Cabin Fever Faith: In All Things…

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day Is Coming!

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.

— Tracy Earl Welliver

©LPi

Thanksgiving Prayer

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.

Amen.

Copyright info for pictures: Cross and Shell Icons made by Good Ware, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/good-ware. Water icon made by Icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com

Thanksgiving! Video.

Discussion Questions

• What are you Thankful for?
• What are your Thanksgiving traditions? What do you look forward to this year?
• How does showing gratitude change how we feel about what’s going on in our lives?
• Personal Goal: Take time this week to thank someone for the way they’ve helped you.

Thanksgiving Reflection

• Family Thanksgiving Rituals Article

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.
• Catechist groups: respond in Seesaw or Schoology.

Copyright info for pictures: Cross and Shell Icons made by Good Ware, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/good-ware. Water icon made by Icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com

Together We Pray

Pray the 3-Minute Retreat found here: https://www.loyolapress.com/retreats/received-with-thanksgiving/

Age Level Engagement Videos and Activities

Santiago – Review the Liturgical Year

Lourdes – A Story About Gratitude

Assisi – Liturgical Colors

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.

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Cabin Fever Faith: The God of Our Horizons!

Questions?

• 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.
• Catechist groups: respond in Seesaw or Schoology.

Copyright info for pictures: Cross and Shell Icons made by Good Ware, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/good-ware. Water icon made by Icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com

Together We Pray

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.

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Cabin Fever Faith: Of Saints and Sinners…

Questions?

• 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.
• Catechist groups: respond in Seesaw or Schoology.

Copyright info for pictures: Cross and Shell Icons made by Good Ware, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/good-ware. Water icon made by Icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com

Together We Pray

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.

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

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.

Copyright info for pictures: Cross and Shell Icons made by Good Ware, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/good-ware. Water icon made by Icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com

Students will have an option of joining bi-monthly video-chat classes starting in November.

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.

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

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: What’s a Pilgrimage?

Questions:

• Where would you travel to if you could go on a real pilgrimage?
• How is attending faith formation like a journey?
• How would you like to grow in your faith this year?
• How can we support each other in the experience of faith formation this year, especially as we do so as distance-learners?

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.

Copyright info for pictures: Cross and Shell Icons made by Good Ware, https://www.flaticon.com/authors/good-ware. Water icon made by Icons made by Freepik, https://www.flaticon.com

Students will have an option of joining bi-monthly video-chat classes starting in November.

Age Level Engagement Videos and Activities for October 21

Santiago & Lourdes – Introducing the Creed

Video Summary:

When you recite the Creed, are you being real or are you being a robot? Do you even know what you are saying? Is there a difference between believing there is a God and believing in God? The Creed contains the truths God has revealed to us.

Assisi – I Will Pray

Questions for Discussion:

• What is your favorite way to pray or your favorite prayer?
• Why do you think we pray?
• How can your family help you to pray?

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.

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Town Hall Meeting

You are invited to attend the Together As One informational meeting TONIGHT! Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the gymnasium at St. Peter’s Church.

Cabin Fever Faith: Through the Cross…

New Format for Weekly Resources

Starting Next week, this post/email will change to be the jumping-off point for our distance-learning faith formation program. You’ll notice visual differences matching our new Yearly Theme and content related to the start up of our distance-learning program, but many other resources will stay the same.

Liturgy Support

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Gospel-connected Visio Divina Images (learn about visio divina here)
[Gospel Image]

Adult and big kid gospel-connected coloring page

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics — Link to lesson of the week.

Visual Gospel Reading: MT 22:15-21

Home Activities

October Activities for Catholic Families download.

Town Hall Meeting

You are invited to attend the Together As One informational meeting on Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 at 7:00 pm in the gymnasium at St. Peter’s Church.

Praise in the Parking Lot

Free Outdoor Family Event: Praise in the Parking Lot: A time for Prayer with Praise and Worship, Sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud, Central MN Noon Optimists, and CM TEC.

Cars will be spaced. Participants may sit outside and are required to stay socially distanced with their families. Words to music will be provided and singing along will be encouraged inside vehicles.

Two remaining dates and locations:

• Sunday, October 11 at St. Michael Parish in Motley, 3:30-5:00 PM

Faith Formation Starting

In-person faith formation classes have started; distance learning faith formation will start October 21. There’s still time to join us!

Here’s the link to our website where you can learn more about program offerings and register your family for faith formation: https://taocatholic.com/ff-registration/

Tuition and fees are the same as in the past, $45 per student, grades prek-9 with a family cap of $135 plus $35 per each child enrolled in grade 2 Sacramental Preparation.  The fee for Confirmation Preparation is $70 per student. Please send your payment with the fee worksheet found on the registration webpage.

Communication

Flexibility and clear communication are going to be keys to our success this year.  I will communicate with you when we have firm plans about upcoming activities so that we can adapt to changing health safety needs and protocols.  We will learn together which forms of communication work best.

Sacramental Preparation – Grade 2

Sacramental Preparation Parent Meetings happened this week. If you were unable to attend one of the meetings, please contact Lisa.

Confirmation Preparation – Grade 10 or above

Confirmation Discipleship Training Sessions have begun. More information here: https://taocatholic.com/confirmation/

For those who would have been Confirmed in May of 2020: Our Confirmation celebration is scheduled for 7:00 pm December 9, 2020 at St. Paul’s Church. Space will be limited. An email went out last week asking for an update of information. Please respond ASAP. We will continue to communicate with you via email or remind when we have Confirmation updates.

Liturgy Support

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Gospel-connected Visio Divina Images (learn about visio divina here)
[Gospel Image]

Adult and big kid gospel-connected coloring page

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics — Link to lesson of the week.

Visual Gospel Reading: MT 22:1-10

Home Activities

October Activities for Catholic Families download.

Cabin Fever Faith: Eye Has Not Seen (1 Cor 2f)

Praise in the Parking Lot

Free Outdoor Family Event: Praise in the Parking Lot: A time for Prayer with Praise and Worship, Sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud, Central MN Noon Optimists, and CM TEC.

Cars will be spaced. Participants may sit outside and are required to stay socially distanced with their families. Words to music will be provided and singing along will be encouraged inside vehicles.

Two remaining dates and locations:

• Sunday, October 4 at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids, 3:30-5:00 PM
• Sunday, October 11 at St. Michael Parish in Motley, 3:30-5:00 PM

Registration for Faith Formation is Now Open

Several options are available for families, and will be tailored to your needs through a Parent Meeting taking the form of a conversation with me.  Parent Meetings will be held via Zoom unless an in-person meeting is requested. First in-person class, October 7–Register Now!

Here’s the link to our website where you can learn more about program offerings and register your family for faith formation: https://taocatholic.com/ff-registration/

Remember to sign up for your Zoom meeting with me here: https://signup.com/go/nSMVDfP

Tuition and fees are the same as in the past, $45 per student, grades prek-9 with a family cap of $135 plus $35 per each child enrolled in grade 2 Sacramental Preparation.  The fee for Confirmation Preparation is $70 per student. Please send your payment with the fee worksheet found on the registration webpage.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed both for our in-person program and for our distance learning program.  How would you be willing to help?  Shoot me a quick email back!  Please!?! 

Communication

Flexibility and clear communication are going to be keys to our success this year.  I will communicate with you when we have firm plans about upcoming activities so that we can adapt to changing health safety needs and protocols.  We will learn together which forms of communication work best.

Sacramental Preparation – Grade 2

Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion will include attending a Parent Meeting in October and will be completed through distance learning with Sacramental celebrations in-person.  You’ll choose to attend the Parent Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, October 6 from 6:15 – 7:15 pm or in-person on Wednesday, October 7 from 6:15-7:15 pm. Parent/child retreats that would normally be held in person will be outlined at the meeting and adapted for distance learning.

Confirmation Preparation – Grade 10 or above

Confirmation Discipleship Training Sessions have begun. More information here: https://taocatholic.com/confirmation/

For those who would have been Confirmed in May of 2020: Our Confirmation celebration is scheduled for 7:00 pm December 9, 2020 at St. Paul’s Church. Space will be limited. An email went out last week asking for an update of information. Please respond ASAP. We will continue to communicate with you via email or remind when we have Confirmation updates.

Liturgy Support

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Gospel-connected Visio Divina Images (learn about visio divina here)
[Gospel Image]

Adult and big kid gospel-connected coloring page

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics — Link to lesson of the week.

Visual Gospel Reading: MT 21:33-43

Home Activities

October Activities for Catholic Families download.

Mass and a Movie – September 25!

Join other Catholics in our area for Mass and a Movie, held outside at Sacred Heart Church on September 25 starting at 7:00 pm. All are invited!

Praise in the Parking Lot

Free Outdoor Family Event: Praise in the Parking Lot: A time for Prayer with Praise and Worship, Sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud, Central MN Noon Optimists, and CM TEC.

Cars will be spaced. Participants may sit outside and are required to stay socially distanced with their families. Words to music will be provided and singing along will be encouraged inside vehicles.

Three dates and locations:

• Sunday, September 27 at St. Mary’s Parish in Alexandria, 3:30-5:00 PM
• Sunday, October 4 at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids, 3:30-5:00 PM
• Sunday, October 11 at St. Michael Parish in Motley, 3:30-5:00 PM

Registration for Faith Formation is Now Open

Several options are available for families, and will be tailored to your needs through a Parent Meeting taking the form of a conversation with me.  Parent Meetings will be held via Zoom unless an in-person meeting is requested.

Here’s the link to our website where you can learn more about program offerings and register your family for faith formation: https://taocatholic.com/ff-registration/

Remember to sign up for your Zoom meeting with me here: https://signup.com/go/nSMVDfP

Tuition and fees are the same as in the past, $45 per student, grades prek-9 with a family cap of $135 plus $35 per each child enrolled in grade 2 Sacramental Preparation.  The fee for Confirmation Preparation is $70 per student. Please send your payment with the fee worksheet found on the registration webpage.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed both for our in-person program and for our distance learning program.  How would you be willing to help?  Shoot me a quick email back!  Please!?! 

Communication

Flexibility and clear communication are going to be keys to our success this year.  I will communicate with you when we have firm plans about upcoming activities so that we can adapt to changing health safety needs and protocols.  We will learn together which forms of communication work best.

Sacramental Preparation – Grade 2

Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion will include attending a Parent Meeting in October and will be completed through distance learning with Sacramental celebrations in-person.  You’ll choose to attend the Parent Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, October 6 from 6:15 – 7:15 pm or in-person on Wednesday, October 7 from 6:15-7:15 pm. Parent/child retreats that would normally be held in person will be outlined at the meeting and adapted for distance learning.

Confirmation Preparation – Grade 10 or above

Confirmation Discipleship Training Sessions will begin next week, September 16 from 6-7pm at St. Peter’s Church in the courtyard.  Materials will be handed out, we’ll pray together, and we’ll talk about the remainder of our sessions that will be held over Zoom.  More information here: https://taocatholic.com/confirmation/

For those who would have been Confirmed in May of 2020: Our Confirmation celebration is scheduled for 7:00 pm December 9, 2020 at St. Paul’s Church. Space will be limited. More information will be forthcoming soon. We will communicate with you via email or remind when we have Confirmation updates.

Liturgy Support

Gospel Background and home lessons at Loyola Sunday Connection

Gospel-connected Visio Divina Images (learn about visio divina here)
[Gospel Image]

Adult and big kid gospel-connected coloring page

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades K & 1 Download

Growing with the Gospel worksheet grades 2 & 3 Download

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics — Link to lesson of the week.

Visual Gospel Reading: MT 20:28-32

Home Activities

September Activities for Catholic Families download.