Catholic Faith Formation Resources

With all of the negative news, images, and thoughts that bombard our minds each day, it's easy to overlook the countless blessings that surround us. From the simple joys of a sunrise to the profound gifts of life, love, family, and friendship, God's blessings are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. Reflecting on these blessings and cultivating a heart of gratitude can transform our perspective and deepen our relationships with God, others, ourselves, and the world around us. God's blessings come in many forms—some are grand and unmistakable, while others are subtle and easily overlooked. They can be found in the beauty of nature, the kindness of a stranger, the support of loved ones, and provide us with opportunities for growth and learning. By taking the time to recognize and acknowledge these blessings, we become more aware of God's presence and grace in our lives. Gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that can shift our focus from what we lack to wh...

There is the story of the learned scholar who visits a wisdom master to inquire about what is truth. The master begins to pour tea into the scholar's cup and, even after the cup is full, he continues to pour, causing the tea to overflow. The scholar, puzzled, exclaims that the cup is already full and no more will fit. The master responds, "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you profound truth unless you first empty your cup?" In this story the scholar, despite his vast knowledge, is unable to learn from the master because he is too full of his own ideas, biases, preconceptions, and judgments. True learning requires us to approach new experiences and teachings with an open mind and a humble heart, recognizing that there is always more to learn. This story teaches that we must embrace openness. To begin to truly understand any profound truth, we must be open to new ways of being and thinking. This openness allows us to ex...

" To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often " Cardinal John Henry Newman. Change is an inevitable part of life. It is a constant reminder that life is dynamic and ever-evolving. It is a continuous journey calling us to leave our childish thoughts and ways and to go deeper into the "Ultimate Mystery," the "Source of All Life," and the infinite "Ground of Being" that we call "God." As the Apostle Paul stated, "When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11). Ultimately, the goal of embracing change and transformation is to become the best versions of ourselves that God intends for each us to be. Each moment presents us with new opportunities to experience, to learn, to grow, and to evolve into a life that is God-centered rather than self-centered. For in God, "we live and move and have our bein...

The Advent Season begins on Sunday, December 1, 2024. The United States Bishops describe this season as follows: Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, ad-venire in Latin or 'to come to') is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas * * * The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, we focus on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas. The Christmas season begins December 25, 2024 and ends January 5, 2025. As the U.S. Bishops state: Christmas is one of the most important days of the Church year, second only to Easter itself. Celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is the culmination of the mystery of the incarnation, the feast of God becoming flesh (t...

Loving and merciful God. We come before You with hearts full of hope and a desire for unity in our nation. After the recent election, we find ourselves amidst diverse opinions and competing interests. We ask for Your guidance and wisdom to navigate these differences with grace and understanding. Lord, grant us the strength to listen with open hearts and minds, to those who hold views different from our own. Help us to see the common humanity in each person and to recognize that we are all Your children, deserving of respect and love. May our words be gentle and our actions be kind, fostering an environment where respectful dialogue can flourish. Teach us to seek common ground and to work together for the common good, putting aside our differences for the sake of a brighter future for all. Bless our leaders with wisdom and compassion, that they may govern with integrity and a genuine desire to serve all people. May they be instruments of Your peace, promoting justice and equa...

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT! PLEASE VOTE ON OR BEFORE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 OPENING PRAYER God, forgive us for the times we’ve failed to treat each other as Your creation. Forgive us for celebrating unloving behavior in our candidates and our leaders. Call our leaders and political candidates to a new level of respect and civility. Remind them that You are sovereign and that the wisest choice we can make is to serve You and serve others. May there be a new movement of collaboration and respect in our nation’s capital and throughout the country. Give Your people the strength to lead by example with radical, world-changing love. Amen. Source: Worldvision.org "OUR RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE" "Let us not see each other in the divisive light of Democrat or Republican or any other political party, but rather, let us see the face of Christ in our neighbors, especially the suffering or those with whom we may disagree.” —Archbish...