Help for Haiti...from one.org

Like millions of people around the world I've been shocked by the terrible events in Haiti.
Only now is the true scale of the disaster emerging. Reports now suggest as many as 50,000 people may have died, with hundreds of thousands made homeless.
The work ahead to recover from this tragedy is immense. So here's our goal: $890 million for Haiti. That’s how much Haiti owes to the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, and a handful of others.

Sign the petition below to ask Haiti's creditors to act quickly and cancel Haiti's debts:

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As Haiti begins to rebuild we can help by lifting this debt.
Together as ONE we can make a difference!

Thanks!

A Review of the Website www.catecheticalresources.com

This website from Ignatius Press is very helpful to the catechist. Under the resources tab, activities, lesson plans, or just games are divided into Preschool-Kindergarten, grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, and high school. There are 34 different topics to choose from scanning the whole range of catechesis. It is so user friendly. I find their materials to be doctrinally sound and the student reception enthusiastic.

I especially like their 29 page book on Baptism. This downloadable book covers all aspects of the sacrament and has many interactive pages of differing activities that are designed to educate the children on the sacrament in the 1st through 3rd grade levels.

I have used this site so many times as a stimulus for lesson planning as well as a springboard for creative focusing activities.

Christian Rap...Does it really work?

Within the last month, I attended a Youth Open Mic Night at my church, Vernon Park Church of God. This event featured a not only the talents of the youth that wanted to perform that evening but a Christian DeeJay, a rap group, and rock guitarist. What a combination huh?. At this event, I analyzed the reactions of the young people there and what I noticed is that they were not as drawn and enthused as the leaders might have thought.



This made me think of how some attempt to evangelize to young people with the use of popular culture. I believe it was Heft who displayed how young people believe that the Divine is not confined to the church setting. So, if that is the case, it is not necessary to use things in pop culture, such as rap, to draw young people. The concept of Christian rap has not been very successful throughout the years and I believe that it is partially a result of this. At the Open Mic event, it seemed that the young people were more concerned with the skill level of the rapper, in comparison with secular artists, as opposed to the message.

I dont want to be misunderstood. I am not saying that Christian rap is useless, but I am questioning it effectiveness in evangelization. Grant it, there are many young people that enjoy Christian rap, but it's growth in popularity hasn't been significant. Since rap is a very popular form of music in popular and secular culture, it would seem that Christian rap would have a similar success but, it hasnt.

Our Lady of La Vang

In writing a lesson plan for use with Vietnamese-American Catholics, I utilized this prayer to Our Lady of La Vang. The website from which I pulled the prayer tells the story of Our Lady of La Vang, who dates back to 1798 and her first appearance during a great persecution of Vietnamese Catholics.

Peter Phan, in a lecture at Seton Hall on Asian-American Catholics spoke to their "different way of being Christian." Phan mentioned Pope John Paul II's "snapshot of what he calls the 'Asian soul...." which draws a distinctive portrait of the Asian-American Catholic. However, I chose this website and this prayer for two other of their "different ways of being Christian." These are :
1. the Asian people's cultivation of popular devotions, of which commitment to Our Lady of La Vang is one
and
2. the " faith of Asian Churches having been tested in the crucible of suffering and even persecution." On June 19, 1988. Pope John Paul II in the canonizing ceremony of the 117 Vietnamese martyrs, publicly and repeatedly recognized the importance and significance of the Lady of La Vang and expressed a desire for the rebuilding of the La Vang Basilica to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first apparition of the Lady of La Vang in August of 1998.

This website contains the history of Our Lady of La Vang as well as photos, paintings and drawings of her, in addition to the prayer. I found it to be a resource appropriate for use with Vietnamese-American Catholics.

The Latino Holiday Book

The Latino Holiday Book by Valerie Menard is a secular book of celebrations and traditions of Hispanic-Americans written by Valerie Menard and published in 2004 by Marlowe & Company. The book is patterned on the seasons of the year, which are titled in the table of contents using both their Spanish and English names. I resourced the chapter on the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, "the Revered Mother for a Native People" for an intergenerational lesson for Hispanic-Americans.

The chapter explains the context in which the Virgin appeared, discusses her "trendiness among mainstream consumers and non-Catholics"(TLHB p.158,) and shares a detailed story of Juan Diego's meeting with her. An analysis of the self-portrait of the Virgin on the tilma is described, followed by similar appearances of virgins or goddesses in Spanish and indigenous Aztec culture. The chapter concludes with a Prayer to the Virgin in Spanish, also saying that "the fact that she appeared to a recently converted Indian, that she spoke to him in his native language, and that her image reflects the mestizaje (mixing of the races) is culturally important. To people of all faiths and all economic conditions, the Virgin of Guadalupe offers hope."(TLHB p. 168.)

Charles Dahm, in his book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, speaks of a community of teaching ministries. One element he discusses in teaching religion is language, especially in teaching those whose first language is Spanish. "Pope Paul VI noted: "Evanglization loses much of its force and effectiveness if it does not take into condiseration the actual people whom it addresses, if it does not use their language...." (PMinHC p. 213-214) While TLHB is not a religion book, it does discuss Hispanic religious holidays, and it does incorporate some Spanish language making it appealing to those of an Hispanic background.

Dahm also discusses the importance of conserving and celebrating popular religiosity. Hispanics celebrate religious holidays as times of "social events and public demonstrations of faith." (PMinHC p.216) The lives of the saints are dramatized, the stories of the Bible are brought to life, the posadas are celebrated. The chapter on the Virgin of Guadalupe from The Latino Holiday Book does bring Our Lady of Guadalupe to life and gives enough resource material for others to use for celebrating her.

The Latino Holiday Book is an interesting, informative, culturally appropriate resource book to use in working with the Hispanic-American community. However, because it is a secular book, it should not be used as a primary resource for religious education needs. It is marvelous to use as supplementary material, but not as primary material for this purpose.

Catechetical Programs in the Spanish Language

 

After taking a course on faith formation, religious education and cultures, I would question those large religious educational publishing houses that simply translate the same course of catechesis into the Spanish language for Hispanic Catholic Communities. Since it is predicted that the Hispanic community will compromise 1/3 of the Catholic population in the U.S., I know that religious education programs have to do much more than merely translate what works for Euro-Americans into the Spanish language.

 

Charles Dahm (Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, Paulist Press) points out the various contexts of Hispanic culture and what has worked in a predominantly Hispanic parish. Taking the directives of Gaudium et Spes that each human community, with its specific history and geography, has its own inheritance of wisdom and its own way of fostering basic human values (paragraph 53). As religious education instructors, one has to take all aspects of a community’s culture and ways of fostering basic human values into the plans for catechesis. 

Renewing the Vision

A framework for Catholic Youth Ministry 

NCCB 

In James Heft’s Passing on the Faith (2006; Fordham University Press), Christian Smith states that modernity’s differentiation of institutional spheres, rationalization of social life, materialism and naturalism embedded in capitalism and science, liberal disestablishment of religion in politics, and other disenchanting and secularizing modern social forces are often said to corrode religious sensibilities and undermine religious authority, making the religious socialization of the next generation all the more difficult. (p.55) Sociologist Nancy Ammerman raises the question, “Will our children have a faith to guide them?” (p.37)  Will they?

Even though “Renewing the Vision” is aimed at adolescents, I like to give this book to all the catechists that I work with from K-8^th grades. 

This work, condensed from the bishops’ 1976 document, “A Vision of Youth Ministry”, is a concise treatise on what is needed in youth ministry. It defines 8 components can be used across the board in all ages of catechesis. In each of the 8 ministries: Advocacy, Catechesis, Community Life, Evangelization, Justice and Service, Leadership Development, Pastoral Care, and Prayer and Worship; goals are established that contribute to the YM’s vision and enhance the possibilities of lesson plans that include these well defined components. 

The last part of the book gives a guiding image for ministry with adolescents using the story of the walk to Emmaus Lk 24:13-35 with its emphasis on the relationship between young disciples and their Lord. A relationship that is characterized by presence, listening, faith sharing, and celebration. (p.49).  The Emmaus story will continue to guide the Church’s ministry with adolescents, but a new image is emerging, the image of young people with a mission. 

The NACOG Youth Camp

Every year, the National Association of the Church of God Anderson, Indiana, presents a youth camp meeting in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania (www.nacog.com). The purpose for this camp meeting is to empower youth holistically through instructional workshops, various speakers, and other camp actvitites. These various activities are also geared toward unity, worship, prayer, and other things.Youth from all over the country meet at this cand going to worship services tampground for seven days. As a one time attendee of this event, I experienced these activities. I remember singing around the campfire, going to workshops, and taking hikes which all related to prayer. It was a time in which we were away from our parents and came together in the middle of the woods in Pennsylvania to focus on prayer and a closer relationship with God.

Kenneth Hill, author of Religious Education in the African American Tradition, presents 5 models of religious education to African Americans: Kerygmatic, Holiness, Confessional, Afrocentric, Contemplative, and Liberation. In the Contemplative model, Hill states, “ Spiritual approach to AACRE emphasizes prayer, worship, and comtemplative life in action” (p. 128). Hill displays here, that this model of religious education, is effective because of its sense of community, utilization of songs, movement, and feeling. This model focuses on prayer very deeply.

The National Association of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) youth camp meeting, seems to be an effective activity according to Hill's comtemplative model. The focus on prayer and salvation is the method to this meetings success. It allows young people to be put in a place of solidarity and community simulataneously because it takes them away from their comfort zone and brings them into a community with other young people. Through song, dance, and other forms of worship, the camp meeting aims to reach out to young people. Through the lens of Hill, the NACOG Youth Camp is a success.

Vacation Bible School Blog

Vacation Bible School is a religious education program that takes place in the summer. This program is usually held for 1-2 weeks. The duration of VBS varies among churches. Vacation Bible School has been a Protestant based concept almost since it's existence. In the past, Catholic VBS experience has been either non-existent or very limited. It is clear, that Vacation Bible School continues to be growing activity.Vacation Bible School education has been focused on children and youth for many years. Curriculum has been geared for children ages 5-18. Recently, however, the program has begun to add adult education as well. Again, this aspect of VBS varies among churches. Usually, participants are divided in to different classes by age. Even though, the same principles are taught to each age level, it is presents differently for all.

Fowler, in his work Stages of Faith, argues that there are 6 levels of faith in all parishes or churches: Intuitive-projective faith, Mythic-literal faith, Synthetic-conventional faith, Individuative-reflective faith, Conjunctive faith, and Universaling faith. With this in mind, it is clear that Vacation Bible is effective in it's mission.

One would think that because the classes are broken up by age, each stage of faith is covered. It is difficult to concluded that because the adult faith levels are not being addressed. In my church, there is only one class for adults. Grant it, there aren't many adults that attend because of work or other schedules, but because there is only one class for adults it is not addressing the various faith levels among them.

Blog of the Asian American Christian Fellowship

Peter C Phan is the author of Christianity with an Asian Face: Asian Theology in the Making. In the ninth chapter of his work, Phan displays how effective evangelization for the Asian culture is best carried out though inculturation, sharing with the poor and partaking in human rights. He shows that evangelization should be geared toward the total person.


The Asian American Christian Fellowship is a ministry founded in 1973 geared toward Asian American students on college campuses. The mission of the AACF is “ to reach into the university and collegiate community, primarily to those who are Asian Pacific Americans, with the life changing message of Jesus Christ”. This ministry, though discipleship, mentorship, and outreach programs, teach individuals biblical foundations within a culturally-sensitive context. One of their most important missions is to make discipleship of all nations. For this ministry, “nations” is defined as all “ethnos” or people groups.

If analyzing the effectiveness of this ministry through the lens on Peter Phan, it can be stated that the Asian American Christian ministry is being somewhat successful but in some ways ineffective. There is nothing in the website that mentions anything about service to the poor nor solidarity in human rights. There isn't any indication of inculturation either. As stated before, the AACF teaches biblical foundations within a cultural-sensitive context. In this way, the AACF organization is successful. They are identifying the needs of the Asian American community through evangelization.

"Fill the Ark"

“Fill the Ark” A review of Heifer International and their website http://www.heifer.org/site

Heifer International is an organization dedicated to ending hunger and caring for the earth by creating an environment of stewardship.

Lenten activities generally focus around prayer, fasting, and alms giving. The activity of collecting funds for the missions or others in need is nothing novel, especially during the Lenten season. Heifer International has kid friendly ways to engage children of all ages and their families in comprehending the global need of their stewardship and creative and ways to encourage monetary donations by the use of their individually provided ARK shaped banks. The activity titled “Fill the Ark” provides a calendar with information explaining all the different animals that help other families by providing wool, milk, honey and many other products. The four week calendar provides experiences and tasks to encourage saving money in the ARK bank. Individually or as a larger group, funds collected can be specifically targeted for the purchase of animals for specific countries or for specific needs you wish to help fulfill. Currently there is a special need in aiding China. It is described as the Sichuan Earthquake Rebuilding Project. The site describes the situation in China as dire, many have lost their homes and livestock. Also there are the specific animals that when purchased assist those in specific regions. A flock of geese when purchased directly gives aid to a family in the Philippines with food from the eggs and fertilizer and as the flock multiplies they share and pass on the gift.

The two readings focusing on the Asian-American culture by Peter C. Phan indicate that the Asian Catholic Church can be described as the church of the poor. There has been much oppression from government forces along with many challenges of natural disasters. Much of the history has also shown little regard for the rights and role of women in society. Although there is no one generalization of Asian-American Catholics, some characteristics seem to flow from the influence of the teachings of the Buddhists, Taoists, and Confucius. Generally there is a respect and harmony with nature and all living creatures. A strong cultural bond and respect toward the elders and family also exists.

With these generalizations at heart, the Heifer International organization reflects many of the same values of the compassionate Asian culture, a global outlook for resolving hunger and peace to the earth along with respect and harmony of the environment. The concept of stewardship of humanity and of the earth resonates in both. Heifer International Mission statement reflects some of the essence of what is good in the influences from the Asian religions Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

“Heifer's Mission to End Hunger
Heifer envisions…
A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.

Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.

Heifer's strategy is…
To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.”

In an era of fraud and uncertainty knowing where and how your gift is being utilized and how this gift will be passed on to others can be empowering for those on the giving and receiving end. Families can feel connected to a specific global area or cause for the recipient. The value of appreciating and sharing God’s gifts is evident in the Heifer International Mission.


Heifer International, Mission, Retrieved April 24, 2009, from heifer.org:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201465/?msource=kw3209

Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs

A Review of the website “Speak Spanish Everyday! Living and Learning en Espanol”
http://speakspanisheveryday.com/category/spanish-holiday-activities/ and the activity titled “Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs”.

Looking for an activity that would be connected to my topic of Lent and Easter and to be connected to the Hispanic culture I came across an activity of making Cascarones. The activity begins by briefly describing the history of Cascarones.

“Origins of Cascarones in Mexico - This is the time of year for more traditional casacarones. In 19th century Mexico, one of the few ways that young couples could show public affection was to crack a cascarn or two over each others’ heads at dances during carnaval before Lent, or Cuaresma. Over time, children adopted the custom during Lent. Now everyone is in on the fun right before Ash Wednesday, and some break them out again at Easter, or Pascua.”

Then continues with the activity of creating Cascarones. The site offered step-by-step instructions with clear photos on how to prepare the eggs, dye the eggs, and fill the eggs with confetti.

Chapter seven of Charles W. Dahm’s book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, published by Paulist Press, 2004 was the reading for Week 12. In this reading Dahm describes how a parish in the Chicago area made strides in focusing on effective means of catechesis with an immigrant Hispanic population they served. Dahm indicates that for this culture catechesis is not generally most effective through formal classroom and official teaching but better developed by family experience, and festive celebrations that connect the wealth of customs that the culture grew from. Other successful forms of catechesis included a focus on devotions and prayers that bring together the historical stories and traditions to the present day.

The activity described in the website falls short in the description and history of Cascarones. To create an experience that would cultivate a rich sense of the fun and purpose of the use and celebration associated to cascarones, more would be needed. The website initially seemed to promote the sense that there would be a depth of information for someone searching for information about Hispanic culture. The activity as presented provides a shallow essence of the “why” of the activity and celebration. I would recommend this activity for this cultural group with added components to include scriptural reflections and more historical background.




Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs (2009, April 1) Retrieved April 19, 2009, from speakspanisheveryday.com: Today!, http://speakspanisheveryday.com/category/spanish-holiday-activities/

Religious Consumerism and World Youth Day 2005

Blog 6

http://articles.latimes.com/2005/aug/22/world/fg-pope22

World Youth Day 2005 and Religious Consumerism…

“They slept in a dew-soaked field, packed head to toe, and awoke Sunday under heavy gray skies to hear Pope Benedict XVI urge his youthful followers to live a life of faith and work to spread it.”

Lamenting a "strange forgetfulness of God" in modern society, Benedict cautioned Sunday that religion could not be a "consumer product…. Religion constructed on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us," he said. "Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be kept to oneself.". (Pope Benedict XVI)

This makes me think of a concept I learned in undergraduate classes called cafeteria-style Catholicism. I think I’ll take a heaping teaspoon of the Creed, but go light on the whole divinity of life “thingie” I may not be okay with the entire pro-life platform; I’ll take a scoop of the Holy Trinity, but go easy on the Sacraments… I only want to be Confirmed so I can get married in the Church; I’ll take three cups worth of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but don’t ask me to follow you, Lord, without guarantees and assurances”. In our consumer society it is to easy to purchase too much of something useless, or to think we can always “get it later”. By and large, the youth of today do not think of what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves; they are consumed with what they can acquire for themselves. They are not concerned about standing in solidarity with the anawin in our midst; they are concerned with whether or not to engage in illicit behaviors with other youth… and how to feel “more”.

Freedom granted by God "is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness, so that we ourselves can become true and good," he told the crowd, offering the central moral prescription of his four-day appearance here. "This gesture is necessary even if initially our yearning for freedom makes us inclined to resist it." (Pope Benedict XVI)

It is therefore imperative that we, as catechists to the youth of today, continue to foster self-esteem, self-awareness, and to help the children to concentrate on the Divinity within themselves, and in others; and to realize that God speaks freely and frequently to each of them. To continue to teach the youth in our care that they are “Wonderfully and beautifully created in the image and likeness of God”, that God has a special role for each of them (and no two are alike), that they need the fullness of their faith and to live that faith in “full and active participation” to fulfill the primal and spiritual need to connect to the divine and others in the homocentric Church and to enhance the sacramentality of life for all.

Blog 5

An excerpt from Dahm’s book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, was the required reading for this unit. In it, Dahm illustrated how St. Pius V Parish has used cultural qualities of the Hispanic community and infused them into their traditional liturgies and ministry. Dahm believes it is fruitful to encourage those of the Hispanic culture to keep their rich and vibrant traditions and try and incorporate them into the American mainstream, without loosing the original meaning and expression of their forefathers. There is much to be said for keeping their cultural identity within the Catholic Church.

Lumen Gentium reinforces this cultural acceptance and inclusive nature of the Church “All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God” (LG, 49). Dahm’s assertion that the inculturation of Hispanics into the Church enriches and strengthens our collective faith… is valid. It is only through embracing one another’s cultures and differences that we truly live as Christ commanded: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35). That includes loving and accepting the diverse traditions of those who share our faith.

Tradition-awareness can impact the holiness of the Church and the disciple of believers because if we are to reduce our traditions to the least common denominator we have in fact reduced our faith, and as a direct result… the holiness of the Church. Rituals Symbols and Sacraments are essential dimensions of deeper consciousness, but they too are not the sum of their parts… they should be viewed in a universal sacramentality. We embrace all (inter-generationally, inter-racially, and in a non-gender specific way) when we embrace the message of Christ that each of us is a Child of God and worthy of respect and human dignity. It is the nuances of disparity that allow us to exist as ONE church.

USCCB, Phan and Me...

Blog #4 http://www.usccb.org/mrs/harmony.shtml#iii

Sharing Gifts and Promoting Harmony… Contemporary Asian-American Struggles

“We believe strongly that this is a moment of special grace for the Catholic Church in the United States. As Asian Pacific communities, we bring a strong sense of family with a loving respect for the elderly and a profound and fervent religious faith. We contribute a spirituality which is eastern [and] rooted in Asian Pacific cultures. We also seek to live in harmony with each other and with the whole of creation. We deepen and challenge our understanding of the meaning of the universal Church, enabling all of us to be a church which is complete and whole.”

There is much richness to be found in a healthy incorporation or inculturation of the Asian population into the Church. The sense of family and respect of elderly is something we of contemporary Anglo cultural norms are lacking in. It is evident that as Phan suggests there are still several struggles faced by Asian Americans: oppression, social barriers, and bigotry. However I feel that it is these contemporary challenges that allowed this rich culture to contribute as witnesses in true Biblical solidarity with those who have had similar challenges in the Gospel stories and those in current cultural groups. In our ability to focus on the suffering of these people we somehow denounce any ownership of their plight; conversely, if we bring to focus our sins of transgression and omission… we are accepting a role in the oppression and deprivation of life. Being empathically moved by the human suffering will not always lead one to actively denounce their abhorrent conditions. However, accentuating the sinfulness of OUR actions as we watch those inflicted with social, political, and economic strife seems to be the more direct approach to infuse a sense of accountability and hopefully will lead more people to ministering and aiding those in need.

It was Jesus’ mission to restore God’s people to covenant; the original intention of covenant, by providing a social vision based on equality and right communion with God. The historical Jesus was not a radical nor was he a reformer; so much as he was a “restorer”. He did not want to usher in a new sect of Judaism; he wanted integrity, respect, and honesty to prevail over corruption, he strove to eliminate economic and social disparity, he labored to repair the lack of cohesion and unveil the corruption in the Jewish faith, he wanted the anawin in our midst provided for and loved, and he sought to reestablish covenant by bringing healing and a fullness of devotion to God to the people he ministered. We are called to create a Church of harmony and equality where different cultural practices and traditions can be incorporated in the larger Church for an enhanced existence (spiritual, physical and psychological) for all.

“Harmony is central to the lives and cultures of Asian and Pacific communities. According to the bishops of Asia, "harmony embodies ‘the realities of order, well-being, justice and love as seen in human interaction. . . . Harmony is not simply the absence of strife. . . . The test of true harmony lies in acceptance of diversity and richness.'"

Quotes from: http://www.usccb.org/mrs/harmony.shtml#iii

Do I have a role in my Salvation?

Blog 3: http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/freebies-junior-high.html

Confident in Christ

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

What's On The Menu?
Have you ever been inside your house and heard a strange noise? Even if you know all of the windows and doors are locked, you still feel unsafe. You get out of bed, turn on every light, and check all the locks. Even if everything checks out, you still feel a little unsafe. Isn't it amazing that even though God promises in His word that all who believe in Christ will have eternal life, we still feel like we are not "really saved," that if we don't keep checking the "locks" on our salvation it could be stolen or taken away. In this lesson, we are talking about having confidence in our salvation and the promise God makes to us when we choose to believe in Christ. Having this confidence gives you the peace of knowing that nothing can shake your salvation or change the fact that you are "saved."

Appetizer:
Discuss salvation and what it means to be "saved."
Have you ever doubted that you are "saved"? Why or why not?
Have you ever been in a situation when you felt like you could lose your salvation? Why?
A promise is only as good as the honesty of the person who makes it. When we understand the total honesty of God, we can believe His promises. In order to have confidence that we are saved, we just need to believe God's promises! Let’s take a closer look at how to know we have eternal life . . .

The Main Course:
There is no better place than the Bible to find confidence in our salvation. Take a look at these passages and see what God has to say about our salvation, where it comes from, and who desires for us to have it and believe in it.
Read 1 John 5:11-12.
Who gives eternal life?
Where is eternal life found?
Who has eternal life?
According to Revelation 3:20 . . .
Where is Christ right now?
How does Christ enter your life?
What does Christ promise to do?
Read aloud Philippians 3:7-11(New Living Translation)
According to verse 7-8, what do we need to "lose" or throw away? Why?
What things in your life are worthless and stand between you and your walk with Christ?
Look at verse 9.
Do we need to do good deeds in order to be confident that we are saved?
Who do we need to trust? Why?
Check out verse 10-11. What is the only way to really know Christ?
Are you ready to do "whatever it takes" to experience life in Christ?
Check out 1 John 5:13 and John 20:31.
What reason does John give for writing this book?
What is the greatest thing that happens to us when we believe in Christ?
What is one thing we need to remember about God's promise to us?

Something to chew on:
If we trust ourselves and our feelings of doubt, instead of God and His promises, how will this affect our attitudes and actions?
If we put our trust in God, no matter how we feel, how does this change our attitudes and actions?
What is one thing that stands between you and Christ that you want to get rid of?
If you were to die tonight, are you confident that you would be in heaven with God? Or are you going to continue to let "stuff" get in the way of your walk?

Response: In this exercise students are asked to understand salvation as a tangible gift that requires the recipient to receive it in light of their Christian actions and life. There are many Bible verses that help substantiate the lesson plans objective. There isn’t as much youth interaction as I like in my lesson plans, but there is room for sharing and collaboration. This activity has the potential (if properly led) to reach James Fowler's fourth stage which is the point at which the adolescents assume responsibility for their own faith and lifestyles… I am not a big fan of the word "saved" in this context and might find a different way to express salvation... that better connects with the youth.

An Evaluation of the Midwest-APYACC in Light of Phan’s Christianity with an Asian Face

The Midwest Asian-Pacific Young Adult Catholic Conference, or APYACC is being held this summer at Loyola University Chicago’s Lake Shore Campus. This conference is for Asian American young adults and all those who work with them. It is a time to come together to discuss three important concerns of Asian American young adults: intergenerational dialogue, being Asian-Pacific and American, and Being Roman Catholic today.

An excerpt from Phan’s book, Christianity with an Asian Face, published by Orbis Books, was the reading for this week. Phan explains that human development is one of the main issues for Asian American Catholics. The preferential option for the poor is especially important to this community because of the oppression and poverty found in so many Asian countries. Even in America, Asian Catholics are under-represented in the hierarchical structure of the Church. Not only do we need to address the poverty and oppression in the Asian countries that this group of people are immigrating from, we also must address how they are being treated within the American Catholic Church.

APYACC presents a great opportunity for dialogue with the Asian American community. The focus of the conference includes putting Asian American identity into dialogue with both the American and Catholic cultures. This is precisely what Phan suggests is necessary. Without this dialogue, the Asian American Catholic community could continue to be an unheard and underrepresented minority. By having conferences such as APYACC this community is able to make their voice heard. This is a wonderful platform for discussing ways to effectively minister to the Asian American Catholic community. Anyone who works with this group of people should attend this conference.

Anglo-Americans - Material Culture

Anglican Theological Review
Through the discussion of many books and resources a fairly unanimous conclusion between them is stated, affluenza is an issue with which Christianity must learn to deal. In considering wealth and material cultures, the various books in the review all offer opinions of the dangers or spending and some go so far as to describe spending as an addiction. In such a material culture, the church is surely affected and Christians are influenced.

Offering – Done Sunday Mornings
The obvious activity that comes to mind when considering spending is the contribution or offering done every Sunday morning. Often discussed as a sacrificial act of worship, every Sunday morning since I can remember, I have hear talk of members of a local church giving money as the basket was passed around. May times there would be a discussion about how materially blessed Christians were and how all blessings came from God and the offering was an opportunity to “give back a portion” of those blessings.

I often wonder if Christians were as concerned about spiritual blessings as we seem to be with material blessings, if we would be blessed equivalently exceedingly. God’s material promises to Christians seem limited yet the amount of material blessings possessed is much greater than what is promised; if focused were turned to spiritual things would the same hold true? I believe the conversations that occur around the offering are an important step in the direction of material consciousness, but I also believe they could be taken further to consider more of the point mentioned in the books reviewed above.

Hispanic Culture - Family and Community

Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community – A Community of Teaching Ministries
– Charles W. Dahm
By promoting ideas of family and respect for diversity, Dahm discusses important stresses and ways in which to address Hispanic culture. By placing an emphasis on youth education, topics of social justice, charity, and respect can be taught to communities in the context of cultural values. Understanding these issues is one way Dahm suggests approaching Hispanic cultures.

A Family Culture of Faith – Home Bible Study Material
Focusing on ideas of being pilgrims in a foreign land and making use of “this world is not my home” language, a series of home Bible studies I have from when I was in high school calls my attention to aspects of immigration and community. The material was written by different people from a local congregation and intended to be used in home Bible studies, several families would meet in each other’s houses twice a month for the studies. The general idea was to create a community of people, the church that “lived in the world, but were not a part of the world.”

Comparison and Analysis
What strikes me in thinking back on the home Bible studies is the similarity between what the lessons were intended to do, while using somewhat different language to achieve it. While Dahm discusses ideas of family and unique aspects brought in by each individual and culture, our studies looked at ideas of being the family of God and respecting the gifts each brought to the family. The ideas of being in a new or strange land are not uncommon in religious circles in discussing ‘the world’ and a Christian’s place in it. Where Dahm emphasizes the importance of a cultural family, the studies discussed of a church family.

Good Friday--a different view (Asian)

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0901649.htm

This article from catholicnews.com highlights Pope Benedict’s choice to have Archbishop Menamparampi write the mediation for the Stations of the Cross for this Lenten season.  Archbishop Menamparampi is from Asia and has worked for non-violence and emphasizes the need to resolve things peacefully.  The author of the article suggests that the Pope chose this man to include Eastern Christians and to emphasize the way the Gospel can shed light on the beliefs of other faiths.

 

This text looks at what makes Religious Education and Evangelization effective to the Asian culture.  There are three central keys to making this education as relatable as possible.   The first is interculturation which allows the church to be present in the lives of its people.  There must also be a dialogue with other Asian religions—dialogue provides mutual understanding and can allow greater growth.  There must also be service to the poor—it is never solely about ME, but about the greater world community.  Phan recognizes that it brings new challenges to incorporate other cultures into faith, but the results will provide a rich diversity and opportunities.

 

This article does reflect some of the keys of Phan’s article.  The dialogue is certainly there—the Archbishop tied in Eastern influences into this mediation including references to Hindu scriptures and Ghandi.  And because this meditation is being used in such a public forum, it allows non-Asian people to recognize the values of another culture.  And Asian Christians are allowed to feel that their culture is incorporated into their faith.