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Dear families,
Please watch the video below and discuss the topic as a family. This was originally intended for our middle school ministry, but the topic is relevant to everyone, and the questions can easily be adapted for all ages. It might lead to a good discussion at the dinner table.
I think it's very healthy to talk about fear and faith with our children. In our small groups (hosted remotely), we've found that the middle school kids seem more concerned for others than for themselves. They fear that their loved ones--- especially grandparents and older relatives--- will get the coronavirus, or that family members will become unemployed due to the shutting down of businesses. My own children seem to have the same concerns; they're more focused on others than on themselves. Still, separation from their grown siblings' families and from their friends make for a difficult season. They fear that this "social distancing" is going to last forever.
For me, the challenge is to not allow my very reasonable concerns for family and friends to steal my joy, which is an important gift of the Holy Spirit, and one to be cherished at a time like this. In fact, a few days before Lent, I asked the Lord to use my Lenten journey to help me become a more authentic example of what it looks like to love Jesus and to live joyfully for Him and for others.
I had no idea how much that intention would be tested! I believe that the Holy Spirit inspired that prayer and knew what this Lent was going to look like. He must have thought I needed some growth in this area and knew our current circumstances would be a good testing ground!
The video and reflection questions are meant to point us to the solution to all our fears: Jesus Christ. I hope you find them useful for family discussion.
Don't forget to join our OLMC Community Facebook group.
Join our OLMC Main Facebook page, too, in order to keep up on OLMC news and events, and to access the live-streamed Masses and Holy Week liturgies.
At the bottom of the page, you'll find a schedule for blessed palm distribution for Palm Sunday of Passion of the Lord. The distribution of palms will be done safely through a drive-up system.
Stay healthy. Be holy!
In His peace,
Leighton Drake
Director of Children's Faith Formation / Middle School Ministry"Are YOU afraid of the dark?"
With the constant stream of scary news, it's easy to become consumed by fear. We don't have to live that way. We can be free from the grip of fear and experience peace and joy even through the raging storms.
When we let fear take control, we tend to turn in on ourselves and away from God and others. The Good News will free us from the grip of fear and lead us to peace and joy, even in the trials of life.
5 questions to pray with and discuss as a family:
1) What are your fears right now? (Consider making a list of them. Then ask the Holy Spirit to help you look at each one through the light of His love, and to see how Jesus is with you to help and support you.)
2) How is Jesus the answer to your deepest fears? What does it mean to trust in Jesus?
3) What's the difference between "being concerned" and "being in the grip of fear?" What might help you to not give in to the dominance of fear?
4) What good can you see coming from our current circumstances? What "lights" do you see shining in the present darkness?
5) In what ways will you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus? What are things your family might do to stay focused on Him?
Sent by Leighton Drake