For the teens in our faith formation sessions each small group time will end with the group praying with and for one another. This prayer practice can be something that you start doing as a family this year as well. It can be done at dinner time, in the car on the way to church, or at the end of the day. Here is what you do:
Go around the circle and ask each family member to share something they would like to pray for – It can be personal to them, or it can be generic like “for all who are homeless” or "for those in need", but encourage everyone to share. You will be surprised what you learn about each through prayer. The prayer as a whole can go something like this:
Let us gather ourselves together as a community of prayer. What would you like to pray today?
(time for sharing)
We offer all of these prayers to God by saying the prayer that Jesus taught us “Our Father….”
Or
In thanksgiving for our many blessings we say “Glory Be to the Father…”
Or Knowing that you hear our prayers, we call upon the intercession of Mary saying “Hail Mary…”
AMEN!
We all spend a lot of time on our phones, teens especially! Download some of these awesome prayer and Catholic apps on your phone so that you can pray and connect to your faith on the go! CLICK HERE!
This is the resource we have used for the past couple of years for Confirmation Prep at SSJP. While we are no longer taking time to go through this program as a gathered group, it is still an incredibly valuable resource for you and your teen. All of the topics, questions, and videos are available online for you to learn more about your own journey of faith. Find daily inspiration, resources for parents and sponsors, as well as sessions on topics that interest you: Choices, the Bible, Prayer, The Eucharist, the Holy Spirit, and more! Have fun exploring what this resource is all about! The following video is an introduction to the program. Watch it and answer the question below.
•What are some navigation systems you have in your life? Are you using them or not?
•How do you “recalculate” when you feel lost?
Boldly Sent Weekend - Oct. 20 & 21
Boldly Sent is a peer-led event gathering teens of the diocese together with their bishop in exploration and celebration of the Catholic faith. This year will be the first year we expand the typically one-day event to a full weekend:
Saturday, October 20th will be a day of evangelization and charity in the Des Moines metro community (led by the parishes), followed by a Diocesan-wide Dodgeball tournament.
Sunday, October 21st will be the youth rally at the Iowa Events Center, keynoted by Katie Prejean-McGrady! Sunday's event will have separate tracks for middle school (grades 6-8), high school (grades 9-12), & adults (parents & chaperones).
Fill out the registration form found HERE on the website. All forms are due to Liz by October 5th so we can plan for this fun weekend!
Attached is a the Sponsor Interview for sophomores, due at our October Faith Formation gatherings.