As we move along in Week Two of our Online Retreat for Catechists (The Spirituality of the Catechist), here are a few reminders of what to do this week:
- If you’re just joining us, you can go back to Week One and catch up.
- For Week Two, watch the introductory video and then read my post on Openness to God.
- Over the next few days, ponder the reflection questions.
- Likewise, over the course of this week, practice one or more of the suggested spiritual exercises found at the end of the Week Two post.
- As you know from week one, the true richness of this online retreat resides in the sharing that you, the retreatants, are doing. AT ANY TIME THIS WEEK, CLICK ON COMMENTS-ADD ONE NOW (below to the left) AND SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS ABOUT THE THEME OF OPENNES TO GOD. You can share thoughts (or ask questions) that are in response to the video intro, the week 2 post, the reflection questions, the spiritual exercises, or just your own experience of being a catechist and striving to be open to God and to call others to be open to God.
- Throughout this week, let’s continue to pray for one another!
P.S. Check this out for inspiration! http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16268
Hi all. It is scary sharing personal info when you know a bunch are listening but so what, it can only help me and others. Trust God when I have mostly depended on myself. I can talk the talk to myself and to God but do I relax and let God work? I’ve notice on looking in the mirror I am growing a permanent worry wrinkle. When I think peaceful, trusting thoughts I see that the wrinkle turns into a happy face. I want to let go and see what God has in store for me. What a change!
Wow! What a dedicated person Mae is. You can really admire her being a Catechist for 50 years. I wish and hope I can become that dedicated.
I was going to say, “God bless Mae for 50 years as a catechist and devoted member of her parish,” but He already has!
1) Who do you trust most in this world? Why? Who places their trust in you?
I trust Jesus Christ the most in this world because all I have and am is his so that through his love I am lead to ‘greener pastures.’ My children/family and like-minded Christian friends place their trust in me.
2) When was a time that trust was broken in your life? How did that affect you?
As a teenager, I put my trust in the wrong boyfriend. I realized VERY QUICKLY after he broke up with me importance of my family. Nothing like learning the hard way!
3) Why do you personally believe that God can be trusted? There is no one with a better track record than God himself! Time and time again he comes through for his people.
4) How has your trust in God been validated or affirmed in your life time? Christ affirms his love for us as he used me as his instrument to bring his saving grace to my children. I watch the virtuous pursuits and friendships acquired by my children and am utterly amazed at the affirmation and validation in the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. My trust in the redemptive power of the cross has been transferred to my children! This is a Godsend!
5) If you are having difficulty trusting God, what may be causing that? Possibly not coming to God with a child-like heart.
6) In what situations do you find it most difficult to trust God? Easiest? The hardest times to put my trust in God occur when others try to put unnecessary and wasteful demands on me. The easiest time to trust God is during the Eucharistic celebration at the Mass.
7) What can you do to deepen your openness to God? Say the rosary every day.
8) Who is someone you know who exhibits a great openness to God? How can you emulate him or her more? My pastor. I’m not sure if emulating exactly my pastor fits my particular life style. Nevertheless, I need to take in and live out in the best way possible all his words of wisdom.
9) How does your openness to God affect you in your role as a catechist? Children are smart and see my spirit of gratitude while I teach them through the Holy Spirit. Teaching children forces me to analyze my own life as it pertains to lessons to be taught to them. Somehow, the Christ moves me to put my own spirit and experience into what I teach the children.
10) How can you help those you teach to be more open to God? Keep praying.
#10 – Expansion of thought as I was interrupted: Try to take a personal interest in each child’s life and fostering a sense of community in the classroom by responding to their age-appropriate responses of the work of the Spirit in their own lives.