Preparing for Catechetical Sunday

Some mid-summer thoughts!
As we are reaching the end of July, we have to start thinking about how to prepare for the beginning of our next Maronite Formation sessions.  Catechetical Sunday is September 18th.
Director of Religious Education, Monsignor Georges El-Khalli asks that we examine this information.  The link includes a certificate for catechists for our eparchy, articles on how to lead prayer, Lectio Divina, practical skills for engaging students in prayer, and reflections for each day of Advent and Lent. 

Catechetical Resources 2016

The articles all focus on prayer and how to turn our thoughts and feelings toward God.  It is up to us as teachers to help our students form a loving image of our God and to teach them to love God with all our hearts, minds and strength.  We help them to learn to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves.  
John McQuiston II in Always We Begin Again said that if we follow these directives then we will have the tools 
"to relive the unhappy, 
to visit the sick, 
to clothe the destitute,
to shelter the oppressed,

not to take ourselves too seriously, 
not to want more than we need, 
not to love possessions, 
not to carry resentment, 

to support the troubled,
to encourage good humor, 
to forgive our enemies, 
to show mercy to the weak, 

not to want praise, 
not to be proud, 
not to be slothful, 
not to offer unwanted advice, 

to pray frequently, 
to distrust one's own will, 
to speak the truth to ourselves and others, 
and to prefer nothing to the habit of affinity."  

 It is certainly permissible to begin your program before the 18th if you wish.  Remember the Faith of the Mountain books come with the activity books and are very affordable!  Please share this blog with all of your teachers.  Send their email addresses to our email address: maronitereligioused@gmail.com.  

Summer Reading For Enrichment!

Happy Summer!

Take some time out to do some personal enrichment over the summer.  Here are some books that are easy to read and some of the material can be used in the fall with your students.

Bishop Robert Barron's Seeds of the Word:  Finding God in the Culture.  He explores God in film, books, politics, and culture. It is from Word on Fire, www.wordonfire.org. 

James Martin, SJ's Between Heaven and Mirth:  Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life.  I am reading this as an ebook; it is Harper One publications.  

John McQuiston II's Always we Begin Again:  The Benedictine Way of Living.  Yes, I know it is not Maronite, but it is very monastic and very readable.  Morehouse Publishing

Lou DelFra, C.S.C., and Ann Primus Berends, editors:  5 Minutes with Christ: Spiritual Nourishment for Busy Teachers and 5 Minutes with the Saints: More Spiritual Nourishment for Busy Teachers.  It is from Ave Maria Press.  They are meditations on Christ and the saints and provide a personal reflection and short prayer and can be used daily.

Joyce Rupp's Inviting God In: Spiritual Reflections and Prayers Throughout the Year.  It is also from Ave Maria Press.  Each passage begins with a Bible verse, then a reflection, and ends with a prayer.  

Anne Bryan Sollin's God Knows You're Stressed:  Simple Ways To Restore Your Balance. It is from Sorin Books and it is all about ways to make stress work for you.  

Don't forget to check out the publications on the stmaron.org website too!

Cathy and Kelly