Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and you will soon be saying, “Pass me the mashed potatoes, please.” This November holiday has its roots in American history and has grown into a day where we remember all the things for which we are thankful: country, family, friends, health, etc. Unfortunately, we can find ourselves so caught up with travel plans and buying the perfect turkey or ham that we let the day pass us by, and all we can focus on is how much we ate and who won the day’s football games. That’s why it is time NOW to begin reflecting daily of all things, great and small, that we are thankful for in life.
Gratitude is a key characteristic of a good Everyday Steward, but it does not develop in us without effort. In the coming days, we can contemplate all those things God has given us. If it helps, we can create a written list and bring it with us to the Thanksgiving dinner table. The point is that too often we take so many gifts for granted, and unless we pause and purposely reflect, we miss the chance to give thanks. A healthy and hearty heart filled with gratitude can make the highs in life that much higher and the lows easier to bear. Increased gratitude will also bring us closer to the source of all those good gifts, our God.
So, what will Thanksgiving be like for you this year? You have some time to make it something more than it has been in the past. The choice is yours.
God our Father, Graciously accept from your humble people a thankful heart and spirit. Everything we have and are able to share with others ultimately comes from your love of your creations. Often we think that everything we have is our own creation; we ask you this day to create in us a spirit of gratitude, that we may always know that all good gifts come from you. We ask this through Christ our brother, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Live-streams are broadcast live during Masses. After the Mass is over these are archived to our website.
Online Worship Aid
Opening
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: EZ 34:11-12, 15-17
Thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will look after and tend my sheep. As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep. I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord GOD. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy, shepherding them rightly.
As for you, my sheep, says the Lord GOD, I will judge between one sheep and another, between rams and goats.
Psalm: PS 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Second Reading: 1 COR 15:20-26, 28
Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: MT 25:31-46
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Homily
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of Gifts
Communion
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. –St. Francis
Sending
Supplemental Materials
Weekly Resources or Adult and Family Faith Formation including Liturgy of the Word Resources for families.
These links contain resources to help your family pray the Mass, especially if you’re doing so from home. They are not required work for faith formation.
Live-streams are broadcast live during Masses. After the Mass is over these are archived to our website.
Online Worship Aid
Opening
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: PRV 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31
When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and works with loving hands. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a reward for her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Psalm: PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.
Second Reading: 1 THES 5:1-6
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: MT 25:14-30
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.
“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'”
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one– to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.'”
Homily
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of Gifts
Communion
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. –St. Francis
Sending
Supplemental Materials
Weekly Resources or Adult and Family Faith Formation including Liturgy of the Word Resources for families.
God created the world, and it was Good. God wants us to enjoy creation. How does the idea that God wants us to enjoy creation change the way you look at God?
What does it mean that God is Mystery? What Mysteries do you see in creation? Why do we need Mystery in our lives?
How does Mystery speak to you?
Weekly Tasks for All:
Watch the videos provided, including age-level engagement videos.
Pray together.
Complete book pages and activities listed.
Parent taught: email a completed page/pages to Lisa.
Use this video to open in prayer together, or pray a different way. Today we pray a prayer thanking our Veterans for their service.
Parent/Catechist: We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Age Level Engagement Videos and Activities
Santiago – The Trinity
Lourdes – Why Catholics Use Scripture and Tradition
Assisi – Days of Creation Bible Song
Liturgical Connection Links
These links contain resources to help your family pray the Mass, especially if you’re doing so from home. They are not required work for faith formation.
Live-streams are broadcast live during Masses. After the Mass is over these are archived to our website.
Online Worship Aid
Opening
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: WIS 6:12-16
Resplendent and unfading is wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of their desire; Whoever watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate. For taking thought of wisdom is the perfection of prudence, and whoever for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care; because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.
Psalm: PS 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Second Reading: 1 THES 4:13-18 OR 4:13-14
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
or
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: MT 25:1-13
Jesus told his disciples this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Homily
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of Gifts
Communion
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. –St. Francis
Sending
Supplemental Materials
Weekly Resources or Adult and Family Faith Formation including Liturgy of the Word Resources for families.
Communion of Saints = our Catholic Hall of Fame, they excelled in living a Christian life. Who is your favorite Saint? Why?
Who has been an example of faith for you?
Fr. LeRoy talked about Purgatory as heaven’s hospital where God helps us be purified before entering heaven. What do you think about the idea of Purgatory as a healing place of mercy?
How can you add the practice of praying for the souls of the dead to your prayer routine?
Weekly Tasks for All:
Watch the videos provided, including age-level engagement videos.
Pray together.
Complete book pages and activities listed.
Parent taught: email a completed page/pages to Lisa.
Use this video to open in prayer together, or pray a different way. Today we pray the prayer of St. Charles Borromeo, bishop, whose memorial we celebrate today. To watch a 3 min video about St. Charles Borromeo, click here.
Parent/Catechist: We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Age Level Engagement Videos and Activities
Santiago – The Trinity
Video Questions:
Bishop Don Heying talks about the Trinity as God who is one and many. What does this mean?
How do you understand the difference between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
Your greatest moment of communion multiplied by infinity = heaven. What does this statement mean to you?
Lourdes – Is God Calling You?
Assisi – Called to Be A Saint
Liturgical Connection Links
These links contain resources to help your family pray the Mass, especially if you’re doing so from home. They are not required work for faith formation.
Live-streams are broadcast live during Masses. After the Mass is over these are archived to our website.
Online Worship Aid
Opening
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: RV 7:2-4, 9-14
I, John, saw another angel come up from the East, holding the seal of the living God. He cried out in a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to damage the land and the sea, “Do not damage the land or the sea or the trees until we put the seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” I heard the number of those who had been marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand marked from every tribe of the children of Israel.
After this I had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.”
All the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They prostrated themselves before the throne, worshiped God, and exclaimed: “Amen. Blessing and glory, wisdom and thanksgiving, honor, power, and might be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you are the one who knows.” He said to me, “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.”
Psalm: PS 24:1BC-2, 3-4AB, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Second Reading: 1 JN 3:1-3
Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: MT 5:1-12A
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”
Homily
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of Gifts
Communion
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. –St. Francis
Sending
Supplemental Materials
Weekly Resources or Adult and Family Faith Formation including Liturgy of the Word Resources for families.
Together We Journey posts will replace Weekly Content posts, and will continue to include Fr. LeRoy’s Cabin Fever Faith episodes, when they are available!
Welcome! Faith Formation 2020-2021
Welcome! This year’s Faith Formation theme is: Together We Journey. We’ll explore our lives of faith as if we are on Pilgrimage together. To go on “pilgrimage” is to go on a journey, to a sacred or holy place, like the places Jesus or the Saints lived. Learn more by watching our opening video!
Opening Video: Why Would I go on A Pilgrimage?
Questions?
To go on a pilgrimage is to “take a step back” from the details of life. What details of life do you feel caught up in right now?
What ways do you “get away” to pray?
Fr. Michael said that pilgrimage is a journey with God and others toward heaven. What is one way you can show God’s love to someone else this week?
Explaining Age-Levels
Distance-learning groups are organized by age-level groups instead of by grades. This enables parents and catechists to teach a cross-section of students from the same texts. Groups are named after popular pilgrimage locations.
Students will have an option of joining bi-monthly video-chat classes starting in November.
Weekly Tasks for All Groups:
Watch the videos provided, including age-level engagement videos.
Pray together, online prayer options will be included in the “Together We Journey” weekly posting.
Complete book pages and activities listed.
This Week – Student Tasks
Book pages 5-7
Note: Level I books are for ages 4-5; Level II books for ages 6-7.
Book page 9-14
Book Pages 4-8
Chapter Review / Assessment
This Week – Family Task
Complete this discussion from last week, if needed. Discuss distance learning for faith formation, answering the following questions:
When will our family meet for Faith Formation each week?
Would we prefer Parent-led or Catechist-led Faith Formation?
What parts of distance learning will be the responsibility of Parents?
What parts of distance learning will be the responsibility of Students?
What device(s) will be used, if engaging online materials?
Catechist-led distance learners will use Schoology or Seesaw. If your child uses Seesaw during the day, locate their school QR code or sign-in information, so that when they log in to our Faith Formation class, they are also able to log back in to their School account. Faith Formation log-in information will be in the Materials Packets, available for pickup from 3:30-7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 28. in room 109 at St. Peter’s.
FYI, a Schedule of Video classes, and links to those videoconferencing rooms will be sent in advance of meetings and through Schoology or Seesaw.
Together We Pray
Use this video to open in prayer together, or pray a different way. Our prayer today is the Litany of Saints. We pray this prayer around All Saints Day to ask for the intercession of the Saints. Learn more about the Litany of Saints prayer here.
Parent/Catechist: We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reader: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Age Level Engagement Videos and Activities for October 28
Santiago – Discussing the Creed
Video Questions:
Bishop Don Heying talks about the creed as the story of Christ’s love for us. Why is it important to make our beliefs personal and real?
Who do you say Jesus is?
How do you proclaim the story of God’s love for us in your life?
Lourdes – Halloween and All Saints Day Explained with Lego
Assisi – All Saints Day (For Kids)
Liturgical Connection Links
These links contain resources to help your family pray the Mass, especially if you’re doing so from home. They are not required work for faith formation.
Live-streams are broadcast live during Masses. After the Mass is over these are archived to our website.
Online Worship Aid
Opening
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: EX 22:20-26
Thus says the LORD: “You shall not molest or oppress an alien, for you were once aliens yourselves in the land of Egypt. You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry. My wrath will flare up, and I will kill you with the sword; then your own wives will be widows, and your children orphans.
“If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you shall return it to him before sunset; for this cloak of his is the only covering he has for his body. What else has he to sleep in? If he cries out to me, I will hear him; for I am compassionate.”
Psalm: PS 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
I love you, Lord, my strength.
Second Reading: 1 THES 1:5C-10
Brothers and sisters: You know what sort of people we were among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves openly declare about us what sort of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to await his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the coming wrath.
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: MT 22:34-40
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a scholar of the law tested him by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Homily
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preparation of Gifts
Communion
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. –St. Francis
Sending
Supplemental Materials
Weekly Resources or Adult and Family Faith Formation including Liturgy of the Word Resources for families.
