Evening of Pentecost I (Fourth Step of the C.R.H.P. Process) Opening prayer: Let us pause from our busy day and breathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Scripture reading: 1 Cor. 12:4-11 A. Introduction read by the leader: The core question of our Christian discipleship is Here and now how is God calling me to be and to grow in his life? The Evenings of Pentecost invite us into a way of being and a way of responding to God to carry us into a lifetime. There is no script for being a disciple. We have to take responsibility for our own follow-up to the Christ Renews His Parish experience. Many months ago, before the Evening of Discernment, we were asked this question: Of what gift or grace have I become aware, even just recently, that could be used for the good of the whole team and the participants at the next weekend? B. Affirmation We have used those gifts and graces, so let us affirm one another for that. Before we begin, reflect quietly on these three questions: -What gifts have we experienced about each other? -Or how have I experienced God from each person? -Or how has God gifted me in you? Then leader will pass out a picture of a tree. 1) Write your name on it. 2) Near the leaves, branches, or trunk, write your inner gifts. When all are finished, the leader will invite all to continue 3) Pass the papers around so that each person has a minute to add to each person s paper. 4) When all papers are finished, receive your own back, and pause in gratitude. 5) Summarize with the group what people said about you. (optional) 6) Give any further comments. C. Reflection on the experience Look more deeply at what has taken place for us. Starter questions: How have the weeks since the weekend been for me? Where are we now that the weekend is over? What have we learned about following Jesus? Recount the blessing and gifts and the challenges of being church and following Jesus. Thank God, boast in the Lord, and look at the challenges.
D. Reflection on the ongoing nature of discipleship To be a Christian, to be spiritual person, to be a holy person is to be in process with God. This process will always be incomplete until we see God face to face. A disciple is one who continues on in Jesus Christ. There is no end to God s goodness and God s gifts (only new experiences them). There is no end to knowing God and being known by him. There is no end to God s challenges and God s call. We are a pilgrim people. We talk about our journey of faith or our walk with God. That means an endless presence and enjoyment of God s love. This relationship with God is ongoing. We are a people who are in touch with the movement of God, with the reign of God. We re at the end of the formal process of C.R.H.P. process and we re at a new beginning. That s part of discipleship. We have to die to the experience of the weekend. God has new gifts and challenges for us. The reflection questions to consider before next time will help us to see now what? Now where is God calling me to grow? Now where is God calling me to ministry? We have a continual call from Jesus to recommit ourselves and to give service. We look forward to sharing these insights with each other next time. E. Handouts to be filled out before next meeting Personal, spiritual, and ministerial growth needs inventory Volunteer Opportunities (Those involved in ministries can explain about them.) F. Closing shared prayer and song
Name A) Near the leaves, branches, or trunk, write your inner gifts. B) When all are finished, leader will invite all to continue: 1) Pass the papers around so that each person has a minute to add to each person s paper. 2) When all papers are finished, receive your own back, and pause in gratitude. 3) Summarize with the group what people said about you (optional). 4) Give any further comments. Handout Reflection Questions before Evening of Pentecost II These questions are to get you in touch with your own needs for spiritual growth so that each person is better enabled to take the next steps in discipleship. You will be asked to share as much or as little as you wish next time. Please write your responses before the next meeting. 1. What are my spiritual needs as I see them now? 2. Where do I see a need for continued spiritual renewal? 3. What areas in my life need spiritual development? -What about my prayer life? -What about staying in touch with the Word of God? 4. How do I need to mature as a disciple of Jesus to be more aware of him every day? 5. Do I feel a need to grow spiritually with my spouse or family? If so, how? 6. Do I feel a need to do some small group sharing (with my family, with this group, or with another group)? If so, how might I begin to do this?
7. Do I feel like I am being called to service (to my spouse, with my family, in my parish, at work, in the community)? If so, how? 8. Do I feel called to continue some service I m already doing (at home, in my parish, in the community)? If so, how? 9. Do I feel called to rest a while and wait for discernment?
Handout Volunteer Opportunities St. Mary Parish Do I feel a call to any specific ministry in our parish? If so, which? Ministry groups for Adults Description of ministry 01 Adult Formation Team Offer programs for the spiritual and educational development of parish. 02 Baptism Garment Committee Prepare garments for infant Baptism. 03 Bereavement - liturgy Help bereaved families to plan funeral; assist at funeral. 03f Bereavement - food Provide food for funerals and/or serve at post-funeral reception. 04 Bingo Work at Bingo monthly to raise money for the parish and school. 06 Board of Education Advise pastor, principal, and DRE concerning parish educational programs. 07 Boosters Board Oversee all parish athletic programs. 09 Choir/Musician Sing or play musical instruments at Mass. 11 Children s Liturgy of the Word leader Lead or assist monthly with CLOW (grades 1-6) at Sunday Mass. 12 Christ Renews His Parish leader Oversee CRHP formation and weekends. 13 Eucharistic Minister Distribute the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. 14 Faith in Action Educate parish about social concerns; have collections for the needy. 15 Festival Volunteer Plan and carry out the details of the parish festival. 16 Finance Committee Review and approve parish budget. 17 Garden Committee Care for areas in front of church and offices. 18 Health Ministry Organize health awareness programs; offer blood pressure screening. 20 Lector Proclaim the Word of God at Mass. 21 Marriage Sponsor Couple Meet with engaged couples to discuss issues concerning marriage. 22 Monday Men Provide skills to maintain parish facilities. 23 Money Counter Count collections (Sunday, holy day, and special) on weekly basis. 24 Money Counter Sub Count collections (Sunday, holy day, and special) on substitute basis. 25 Neighborhood Captain Welcome new parishioners; request assistance for hospitalized neighbors. 26 Offertory Gift Bearer Be scheduled to carry up bread, wine, and collection at Sunday Mass. 28 Parish Council Establish and oversee goals and objectives for the parish. 30 Prayer Line Pray for those in need and call people to request prayer. 31 Prayer Shawl Ministry Make and distribute prayer shawls to sick and homebound. 32 PTC Board Raise funds & provide volunteers to support the school s academic program. 33 RCIA Team or Sponsor Guide and accompany a candidate in the process of becoming Catholic. 34 School Volunteer Offer help in numerous ways at school. 35 Scout Leader Provide guidance for boys and girls to develop leadership and character. 36 Senior Citizen Board Guide meetings and programs of St. Mary senior citizens 38 St. Vincent de Paul Attend to the direct needs of those requiring assistance. 39 Sunday School Leader Teach, assist, and help in other ways in preschool/kindergarten program. 40 Usher/Greeter Welcome parishioners, take up collection, distribute bulletins at Masses. 42 Visitor to the Sick Visit parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes. 44 WERE Volunteer Teach or assist at Wednesday Evening Religious Education. 46 Youth Ministry Team Guide, pray for, and assist the youth in their faith; help with retreats. If you feel called to one or more of these ministries, put a check in front of it/them. Fill out the information below and hand it in at our next meeting. Name Email Phones
Evening of Pentecost II (Fourth Step of the C.R.H.P. Process) Opening prayer: Let us pause from our busy day and breathe in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Scripture reading: Acts 2: 1-4 Introduction: Tonight we will get in touch with and share -our spiritual growth needs -how and where we re being called to ministry -what this means to us as a group. A. Share responses to the handouts given the last time: 1) Volunteer opportunities St. Mary Parish 2) Personal, spiritual, and ministerial growth needs inventory It s a given that we re called to ministry, but where and how? Parish life is the normal follow-up to C.R.H.P. but not the only follow-up. Maybe we are called to serve in other areas, like family, neighborhood, community. It is important to be open to the Lord. Each person s call will be unique. B. Share reflection on these questions: What do our responses mean for us? Do we see any patterns developing in what we shared? Is there a need to get together in small groups, as a team? What does this mean about how we support each other? C. Discussion about our group (or some of our group) continuing to meet for spiritual growth, educational growth, and/or mutual support for at least for 4-6 months. If so -Who will be the point of contact? -How frequently will we meet? -When can we start? (Come when you can if you cannot attend each time.) -What format do you prefer as we begin? Two suggestions: a. Starting with the Word of God - how is it gifting me or challenging me? b. Starting with our experience how has God been gifting me or challenging me? D. Choose a prayer partner -- someone to be in touch with and to support in prayer. E. Closing shared prayer and song
Two possible faith-sharing formats A. Start with Word of God. -Opening prayer -Reading from Word of God -Quiet reflection for five minutes on how that Word touches my life right now -Share: How is God gifting me in this Word? How is God challenging me in this Word? Are there any common gifts or challenges that surface? Is there anything the group is called to from this Word? -Closing shared prayer and song B. Start with own experience. -Opening prayer -Reflection question: What s been going on in my life since we last met (experiences, persons, concerns)? -Share: How has God gifted me since we last met? How has God challenged me since we last met? Are there any common issues that surface? Is that the real issue or is there something deeper? Does our tradition or Scripture bring anything to bear on these issues? Closing shared prayer and song