Praying daily Taking an active role in the life of the church Strengthening personal relationship with God Reflecting and Journaling COURAGE and LOYALTY

Service hours Retreat Getting closer to God Projects: Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Mass reflections, Saint research, Sponsor choice Renewal of vows/strengthening of gifts

How might these song lyrics be related to your personal relationship with God? Select at least one specific line and relate it. Serve God love me and mend This is not the end Lived unbruised we are friends And I'm sorry I'm sorry Sigh no more, no more One foot in sea, one on shore My heart was never pure And you know me And you know me And man is a giddy thing Oh man is a giddy thing Oh man is a giddy thing Oh man is a giddy thing Love it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, It will set you free Be more like the man you were made to be. There is a design, an alignment, a cry Of my heart to see, The beauty of love as it was made to be

A Community of Disciples

In Heaven is for Real, Todd shares something that he learns from this whole experience: "I could be real with God...I didn't have to offer some kind of churchy, holy-sounding prayer in order to be heard in heaven." Do you agree with this? What is prayer to you? Like Todd, has there ever been a time in your life when you were so scared that all you could do was turn to God in prayer?

In Heaven is for Real, Todd quotes Jesus saying, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like the little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." This quote also appears at the very beginning of the book. What do you think this quote means and why do you think it holds great importance for understanding this book and Colton's revelations? In other words, what is it about children that might make them more open to having a closer connection with God?

“Drawing Heaven”Drawing Heaven

Silently pray the following prayer for children: God, Our Father, we pray that through the intercession of Saint Nicholas You will protect all children. Keep them safe from harm and help them grow in grace and be pleasing in Your sight. Given them strength to keep their Faith in You; and to keep alive their joy in Your creation. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. What is your earliest memory of Church as a child? Who was involved? How did you feel?

Come up with as many examples of mysteries in books, movies, songs, etc What is the difference between these kinds of mysteries and a mystery of faith?

What is your first memory of Church? Who was there? How did you feel?

Reflection -Record a dictionary definition of courage. -What is your personal definition of courage. How does it differ from the dictionary definition? -Who do you recognize as an everyday hero for his/her courage?

What image represents a certain part of who you are? How do you want others to perceive you? im·age (noun): a representation of the external form of a person or thing.

Patriot Day

Who belongs to the Church? How is Jesus related to the Church? How is the Church both human and divine?

Your task: 1. Read your group's scenario 2. Create a simple script for a skit re-creating the scenario 3. Practice acting out your skit 4. Prepare an explanation for which option is best for being a witness to Jesus and a community of believers...mention courage and/or loyalty in your explanation *Each person in the group must have a 'job'!

The Body of Christ The Temple The Bride of Christ The Sheepfold The Vine and the Branches The Leaven

Pilgrim Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13-16) Light of the World

What is Mary’s most recent title? How is Mary’s relationship to Jesus an example for us? Why is Mary the best image of the Church? Why is Saint Joseph a good patron for the Church?

Look up the following Scripture passages. For each passage write one or more words that describe a characteristic or quality of Mary portrayed in the message: Luke 1:38 Luke 8:19-21 John 2:1-12 John 19:25-27

What does the word sanctify mean? Who is the sanctifier of the Church?

“Roll Away Your Stone” – Mumford & Sons “Roll Away Your Stone” Consider the lines that read, “Darkness is a harsh term don't you think?/And yet it dominates the things I seek.” We have talked about this “darkness” before and how we, as members of the Church, have to be a light to preserve not only our own moral characters but to be an example for others. What are some things that we might “seek” that could be shrouded, or surrounded, by darkness? Describe a time when you or someone else was a light in the darkness.