The words can be misleading as some may miss the intent to help people understand and learn – to deepen their faith and how to share their beliefs with others.
Think of times when you helped someone else understand a subject you understood better. Any time you help the “unlearned” or the “unaware”, you are performing this Act of Mercy. You are a teacher.
Jesus encouraged his disciples, and therefore he encourages us as Disciples of Christ, to bring our faith out of the church and into the world. This requires a deep understanding of our Catholic faith and knowledge of how to share with others. It is important to seek sources that can correctly help us understand who Jesus is and what he taught.
We often think that learning about our faith as what we did during Catechism classes as children. It is really a lifelong journey to learn, to share, to reflect and to go deeper. It also means bringing our faith out of the confines of church and into our community and to bring others from our community into the church.
This means we need to be able to answer practical questions regarding our faith. How do you react when something unfortunate happens in your life and you wonder how God could let that happen? Having a good understanding that God put on on Earth to fulfill a purpose with a particular journey – filled with both happiness and hardship – will equip you to help others.
In this week’s Pew to Pilgrim approaches, we offer a variety of ways for you to learn more about our faith, to become a teacher and guide, ways to practice sharing through questions, and more advanced commitments to leading others in the process of formation and conversion.
Our society is barraged by a culture of sharing and many forums for discussions, many filled with misinterpretations or falsehoods. Use this week’s focus on Instruct the Ignorant to reflect and act on ways you can make a difference in the “conversation.”
- Incorporate daily prayer and reflection time for yourself – Use the Magnificat as a guide
- Watch Fr. Barron videos on YouTube Word on Fire
- Read Matthew Kelly’s Rediscovering Jesus
- Invite someone to come to Mass with you; have coffee afterwards to discuss the homily
- Become a volunteer for Young Adults Theology on Tap (July Sunday evenings)
- Join our Bible Study group – every Wednesday evening 6:30p at the Rectory
- Find a “buddy” and practice the debate about aspects of our faith; start with one topic
- Become a RCIA Sponsor – classes start in September Email Jennifer
- Have a tough conversation about your faith & beliefs with someone you might normally avoid; prayerfully reflect on what happened
- Complete the Faith Formation Commission’s survey to share your needs Take Survey Now
- Learn more about your faith – Read the free online version of the US Catholic Catechism for Adults
- Attend our Fall Boost Your Beliefs series; ask questions & share insights
- Reflect on theological questions of the day – seek sources to help you answer these questions: EWTN, American Life League, Catholic Exchange, Relevant Radio, The Vatican, USCCB
- Become a tutor for FXW Middle School students prepping for HS Email Young Adults
- Volunteer to help with our Baptism classes or children’s Religious Education Email Jennifer
- Go on a service trip or short-term mission trip. No time? Donate to support someone else on their service trip
Lori Doyle and Gabi Schultz are members of the Parish Pastoral Council, active with a variety of Liturgical Ministries as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Cathedral Altar Servers and Ministers of Care at Prentice Hospital/NW Hospital. Both parishioners for about 6 years, Lori loves to travel and cook and is a proud mother of her son John, a UM Wolverine. Gabi enjoys trying new restaurants, running, cooking lessons and spending time with friends and family.
Share your thoughts below or on social media, tagging Holy Name Cathedral and using #SeasonOfMercy.
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