 30 minutes earlier than your start time. Turning on lights, arranging furnishings and supplies, unlocking doors if necessary, turning on some Christian music for a little background noise all add up and take away from time needed to focus on the arriving teens. Set the "teen center" or meeting room up comfortably so that everyone can see each other and interact. Ideally the setup should look and feel more like a living room than a classroom but some chairs set in a circle is all you really need.
Depending on your parish culture, some teens are likely to show up a little early. (Another good reason to arrive 30 minutes early yourself!) If this happens while you are still arranging for the night, invite those teens to get involved in the setup. This is not only helpful for you but also gives nervous bodies something to do and to break the ice over. Brush up on your conversation starters. If you’re a little rusty, it might not be a bad idea to also bring a simple activity or suggest a game that people can get involved in as they arrive. The goal is simply to make everyone feel free, included and comfortable.
In respect to parent schedules and to the yearning hearts of the teens, it is important that everyone gather, focus and begin on time.
THE PROGRAM: prayer and fellowship
MORE TIPS AND TRICKS: forming a healthy group culture
Remember that the Sabbath Life program should feel more like it is taking place in a living room rather than a classroom. Expecting answers and demanding participation during sharing time is unnecessary. However, taking the time to wait and later calling on individuals, in a personal invitation to share, is very constructive and is appreciated by those teens who may be shy, or those who need some time to think, or those who may just be natural observers. We aim to promote, encourage and gently coax the teens to liberate themselves from fears and self-consciousness in a way only love knows how. Pressuring anyone for personal and delicate information is dangerous territory and we want to avoid building that pressure.
Because our faith is all encompassing, personal feelings and tough experiences can come up during the course of the program. Be ready to answer or admit that you personally do not have (but are willing to find out or direct the teen to) the Church’s answers and solutions.
Overly eager sharing can be dangerous for the teens, as well. Discretion here is an awareness of privacy, purity, mystery and hope for one another. Some conversations should remain private and if a teen wants to publicly share what should be a private conversation or problem within the group, gently stop that teen, explain that you are stopping them because you are concerned for their privacy and are concerned about the readiness of the group listening. Then simply invite the teen to talk to a couple adult volunteers in exchange. Schedule that meeting either after the program is over or at a better time.
On the other hand, there is never any excuse good enough (apart from physical or emotional disability) for a teen to withhold participation during safe and controlled group activities or directed conversations. Even reluctant teens will thank you for giving them that extra push to get involved if that push is done in generosity.
Staying for a little time after, while teens socialize and say goodbye, is not obligatory; however, the teens appreciate the opportunity if at all possible. Be aware of parents and encourage the teens to respectfully leave on time if a parent is waiting and ready to pick them up.
“The Liturgy put into his mouth words he never dared utter. His words formed his thoughts and his thought formed his being… and when it had transformed him, then rose to God as the expression of his own being, little Placid.”
(The Life of Little Saint Placid, by Genevieve Gallois)
THE SETUP: arriving
To begin, it’s always safe to show up 30 minutes earlier than your start time. Turning on lights, arranging furnishings and supplies, unlocking doors if necessary, turning on some Christian music for a little background noise all add up and take away from time needed to focus on the arriving teens. Set the "teen center" or meeting room up comfortably so that everyone can see each other and interact. Ideally the setup should look and feel more like a living room than a classroom but some chairs set in a circle is all you really need.
Depending on your parish culture, some teens are likely to show up a little early. (Another good reason to arrive 30 minutes early yourself!) If this happens while you are still arranging for the night, invite those teens to get involved in the setup. This is not only helpful for you but also gives nervous bodies something to do and to break the ice over. Brush up on your conversation starters. If you’re a little rusty, it might not be a bad idea to also bring a simple activity or suggest a game that people can get involved in as they arrive. The goal is simply to make everyone feel free, included and comfortable.
In respect to parent schedules and to the yearning hearts of the teens, it is important that everyone gather, focus and begin on time.
THE PROGRAM: prayer and fellowship
- Call on the Holy Spirit. The first order of business should always be opening in prayer by calling on the Holy Spirit.
- Gather the group to begin. Invite everyone to introduce themselves, especially if there are any unfamiliar faces.
- Introduce the program and the Lectio & Visio Divina process.This explanation should be very brief but descriptive enough so that everyone understands the basic principles and purpose of the program and can easily follow along.
- Hand out supplies. Make sure each teen has a large copy of the Gospel image, a copy of the Gospel text, the questions for meditation, a journal and a pen or pencil.
- Move the group into the presence of the Blessed Sacrament to lead the teens through the “visio”, “adoratio”, “lectio” and “meditatio/contemplatio” process. If visiting the Blessed Sacrament is not possible, move the group to a makeshift altar or a pronounced crucifix where they can look on Christ as they pray. Station a volunteer at the door to quietly welcome and inform any late arrivals on what the group is doing and help them follow along.
- Give a 5 minute break. Indicate available restrooms, snacks and drinks. Food is not necessary but is appreciated more often than not .
- Gather the group into the teen center or meeting room for the "oratio" and "actio" portion. Time can be extended and shortened in these last areas of the program. As the teens grow more comfortable and more willing to share and ask questions in the future, you may find yourself tightening your planned lessons and instructions to allow more time for open conversation.
- Together, consecrate your hearts to Christ. Allow the group to vocally say the final prayer together.
MORE TIPS AND TRICKS: forming a healthy group culture
Remember that the Sabbath Life program should feel more like it is taking place in a living room rather than a classroom. Expecting answers and demanding participation during sharing time is unnecessary. However, taking the time to wait and later calling on individuals, in a personal invitation to share, is very constructive and is appreciated by those teens who may be shy, or those who need some time to think, or those who may just be natural observers. We aim to promote, encourage and gently coax the teens to liberate themselves from fears and self-consciousness in a way only love knows how. Pressuring anyone for personal and delicate information is dangerous territory and we want to avoid building that pressure.
Because our faith is all encompassing, personal feelings and tough experiences can come up during the course of the program. Be ready to answer or admit that you personally do not have (but are willing to find out or direct the teen to) the Church’s answers and solutions.
Overly eager sharing can be dangerous for the teens, as well. Discretion here is an awareness of privacy, purity, mystery and hope for one another. Some conversations should remain private and if a teen wants to publicly share what should be a private conversation or problem within the group, gently stop that teen, explain that you are stopping them because you are concerned for their privacy and are concerned about the readiness of the group listening. Then simply invite the teen to talk to a couple adult volunteers in exchange. Schedule that meeting either after the program is over or at a better time.
On the other hand, there is never any excuse good enough (apart from physical or emotional disability) for a teen to withhold participation during safe and controlled group activities or directed conversations. Even reluctant teens will thank you for giving them that extra push to get involved if that push is done in generosity.
Staying for a little time after, while teens socialize and say goodbye, is not obligatory; however, the teens appreciate the opportunity if at all possible. Be aware of parents and encourage the teens to respectfully leave on time if a parent is waiting and ready to pick them up.
5. ENJOY & GIVE THANKS
“For a short time, He[God] allows us to taste how sweet He is, and before our taste is satisfied He withdraws; and it is in this way, by flying above us with wings outspread that He encourages us to fly - Hasten after Me…”
(A letter by Guigo II, 12th-century Carthusian monk, the ninth prior of the Grande Chartreuse)
Watch our Lord’s fruit unfold. If a missionary or minister cannot participate in the joy of ministry, then the flame of enthusiasm will surely die out. Keep your eyes peeled for these gifts of joy (big and small) and keep your heart ready to receive them! Count the hidden blessings and those that are seen. God has put this group of leaders, ministers and teens together so that each of you will continue to rapidly grow in His love and faithfulness. The fullness of the fruits may not always be immediately visible but our joy should proceed from the hope and the delight of knowing God’s authentic love and gift for each of us.
This ministry is a gift given to be enjoyed! Pope Francis tells us, “The joy of evangelizing always arises from grateful remembrance: it is a grace which we constantly need to implore.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 13) He iterates that this remembrance is most profoundly available in communion with the Eucharist. Christ, through the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass, implores us to recollect His great love and live in great anticipation, great joy, for the day when His fullness of joy will come and reign forever. Joy is an essential part of our Christianity and is the sign of true thanksgiving and self-giving for all ministers. Take it from Pope Francis, “... an evangelizing community is filled with joy; it knows how to rejoice always. It celebrates every small victory, every step forward in the work of evangelization.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 24)
“For a short time, He[God] allows us to taste how sweet He is, and before our taste is satisfied He withdraws; and it is in this way, by flying above us with wings outspread that He encourages us to fly - Hasten after Me…”
(A letter by Guigo II, 12th-century Carthusian monk, the ninth prior of the Grande Chartreuse)
Watch our Lord’s fruit unfold. If a missionary or minister cannot participate in the joy of ministry, then the flame of enthusiasm will surely die out. Keep your eyes peeled for these gifts of joy (big and small) and keep your heart ready to receive them! Count the hidden blessings and those that are seen. God has put this group of leaders, ministers and teens together so that each of you will continue to rapidly grow in His love and faithfulness. The fullness of the fruits may not always be immediately visible but our joy should proceed from the hope and the delight of knowing God’s authentic love and gift for each of us.
This ministry is a gift given to be enjoyed! Pope Francis tells us, “The joy of evangelizing always arises from grateful remembrance: it is a grace which we constantly need to implore.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 13) He iterates that this remembrance is most profoundly available in communion with the Eucharist. Christ, through the Eucharistic celebration of the Mass, implores us to recollect His great love and live in great anticipation, great joy, for the day when His fullness of joy will come and reign forever. Joy is an essential part of our Christianity and is the sign of true thanksgiving and self-giving for all ministers. Take it from Pope Francis, “... an evangelizing community is filled with joy; it knows how to rejoice always. It celebrates every small victory, every step forward in the work of evangelization.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 24)
