THURSDAY, APRIL 30

DAY 43 - MARRIAGE

It is in the very beginning that God establishes marriage. When God creates humanity in his "image and likeness," man by his nature desires to be communal and have a life shared with others. Yet with marriage, this reflection of God is even greater as this love & participation in creating new life is actually one of the greatest natural images of God in the world. After the Fall, this calling becomes more difficult to live, but Jesus elevates this to the level of a sacrament, giving a special gift of the Holy Spirit to aid couples in their union.

From Our Spiritual Director ✝

Thursday's Reflection

Readings

Act 8:26-40Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20John 6:44-51

Today, we hear part of the Bread of Life Discourse in the Gospel of John. Jesus delivers this message within the synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus states, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.” Although we do not see in the Gospel of John, Christ at the Eucharistic table blessing the bread at the Last Supper as we see in the Synoptic Gospels, today we hear that Christ Himself is the bread that comes down from heaven. It reminds us of the hoarfrost that fell from the sky and fed those who were hungry and had no food. Christ has physically come to us, for us, to nourish us in a time of famine.

Although at this time we cannot consume the Eucharist, as we desire, we can partake of the Eucharist through desire. The absence of the Eucharist in our daily or weekly lives can and should unite us to our brothers and sisters around the world that have historically not had the privilege of receiving the Body and the Blood of Christ on a regular basis. The desire of the faithful to receive Christ in the Eucharist is a powerful way to unite ourselves to our Savior. Imagine the great joy we will feel when we again can approach the altar of God and receive our Savior in the Eucharistic Meal! We must continue to look forward to, and long for that day.


Peace,

Fr. John Kurgan

Weekly Challenge 🙌

Comic Relief 😂

Our new contest this week is "Comic Relief!" Just for fun, we're challenging you to a joke contest. Record your favorite (all ages appropriate) joke and send it in! Use this form to submit your video. Winner will be announced Friday, May 1st. 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!

Trivia Quiz 💯

Thursday's Reflection

ICYMI: New Trivia Quizzes every Friday

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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. Grace is what God does in you

            • Grace

    2. Through God's Grace and your response to His movement within you, you share in the life of God. This precious gift leads you to becoming Holy, also called Sanctification.

            • Grace is what God does in you

            • Nature is what you do or how you respond

    3. Sacraments unite you with Jesus. BUT, you must RESPOND, you have free will, you must choose Him always.

            • "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who deso the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21


A Note from Julie:

Dear Parents,

I share words of encouragement as we all strive for holiness... “Do not be afraid to be holy! Have the courage and humility to present yourselves to the world determined to be holy, since full, true freedom is born from holiness." St. Pope John Paul II

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

  • Explain the following about the Marriage:

      • To Give Grace (or what Grace is given) - To give us Grace to help us live united, & raise kids for their eternal life with God.

      • Outward Sign

        • Matter (the Material Used) - The Vows

        • Form (the Words Said) - “I take you...:”

      • Instituted by Christ - The Wedding at Cana


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.

"Then the man said,'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh."



- Gen 2:23-24