We Gather to Pray and Reflect on our Ministry

1. We Gather to Pray and Reflect on our Ministry

2. What is Formation? How do I pray? What is my image of God ? What is my ministry? How do I serve God and others? How/what does my ministry give/teach me?

3. YEAR OF GRACE /FAITH In the work of service, the Holy Spirit guides us as we build up- The Body of Christ The Kingdom of God

5. In God and for God Jen Charadia Rising every day in God Hands that never fail for God Hope for the new day in God Instrument of love for God. Every breath a breath in God Every word we speak for God In God and for God In God and for God

6. Let us be always in your grace Let all we do be done for you Awake to the presence we are in The work of our hands only for you In God and for God. In God and for God

7. All our strength contained in God Hearts that we might tend for God Every step a step in God Welcome to the stranger for God The ordinary done in God All our hearts desire for God In God and for God. In God and for God

8. Rhythm DVD • What do you believe about God’s involvement in our daily lives? • What images do you have of God? • Where is God? What does it mean to be in or out of tune with the song? • What is more important to Jesus: what we believe or what we do?

11. Jesus brings into our world the Kingdom or Reign of God; He emptied himself. • Jesus is hope and guarantee that when loving brings conflict and suffering he will be with us because he has been there before us. Thus Jesus also brings courage and hope. • In Jesus we find a reason not to give up on our own selves, not to give into depression, despair or destructive behaviour when life becomes difficult for us or when we fail to live up to our own expectations and hopes. In Jesus we know we can start again.

12. Ministry groups • How does the ideas in Rhythm relate to the ministry you are involved with? • Readers? Music? Acolytes? Hospitality? Pastoral Care/ Ministers of Communion? • How can we be better members of this parish ‘orchestra?

13. Outreach There are people who have heard the tune but are not part of the orchestra. Are they welcome? Is there an invitation? How do we reach out to others?

14. My own Faith Formation-How do I keep renewed in my faith, my ministry- keep the light bright? • Have you considered some study? • What is out there? -Certificate in Pastoral Formation Tuesday evening commitment for one year -Beginning Theology: Read at home but connect with others once a month.

15. The WELCOME Prayer

17. The VaticanCouncil insists, “The laity are called to participate actively in the entire life of the church; not only are they to animate the world with the spirit of Christianity, they are to be witnesses to Christ in all circumstances and at the very heart of the human community” (GS 43). • “one of the gravest errors of our time is the dichotomy between the faith which many profess and their day-to-day conduct” (GS 43).

18. A requisite for the accomplishment of the mission of the church is a full consciousness of the laity's "role in building up society whereby they strive to perform their domestic, social, and professional duties with such Christian generosity that their manner of acting should gradually penetrate the whole world of life and labor." (Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People, Vatican II, 1965, n.13) • Do you understand your everyday work and family life as part of your Christian mission to the world? (GS)

19. Catholics need to recognise and value the impact of their everyday witness as faith-filled disciples of Jesus by seeking to establish loving relationships with others and working to build a better world. This witness takes two basic forms: • Proclamation: proclaiming the good news of Jesus through celebration of the liturgy, by word of mouth to others and through the example of lives faithful to the Gospel • Dialogue: engaging in dialogue that leads to collaboration and action in working for social justice and social welfare to improve our world and alleviate the sufferings of others.

20. God is still active in the world and the Spirit helps us to recognise the signs of that action and to cooperate with it. • The Spirit shows us the right directions to take in our lives and the right decisions to make. • The Holy Spirit is the ultimate delegation from God because in the Spirit God says to us: It is your turn now to carry the flame. You can do it. I will help you. There are many who are depending on you. There is work I have for you to do.

21. Individual evangelisation initiatives include: • Speaking about the importance of your faith to family and friends • Offering to pray and intercede for the needs of others • Standing up for what you believe in at your workplace • Supporting campaigns that respect the rights and needs of others • Being active in pursuing justice, peace and environmental issues

22. Community evangelisation initiatives include: • Parish team running outreach programs that seek to promote a better understanding of the person and vision of Jesus (eg Alpha) • Collaborating with other Christian churches , community groups or networks to address a public issue with a Christian viewpoint (eg Euthanasia debate) • Parish involvement in local community projects to help the poor (eg roster for local meals on wheels, St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers etc) • Campaigns inviting others to come and learn about Jesus

23. this is our time to make a difference: What contriBUTION WILL I MAKE?

24. "We are called to make a difference where we are." • In what ways can you make a difference in the society in which you live?

25. "Looking at us probably no one would recognise we are Christians today because our style of life is the same as non-believers. We need a true conversion in our style of life." • Once that was done, there would be no choice but to spread the word.