Make It Happen
Suggested Schedule:
- 5:30-6:30 — Hike and and/or swim time
- 6:30-7:30 — Music and scripture reflection
- 7:30-park close — More swim time and/or hike back
Music and Scripture Reflection (1 hour):
- Gathering (10 minutes)
- Opening Song
- Opening Prayer
- Scripture Sharing and Reflection (10 minutes)
- Members of the group are invited to take turns with reading.
- Read the Scriptures about baptism or the renewing power of water out loud (See Help section for Scripture suggestions).
- Read the commentary out loud (See Help section for link to commentary).
- Faith Sharing/Learning (20 minutes)
- Respond to Questions — Young adults share how the readings and learning are related to their daily lives and relationships, two to three minutes each.
- Depending on time, one or more questions may be answered. Begin with question one. Go on to the other questions as time permits. For a group of eight, it usually takes about 15 minutes per question, but the facilitator will need to judge each group. If several questions are given, you can answer the first two and then give members the choice of answering any of the remaining questions.
- Response in Action (10 minutes)
- The sharing groups decide how the learning from this session can be lived out in service to others. Each member shares their action for the upcoming week(s).
- Mutual Support (10 minutes)
- Members share prayer requests and needs.
- Closing Prayer
Ideas
- Include a picnic option for eating during the reflection time: We suggest that the young adult ministry provide drinks and plates/plastic ware for this meal. (And if your young adult ministry budget allows, you could also provide some of the food.) Ask young adults who are attending to bring potluck items that match up with the first letter of their last name:
- A-I — Entrée
- J-Q — vegetable or salad
- R-Z — dessert or appetizer
Help
- Catechism: 81, 416-419, 454, 480, 483, 1212, 1213
- Scripture: John 3:1-6, Romans 6:6-11, Romans 6:3-4
- Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition.
- “Dear young people, do you know what the sacrament of Baptism does to you? God acknowledges you as his children and transforms your existence into a story of love with him. He conforms you to Christ so that you will be able to fulfill your personal vocation. He has come to make a pact with you and he offers you his peace. Live from now on as children of the light who know that they are reconciled by the Cross of the Saviour!” –Blessed John Paul II [Apostolic Journey to Paris on the occasion of the 12th World Youth Day (August 21-24, 1997) — Baptismal Vigil — Address of the Holy Father (Longchamp Racecourse, August 23, 1997)]
- “Dear young people, by your baptismal anointing you have become members of the holy people. By your anointing at Confirmation you share fully in the Church’s mission. The Church, of which you are a part, has confidence in you and is counting on you. May your Christian lives be a progressive ‘getting used to’ life with God, according to the beautiful expression of Saint Irenaeus, so that you may be missionaries of the Gospel!” — Blessed John Paul II [Apostolic Journey to Paris on the occasion of the 12th World Youth Day (August 21-24, 1997) — Baptismal Vigil– Address of the Holy Father (Longchamp Racecourse, August 23, 1997)]
- Books:
- “Call to Celebrate Baptism” by Robert Duggan and Cheryl Shalgain (Harcourt, 2006)
- “Come to the Light: An Invitation to Baptism and Confirmation” by Richard N. Fragomeni, Ph.D. (Continuum, 1999)
- “Baptism: Touched by Grace” by Kathleen O. Chesto (USCCB)
- “Baptismal Catechumenate” by Joseph P. Sinwell (NCEA, 2002)
- “Your Child’s Baptism” by Paul Turner (Liturgy Training Publications, 1999)
- “When You Are a Godparent: Handing on the Faith” by Elizabeth Bookser Barkley (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2001)
- Newsletter Articles:
- “Lenten Customs: Baptism Is the Key” by Rev. Lawrence E. Mick
- “Baptism’s Biblical Roots” by Carolyn Thomas, S.C.N.
- “The Sacrament of Baptism: Celebrating the Embrace of God” by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.
- Update Your Faith:
The Scripture Reflection Model of Faith Sharing
- Begin with silence or a prayer.
- Someone reads a scripture passage (either the upcoming Sunday or some other).
- Each reflects and shares his/her reflections.
- Questions like the following may be helpful:
- How does this passage touch upon my concerns and feelings at this time?
- How does it connect with my own experience, past or present?
- What is the Word of God calling me to at this time?
- The reflection and sharing may include not only my personal concerns, but also those of our local church/parish community. The session concludes with a prayer.
- What Faith Sharing is Not…
- social analysis: looking at concrete problems and probing for their root causes;
- some forms of theological reflection: to think theologically about experiences;
- swapping stories;
- not debating the merits or drawbacks of an issue;
- an intellectual exercise (“head trip”) or psychological-theological analysis; and
- trying to solve all the problems of the church or the world.
- What Faith Sharing is…
- Faith sharing in general, is an attempt to share with our brothers and sisters at a deeper level than we do ordinarily. We let our brothers and sisters in on our inner world of beliefs, values and commitments — maybe even our doubts and difficulties in believing or in living up to our values.
- Faith sharing one of the few bases we have left for bonding with one another — we will find some way to pen ourselves to one another and share what is personal and precious to us, so that we may find support for our ideals and values.
- Faith sharing is a way of lowering barriers and reaching that place within each of us where “spirit touches spirit.” In an increasingly secularized world, faith sharing can provide “support for our ideals and values.”
- Basic Assumptions about Faith Sharing…
- There is a desire for this kind of sharing among us.
- Individuals have to be willing to risk some measure of self-disclosure. One does make himself/herself vulnerable when sharing one’s personal story and interior states.
- Overcome fear of risks: one assumes that there is a kind of shared “covenant” that will assure everyone that their disclosures will be received with respect and will be treasured. Moreover hey will be held in confidence and not carried beyond the group.
- Faith sharing will require some kind of format or structure.
- Faith sharing will be most effective when it takes place in a small group setting (three to eight members is ideal) and when members have spent some time in personal, thoughtful preparation before actual sharing.
- It does not require a trained facilitator, but it is usually helpful to have some kind of format to follow.
- A Sample Faith-Sharing Gathering: Exploring the Scriptures
Small Group Guidelines for Faith-Sharing
- Silence is a vital part of faith sharing. A short reflection time should precede any group sharing. Silence between sharing might also occur.
- Share your own personal experiences as they relate to your faith, relationship with God and the gospel. Sharing should be brief responses, two to three minutes.
- The faith sharing time is not a time for group therapy or problem solving. It is also not a time to focus on personal problems unrelated to the faith sharing questions.
- Listening attentively to the sharing of others is a very important part of the process. Do not respond to the person who has shared. Do not discuss what they have shared. Do not interrupt or cross talk while the sharing is taking place.
- The entire group is responsible for faith sharing — not just the few who share more easily. Each person has their unique story to contribute and no story is better than another.
- Usually each person responds only once to each question so that others have an opportunity to share. At most, there should be two responses per question.
- Faith sharing is not a time for analyzing the scripture or for trying to figure out what Jesus is saying to the world. It is a time for sharing specific, personal experiences of how God has touched you — what do you hear the scripture saying to you.
- Faith sharing is confidential allowing each person to share honestly.
- Rather than respond to another’s sharing, simply reflect on it and then share for yourself. It may seem similar but each sharing will bring something unique.
- Each person is encouraged to share on the level where they feel comfortable and no one is forced to share on any questions.
- Faith sharing is meant to stimulate action — a response in our own daily lives — either through our own reflection or in our listening to others in the group.
