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This project arises from religious education courses at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago but can be opened to other programs as well. Interested professors of religious education or faith formation should e-mail edaily@luc.edu if they want their students to be included.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

A review of two resources: 1) A mini-movie “This is Love” Big Pie Publishing 2) Lent Booklet “God is rich in mercy” from J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.


A review of two resources:

1) A mini-movie “This is Love” Big Pie Publishing

2) Lent Booklet “God is rich in mercy” from J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.



1) A mini-movie “This is Love”

“This is Love” is a 3:47 minute mini-movie. This short film will aid in discussion as teens and parents explore an understanding of what God’s love is. The song entitled “This is Love” is a powerful accompaniment to scripture verses and an artists’ time-lapse drawing of Jesus’ crucifixion. If we want to love God we need to know God better and to know what is God’s love. The mini-movie is effective because it has an appealing style of bold scripture verses flashed on the screen followed with an artist’s drawing of Jesus evolving as the film goes on. The music is dynamic and powerful. It packs a lot in a short amount of time. It assists by providing a stimulus for discussion.


2) Lent Booklet “God is rich in mercy”

“God is rich in mercy” is a Lenten booklet produced by the J.S. Paluch Company. Many parishes use this company for producing their weekly Sunday bulletin as well as their publications. This booklet has a simple array of Lenten information. It provides concrete activities for family and opportunities for spiritual growth during Lent. The booklet also has accurate explanations and references to Lenten terminology and practices.


In Passing on the Faith: Transforming Traditions for the Next Generation of Jews, Christians and Muslims, James L. Heft has contributing author Christian Smith in his section on Moralistic Deism indicating several of the challenges of religious faith traditions being passed on to the next generation. To have the youth become more interested and involved in their faith traditions, attention to the parent’s involvement is key. Along with this is the importance of providing opportunities for teens to articulate their faith, and to practice their faith. Confidence and creativity are needed in religious educators. The mini-movie “This is Love” is imaginative in a style appealling to the teen culture. The format is creative and to the point. The mini-movie and discussion can strengthen the parents along with the teens in reflecting on understanding what God’s love is.

The Lent Booklet “God is rich in mercy” is simple in the fact that is has specific activities and references. There is vocabulary, facts, and explanations of common Lenten terminology and practices. There is a page dedicated to Lenten Household Practices. From these suggestions parents can come together as a family to practice their faith. “Nurturing regular religious practices in the lives of youth also seems to be an important piece of the socialization puzzle. That is if youth are to be effectively socialized, they will need to be taught to practice their faith - ” (Heft, 71).

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