January 27, 13 & 6 Class Update Grades 8 & 9

So much has been going on and we need to do some catching up.  Below are the updates for several classes.  At the end you will find a list of upcoming service opportunities.  
Keep current by reading the February Newsletter here:   https://st-patrick-parish.com/news/february-2019-faith-formation-newsletter

Grade 8
January 27, 2019
Chosen Lesson 19- "Who is Mary?"  (Meeting the Mother of God- and Your Heavenly Family).  Be sure to do the Challenge of the Week (pg. 181):  Do a little research; Learn how to pray the Rosary; or Do something special for your mother.  
Parents:  Read pages 74-75 in your Parent's Guide.
Discussion questions for parents and teens (responses found in Parent's Guide):
Why do Catholics pray to Mary?  How is the devotion we give her different from the worship or adoration we give to God?
Why does the Church encourage us to ask the saints to pray for us?  Why not just ask a friend?
Do you have a favorite saint you like to pray to?

January 13, 2019
Chosen Lesson 18- "Are you talking to me?"  (Getting to Know God through Prayer)
Challenge of the Week (pg. 171): Start a prayer journal; try LECTIO DIVINA at home; or Choose a relationship in your life that needs attention.
Parents: Read pages 72-73 in your Parent's Guide.
Discussion questions for parents and teens:
Do you pray regularly?  How and when?
Why is it important to pray every day and not just when you have a problem?
What is the difference between knowing God and knowing  about him?
If someone asked you to show them how to pray-say, they had a big problem and needed God to help them-what would you say?

January 6, 2019
Chosen Lesson 15- "Why do I have to go to Mass?"  (Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist)
Challenge of the Week (pg. 141):  Spend some time at Adoration; Memorize the "Anima Chisti" (Soul of Christ); or Search online for "Eucharistic miracles"  
Parents:  Read pages 62-63 in your Parent's Guide
Discussion questions for parents and teens:
If someone at school asked you why you go to church on Sunday, what would you say?
Do you think it is important to go to church every Sunday and on holy days of obligations?  Why or why not?
At times in Church history-and even today in some parts of the world-people have been killed for practicing the Catholic Faith.  If practicing your Catholic Faith were illegal, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being Catholic?
What are some importatnt ways you can prepare to encounter Jesus at Mass?

Grade 9
January 27, 2019
Chosen Lesson 14- "Why have I been Chosen?"  (Sealed and Sent in Confirmation).  Be sure to do the Challenge of the Week (pg. 131):  find a prayer written to or composed by your Confirmation saint; or Browse your parish's website or bulletin and check out the list of active ministries 
Parents:  Read pages 60-61 in your Parent's Guide.
Discussion questions for parents and teens:
How do you feel about receiving Confirmation?
Confirmation is known as the sacrament of Christian maturity (see CCC 1308).  How has your Faith changed in the past few years?  How has it changed in the past few months?
In what areas do you think you still need to learn or grow in order to continue on your journey of faith?
How do you think you will be different after Confirmation?
Next Week:  Confirmation Retreat

January 13, 2019
Chosen Lesson 13- "What does the Holy Spirit do for me?"  (Gifts for the Journey). 
Watched Bishop Barron video on the Fruits of the Holy Spirit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1INut0Gi09Q
Be sure to do the Challenge of the Week (pg. 121):  Give a gift; do some weight lifting; read Isaiah 11:1-9
Parents:  Read pages 58-59 in your Parent's Guide.
Discussion questions for parents and teens (responses found in Parent's Guide):
Can you name the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
If you get all the gifts you need from the Spirit at Baptism, what do they have to do with Confirmation? 
How many of the twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit can you name?  (see CCC 1832; Galatians 5:22-23.)  Which do you most need to cultivate in your own life?

January 6, 2019
Chosen Lesson 12- "Who is the Holy Spirit?"  (Meeting the Third Person of the Trinity). 
Watched Bishop Barron video on "Confirmation and Evangilization"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynj_nOxC-1Y
Be sure to do the Challenge of the Week (pg. 111):  Do an online search for "Catholic teen saints"; memorize Holy Spirit prayer; prepare a meal for someone you love
Parents:  Read pages 56-57 in your Parent's Guide.
Discussion questions for parents and teens (responses found in Parent's Guide):
Why do we need the Holy Spirit?
What is Pentecost?
Why is the Holy Spirit sometimes called the "hidden Person of the Trinity"?
For Next Week:  Prepare your "gift of the Holy Spirit" to present for the class

Upcoming Service Opportunities:
Friday, February 15- Knights of Columbus Fish Fry (serve and bus tables)
Thursday, February 28 (Prep) and Friday, March 1 (Dinner)- Faith Formation Spaghetti Dinner (fundraiser for youth ministry).  Lots to do!  See Sign-Up 
Genius:   https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4baaae2fa5fa7-spaghetti1
Friday, March 15- Knights of Columbus Fish Fry (serve and bus tables)
Saturday, March 16- St. Patrick Shamrock Spree (serve, bus tables and most importantly CALL BINGO!)