TUESDAY, MAY 12

DAY 55 - FIFTH PRECEPT OF THE CHURCH

The Fifth Precept ("You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church") means that the faithful are obliged to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability - CCC 2043

Today we will be discussing the last precept of the Church, the need to support the Church in time & treasure. Jesus' Church is "in the world but not of the world" and so it still needs to be supported by worldly means. Everything in the Church is freely given but it can only continue to do so when this work is supported by the faithful. Without the faithfuls support, the mission of Jesus cannot continue.

From Our Spiritual Director ✝

Tuesday Reflection

Readings

Acts 14:19-28Psalm 145:10-11, 12-13, 21John 14:27-31

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…” We hear those words today, spoken by Christ and directed towards the Disciples. Christ makes a distinction between the peace that only God can give and the peace that the world offers. Truly, the only real peace is that which comes from God.

The disciples will rely on this peace as Christ returns to the Father. Christ is preparing the Disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has already instilled the teaching that He, Christ, and God the Father are one. Now the Disciples will begin to prepare for the coming of the Third Person of The Holy Trinity, the Spirit. Through all of this, Christ reminds them that His peace rests upon them.

Is this peace so different from the peace the world offers? Yes, because God’s peace is strong, fair, and eternal, when the peace offered by the world is fleeting. During this most difficult time in which we live, it is imperative that we recall that the Peace of Christ rests firmly within us, and we rest within it.


Blessings,

Fr. John Kurgan

Final Trivia Quiz 💯

As this is our final week of the The Crown Retreat, this is our last trivia quiz which means there's more questions and more points on the line. Go ahead and test your knowledge. Check out the student leaderboard to see who is in the lead!

Final Weekly Challenge 🙌

Our final contest is "Sidewalk Chalk Challenge" Just for fun, we're challenging you to an outdoor art contest. Send in photos or videos of your sidewalk chalk creations! Use this form to send in your submission. We're moving the deadline Thursday, May 14th. 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!

Elementary (Grades 1-4)

Pray

Find all the prayers here.

  • Mealtime Prayers & Night Time Prayers

  • 5 mins - Praying for Others


Learn

Watch the video below


The Main Points to Teach Your Child: the Precept of the Church #5


  • Recall the 10 Commandments... The DON'Ts of a relationship with God.

5 Precepts are... "DOs" of a relationship with God.

  • Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days

  • Go to Confession at least once a year

  • Receive Holy Eucharist once a year during Easter

  • Observe Fasting / Abstinence

  • Provide for the Needs of the Church

Precept #5: Provide for the Needs of the Church - the faithful are to assist with the material needs of the Church, each according to his own ability - CCC2043

means...

  • helping to support the Church and her ministries; traditionally, called a tithe, or giving 10% of your income

  • for those who don't have a lot of money, the gift of time and talent in the form of volunteering

i.e - children helping around the house

because...

  • you need to understand that money is not a bad thing, but the love of money is

  • Jesus IS the Church. You cannont have a relatioship with Jesus without helping to support His Church. The Church is Jesus' Body

  • Jesus commands the Apostles and his Church (you and I) to go... "Go therefore and Baptize all Nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." - Matthew 28:19

out of Love for God...

  • we, you and I, Church are to support all who are doing Christ's works--Priests, Deacons, program ministers, ministries, etc. The Church operates completely on the donations of the people of Christ, the Church

  • you must intentionally support Jesus' work as best you can


A Note from Julie:

Dear Parents,

How time is today's lesson. During this time of isolation, we are restricted from being physically present in our church building, but we are not restricted from being Church. WE are Church. We are the Body of Christ.

Even today, the Church continues to serve those in need without hesitation. This is possible because of the generosity of each memeber of the Church. Together, offering what we can--donations, time, talent--united in Christ, the Mystical Body of Christ continues to do His work of Salvation; sharing the Good News, leading all to a relationship with Christ.

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

  • Recall The 10 Commandments - The DON’Ts of a relationship with God:

  • The 5 Precepts of the Church - The DOs of our relationship with God:

    1. Attend Mass on Sunday & Holy Days

    2. Go to Confession at least once a year

    3. Eucharist once a year during Easter

    4. Observe Fasting/Abstinence

    5. Provide for the Needs of the Church.

  • Explain #5 - Provide for the Needs of the Church

    1. Explain what are the needs of the Church

    2. Explain how, by providing for these needs, the faithful are helping to take care of Christ’s work in the world.

      • Jesus identified Himself with the Church. To love & support the Church is to love and serve Jesus.

      • Give examples of how young people can help provide for the needs of the Church.


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

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.

“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."


- Matthew 19:21