July 20, 2015  
Volume IX, Number 29
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.

Catholic News Service Word To Life Reflections
I also can imagine that many people reading this who are not in college might have similar reactions. Between work, kids, laundry, homework, bath time, meals and a hundred other daily tasks, the idea of coming away to a lonely place to rest with Jesus -- while exactly what we want, need and long for -- is an unreasonable notion. Read more.

Questions posed: Where do you go for quiet solitude with Jesus? Do you do this enough? What could you do to find more time like this in your life?


Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 
 
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs With small congregations come small Sunday collections and fewer material resources, so it's understandable for parishioners in these places to compare themselves with larger urban parishes and consider themselves lacking. At a recent meeting where some of our rural parishes were represented, I heard several remarks that bordered on helplessness: "How can we have a good religious education program with so few catechists?" or, "We're a dying parish because we don't have enough (altar servers/classrooms/supplies/money/fill in the blank)."

Without discounting such valid concerns, I am also reminded of today's readings. Elisha's servant wondered aloud whether 20 barley loaves could feed 100 people; Philip's skepticism echoed his fellow disciple Andrew's ("What good are these for so many?").
Read more.

Question posed: Think of a time when you were tempted to despair because of an overwhelming need. How did God's provision bring you from an attitude of scarcity to one of abundance?
 
SAINTS
Monday, July 20-  St. Apollinaris
Tuesday, July 21- St. Lawrence of Brindisi
Wednesday, July 22- St. Bonaventure 
Thursday, July 23- St. Bridget 
Friday, July 24- St. Sharbel Makhluf 
 
Tasks Of Catechesis
"Jesus formed his disciples by making known to them the various dimensions of the Kingdom of God.  He entrusted to them 'the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven' (Mt. 13:11); he taught them how to pray (Lk. 11:2); he opened his 'meek and humble heart' to them (Mt. 11:29); and he sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.  (Lk. 10:1)  The fundamental task of catechesis is to achieve the same objective: the formation of disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed his disciples; he prayed with them; he showed them how to live; and he gave them his mission.

Christ's method of formation was accomplished by diverse yet interrelated tasks.  His example is the most fruitful inspiration for effective catechesis today because it is integral to formation in the Christian faith.  Catechesis must attend to each of these different dimensions of faith; each becomes a distinct yet complementary task. Faith must be known, celebrated, lived, and expressed in prayer.  So catechesis comprises six fundamental tasks, each of which is related to an aspect of faith in Christ.  All efforts in evangelization and catechesis should incorporate these tasks" National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) 59-62.

As an attempt to utilize the inculturation process outlined in the NDC, CL Weekly will attempt the discovery of the tasks of catechesis in relation to the modern world's movements.  "Inculturation involves listening to the culture of the people for an echo of the word of God.  It involves the discernment of the presence of authentic Gospel values or openness to authentic Gospel values in the culture" NDC 64.  
  
Prayer: Some Practical Resources for Praying Using Technology
Catechesis Promotes Knowledge of the Faith

The Catechism of the Catholic Church: EXPRESSIONS OF PRAYER
I. Vocal Prayer

 

2702    The need to involve the senses in interior prayer corresponds to a requirement of our human nature. We are body and spirit, and we experience the need to translate our feelings externally. We must pray with our whole being to give all power possible to our supplication. (1146)

 

2704  Because it is external and so thoroughly human, vocal prayer is the form of prayer most readily accessible to groups. Even interior prayer, however, cannot neglect vocal prayer. Prayer is internalized to the extent that we become aware of him "to whom we speak."4 Thus vocal prayer becomes an initial form of contemplative prayer.

 

II. Meditation

2708    Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him. (516, 2678)

 

III. Contemplative Prayer

2709    What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers: "Contemplative prayer [oración mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us."6 Contemplative prayer seeks him "whom my soul loves."7 It is Jesus, and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of him and to live in him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself. (2562-2564)


Catechesis Promotes a Knowledge of the Meaning of the Liturgy and the Sacraments
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina can be a practical way to more actively engage in the Sunday liturgy.  PrayAsYouGo.Org has a daily lectio podcast, including a podcast for the weekend liturgies.  Experiment with streaming this in your car, on your work computer, or in the family living room, and experience the benefits of engaging in the scriptures using technology.  These Jesuits also have an app that you can download on your devices called PrayAsYouGo, available for both android and ios devices.  Imaginative contemplation is also a resource that is available.

Liturgy of the Hours
1178    The Liturgy of the Hours, which is like an extension of the Eucharistic celebration, does not exclude but rather in a complementary way calls forth the various devotions of the People of God, especially adoration and worship of the Blessed Sacrament. ( 1378)

There are some wonderful apps to guide the Liturgy of the Hours. Laudate and divine-office.com are two examples.
Catechesis Promotes Moral Formation in Jesus Christ
Moral formation can constantly be nurtured through regular examinations of conscience.  The app called "Confession: A Roman Catholic App" is one way to utilize technology to regularly examine one's conscience, and to regularly customize these examinations, keep track of your thoughts, and schedule confession.
Catechesis Teaches the Christian How to Pray with Christ
Examen
The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God's presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God's hand at work in our own experience. Learn more at the website: Ignatian Spirituality.

This website offers many practical ways to be guided in the Examen, including an explanation of the Examen.  The first video in the Lunchtime Examen video series offers a good introduction into this style of prayer.  Regularly practicing the Examen can lead to deep conversions in prayer.
Catechesis Prepares the Christian to Live in Community and to Participate in the Life and Mission of the Church
"Vocation does not come from willfulness, no matter how noble our intentions. It
comes from listening to and accepting our unique blend of gifts and limitations." Parker Palmer, who is widely recognized as a thought-leader in higher education, and a vibrant Quaker, shares his insights about how to recognize and pursue the life God intended each of us to live in this short video .
 
Consider these questions:
1. What does it mean to "let your life speak?" How might this relate to your own vocation (of being a catechist, spouse, parent, religious, ordained, etc)?

2. "Don't start with what the world needs but with what you bring to the world." Are you living your life as your own? What does this mean to you in regards to your understanding of your vocation?

 
NCCL NEWS

Catechetical Sunday Reflection Booklet and Pin  

Now Available To Order!
The  National Conference for Catechetical Leadership has a reflection booklet on the Sunday readings, with a corresponding pin, available for purchase. The reflections begin on Catechetical Sunda y and continues throughout the whole year.  A great spiritual tool, and wonderful gift, for all catechists.  Based on the Catechetical Sunday theme, " Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Person," each catechist will be inspired to echo the faith in their daily living.

To order: Please download and send in the Order Form.  Members receive 10% off their entire order.  Those seeking to become members, will receive 10% their order total, if they sign up for membership during the order.  This 10% will also apply to their membership dues total.  So, don't miss this opportunity!  

FREE RESOURCE GIFT TO ALL NCCL MEMBERS:
17 BOOKS EVERY CATHOLIC LEADER SHOULD READ
Jonathan F. Sullivan, director of catechetical services for the Diocese of Springfi eld in Illinois, is sharing a free resource with NCCL members.

17 Books Every Catholic Leader Should Read is a short ebook recommending some of his favorite books on leadership, pastoral administration, and the mission of the Catholi  c Church. You can download a free copy of the book at  http://bit.ly/17BooksFree.
REGISTER FOR #NCCL2016 FOR ONLY $249!
Offer ends July 31. Registration fees will be full price starting August 1.

CPR: A Great Way to Support, Motivate, and Revive the Faith of Parents

Parents, grandparents and guardians from across the country are invited to participate together either onsite or online this September to revive their faith and support their vocation as parents.
Two separate Catholic Parent Revivals are being hosted in the evenings of September 23 and 24 during the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and will be open to all parents, grandparents and ministry leaders free of charge whether you are participating onsite or online (via a free Live Stream sponsored by OCP/SpiritandSong.com). Each CPR runs from 7 pm - 9:30 pm ET.
The Catholic Parent Revival has been created to allow time for parents to talk with one another in small groups and a Call to Prayer to conclude the evening. Steve and Jenni Angrisano, serving as emcees, will guide both onsite and virtual groups through this process as the event unfolds. Spread the word using the CPR flyers and encourage groups of parents to gather together in homes and parishes to participate together. A facilitator's guide for online groups will be available at the CPR website in September.

The Catholic Parent Revival is part of the Strong Catholic Families Initiative presented in partnership with NFCYM, NACFLM, NCCL and NCEA.

EVERY LIFE IS WORTH LIVING
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops would like to make you aware of some upcoming resources that may assist you in your work.
Each year, October is observed as Respect Life Month-a special time to reflect upon "the incomparable worth of the human person" (Evangelium Vitae, 2) regardless of age, ability, or circumstance. Though observing Respect Life Month does provide a particular opportunity for reflection, prayer, and action, this truth of who we are and the exploration of it and what it means for daily life is an ongoing journey throughout the year and throughout our lives.
To assist you in helping those to whom you minister go deeper into this understanding, we would like to invite your use of the upcoming materials for the 2015-16 Respect Life Program, which begins in October 2015 and continues through September 2016. The theme for the year will be "Every Life is Worth Living," and more information is available on the attached flyer.
If you have any questions, please contact Anne McGuire, Assistant Director for Education and Outreach for the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, at amcguire@usccb.org or 202-541-3070.
Thank you for your leadership and all you do to build up a culture of life!

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