The month of February offers us three unique events that should inspire us to examine where our families exist in creating the Kingdom of God in the world today. First and most recognizable is February is black history month. In addition, new this year, February 4th was International Day of Human Fraternity, which should inspire our attitudes toward others. Lastly Ash Wednesday is on February 17th, and ushers in the beginning of our Lenten season. These events taken together offer us the opportunity to recognise injustices, and call us to work for a connected unity with those who are underrecognized or wrongly persecuted based on circumstances beyond their control, such as race. Yes, this is a challenge with seemingly unattainable goals. Lofty goals aside, this month offers our families the opportunity to talk about our desire for connectedness with the human family, and our continued attempt to give dignity to each person. This dignity recognizes any person as a child of God and celebrates our differences. When we see others as made in the image of God in the same way we understand ourselves, it raises both up. So let's take our Lenten exercises and tip them ever so slightly; not necessarily toward denial, but toward love. As Pope Francis wrote, "Love impels us toward towards universal communion. No one can mature or find fulfillment by withdrawing from others. By its very nature, love calls for growth in openness and the ability to accept others as a part of a continuing adventure the makes every periphery converge in a greater sense of mutual belonging. As Jesus told us: 'You are all brothers' (Mt 23:8)." (Fratelli Tutti 95)
So our GOF lenten activities point us toward each other, and supporting an building up our brothers and sisters in very simple ways. With the combination of pandemic, and Ohio winter weather we are somewhat limited, but we can use our family time at home to explore how we respect each other, and appreciate our brothers and sisters from other backgrounds.
Here is how we can do this as a family, and this is our GOF activity for the month. Special note, the following activities do not have to take place on the same day. You can space them out to fill different openings in your schedule.
1, Opening prayer
2. Family game night with a focus on respect and support.
3. Movie and discussion.
4. Complete the survey for credit as a family. Come up with answers to the questions together.
Additional materials included for the month.
Catholic news addresses Pope Francis's participation in the International Day for Human Fraternity, with video in the video section.
Video of a homily from Fr. Gregory Boyle. This was the most powerful homily I've witnessed.
A link to a presentation on Policing and being Policed. This is a discussion about dignity and race. It is facilitated by one of our parishioners, Todd Vargo. The discussion is interesting, and many thought provoking perspectives are shared.
Ash Wednesday is February 17th. A video is included below on Ash Wednesday. We will have Masses at 8:30am, 7pm, and a prayer service at 12:15pm (all with ash distribution.) In addition to the family GOF materials we should be inspired to our classical Lenten observances of prayer, sacrifice and almsgiving.
News! Catholic current events.
Pope to participate in first International Day of Human Fraternity
The Holy Father will mark the International Day of Human Fraternity in a virtual meeting on 4 February, the date set by the United Nations General Assembly for this new annual occasion. He will do so together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. The event will be hosted in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.Pope Francis will celebrate the International Day of Human Fraternity on Thursday, 4 February, in a virtual event hosted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, with the participation of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb; Secretary General António Guterres of the United Nations; and other personalities. Vatican video below.
The Holy Father will mark the International Day of Human Fraternity in a virtual meeting on 4 February, the date set by the United Nations General Assembly for this new annual occasion. He will do so together with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb. The event will be hosted in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.Pope Francis will celebrate the International Day of Human Fraternity on Thursday, 4 February, in a virtual event hosted by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, with the participation of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb; Secretary General António Guterres of the United Nations; and other personalities. Vatican video below.
1. Opening Prayer
Response: Psalm 51
Reader:Please respond: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader : Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; remember not when I excluded someone because they were different from me. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt of looking down on others.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: For I acknowledge that I have not always included everyone, and this is before me always: Against your command to care for others regardless of color, or creed I have acted, and done what is evil in your sight.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit of inclusion create in me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise everyone.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: Grant us mercy, O God, and out of your kindness show us your love. In your compassion forgive the times we have not listened to you or followed you. Create a pure heart inside us. Do not send us away from where you are. Send your Holy Spirit to accompany us. Give us a strong spirit that enables us to be our true self and to help others. Teach us your ways that we might grow closer to you in this Lenten season. Amen
Response: Psalm 51
Reader:Please respond: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader : Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; remember not when I excluded someone because they were different from me. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt of looking down on others.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: For I acknowledge that I have not always included everyone, and this is before me always: Against your command to care for others regardless of color, or creed I have acted, and done what is evil in your sight.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit of inclusion create in me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise everyone.
All: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Reader: Grant us mercy, O God, and out of your kindness show us your love. In your compassion forgive the times we have not listened to you or followed you. Create a pure heart inside us. Do not send us away from where you are. Send your Holy Spirit to accompany us. Give us a strong spirit that enables us to be our true self and to help others. Teach us your ways that we might grow closer to you in this Lenten season. Amen
Walking toward Easter with a different focus.
2. Game Activity:
One of the themes that emerges from the Palm
Sunday readings is the theme of victory.
Christians talk a lot about Jesus’ triumph over sin
and death through the cross and resurrection. If
you think about it, when sin and death are the
losers in the spiritual battle, everyone and
everything really come out as winners because sin
and death aren’t good for anyone.
During this Lenten season, work with your family
to rethink how you approach winning and losing
in your home. Take time together to play games such as board games, cards, video
games, outdoor games, etc. These games will include winners and losers as most games
do, but it can feel a lot more like a win for everyone if sin and selfishness are eliminated
from the competitions.
Approach winning and losing from a more helpful perspective
using the following guidelines:
Winners will be humble in victory rather than full of pride.
Winners will not gloat over their victory.
Winners will thank losers for their participation and congratulate losers for their
effort.
Losers will not be bitter or resentful in defeat.
Losers will congratulate winners in a spirit of humility.
Losers will discuss what they learned from defeat.
All participants will play for the enjoyment of healthy competition rather than
with a spirit of division or war.
Let the games begin!
One of the themes that emerges from the Palm
Sunday readings is the theme of victory.
Christians talk a lot about Jesus’ triumph over sin
and death through the cross and resurrection. If
you think about it, when sin and death are the
losers in the spiritual battle, everyone and
everything really come out as winners because sin
and death aren’t good for anyone.
During this Lenten season, work with your family
to rethink how you approach winning and losing
in your home. Take time together to play games such as board games, cards, video
games, outdoor games, etc. These games will include winners and losers as most games
do, but it can feel a lot more like a win for everyone if sin and selfishness are eliminated
from the competitions.
Approach winning and losing from a more helpful perspective
using the following guidelines:
Winners will be humble in victory rather than full of pride.
Winners will not gloat over their victory.
Winners will thank losers for their participation and congratulate losers for their
effort.
Losers will not be bitter or resentful in defeat.
Losers will congratulate winners in a spirit of humility.
Losers will discuss what they learned from defeat.
All participants will play for the enjoyment of healthy competition rather than
with a spirit of division or war.
Let the games begin!
3. Watch a movie with a message of inclusion.
Shown below are options for movies to watch as a family with discussion questions listed below. Movie options are not be limited to this list, you can choose a different movie if it has a message of inclusion. Not all movies below are appropriate for every age group, but within the list of titles there should be something that fits each family's need.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Moana (2016)
Pride (2007)
A Ballerina's Tale (2015)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Wonder (2017)
Hidden Figures (2017)
I Am Eleven (2014)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
The Great Debaters (2007)
The Hate You Give (2018)
Mudbound (2017)
42: The Jackie Robinson Story (2013)
Questions for discussion (these are the questions you'll answer to complete the survey at the end, knowing what the questions are as you watch the movie may help coming up with answers).
Shown below are options for movies to watch as a family with discussion questions listed below. Movie options are not be limited to this list, you can choose a different movie if it has a message of inclusion. Not all movies below are appropriate for every age group, but within the list of titles there should be something that fits each family's need.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Moana (2016)
Pride (2007)
A Ballerina's Tale (2015)
Remember the Titans (2000)
Wonder (2017)
Hidden Figures (2017)
I Am Eleven (2014)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
The Great Debaters (2007)
The Hate You Give (2018)
Mudbound (2017)
42: The Jackie Robinson Story (2013)
Questions for discussion (these are the questions you'll answer to complete the survey at the end, knowing what the questions are as you watch the movie may help coming up with answers).
- What issues did the main characters face in this film?
- How did the main character(s) respond?
- Was this the right or wrong approach? Why?
- How would you respond in this situation?
- What lesson did you learn about the issues we’re seeing today?
Videos:
Best homily I've ever witnessed.
Policing and being Policed Digital Doctrine
Presentation from St. Joan of Arc, discussion lead by parishioner Todd Vargo. The panel of law enforcement officers talk about law enforcement and how race often plays a part in how each person is recognized, and often how dignity is given. The video is just over an hour long and gives lots of good information.
