Faith Formation Update Newsletter
Sts. Mary & Matthew Faith Community - 6.4.23
A Note from Jeanette
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Many also refer to this as Trinity Sunday. Regardless of what we call it, it’s a special day that we recognize one of the essential beliefs of our faith – God is three in one. God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I wonder how many of us think about this when we begin and end our prayers with the Sign of the Cross?
I’ve taught lessons about the Holy Trinity during my entire time in ministry. Most specifically, I teach about the Trinity when preparing our young people for confirmation. I have to be honest in telling you that prior to working for the church, my relationship with God centered mostly on Jesus (ok, it still does) but I have a great love for all three persons of the Trinity. All three are essential and together they are God. They are one. It’s also one of the mysteries of the church that can never be fully realized but requires faith to believe.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “The mystery of the Most Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith and of Christian life. God alone can make it known to us by revealing himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” (#261)
In researching for my confirmation lessons, I came across Tertullian, an Early Church Father from the Patristic age (around 200 AD), who was a theologian in the trinitarian tradition. Okay, that in itself is pretty cool…anyway, he said this about the Holy Trinity, “Bear always in mind that this is the rule of faith which I profess; by it I testify that the Father, and the Son, and the Spirit are inseparable from each other.” Tertullian left us beautiful thoughts and images likening the Holy Trinity to flowers. “God the Father’s a deep root: The Son’s the shoot that breaks into the world; the Spirit spreads beauty and Fragrance.” Maybe you can think about that the next time you see a beautiful flower sprouting from the earth!
If you'd like a more intellectual explanation of the Trinity, Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., explains it this way: "The Holy Trinity is three persons (self-consciousnesses) participating in one unrestricted act of existing and thinking (the one nature of God)."
Most of us also know that St. Patrick taught about the Holy Trinity by using a shamrock to describe the “three in one.” He is also attributed to this beautiful prayer that gives us insight into the mystery of Holy Trinity. It begins, “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me” and concludes in this way, “I arise today, through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity; Through a belief in the Threeness; Through a confession of the Oneness.” Amazing, and so beautiful. Our faith is filled with beauty, mystery and delight. Our faith is filled with love, and we experience God’s love in these ways—by the God who created us, the God who comes to us as Jesus, and the God who surrounds us as Spirit. An everlasting love that is manifested in the Holy Trinity. Yes, this is truly a special day to celebrate!
The Holy Trinity
The Trinity is like an egg. Just as ONE egg has THREE different parts – the shell, the white, and the yoke – ONE God has THREE different Persons – the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.
End of the Year Youth Group Gathering
Sunday from 6:00 - 8:00 PM all youth in grade 6-12 are invited to join us at Hemlock Park for our end of the year (youth group year that is) gathering. Bring a snack to share! Jeanette will bring bottled water for everyone. We will snack, visit, and pray (you didn't think I'd leave that out, did you?) and we will also discuss plans for the upcoming year.
Senior Recognition Masses - Honoring Our 2023 Graduates
Sts. Mary & Matthew Faith Community invites our high school seniors to join us for a special recognition of their graduation. Unfortunately, I found out that the Livonia High School senior trip is the same weekend (June 10 & 11). For those youth that are not attending the trip, or for youth from other school districts, we will still have a special blessing at both Masses at St. Matthew's (Sat. 4:30 PM and Sun. 10:30 AM) if anyone plans to be there. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
The Month of June Honors the Sacred Heart of Jesus
MORNING OFFERING:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.
Kindness and Compassion - WWJD?
Pride Month is upon us, and we are reminded as Catholics to treat LGBTQ people with the “respect, compassion and sensitivity” stated in the Catechism, the “closeness, compassion and tenderness” that Pope Francis has taught, and the love and mercy that Jesus showed to all people, especially those on the margins, during his public ministry.
Sts. Mary & Matthew Faith Community Office of Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Faith Formation Mission Statement:
We strive to…
- Impart the Catholic faith as living and life-giving, teaching what Catholic’s believe and live, in response to that message of faith.
- Inspire students and families to be involved in the life of the parish, with opportunities for worship, community, and service.
- Encourage adults to continue their own religious development.
- Build a community of faith [together] where all feel welcomed, respected, safe, and loved.
Email: Jeanette.Housecamp@dor.org
Website: www.stsmaryandmatthew.com
Location: 6591 Richmond Mills Road, Livonia, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 346-3815
Facebook: stsmaryandmatthewfaithcommunity