Ordinary Time Pro Tips
Between Pentecost and the Feast of Christ the King, we experience the longest season of the Church year -- Ordinary Time. The word, "ordinary," when used in this sense, is rooted in the same word as "ordinal," which refers to the position or number of something in relation to other things. Thus, we count the weeks of Ordinary Time, as we do the weeks of the other Church seasons. During this long stretch of the liturgical year, we hear the wonderful stories of Jesus' teaching and ministry in the gospel. Here is an article with more information and some suggestions on living in Ordinary Time.
Let's Go To Mass!
Should I Sit or Should I Kneel??
As the pandemic continues to ease, we have been able to resume more of our usual activities. For us Catholics, the most important thing we can do is go back to Mass in person! For those of us who have been watching Mass from our living room couch for several months, we may need a refresher about Mass in person. For example, when do we stand? Sit? Kneel? This short video gives us a funny, and affectionate, reminder of "Catholic calisthenics."
Why Am I Here?
The pandemic caused the Catholic Church (and others) to take the extraordinary and historic step of suspending Mass (or services) in person. The length of time in person Mass was suspended varied around the world. Parishes went to great lengths to find ways to live stream, record, broadcast, or in other ways provide members with some opportunity to celebrate Mass from a distance. It may have seemed to become a new routine, but worshipping in person, unless there is a serious reason preventing a person from doing so, is the way we celebrate Eucharist together.
As of July 25, the Diocese of Des Moines is lifting the suspension of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days. That means that we are no longer "excused" from Mass, but we are, according to the Precepts of the Church, obligated to gather in person for Mass each week. How do we make the most of this opportunity? Read on for some ideas.
How to Make the Most of Mass
1. Prepare! Try to quiet your heart and mind so that you can hear what God wants to say to you. Think of what concerns you want to bring to the Lord, and what you want to give thanks for at that particular Mass. Read the readings of the Mass ahead of time (found here).
2. Let the Mass engage your senses. Our Catholic liturgies are full of symbols, sounds, colors, and light. Consciously notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
3. Participate! If you have a job, you know how time seems to move slowly when you're not busy. Sing the songs, respond to the prayers, make all the gestures! We are called to "full, conscious, and active participation," not to be spectators. See what a difference more active participation can make.
4. Ask questions. Why do we do that? What does that mean? If your parents don't know, ask Fr. Mark or a members of the parish staff or another trusted adult.
As the pandemic continues to ease, we have been able to resume more of our usual activities. For us Catholics, the most important thing we can do is go back to Mass in person! For those of us who have been watching Mass from our living room couch for several months, we may need a refresher about Mass in person. For example, when do we stand? Sit? Kneel? This short video gives us a funny, and affectionate, reminder of "Catholic calisthenics."
Why Am I Here?
The pandemic caused the Catholic Church (and others) to take the extraordinary and historic step of suspending Mass (or services) in person. The length of time in person Mass was suspended varied around the world. Parishes went to great lengths to find ways to live stream, record, broadcast, or in other ways provide members with some opportunity to celebrate Mass from a distance. It may have seemed to become a new routine, but worshipping in person, unless there is a serious reason preventing a person from doing so, is the way we celebrate Eucharist together.
As of July 25, the Diocese of Des Moines is lifting the suspension of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days. That means that we are no longer "excused" from Mass, but we are, according to the Precepts of the Church, obligated to gather in person for Mass each week. How do we make the most of this opportunity? Read on for some ideas.
How to Make the Most of Mass
1. Prepare! Try to quiet your heart and mind so that you can hear what God wants to say to you. Think of what concerns you want to bring to the Lord, and what you want to give thanks for at that particular Mass. Read the readings of the Mass ahead of time (found here).
2. Let the Mass engage your senses. Our Catholic liturgies are full of symbols, sounds, colors, and light. Consciously notice what you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
3. Participate! If you have a job, you know how time seems to move slowly when you're not busy. Sing the songs, respond to the prayers, make all the gestures! We are called to "full, conscious, and active participation," not to be spectators. See what a difference more active participation can make.
4. Ask questions. Why do we do that? What does that mean? If your parents don't know, ask Fr. Mark or a members of the parish staff or another trusted adult.
Discover!
The Bible is not one book, but a whole library of books! They are different kinds of literature, written over centuries. How do I start with the Bible? What do I do with it? What is it for? Here is an article that helps us get started.
Do!
FAMILY SERVICE IDEA: Help Women’s Shelters
When Maria Goretti was only 12, a young neighbor stabbed her to death when she refused his sexual advances. St. Maria, whose feast day is July 6, has served as a model for the rights and dignity of girls and as a symbol of the importance of protesting against violence towards women. As a family, decide to help a shelter for abused women this summer. While the location of such shelters is often confidential, they always need financial assistance. Consider having a garage sale (or other fundraiser) and donating the proceeds to the shelter. Many shelters have fundraising branches such as resale shops that could use summer help and material donations.
When Maria Goretti was only 12, a young neighbor stabbed her to death when she refused his sexual advances. St. Maria, whose feast day is July 6, has served as a model for the rights and dignity of girls and as a symbol of the importance of protesting against violence towards women. As a family, decide to help a shelter for abused women this summer. While the location of such shelters is often confidential, they always need financial assistance. Consider having a garage sale (or other fundraiser) and donating the proceeds to the shelter. Many shelters have fundraising branches such as resale shops that could use summer help and material donations.
Watch!
We Bought a Zoo
In this movie, Benjamin buys a house that becomes a zoo. Watch this movie with your family. Then, use these questions to enjoy a chat together.
When children are baptized, the celebrant says the following:
You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?
Kids: List some ways your parents have brought you up in the faith.
In this movie, Benjamin buys a house that becomes a zoo. Watch this movie with your family. Then, use these questions to enjoy a chat together.
- Remember the scene with the butter? How important is butter?
- Getting butter seemed like a big deal to Benjamin—or he pretended it was a big deal—but what did the act of getting in the car, driving 9.2 miles, going in the store, shopping for butter, checking out, and driving home really represent?
- Often it is the little things our parents do that show love. How did this little act show Ben’s love for his family?
- How do you think Ben reacted when Dylan told his father they had found butter while he was gone?
- Why is communication between children and parents so hard sometimes?
When children are baptized, the celebrant says the following:
You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?
Kids: List some ways your parents have brought you up in the faith.
