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FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION “Communion of Saints” October 28, 2009 In the indigenous religious traditions of many parts of Africa, it is believed that we human beings live in three worlds: · the world of the unborn · the world of those walking upon this earth · the world of those who have gone to join the ancestors · It is all one continuum of life.
Baptismal Remembrance By our baptism into Christ, not only do we become a “new creation” in Christ, but also we are called into an ongoing process of conversion to holiness that continues throughout our lifetime. Each year at the Easter Vigil, we renew our Baptismal Promises and our efforts to grow in a life marked by our faith. We all are to become the holy people of God. (CCC #1213, 1241, 1253-1254;Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:27) Through our Baptism, we are incorporated not only into Christ but also into his body, the Church, which includes members both living and deceased. (CCC #1267-1270; 1 Cor 12:13; 1 Pet 2:5,9)
Communion of Saints In the early days of Christianity, the Church was referred to as simply “the assembly of all the saints.” What we now call the “communion of saints” includes but is not limited to those who have been officially recognized and canonized by the Church over 2,000 years of history. Those publicly recognized persons are presented to us as examples (or “sacramentals”) of how our baptismal call to holiness may be lived and how our lives may serve the mission of the Church. We also find many other examples and mentors all around us, living and dead, past and present, often unknown or without public recognition. We, too, are a part of that great communion of the saints. (CCC #948, 946, 954-959)
We call on those who have died in Christ as we would call on good friends still living, asking them to support us with their prayers as they stand in the presence of God. On All Souls’ Day especially, we pause to remember and honor their presence among us. And we celebrate those whose names we often bear, either as individual persons or as a parish community – our patron saints – and explore what they can teach us about becoming “living saints.” Pope John Paul II has been the Champion Of Saints. He elevated more saints and blessed during his papacy than any other pope in history. He made a special effort to recognize lay people who lived saintly lives. Following in his footsteps Pope Benedict XVI also has continued to recognize the lives of these extraordinary people, who lived ordinary lives. Helpful websites http://www.catholic.org/saints/black.php http://www.rc.net/africa/catholicafrica/saints.htm http://bluepanjeet.net/2009/02/22/2515/ten-saints-canonized-year-pope-benedict-xvi/ http://www.gcatholic.com/saints/bxvi-saints1.htm
Additional Resources and Suggestions · Media Resources: Visit the website of the Office of Religious Education and Catechesis; go to “Resources” and click on “What’s New in Media” for an extensive list of available materials on the Saints.
· Informative Articles: The October 2009 issues of both Religion Teacher’s Journal and Catechist contain a number of articles on celebrating the saints, individually, in classrooms, in schools and parishes. The articles and activities presented are, for the most part, readily adaptable to any age group.
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MUST READING FOR ALL PARISH LEADERS! Growing an Engaged Church: How to Stop “Doing Church” and Start Being the Church Again written by Albert L. Winseman, the Gallup Organization’s Global Practice Leader for Faith-based Organizations. In this book, Mr.Winseman explores how churches and parishes can dramatically increase members’ participation, service to the community, giving and even life satisfaction. His solutions are not the “magic pill” many leaders have come to expect. He shows leaders how to reach and inspire the hearts, minds and imaginations of their people.
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