Your Youth!
St. Richard's Middle & High School Religious Ed. Newsletter
Crucifixion and Our Kids
Why is it important?
Jesus suffering and death brings meaning to the suffering and deaths that we all experience in life. Rather than ask "Why?!" when we experience suffering, it is always good to look to Jesus - Jesus who walked through all of our same human difficulties. He models how to treat others, how/when to pray, what to do when others drive you nuts (get the log out of your own eye). Rather than wonder why we must suffer, look to Jesus to not only help you through your suffering but to model how to suffer rightly.
"Death" is not just the end of a life - it is the end of anything. Finishing a sports season ... selling a house ... the changes our adolescents go through from idolizing their parents to not wanting much to do with them ... Death in essence is change. Jesus prepared his disciples for this death by being honest about what was happening, breaking bread and assuring them of the Father's love. We can do the same for our families. Be open about change, take time for a meal together and always be assured of the Father's love.
How can we talk about this with our kids?
- This is an awesome opportunity to talk about Jesus' perfection. Jesus was born human AND divine. He was perfect because He did not sin. He was tempted but chose to follow His Father in Heaven. This is why we say He died for our sins - because it was not for reasons of his own failing but ours. (See Bible Quote in the newsletter.)
- Suffering. Share with your kids a time when you had to suffer and experience a death in some way ... losing a job, losing a loved one, a tough time in your young adulthood, etc. Talk about how Jesus suffered too and that is where we find our strength when we feel alone in our suffering.
- Rising. Death is not the end of the story. NEW LIFE ALWAYS SPRINGS FORTH. That is our message and our hope. That Jesus showed us how to live, die and live the resurrection - which means to live a life of faith in God and His promises. We all experience our own resurrections in life: a new child, a new perspective, etc. Think about it for your kids: maybe after working REALLY hard they got a better grade in a class or after suffering through practices in sports they had a really good game.
- Jesus' story is a story of perseverance. Perseverance is one of the best qualities we can instill in our youth if they are going to be hard-working, hope-filled humans.
Be not afraid of the crucifixion and the resurrection.
With love and prayers for you and yours.
Raven
Coming Up: Holy Week and Easter
Stations of the Cross, Friday March 18th, 5:30 p.m.. We have been asked to lead Stations this Friday. If you are able to come please participate.
Food Drive - Bring canned food and other non-perishable items to Youth Group March 23rd. We visited the Food Bank yesterday. Spring is their lowest time for donations. Consider this one of your final Lenten sacrifices this year, our goal is 100 lbs of food.
Wednesday - March 23rd - Youth Group - Preparation for Holy Week activities
March 24th - March 26th HOLY WEEK
- Holy Thursday - Mass at 7 p.m.
- Good Friday - Mass at 7 p.m. **need youth to serve (see below)
- Holy Saturday - 8 p.m. vigil mass
March 27th - Easter Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass
Wednesday - March 30th - No Youth Group (Spring Break)
Wednesday - April 6th - Youth Group resumes
Service this Month
Bring FOOD for the Food Bank on Wednesday March 23rd.
Volunteer Snack Schedule
Please sign-up at Youth Group on Wednesdays, email strichardsyouth1@gmail.com or text me (406-381-2420) if you'd can bring snack on a Wednesday. We have 15 - 20 people each meeting. Thank you!
Bible Quote of the Month
John 3: 16-21
St. Richard's Catholic Youth
Email: strichardsyouth1@gmail.com
Location: 1210 9th St W, Columbia Falls, MT, United States
Phone: 4068925142
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Richards-C-Falls-Youth-Group-252548714787706/?fref=ts
Twitter: @ravendrydenMT