We celebrate who we are as Catholics!
If you ask a Catholic how we celebrate our faith, we begin of course with the Liturgy, and then the Sacraments and a whole list of the things we do to let people know we are followers of Christ. A few things that makes us who we are includes our acts of service, whether as members of the clergy, consecrated or laity. We also include fellowship activities in what we do. All of these combined with our desire for connecting with Jesus comes through retreats and pilgrimages. There is something about us as Catholics that draws us to a journey - and the number of Catholic pilgrimage sites and retreat centres all over the world is a testament to our search for God in the midst of our lives. We add to this a deep desire to form ourselves in the way Jesus leads us, thus, we also seek formation for ourselves in the quiet moments of the day.
In this issue, we take a look at two of these centres available to us as a group and as individuals, perhaps a shirt field trip with our students or with our families. We also feature Franciscan at Home Formation programs for our spiritual journeys. Whatever the objective is, it will led us closer to God and our desire for Him.
Pilgrimage and Field Trips to the Sto. Nino Shrine
The Shrine of Sto. Niño was built as a gift to the Archdiocese of Vancouver to create a permanent commemoration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021. Fr. Dennis Flores, pastor at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church says that he welcomes all pilgrims to the shrine, especially the children, since it is dedicated to the Senor Sto. Nino or the Infant Jesus. The shrine sees about 200 visitors/pilgrims every week ever since it opened, as this is the only pilgrimage site in British Columbia. Most of its visitors are Filipinos from all over Canada and the US.
"Filipinos have quite a devotion to the Sto. Nino, and this is why we are a pro-life people. We value life and we consider children as a welcome blessing to us ," Fr. Dennis adds.
The shrine was completed in 2021 and it was blessed and the altar dedicated by Archbishop Michael Miller.
For staff retreats and pilgrimages, as well as field trips to the shrine, please contact Fr. Dennis or Beccie at St. Anthony of Padua at stoninoagassiz@shaw.ca or at 604-796-9181.
RETREATS: CARMEL HILL LITTLE FLOWER MONASTERY
For staff and student retreats, Carmel Hill Little Flower Monastery in Deroche, BC, has rooms and amenities that can accommodate staff and students for their retreats. The centre also has a chapel for Masses as well as a hall for activities. It also has an easy hike that takes retreatants through the Stations of the Cross.
The retreat centre is run by the Discalced Carmelite Order (OCD). It is available for Christian team-building, church groups, ministries & spiritual retreats.
For booking, please contact Fr. Mario Fernandes at (604) 820-2400or email him at carmelhillocd@gmail.com
Celebrating off to a great start at St. Mary's Chilliwack
We are always excited to get pictures from our teachers and schools, showing us their projects and beautiful work. Mrs. Caroline Winship at St. Mary's Chilliwack has gifted us with her annual stained glass work with her Grade 3s using our theme artwork for the year. These are beautiful! Thanks Mrs. Winship and to her Grade 3 class at St. Mary's Chilliwack! YAY! :)
We are looking forward to seeing everyone's work this year here on the Missio.
Feature:
The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (FSE)
Our charism emboldens us to face prayerfully the following issues as our particular focus in our mission of rebuilding the Church: The mystery of the human person, relationship with created matter, authority, and the Eucharist (The Real Presence).
Our mission is to restore a sense of the sacred, especially the sacredness of human life, in a world that knows the rupture between the sacred and the secular.
We are proud to say that many wonderful and talented young women have found new life in entering and becoming vital members of the community.
https://fsecommunity.org/
Resources!
There's lot to celebrate about when your lessons are coming together and making sense for all your students. Here are some resources that we know you'd like to use in class!
THE RELIGION TEACHER
- Comparing the Nicene and Apostles' Creed Worksheet https://www.thereligionteacher.com/nicene-creed-lesson-plan-activities/
- Confirmation Activities
https://www.thereligionteacher.com/confirmation-activities/? utm_source=The+Religion+Teacher+Newsletter+List&utm_campaign=46ef844efe-TRT%3A+Weekly+Newsletter+9-22-24&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a52a2eb0e6-46ef844efe-326794773&mc_cid=46ef844efe&mc_eid=db7a4dfd47
THE UNSHAKEABLE SAINTS
https://stpaulcenter.com/product/unshakable-saints-around-the-world/
- Saint Josephine Bakhita
- Saint John Colobus
- Saint Leopold Mandić
- Saint Mary MacKillop
- Saint Oscar Romero
- Blessed Ana of the Angels Monteagudo
- Saint Margaret of Castello
- Blessed Peter Donders
- Saint Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès
- Saint Monica
- Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung
- Saint Columba of Iona
- Saint Katharine Drexel
- Saint Serapion the Sindonite
- Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Recommended for ages 4-8.
2 ONLINE PROGRAMS
We are inviting you to join us on two programs this year that will run on Tuesdays and Thursday from 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM for all teachers. The first is called Genesis to Jesus, and it is a program on Scripture with Dr. Scott Hahn and Matthew Leonard of the Saint Paul Biblical Institute. The second is TOB 101- Christian Anthropology by the Theology of the Body Institute with Dr. Christopher West and other speakers. Both programs will run for 12 weeks and will be a combination of video and discussion. Both sessions are timely and relevant to us as teachers of the faith, and is a good foundation of the teachings of the Church that have been constant for centuries - a stability we need in these times of confusion.
Registration is free and these programs are brought to you by the CISVA Evangelization and Catechesis.
Please register by September 30 as the program will begin in October.
See you then! :)
Franciscanat Home
Online leaining at your cowrenience
Personal Formation: Franciscan at Home... The Catechetical Institute (CI) is a large-scale international outreach of Franciscan University of Steubenville for ministry formation. CI was formally organized in 2015 and publicly launched in 2017 to serve Christ and his Church by forming those entrusted with the formation of others in any situation and ministry role - priests, deacons, religious, parents, parish and school leaders, teachers, catechists, and teams, whether professional or volunteer, from homes to diocesan hierarchies.
The relationship with Franciscan's world-renowned Catechetics faculty is key to CI's stability and charism. The importance and strength of the academic and practical dimensions coming together is fostered through CI being rooted both in the Franciscan Center for Evangelization and Renewal and the Catechetics/Theology academic programs at Franciscan University in various ways.
Through our conferences, online ministry tracks and workshops, webinars, catechetical journal, local events, Guild small group circles and discussion forums, personal mentorship, and wealth of resources, we seek to support all those involved in the care of souls to grow in pastoral gentleness, faithful creativity, and bold confidence as they reach out to evangelize, accompany, and pass on the Catholic faith to others in the power of the Holy Spirit.
CISVA has partnered with the Catechetical Institute to make available Franciscan at Home to all its teachers. Please sign up for free and avail of the 300+ workshops and seminars that can enrich your life and accompany you on your journey of faith!
https://franciscanathome.com/
Franciscan at Home:
Forming those who form others
Citations:
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/36469817/11262251-e29f-4ba5-8a19-060ad9c3f2c7/MMonday-3.pdf
---