Catholic Faith Formation Resources

" The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many " (Mark 10:45) " The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted " (Matthew 23:11-12) In a world often driven by self-interest and competition, the concept of a servant leader stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. A Christian servant leader is called through the promptings and guidance of the Holy Spirit, formed and empowered through prayer and Scripture, to emulate and follow the life and teachings of Jesus, marked by selfless acts of love, healing, and service for the well-being of others, especially those in need. Follows are some elements that exemplify a servant leader: * Love At the core of Christian leadership is love. This love is not merely a feeling but an action, demonstrated through kindness, patience, and a genuine desire to help others. A servant lead...

“ Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven ” — Matthew 6:10b Discerning, choosing, following, and doing God’s will can be a profound and transformative journey. Here are some practices that can help guide you along this process:* The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is our guide and helper. As Jesus promised, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13). Relying on the Holy Spirit for discernment, together with an informed conscience, can lead you to make decisions that are in conformity with God’s will. Prayer and Meditation: Prayer is a powerful way to seek God’s guidance. By spending dedicated time in prayer, you open your heart to God’s voice and allow God to speak to you. Meditation on God’s Word and God’s presence can also bring clarity and peace, helping you to discern and surrender to God's will. ...

“ Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. . . . God created [humankind] in his image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ” Genesis 1:26-27 Based on the above-quoted scripture passages from Genesis, Catholic Christianity recognizes that human life is sacred and that the inherent dignity and worth of all human beings arises from being created in the "image" and "likeness" of God. This signifies a profound relationship between God and humanity. Theologians have sought throughout the centuries to understand the nuances between these two terms and have formulated the following distinctions:* Image of God: The "image of God" (Latin: “ imago Dei ”) refers to the inherent qualities that humans possess which reflect God's nature. These include: Rationality : The ability to think, reason, and make decisions. Free Will : The capacity to choose and act freely. Relationality...

Striving for wholeness in your life is a journey that involves a holistic approach through recognizing, nurturing, integrating, and harmonizing various interrelated aspects or dimensions of your life that contribute to your overall well-being, functioning, and flourishing. Here a few of these dimensions that you may wish to consider, together with some suggested ways to nourish and support them*: Physical : This includes the body's health, fitness, and ability to perform daily activities. It involves caring for your physical body. Seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate rest, avoiding the ingestion of toxic or harmful substances (e.g. smoking, drugs, or excessive alcohol), and obtaining necessary medical exams and care through your health care providers. Emotional : This dimension involves the ability to understand, express, and manage emotions. It includes emotional intelligence, resilience, and mental health. Take time...

Evaluating your relationship with God is a deeply personal and introspective process. Here are some ways you may wish to consider to assess and reflect on the current state of your spiritual journey:* Prayer Life : Reflect on the consistency and depth of your prayer life. Are you regularly communicating with God, and do you feel a sense of connection and peace during prayer? Scripture Engagement : Consider how often you read and meditate on the Bible. Are you finding guidance and inspiration in God's Word, and are you applying its teachings to your daily life? Obedience to God's Will : Evaluate your willingness to follow God's commandments and guidance. Are you making choices that align with God's will, even when it's challenging? Fruit of the Spirit : Examine the presence of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in your life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chasity (See the Ca...