Thoughts
September, not January, is for all practical purposes the start of a new year. Ingrained in our psyche from childhood, this is a time for a new beginning – a new school year. This is reinforced by the lives of our own children and by the passing of summer. Here in the northern hemisphere, nature itself exhibits a new sense of purpose. Trees and plants shed their foliage and draw into themselves to prepare for new birth next spring, birds stuff themselves in preparation for migration and squirrels busily stockpile nuts for the long winter… This is the perfect time for us to reexamine and renew our faith journey.
Challenge
Let’s take this time to reevaluate how we are living our life. First, we should ask ourselves, “Are we growing closer to God daily and bringing others closer as well?” Second, we should review what efforts we are making every day to accomplish these goals. We need to talk to God/pray every day. We should find some time to read the Bible. It is important to attend Mass at least every Sunday. We should go to Confession several times a year (maybe even once a month). But keep in mind that none of these things should be seen merely as obligations but acts of love aimed to bring us into a more loving and fulfilling relationship with God!
Go Deeper
+ The concept of a daily plan of life explained
+ Why weekly Mass: our Obligation , nine good reasons to go What you get out of Mass (4 min. video)
+ Confession: Why we go and benefits of going regularly
+ Sample Morning Offerings
+ Samples of Examination of Conscience
+ How to pray the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy , Angelus
+ Holy Hour: What is Eucharistic Adoration? ; some practical tips
+ Reading the Bible: Why ; Read the bible in a year Daily Mass Readings on line ; daily Mass reflections on line mobile Bible App
+ Learn the faith by reading the Catechism daily via daily email
+ Great faith formation materials from Lighthouse Catholic Media (CDs, books and videos)
+ Great books to learn the faith: US Catholic Catechism The Faith ExplainedThe Catholic Way: Faith for Living Today Living the Catholic Faith: Rediscovering the Basics
+ Media Resources: EWTN Videos , Relevant Radio
+ What the Church teaches on Evangelization
Let’s take this time to reevaluate how we are living our life. First, we should ask ourselves, “Are we growing closer to God daily and bringing others closer as well?” Second, we should review what efforts we are making every day to accomplish these goals. We need to talk to God/pray every day. We should find some time to read the Bible. It is important to attend Mass at least every Sunday. We should go to Confession several times a year (maybe even once a month). But keep in mind that none of these things should be seen merely as obligations but acts of love aimed to bring us into a more loving and fulfilling relationship with God!
Go Deeper
+ The concept of a daily plan of life explained
+ Why weekly Mass: our Obligation , nine good reasons to go What you get out of Mass (4 min. video)
+ Confession: Why we go and benefits of going regularly
+ Sample Morning Offerings
+ Samples of Examination of Conscience
+ How to pray the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy , Angelus
+ Holy Hour: What is Eucharistic Adoration? ; some practical tips
+ Reading the Bible: Why ; Read the bible in a year Daily Mass Readings on line ; daily Mass reflections on line mobile Bible App
+ Learn the faith by reading the Catechism daily via daily email
+ Great faith formation materials from Lighthouse Catholic Media (CDs, books and videos)
+ Great books to learn the faith: US Catholic Catechism The Faith ExplainedThe Catholic Way: Faith for Living Today Living the Catholic Faith: Rediscovering the Basics
+ Media Resources: EWTN Videos , Relevant Radio
+ What the Church teaches on Evangelization