TUESDAY, APRIL 21

DAY 34 - SACRAMENTS & GRACE

After hearing the Gospel and believing in Jesus & his work, we often limit our following of Jesus simply to the attendance at Mass on Sunday and maybe reading the Bible at home. Yet, Jesus gives us far more than this to his followers. Following Peter's first public address at Pentecost, there is a reason he commands all to to be baptized. Through Baptism and all the Sacraments, we receive grace. That word that is used constantly in the Christian Life but is often not truly understood. Grace is God's inner life dwelling within us. God gives us himself, through his Church and her 7 Sacraments, to truly bind us to himself and give us supernatural abilities to follow him.

From Our Spiritual Director ✝

Tuesdays Reflection

Readings

Acts 4:32-37Psalm 93:1-2,5John 3:7-15

Our first reading shares with us what life was like in the beginning of a post Resurrection era. The Acts of the Apostles illuminates some of the beginnings of the Church. Today, we see how each of those who believed were “of one mind and heart.” There was no one person who claimed to have anything of their own, and they bore witness to the Resurrection. The last part of this is what I would like to focus on this morning. As Easter Sunday is now past, how do we bear witness to the risen Christ? We recognize that Easter is not just one day but rather a season of celebration and reflection. When we hear the words “to give witness,” all of us are tasked with such mission. At our Baptism we were given the task to “go preach to all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” How do we fulfill that mission as Christians today? When we live out our lives as Christians, are we giving witness to the Resurrected Christ? What does being a witness mean to you, and how are you able to be a better witness and disciple of Jesus?


-Fr Matt Rawson

Weekly Challenge 🙌

Our new contest this week is "Holy Chef Cooking Show!" Just for fun, we're challenging our families to a baking/cooking show contest. Pick a favorite recipe, raid your pantry, put on your apron, setup your camera, and hit record! Use this form to submit videos of your show. Winner will be announced Friday, April 24th. All participants receive House Points and the winner gets extra points for their house!


*A Google account is required to submit. If you have trouble submitting through the form, just send an email to dan@holycrossdewitt.org. Thanks!

Check out Maddie's demonstration here!

Elementary (Grades 1-4)

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray

Find all the prayers here.

    • Mealtime Prayers & Night Time Prayers

    • 5 mins - Praying for Others

Learn

The Main Points to Teach Your Child:

  1. That Sacraments give “Grace” which is the Holy Spirit dwelling within you.

  2. The definition of a Sacrament: An outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give Grace.

  3. The meaning of:

      • An Outward Sign - a physical sign pointing to what God is doing to help us understand and believe what He is doing. i.e. something we can feel, smell, taste, etc.; allows us to have a physical experience of what God is doing. He uses physical signs such as "food" to lead us to the reality of Him actually nourishing our soul spiritually with the Eucharist.

      • Instituted by Christ - started by Jesus and continues them through the Apostles and their successors. Jesus wanted to have a relationship with us through the Sacraments. The 7 Sacraments are key to the Catholic Church since its beginning over 2000 years ago.

      • Gives Grace - Holy Spirit, God's life dwelling within you, living within your soul, uniting you as one with God.

  4. All Sacrments are created to build your relationship with God and strengthening the relationship as you progress on your journey. God continuously offers Grace, more help for us to be in relationship with Him.


A Note from Julie:

Dear Parents,

I am so excited to enter into these lessons of Sacraments. The core of our faith, leading us to a relationship with God, through His only Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have just celebrated Easter -- Christ's Passion, Death and Resurrection. Jesus died for us, for our sins, and God desires nothing from us but to be in relationship with Him. Jesus gave everything to give us the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church in order for us to achieve an ongoing relationship with Him and His Father.

My thoughts return to a quote I shared earlier... "You made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rests in you" St. Augustine

God bless,

-Julie Sheridan


Additional Resources & Activities to do at Home

Video:

Resources


Middle School (Grades 5-8)

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray

Find all the prayers here.

    • Basic Prayers

    • Ten Minutes of Silence

      • Intercessions

      • Thanksgiving

      • Reading the Bible

Learn

The Main Points that need to be learned or taught from this lesson

  1. Explain that Sacraments give “Grace” which is the Holy Spirit dwelling within you.

  2. Give the definition of a Sacrament: An outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give Grace.

  3. Explain the meaning of:

    • An Outward Sign

    • Instituted by Christ

    • To Give Grace.



Find a list of all these prayers here.


High School (Grades 9-12)

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray



Find a list of all these prayers here.

Learn

Adults

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray

  • Basic Prayers

    • A list of all these prayers are here.

For those new to prayer

  • First 10 mins - Talk to God


For those more experienced in prayer


Learn

Learn

Watch the faith formation resource video below to learn more about your faith.

"The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity


- CCC 1212