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Spirit Alive - The Year of the Bible
Our diocesan spiritual renewal initiative Spirit Alive! has a website
www.rochesterspiritalive.org! It
is a great way to find out what’s happening during our diocesan spiritual renewal initiative. Visit the website today!
Get into
the
Acts!
Reading Schedule and Reflection Questions
The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth
Week of May 23, 2010 (Pentecost)
Read: Acts 27: 1 – 28: 31
Reflect: After many trials, including being shipwrecked, the final chapters of Acts have Paul finally arriving in Rome. Though Luke does not include it in Acts, Rome will be the place of Paul’s martyrdom. Until that time, Paul is described as proclaiming the Good News to all who come to him in his confinement. For Paul, and for Luke, Rome represents the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Its position in that time in history was the crossroads of the known civilization and those who passed through would continue the work of carrying the message around the world. This final week of reading coincides with our liturgical celebration of Pentecost, the birth of the church and the mission of the church to spread the Good News. How will I continue to live my baptismal call and participate in the mission of the church? What am I willing to sacrifice to be a part of that mission? How far will I go? Where is my “ends of the earth”?
Did anything else stand out for me in this section of Acts?
Act it Out! How do my reflections today inform how I will live out my discipleship in the world this week?
Could I…
…travel to another country on a mission trip?
…consider a year of service after college?
…renew my baptismal promises with my family once a month?
How else could I act it out?
Week of May 16, 2010 (7th Sunday of Easter)
Read: Acts 25: 1 – 26: 32
Reflect: For the third time in Acts Paul shares his story of faith and conversion, this time with King Agrippa. His belief is his defense, and he shares it without hesitation, though he has shared it numerous times before. I too must share my faith often, sometimes repeatedly with the same people. I cannot expect that others will understand my faith experiences the first time I share them, or as they evolve as I continue my journey. Is there someone in my life I need to share my faith with, or perhaps again, in a new way? How does repeatedly sharing my faith story change my life as a disciple?
Did anything else stand out for me in this section of Acts?
Act it Out! How do my reflections today inform how I will live out my discipleship in the world this week?
Could I…
…ask my child how she or he is experiencing faith?
…share a part of my story of faith with a complete stranger?
…commit to sharing a part of the Bible narrative with someone?
How else could I act it out?
Week of May 9, 2010 (6th Sunday of Easter)
Read: Acts 23: 1 – 24: 27
Reflect: As Paul works his way through arrest, imprisonment and trials in this section he repeatedly speaks truth to power, not shying away from the questions of the chief priests or the procurator. Who holds power in my community, school or workplace? What kind of power do they hold? How does my discipleship change how I approach them and speak with them? Have I ever needed to speak truth to power because of my faith? What happened? Did anything else stand out for me in this section of Acts?
Did anything else stand out for me in this section of Acts?
Act it Out! How do my reflections today inform how I will live out my discipleship in the world this week?
Could I…
…work to stop any abuse of power in my local government?
…challenge or change the misuse of emotional power in my relationships?
…support those impacted by domestic violence or other victims of the abuse of power?
How else could I act it out?
Are you
looking for a way to begin deepening your relationship with God?
Here are a few suggestions:
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Read the Scripture Readings of the day every morning and/or evening.
Ask yourself, what do I hear?
How am I challenged?
How am I comforted?
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Spend time in prayer every day.
Start with a short time—1-5 minutes, and increase the time you
spend over a month.
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Participate in Sunday Eucharist every week. It is the place where we
meet Jesus in a very special way.
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Before every meal, thank Jesus for the gift of bread you will share.
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Make it a habit to greet the day with an affirmation of Jesus’
presence.
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End your day with a short examination of how you met Jesus this day.
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Visit a website that offers some meditation or opportunities to
reflect on your relationship with Jesus
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Read a spiritual book.
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Look for moments in your day when you need Jesus, or you sense Jesus’
presence. Honor those
moments with attentiveness.
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Reflect on the Eucharistic Prayer we hear at mass.
There are several to choose from.
Take home the Sunday missal and reflect on the words that bring
us to a renewed relationship with Jesus through Eucharist.
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Rosaries Repair |
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Do you have broken rosaries that you would like repaired? Simply drop them off at the parish office. Also any unwanted broken rosaries or parts can be used for repairs, if you would like to donate them you may drop them off at the parish office. |
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