Still going over questions of God and our relation to Him

Old Testament Reading about the instructions to Moses from Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights Ex 34:28, 10 Commandments, Day of Rest (Ex 34:21), Sanctuary Curtain Ex 26:31, Sanctuary Lamp Ex 27:20 (Hanukkah), Altar Ex 27:1, Offering Ex 29:10, Bull for Sin Lev 5

Offering Sacrifice: an act of offering to God something precious, Such as animal

As a tribute to God, a burnt offering was entirely burnt on the altar, symbolizing total commitment or surrender to God. This is in contrast to other forms of sacrifice (entitled zevach or zevach shelamim), which was partly burnt and most of it eaten in communion at a sacrificial meal.

Jesus is our communion, he is the sacrifice on the cross. See in the Old Testament, how Jesus fulfilled the offering for sin

• You must make “your offering” (Leviticus 1:2), meaning you can’t offer something that belongs to someone else.
• You must offer an animal that is a “male without blemish” (v. 3).
• You must make the offering of your “own voluntary will” (v. 3).
• You must first bring your offering to “the door of the tabernacle,” which tabernacle represents the place where God dwells (v. 3).
• You must put your hand on the head of the sacrificial animal and then kill it yourself
• The priests lay the “head,” “fat,” “inward” organs, and the “legs” on the altar (v. 8–9).

Lenten Lessons by Father Rocky, (our Church and Mass):

https://relevantradio.com/category/lenten-lessons/

• Holy Water
• Genuflection
• The Tabernacle
• The Altar, Roman Missal

Lenten Practices

There are many ways to live our Catholic faith during the Lenten season! Many people make personal sacrifices and give something up for the entire forty-day period, symbolizing self-discipline and reliance on God’s grace. Some engage in acts of service to emulate Jesus’ love and compassion towards others.  

And there are many practices and traditions that take place at the local church! The Stations of the Cross is a revered tradition where Catholics pray and reflect on the journey of Jesus’ Passion and death.

The History of Ashes on Ash Wednesday

You might be wondering why we get ashes on our foreheads for Ash Wednesday. Throughout history, ashes have been a powerful outward symbol of interior repentance and spiritual awareness. Here are some examples of ashes in the Bible:

• “Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:6)
• “Daughter of my people, dress in sackcloth, roll in the ashes.” (Jeremiah 6:26)
• “I turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” (Daniel 9:3)
• “When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh:* “By decree of the king and his nobles, no man or beast, no cattle or sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water. Man and beast alike must be covered with sackcloth and call loudly to God; they all must turn from their evil way and from the violence of their hands.” (Jonah 3: 6-8)

The Early Christians used ashes to show repentance as well, but not just on Ash Wednesday! After going to confession, it was common for the priest to give the person ashes on their forehead. Catholics have been receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday since the time of St. Gregory the Great. In 1091, Pope Urban II encouraged the entire Church to use ashes on Ash Wednesday.

https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent/ash-wednesday.html

Pages 113-122 “Morality, Life in Christ” Series. Live lives of honesty and generosity. Harming a person’s reputation and honor. Boasting, Peer Pressure.

We may begin to practice a Easter puppet show for the kindergarten- 1st grade if it is agreeable to their teachers. TBD.

Slideshow Presentation prepared by Mr. Hetman.

Proof of God, Bishop Robert Barron. (I have a copy of the actual DVD). This is a YouTube version:

Pages 83-92 “Morality, Life in Christ” Series Jesus spends time with his friends. Define disciples, faith and trust, confidence, Liturgy of the Hours. Review Types of Prayer.

Slideshow Presentation prepared by Mr. Hetman.

Chapter 7 pp71-82, “Morality, Life in Christ” Series. 1rst, 2nd, 3rd Commandments

Slideshow Presentation prepared by Mr. Hetman.

Unit 1 Review Test Pages 69-70 “Morality, Life in Christ” Series

Quiz on Report Card Topics:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Angel Of God, Act of Contrition, Apostles Creed, Rosary, Seven Sacraments, 10 Commandments, Corporal Works of Mercy, Spiritual Works of Mercy, Sacrament of Initiation, Sacraments of Healing, Sacraments of Service/Vocation, Holy Days of Obligation, Nicene Creed, Beatitudes, Mysteries of the Rosary, Act of Apostles, Book of Revelation, apocalypse, Annunciation, Visitation, Immaculate Conception, Nativity, Presentation, Assumption Virgin Birth, Prophet, Epiphany, Rite of Enrollment, elect, doctrine, sanctifying grace, prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude, Ascension, fidelity

Begin Ten Commandments pp. 73, Chapter 7

Beginning with the Annunciations of John the Baptist and Jesus, we follow the Joyful Mysteries through the 1st Luminous Mystery. We learn where the prayer of Hail Mary Full of Grace is spoken (Angel Gabriel and Elizabeth). We also clover the Magi/Flee to Egypt.

Read Luke Chapter 1-2, Matthew Chapter 2.

When Catholics were persecuted, they used this Christmas carol to review their faith. Of course, the 12 days of Christmas are Christmas until Epiphany.

Read about John the Baptist

John preached boldly in the wilderness and lived a lifestyle outside of the norm for that time. Think back to a time when you needed to act boldly in your life of faith.
What did you do and how was it received?

Children of Castrovirreyna, Peru

A christian ministry coordinates with educational institutions and health facilities to promote social and behavioral change that advances good nutrition and hygiene habits. Home visits raise awareness about anemia and parasites, teach children about the importance of hand washing and improve household hygiene practices. For children, anemia blocks correct brain development, limiting their learning and opportunities in the future.Their generosity means the children of Castrovirreyna will grow up strong and healthy, thriving in their homes and leading their communities in the future.

Watch a Video of the ministry.

DISCUSS

1. What captured your attention in the video?
2. What did you learn about the Castrovirryena community in Peru?
3. How would your life be different if you had one road in and out of your community?
4. Deysi hopes that her baby grows up to be kind and happy. What are the hopes and dreams you have for yourself and your family (immediate, extended and/or church family)?

In today’s gospel, John the Baptist appears in the wilderness and proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
His voice cries out in the wilderness, an unexpected place to hear God’s word. John was considered a wild man — eating locusts and honey, living on the margins of society, called to live a different way. When we think of
repentance, we often think of feeling sorry for things we’ve done wrong. And that’s certainly part of repentance, but John is inviting us to think more deeply. Repenting is a chance to turn away from the values of this world which leave us dissatisfied —status, wealth, power — and allows us to reframe our thinking in preparation for Jesus’ birth.
In Advent, we are called to make room for Jesus to enter our lives. We hear John’s message of repentance and confession in preparation of the coming Savior and are reminded that his is a message for us as well. We too are called to repent and confess our sins so that Christ’s love can come into us and
transform our lives for the sake of the world. Jesus is coming not to condemn us for our sins, but rather to help us to see his face in our neighbor’s. This Advent, we have an opportunity to think differently about how we help bring Jesus’ promise of a better future to our communities, whether here in the U.S. or in places like Peru. Read together Matthew 3:1-12.

https://lwr.org/downloads/advent-2022-small-group-study-guide-week-2

Christmas Quiz