Leader’s Guide September 2008

Family Faith Formation: Getting started
Conversations that matter: Discussion questions
Issue extra: Sunday Gospels
Issue extra: Prayer to all the Angels

Family Faith Formation with Take Out

Are you looking for an easy yet formative event to gather parents and build relationships in your parish? Try hosting a “Conversations the Matter” night. The idea is to use Take Out as a formation tool that supports parents and start discussion. What happens next is up to you!

Here’s How to Get Started

1) Choose an evening in September and reserve a room in your parish for an hour or two. (7:00 to 8:30 p.m.?)

2) Advertise this evening in the bulletin as the first of several “Conversations that Matter” evenings where parents come together for faith sharing.

3) Line up child care if possible.

4) Offer light refreshments – cookies and coffee – and build a “social” break into the night.

5) Choose an article from September issue of Take Out and use it a springboard for faith discussion with your parents. We suggest “But It’s Not Fair!” by Dr. Joseph White on pp. 4 – 5 of the September issue of Take Out. Ask parents to read this article in advance; be sure to have copies of Take Out on hand that evening for parents to refer to or to catch up and review the article as the night begins.

6) Divide parents into as many small groups as necessary (no more 6-8 people per group). Begin the evening in prayer.

7) Ask parents to discuss Dr. White’s article by responding to the questions on the center of their table (cut them out and copy them below).

Discussion Questions

1. Have your struggled with this issue – envy and wanting what others have – in your family? Talk about your experiences.

2. Do you find that this issue increases as kids get older?

3. Have you put any of Dr. White’s suggestions to use in your family? Talk about how successful they have been.

4. What are some new or innovative ways that we can teach our kids gospel values (sharing, generosity, love) in today’s chaotic culture? Share them with the group.

5. Make a list of 3 things you are going to try to help foster a spirit of generosity in your household.

Issue Extra: September 2008 – Sunday Gospels

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 7: Matthew 18: 15-20 (The strength of a caring community)

What do you think about the methods Jesus gives for settling disputes? Have we ever tried it in our family? Should we? How would we do it?
Jesus gives us methods for settling disputes. How do you want to be treated when you have hurt someone else?
Jesus says, “Where two or three are gathered, there I am.” When do you feel Jesus with our family?”
Jesus talked about settling disputes. Can you think of a time you made peace during a conflict; we resolved a conflict in the family?

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14: John 3: 3-17 (Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life)

Jesus said, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” What do you think God loves us about the world, about us?
The Gospel tells us God didn’t send Jesus to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. What do you think that might mean? Do we have any responsibilities because of that?
Was there anything in this Gospel that was exciting/Good News for you?
Today is the feast of the Holy Cross. What does the cross remind you of? What is your favorite cross?

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time,September 21: Matthew 20: 1-16 (God’s generosity is more than we can imagine)

Do you think this story that Jesus told is fair?
Do you/we ever complain, whine, compare, are jealous like the workers? Why do we do it?
How would you describe God’s generosity in this parable?
Imagine Jesus saying to you, “You’re first on my list,” how would you feel? If Jesus said that to someone you didn’t like, how would you feel?
Are there ways you/we can be like God’s generosity?

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 28: Matthew 21: 28-32 (Parable of the two sons)

In this story, which son did what his father wanted?

Can you think of other times when people say one thing and do another?
Jesus invites us to look at our yeses and nos. Are there times you say one thing and do another?
What do you think Jesus means in this Gospel by obedience?
This parable is also about speaking and doing. We could tell people/God that we love them; what if our actions never showed that?

Issue Extra: Prayer to All the Angels

All you holy angels and archangels,
thrones and dominations,
principalities and powers,
the virtues of heaven,
cherubim and seraphim,
praise the Lord forever.
Amen.