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Have you ever thought about the saints in our midst? They are not only the holy and heroic persons that the Church offers to us for example. They are also the persons we meet everyday that teach us of God. St Paul always addressed the church community saying “to the saints at…”
To our saints who day in and day out pray for the needs of our world
To our saints who care lovingly for our church
To our saints who reach out to those in need through the St. Vincent
de Paul Society and volunteering at Loaves and Fishes
To our saints who teach our children
To our saints who teach us how to be grateful and welcoming
To our saints who do their best to be good parents
To our saints who give their time as liturgical ministers
To our saints who share the gift of their talent to bring us music for
our worship
To our saints who work to make the world better for others
To our saints who walk with our catechumens
To our saints who embrace their illness and suffering with patience
To our saints who will be called to the joy of eternal life
The saints in our midst show us that holiness is not only for the perfect. It is for the one who opens his or her hands to accept the gift of God.
Activity: To help children understand what it means to give their time, talent and treasure to the church, help them select three categories from the above listing. Identify parishioners or family members who are actively living out that ministry. Arrange for the children to interview those Holy Spirit saints!
Questions:
1. What made you want to give your time to others?
2. Why did you select this ministry?
3. What has been the best thing for you about this service?
4. What would you say to someone who was thinking about beginning this ministry?
One of the most important things for youth is the experience of making a difference. You can help your child experience that for him/herself by any of the following actions:
*Write a letter or send a care package to a service person in Iraq or any other trouble zone in the world
* Create special greeting cards for elderly or shut in members of our parish or of a care home.
* As a family take a day to help clean the river parkway as a way of tending God's creation
*Using a daily newspaper, identify one issue that you would like to change. As a family decide what you can do to make a difference. It might be calling a legislators office, writing a letter or taking action. When you have done this, share what it means to act on your values.
