This Sunday, we will discuss what we need to do to be the Church here and to the world. The Kingdom of God and Community will be our topics of our discussion.
Please join in person if you are able. Don't forget your mask. And if you are not feeling well or have been quarantined, we will be praying for you even though you cannot join us in person.
The information to join virtually is below. Please only share with your teen or another parent so they may share with their teen. Please do not post this information on social media. thank you!
St. Joseph Life Teen - Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Please wait in the waiting room beginning at 6:15pm as food is served prior to starting meeting on line.
Meeting ID: 823 9607 1648 Passcode: 764381
IGNITE NOVEMBER 22, 2020
FOLLOWING 11 AM MASS
IMMEDIATE RESPONSE NECESSARY: This could count as a Spiritual Event for Confirmation preparation (to replace the second retreat).
If you wish to participate virtually. Information will be sent to you once registration is received to access breakout discussions.
In person sessions will include lunch. Please register as soon as possible.
Parent Letter from last week
LIFE TEEN PARENT LETTER: ACCEPTED BELONG SERIES
CONTENT OVERVIEW
“Unity does not imply uniformity; it does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way. Nor does it signify a loss of identity. Unity in diversity is actually the opposite: it involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the various gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to each one and the placing of these gifts at the service of all members of the Church. It means knowing how to listen, to accept differences, and having the freedom to think differently and express oneself with complete respect towards the other who is my brother or sister. Do not be afraid of differences!”
These powerful words were spoken by Pope Francis in an address to the Catholic Fraternity of the Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowship. They speak to the true meaning of diversity in our Church today and challenge us to not only embrace our differences, but to find the beauty of each person as we “joyfully accept” our various gifts.
There are over 1.1 billion Catholics in the world today from varying cultures and countries. As each person is called to express their individual culture, gifts, personalities, and experiences, we are called together to share in the one mission of the Church — to share and profess the love of God to each person.
Our teens can look around and see a variety of differences within their community — athletes, musicians, artists, scholars, etc. There are teens who were born in different cities, states, and even different countries. Some teens speak more than one language and perhaps come from homes in which English is not the primary language. Teens come from small families, large families, broken families, and divorced families. Teens have experienced joys, struggles, pressure, and triumphs. We, as a Church, are called to not only embrace these beautiful differences, but to realize that each person has a place in the community and in the Church.
Unfortunately, many people have been pushed away from the Church because they have felt judged and unaccepted by people in the Church. There may even be teens in our group who have felt judged by another teen or adult based on what they wore to Church, what they look like, or who they hang out with. However, it is our responsibility to make sure that each person knows they are accepted by the Church and loved as sons and daughters of God.
If we are to truly embrace the words of Pope Francis — and his challenging message — we have to know and believe that each person has a home and role in God’s family. We need to embrace a Church that celebrates our diversity and differences. This is our faith; this is the faith and challenge of the Church.
Talk with your teens:
- What is one way that we, as a family, celebrate our faith based on our culture?
- Is there anyone in our family who may not feel welcomed by the Church? Is there anything we can do to make him or her feel welcome?
- Has there ever been a time you were judged for your personality, looks, culture, race, or gifts? How did this make you feel? How did you overcome it?
Happy New Liturgical Year
November 29 is the First Sunday of Advent
REJOICE: Parents, you will receive a Life Teen gift with Advent reflections. In these difficult times, with unknowns, isolations, concerns and stress, Advent is a time to take a breath and prepare your family for the coming of Christ. Rejoice! Advent Meditations with the Holy Family is focused on the marriage of Mary and Joseph and what we can learn from how they lived their holy lives. You may meditate individually, with your spouse, with your family, this is an opportunity to celebrate a new liturgical year and allow you (and your family) to get closer to Christ. As a youth group we will be using this and the Meditations with Mary and the Meditations with Joseph with the girls and guys separately during Life Teen Sundays. I pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving and a beautiful Advent season.