A few thoughts about marriage -- our CCD classes

My sincere apologies -- this post is WAY overdue!!!  I've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately, so I decided to slow down on my writing here and concentrate on the things I needed to get done.  Now, they are done (at least I FEEL caught up!  :) -- so here I am.  I wanted to give this one all I have because I think it is so awesome.

We started our new CCD year in September (see how far behind I am???) -- after a couple of introductory weeks, I, along, with my friends, Steve Pulskamp and Amy Fullenkamp (I have to admit they are the brains behind this operation!), planned a CCD class around the SACRAMENT of marriage.  We were discussing our goals and all of us felt very strongly that we as a society are getting away from the SACRAMENTS and protecting them.  We wanted to talk about the beauty of being married (vs. living together) and how it enhances the marriage once you are married.  We also wanted to exemplify married life as the beautiful thing that it is, while also discussing the trials and tribulations we come across along the way.  Finally, we also wanted to talk to them about while they will probably all have beautiful plans of their lives and how they want them to go, that God has the ultimate plan and will sometimes take you along paths that aren't necessarily in your plans.

Our first class was truly about the sacrament of marriage -- reading scripture to discover what it says about marriage, have group conversations (basically about the Family of Origin and how people figure out how things will work in their marriage) -- and finally, a discussion with Father Tom about how he and the church view marriage.  I have had him give this talk before, and always love it -- he is very frank about what he sees when people who have been living together come in to meet with him before they get married vs. people who have not.  One thing is he sees freshness and newness and more excitement with those who have not lived together.  They are ready to start a whole new life!!!  So exciting!

The second class was really fun.  We invited three couples to come in and talk with the kids about their marriage.  We had newlyweds (since March), a couple who had been married 25 years, and a couple who have been married 50+ years (I would remember how long, but that was so long ago.....LOL).  We started the evening playing our own version of "The Newlywed Game" -- asking them questions such as where was your first date, what kind of car was he driving on your first date, when was your first fight as a married couple.....fun things like that.

Our third and final class was a very touching class.  There is a couple in our parish who, between the two of them, have been through more than any one person should have to experience.  But, they have taken their crosses and showed them for all to see, making shining examples of what Christ's soldiers truly look like.  Their story is way more than I can write here, but the shortened version is that they both lost their spouses to cancer, he right after his wife gave birth to their second child, and she a year or two after.  They were neighbors and acquaintances but found themselves there for each other.  Eventually realizing they were meant to be together, they got married, formed a new family and a new life together.  They are super neat people who I have known WHO they are for a long time, but am just now really getting to know them.  And man, do I feel blessed!  Such awesome people.

These classes were fantastic.  And it had nothing to do with those of us that planned them.  It had everything to do with those who came in to talk to the kids.  One mom said her 17 year old son came home and relayed the last couple's story to her turn by turn.  They were touched.  They were listening.  I hope that they are able to remember those words when it's time for them to find their partner and realize it's always God's plan, not their own!

All kinds of wedding talk....

Sorry it's been a bit since I've blogged, but we've been a little busy around here!  As if working and the kids weren't enough, our new CCD year has started, AND.......<drum roll please!>......Jim and I went away for a few days -- withOUT the kids!!!  (But with my in-laws :)

So, as we get settled back in to our normal routine -- I will tell you that I have all kinds of blogging to do about our trip to Colorado -- from the beauty of the mountains, to the awesomely perfect wedding that we went to.....but I have to edit my photos from the weekend first.

So, until that time, I will catch you up on our current CCD topic -- because I LOVE what we are doing!!!

We are doing a unit on -- "Marriage as your vocation".  Meaning, out of everything you can "be" in this world -- choosing to be married.  And utilizing that vocation throughout your life.  It's so awesome!

We started last week by introducing the unit.  Our class is comprised of the Juniors and Seniors at church.  I am teaching with two others - Steve and Amy.  We have written this class "from scratch" and even after last week I feel like it should be saved and used again (contact us if you would like us to share!).

We started by talking about the sacramentality of marriage -- or, how important marriage is in the eyes of the church.  It is not to be taken lightly, or with a grain of salt -- this is FOR LIFE!!!!

We had some discussion -- did a little bible story, and then had asked Father to come in and talk with the kids about cohabitation before marriage.  He had talked to my class last  year at the end of the year (different kids :) -- and I loved his talk.  So, we asked him to do it again!  He knocked it out of the park!

Tomorrow we will hear from some old married folks -- hopefully in a fun way.  I''ll report on that later :)

For now, I would like to leave you with a really neat article I just read.  Someone "introduced" me to Steven Crowder a few weeks ago (for some really great videos, look him up on YouTube)......but here is his story, in his words, about his wedding and his wedding night.  I LOVE it!!!!

Getting Married the Right Way

Later this week:  update on tomorrow's ccd class, and hopefully an awesome blog about our trip to Colorado!!!  I can't wait to share!

Another year done.....

 

I always say I look forward to the last night of religion each year.  I guess in a sense I do, but I also dread it.  I like getting my Wednesday nights back (somewhat), but also realize that another class will have come and gone after CCD.

Well, tonight was the night.  Officially, there is one more week (contrary to what I told them last week!).  But tonight was our last night as a "class".  Next week is a group activity.

We had "Stump the Priest" night.  A few weeks ago, I had the kids list questions on a card -- any question that they felt they had not had answered while in class any of the years they were in CCD.  Normally, I thumb through them before I give them to Father -- it gives me a sense of what we are missing when we are teaching -- but this year I just didn't have time, so I gave them to him without looking at them (I guess in hindsight that could have been dangerous!). 

This class impressed me so very much with the questions they asked him.  Big, grown up questions about life and their faith, and decision making, and prayer.  I actually asked Father at one point (jokingly) if these were really the questions they submitted or if he made up better ones!  LOLOLOL

We had a beautiful discussion tonight.  A discussion that I wish every Catholic would be able to have with their priest.  An open, frank discussion about our church, our beliefs, our lives.

The bell even rang to indicate the end of class, and noone moved.  They said we could go on as long as we wanted.  They were enjoying themselves.

At the end of class, we discussed the future.  The fact that this is "the end" of formal education, doesn't mean that this is the end of their formal religious education.  Hopefully, they will all be life-long learners.  I challenged them to meet up with like-minded people wherever they land next.  Find Catholics at college that will go to church with them and keep them on the right path.  Make friends with other Catholics (not only Catholics, but have them in the mix!) to help remind them of their faithfulness to their faith.

And about that time, my eyes started leaking again :).  We ended, as we always do, with prayer.  I asked if anyone wanted to lead, and, as usual, had a volunteer.  We prayed, first him singularly, then the Our Father as a group.  And it was over.  They left.  We exchanged a few hugs, but it was over.

Or so I thought. 

I came home and did the usual.  Checked the shower schedule, made sure teeth were brushed, etc.  Sat down to watch a little American Idol (Heejun cracked me up, but that's another day!). 

I started reading Facebook and saw a private message pop up.  I clicked on the link, saw who it was from, and smiled.  I received the nicest message from one of the kids tonight -- just a thank you and a long distance hug.  A super sweet and super nice note.  Not at all necessary but very much appreciated.

If you are a parent of one of these senior kids, be so proud.  They are awesome kids. 

As much as I hate to see them go, I'm so excited for them and their new futures. I'm excited to see where life will lead them. What challenges and surprises life has for them.

I left them with an idea for next week.  I want them to challenge their underclassmen with something.  It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

In my opinion, all they would have to do is point to themselves and say "Beat this"!  :)

God bless, you class of 2012!

Dissecting the Our Father......

Loved loved loved Wednesday night's religion class (what am I supposed to call them now -- it isn't CCD any more -- religious ed?  Who knows??  :)

We are currently on a section called "Prayer".  There was an extremely large sign up, so I am team teaching this time with my friend, Scott Frey.  I've never taught with him but have found we complement each other really well.  As much as I love my faith, I am not really into history (especially the historical facts of the church) so I find that team teaching with someone who knows these things really puts a new spark into class!

Up last night:  dissecting the Our Father.  We took it line by line and discussed what it is we are really saying when we say that prayer.  I love the Our Father -- firstly because it is a prayer prayed by most faiths -- so we have that in common.  I also love its simplicity -- just asking for a few things and a little guidance!!!

I can't ever really tell when I/we are gettting through to a class.  We have some interaction, and a little discussion -- I'm not silly enough to think that everyone loves the classes all the time -- but last night seemed to go extra well.  We were looking for "things" in the Our Father -- the petitions -- and they were really thinking about it.  We talked about the prayer line by line and discussed what the prayer really means.

There are so many prayers that we just say and don't take the time to think about, or realize, what we are really saying.  In this case, the Our Father has seven petitions.  Did you know that?  There are three petitions that are out of reverence for Jesus.  There are four that are for us.  Seven petitions.  Often the number seven means perfection (not luck!) -- so sometimes the Our Father is called the perfect prayer.

Did you know all of that?  I didn't really until I started diving into my info for the class.  This is exactly why I teach -- I learn something each and every week!  Then I turn around and teach it and hope the kids learn so they, too, can pass it on!

We had previously decided to take the last 15 minutes of class and have the entire high school together for an assembly of sorts to discuss the rice bowl activity that is going to be taking place.  I have to say that there are some nights when I am watching my clock waiting for class to be over -- last night was not one of them.  I was sad when we were not able to get through all of the information!

I promised them next week's class is going to be memorable.  I can't wait.  I have never done a class like this, about this before......so it should be great!  (I hope!).

Have a great day!!!

Today's gratitude.....

Today I am thankful for.......

My CCD classes!!!  (I know, it's old school to call them CCD classes -- what does that even stand for anyways? -- but I do.  Call 'em whatever you want!)

Tonight I am very thankful for them.  We started our discussion of the book "Heaven Is For Real".  I loved, first of all, that they actually read the book!  Most of them, at least!

I also love their openness about what they thought of the book, an how it affected them.  If you haven't read this book yet, please do!!  It's awesome!

Two of my favorite parts -- which they brought up tonight were:

1.  Colton, the little boy in the story, tells an older man who is dying -- in front of his family, with all of the calmness in the world -- not to worry, when he gets to heaven the first person he will see is Jesus.  I love that he said it so matter of factly (as he did most of the things in the book) -- and also I LOVE the thought of Jesus being the first person I will see in heaven!  (Followed quickly by my parents, I hope!)

2.  Jesus loves the little children.  He stresses that so much in the book -- and we've all heard it -- and now I believe it even more.  As I told the class tonight -- I count them among that group.  Pope John Paul II stressed the importance of our teens in our church -- and I think he was on to something.  Jesus loves the innocence of little children -- and teens, too. 

I'm so thankful I get to teach each and every week.  Because really, it's not about the teaching.  I'm not teaching.  Jesus is.  He's teaching me right along with the kids.  And I love it!

Heaven Is For Real

Just back from tonight's CCD class, and really wanted to share.  We're starting a new stretch of classes (hard to believe this one will take us through Thanksgiving already!).  So, if you're keeping track, we're done with the YouCat and are moving on to the book, "Heaven Is For Real".  Have you read this book?

If you have, I'll try to post some of our discussions on here and perhaps we can have a mini book club online!  If you haven't read it, see if you can find it (at the library or a bookstore or even online at Amazon.com!) and read it.  I promise you you will not be disappointed!!! 

Basically, it is the story of a 4  year old who gets very sick and is mis-diagnosed.....and while waiting for answers, his parents sense they are losing him.  When they finally find the doctor that can help them, Colton (the 4-year-old) has to have surgery to repair a ruptured appendix.  A few months after he is released from the hospital, he starts revealing details about his time in heaven with Jesus -- and has details that he could not have known otherwise!

It is a wonderful book.  We will start discussing it on November 2, so if you want to read along, try to have it read by then.  It probably will not take much longer than 2-3 hours to read.  It's a great read!  :)

I hope you have a wonderful week!  I hear it's to warm up a bit, which I actually will take right around now! 

Hebrews 10:24
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

(Sorry, I forgot to upload this on Wednesday -- I thought I had.  Thought I would still put it up today!  :)

YouCat Class tonight

I wish I could teach this class forever.....but, alas, we only have 4-week blocks in which to teach a class.  I love the YouCat, and, I LOVED my class this time.  Let me clarify that by saying I don't ever mind my classes, but sometimes the personalities in a class just fit and blend very well with each other.  That's what we had this time.

Tonight's discussion started with defining, "What is sin?"  I had the kids come up with their own definitions before we went for the "official" wording.  I told Tarynn I was going to credit her for her answer because I loved it so, so here goes:  "Sin is being put the the naughty corner in heaven."  LOLOL!!!  Cute, funny, and actually, pretty accurate.  We did have a brief discussion about quantifying that a bit -- IF you make it to heaven after you sin!  :)

We went through the book and did some discussions about curfews and parents, and even a little talking about a dead deer that could have gotten in your way on your way home from your friend's house, which might have made you late for your curfew (but, in our discussion, the deer never existed in the first place!).  We talked a lot about why parents give their kids curfews that goes further than trying to make their lives difficult -- we actually love our kids and would like to have them off the roads before the bars close and potentially drunk drivers are on the road.  A few lightbulbs went off when they heard that!

I loved our talk tonight -- I love to be able to put the parent/child relationship in perspective from the parent's point of view (especially when my children are present!).  :)

We finished the class with a handout and a challenge to them.  The handout was this:

Once you have come to know God, you must put him
in the first place in your life. And with that a new life
... begins. You should be able to recognize Christians by
the fact that they love even their enemies.

I then challenged them to live life as God would like them to.  I took some words from Jamie's talk the other night -- about living life as God wants us to and questioning our every move with asking ourselves, "Would this be pleasing to God?"  They are going to try it for at least one day this week.  Maybe you can, too!  Start with Jamie's morning offering each day and make a conscious effort to ask yourself throughout the day, "Would this (whatever you are doing or about to do) be pleasing to God?"  I hope it makes your day better!

This was, sadly, our last time together.  Next week starts a new session, when I am teaching a class with two others about the book, "Heaven is for Real".  Have you read it?  I've never done a class quite like this before, so am going to be looking to the Holy Spirit for a little inspiration!!!!  If you'd like to enter into a discussion, I'm sure I'll be mentioning it on here and we can have a discussion about it!

Have a good day!

The YouCat and the Beatitudes.....

I've been given a real gift.  I've been the given the ability to spend an hour each week with the future of our church, hoping that during our time together we will all grow a little in our love for the Lord, and pave our road to heaven just a little bit further.

Each year, it's a toss up what classes I take.  I have always told Robin that I will take whatever she wants to give me, thinking that that would be the Lord's plan.  This year, I had a class I really wanted to teach, so I requested it.  We've been discussing the YouCat -- the Youth version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

If you have ever tried to "read" the Catechism, you will tell me that it is very boring and not really a "readable" book.  It's more of a reference manual.  Something to refer to when you don't know, or understand, something to do with our church.  It is a great resource, really.

If you know me at all, you know that I have always loved Pope John Paul II.  What he did for the youth of our faith is amazing.  He singled them out and realized that they are the future of our church, and that we need to celebrate them.  In that vein, he also realized that in order to do that, we need to update our resources so that they are interesting and usuable to them as well.  I've written about the Catholic Youth Bible before -- I love it and think everyone should own one -- a youth or not. 

Well, before he died he commissioned a similar product for the Catechism.  It's unclear to me who named it, but the YouCat is the Youth Version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  It's READABLE :) -- and is well thought out.  There are references in the book back to the Catechism, so that the reader can consult the Catechism if they don't understand.

Tonight we discussed the different seasons of the church year.  They were able to look them up, see when they fall, and figure out what the colors of the seasons are.  It was truly a great discussion!!! 

Following that, we talked about the Beatitudes and tried to dissect them.  What does each one mean, and how did Jesus want us to interpret them? 

We discussed the fact that "You get what you give".......so we put it in mass perspective.  I challenged the kids to find one part of mass this weekend that they don't generally pay attention to and give it special attention, and see what happens.  (My example was to pay attention to when Father consumes the Eucharist just prior to Communion.)  I guarantee they will appreciate mass just a little bit more.  Try it for yourself!  I bet it will work for you, too!

Have a blessed week.  I hope you look up the Beatitudes and find one that fits you today.  Dissect it and enjoy it!  :)