From Father Steven - September 10, 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Please see the message below written by Stephen Hanley and Cecilia Melo.
 
God Bless,
Fr. Steven
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As you most likely have heard and read, we will celebrate Catechetical Sunday on September 24th.  We would like to honor the Catechists who give of their time and talent to catechize, share their faith, and sacramentally prepare the children and adults of this parish in our religious education classes.  
The mission of Immaculate Conception parish is to “go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) The Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be “salt and light” to the world.  Without salt, there is no life and without light, the world is void.  Jesus is the “Light of the World.”  Passing and sharing the faith of Our Lord Jesus Christ to our loved ones, to our children, and to adults who are seeking the Truth is the most important gift we can give.  Why?  Because in sharing the Eternal Truth, a person receives the eternal love of Jesus Christ who has conquered sin and death. 
No matter what we do or say, we must breathe. Each time you breathe, the sound of your breath actually says the word "God" in Hebrew.  The essence of everything that is good, whether we can comprehend it or not is created by the God of Love.  This is what we aim to share with the children and adults in our religious education classes.  The classes exist to cultivate an environment so the student may have an encounter with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The classes are not an academic exercise.  Catechists are there to enable a response or echo from the mind or soul of the child or adult. Echo is the root word for Catechist.  The Lord calls us to respond to a call to His love so we can live in truth and be free.  For Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) He also said, "Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) When you create a hospitable environment at home or in the classroom, a child or adult can witness and experience the love of Jesus Christ.  This happens in ways of simplicity.  Such as sharing good advice that removes discouragement from the mind of a person or writing a card of gratitude to a person who feels lonely or just serving a cup of water to another before serving yourself.   In these simple acts, wisdom is cultivated.  God calls us to be wise.  This happens through humility; for Jesus said, "Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew, 18:4)
In addition to having blessed Catechists to announce the Gospel, we have Catechism books from Sophia Institute that can help the Catechists create a classroom atmosphere for students to participate and enjoy what they discover and learn about their faith.  We encourage our Catechists to immerse the children or adults in activities that will help them discover the love of God on a personal level.  This process allows the students to experience joy which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  When you desire to help your children to express joy, you empower them to come to know Jesus personally.  This can happen in many ways.  It first happens in how you form your home.  The church begins at home.  Be imitators of the Holy Family of Nazareth.  This will happen in the daily tasks, fun activities, reading the Holy Scriptures together and finding out what it really means when the psalmist wrote; “Taste and See the goodness of the Lord.”  This is why your life, and mine exists. It is to know, love, and serve the Lord.  Let us pray effectively, by asking the Lord, by seeking the Lord, and by knocking on the door of the Kingdom of Heaven to fill our Catechists and all the children and adults who they will meet this year to be filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit!
We are here to help you in this journey. Please take the time to enroll your Son or daughter in the Religious Education program by scanning the QR code registration form and send to us. Monday classes begin September 25th and Sunday Classes will begin October 1st.
 
In Christ,    
Stephen Hanley and Cecilia Melo