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DAY 35 - BAPTISM
Following Jesus' final command to the Apostles, once we hear the Gospel and believe, we enter into the waters and are baptized in the Holy Spirit. At the moment of our Baptism, our union with God is made different to anything else in creation. God himself literally comes and lives within us. The word to describe God dwelling within us - Grace. And if we die with this "Grace" still within us, it is the ordinary way that we get to Heaven.
Today is Earth Day. Check out some resources and prayers below from our Faith in Action outreach coordinator, Beth Schafer.
Earth Day 🌎
Caring for our Common Home
This year marks the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’ (On Care for our Common Home). The encyclical is an appeal from Pope Francis addressed to “every person living on this planet” for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. You can read it here.
Earth Day Family Activity - Wednesday, April 22nd
Although our Earth Day gatherings have been cancelled, which means OCRRA will not be picking up our garbage bags on the side of the road, the need for a spring cleaning remains! Take the time this week, when you go outside, to look around for the litter and debris that accumulate each winter near our streets and shared spaces. Celebrate Earth Day by praying for our earth & by acting on behalf of our shared environment:
Outfit your family with work gloves and a trash bag for each person.
Find a public space near home & collect the litter that you find.
Add your trash bag to your weekly garbage pick up.
Read the prayer for creation (below) as a family
A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation (Laudato Si’, no. 246)
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in the world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen.
From Our Spiritual Director ✝
Wednesday Reflection
Readings
Acts 5:17-26Ps 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9John 3:16-21When we think of Love, we think of many different forms of love. A parent’s love for a child or maybe spousal love. Both of these forms of love are beautiful and help us to understand what it means to love someone. When we say we love someone, what does that mean to you? The Greek culture had many different ways to say love. One of those ways is called “eros.” This is a type of love which you and I can easily understand, a type of love which a parent shows for a child or maybe what spouses show to each other. One of the other types of Love is called “agape.” This love connects God to His people, it is the Love with which God loves us. “Agape” love is the love that Jesus had for each of us when He was hung upon the Cross, was killed, and rose from the dead for our sake, so that we can have eternal life. How are you Loved by God today? What things has God done for you to show this “agape” love?
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
Watch the video
The Main Points to Teach Your Child:
The Sacraments are divided into three groups - 1) Initiation, 2) Healing, and 3) Service
Baptism is a Sacrament of Initiation
God gave us the Sacrament of Baptism to give us Grace -- a complete forgiveness of our sin. To give a person the initial gift of the Holy Spirit, which is also the means of Salvation.
Grace: God's inner live within us.
God mingles Himself in to our life and soul -- Grace is so important that all the other Sacraments are all about protecting and strengthening the inner life of God within you.
Outward Signs of Baptism are...
Matter -- the material used- - Water
Form -- the words said -- “I Baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Instituted by Christ --Baptism began with Jesus' own Baptism with John the Baptist in the River Jordan
This is when Jesus begins His public ministry
Jesus is sinless, He is baptized to make the water Holy.
Jesus makes Baptism holy. After His death and resurrection, it is how He commands us to initally receive the Holy Spirit. He tells the Disciples, " Go therefore and Bpatize all Nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" = Matthew 28:19.
A Note from Julie:
Dear Parents,
Baptism is where Jesus' public minstiry begins. It's also where our faith journey also begins. I hope this was joyous time to for you and your family as it was for our family each time we celebrated the baptisam of each of our 5 children.
Take time to reflect on how you prepared for your child(ren)'s baptism(s). Recall your child(ren)'s actual day Baptismal Day--how did you feel that day? What were and are your desires for their life with Christ? Take special time to recall with your child's the baptism experience you remember. Maybe even pull out the family pictures . Who was there to celebrate with you and how important each person is to the faith journey of your child and your family.
God bless,
-Julie Sheridan
Additional Resources & Activities to do at Home
Video:
The Baptism of Jesus (Saddleback Kids) 1:45
Sacraments 101: Baptism - Why We Baptize (Busted Halo) 6:15 *older students and adults
Born into the Kingdom : The Miracle of Baptism w/Brother Francis FORMED Video 26:25 *Baptism message begins at 9:21 -22:10; song and closing 22:10-26:25
Baptism : Catholic Central 7:10 *older students and adults
Resources
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn
Find a list of all these prayers here.
Pray
Find all the prayers here.Basic Prayers
Ten Minutes of Silence
Intercessions
Thanksgiving
Reading the Bible
Learn
Watch the video
The Main Points that need to be learned or taught from this lesson
Explain the following about Baptism:
Explain the divisions of the Sacraments - Initiation, Healing & Service
To Give Grace (or what Grace is given) - To give a person the initial gift of the Holy Spirit, which is also the means of Salvation.
Outward Sign
Matter (the Material Used) - Water
Form (the Words Said) - “I Baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Instituted by Christ -At his own Baptism with John the Baptist
Find a list of all these prayers here.
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
Second 10 mins - Listen to God
Praying with the Bible or the daily mass readings.
For those more experienced in prayer
20 Mins of Silent Meditation – Suggestions:
Lectio Divina/Meditating on the Bible
Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving, & Praise
Journaling
Reflecting on the Daily Readings
Learn
Watch the video
Learn
Watch the faith formation resource video below to learn more about your faith.
"The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit."
- CCC 1257
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