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Reflections on Sunday's Readings

April 15, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041512.cfm

Gospel

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. "Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

What’s your thought?:

How many of you doubt the faith? Thomas did, but he is a believer now!

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

Doubting Thomas:

• You decided not to go to mass, because you questioned your faith beliefs
• You did not listen to your parents about a school project and received a failing grade
• You let a friend keep you from going to mass because they do not attend

A disciple of Jesus:

• You go to reconciliation on a regular basis
• You pray on a regular basis
• You invite a friend to attend Mass with you

Conclusion:

We are lucky to have the Grace of Jesus with us every day and hour. We are invited to believe in Jesus not because we have seen the flesh of Jesus but because we get to know Jesus through the gifts of faith and grace. How can we deepen our relationship with Jesus over the next week? There are a three easy ways:

First, pray with Jesus and ask for guidance and give him thanks.

Second, receive the Eucharist!

Third, go to reconciliation!

Embrace the Second Sunday of Easter, with the simple steps talked about above.

April 8, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040812.cfm

Gospel

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him." So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.

Conclusion:

The impact of Jesus rising from the dead over 2000 years ago carries into our lives today! Imagine what that day was like for Mary of Magdala and the disciple. What would your thoughts and reactions be if you were with them? How does this impact your life today?

Take time this week to find some quite time to reflect on how you can impact someone by your actions like the disciples did to carry on our faith. After reflecting on it, write an action plan and implement it. The key is to make it a simple action plan. A simple action plan can go a long way.

An example of simple action plan is below:

Reflection: I will do a random act of kindness.

Simple action plan: I was at a store and saw an elderly person struggling to load their car with bags. I asked them, would you like some help with loading your car. The elderly person said yes. After finishing packing the car, they elderly person said thank you!

That simple action plan kept a smile on your face the whole day! Just think what the world would be like if we did one simple action plan a day!

April 1, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040112.cfm

Gospel

The Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were to take place in two days' time. So the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to arrest him by treachery and put him to death. They said, "Not during the festival, for fear that there may be a riot among the people. "When he was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on his head. There were some who were indignant. "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor." They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing my body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests to hand him over to them. When they heard him they were pleased and promised to pay him money. Then he looked for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he came with the Twelve. And as they reclined at table and were eating, Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." They began to be distressed and to say to him, one by one, "Surely it is not I?" He said to them, "One of the Twelve, the one who dips with me into the dish. For the Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born." While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will have your faith shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be dispersed. But after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee." Peter said to him, "Even though all should have their faith shaken, mine will not be." Then Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times." But he vehemently replied, "Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you." And they all spoke similarly. Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will." When he returned he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing again, he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at hand." Then, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs who had come from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had arranged a signal with them, saying, "The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him and lead him away securely." He came and immediately went over to him and said, "Rabbi." And he kissed him. At this they laid hands on him and arrested him. One of the bystanders drew his sword, struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them in reply, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize me? Day after day I was with you teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me; but that the Scriptures may be fulfilled." And they all left him and fled. Now a young man followed him wearing nothing but a linen cloth about his body. They seized him, but he left the cloth behind and ran off naked. They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. Peter followed him at a distance into the high priest's courtyard and was seated with the guards, warming himself at the fire. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none. Many gave false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. Some took the stand and testified falsely against him, alleging, "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands and within three days I will build another not made with hands.'" Even so their testimony did not agree. The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, "Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?" But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, "Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?" Then Jesus answered, "I am; and 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.'" At that the high priest tore his garments and said, "hat further need have we of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as deserving to die. Some began to spit on him. They blindfolded him and struck him and said to him, "Prophesy!" And the guards greeted him with blows. While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest's maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, "You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus." But he denied it saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." So he went out into the outer court. Then the cock crowed. The maid saw him and began again to say to the standers, "This man is one of them." Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, "Surely you are one of them; for you too are a Galilean." He began to curse and to swear, "I do not know this man about whom you are talking." And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times." He broke down and wept. As soon as morning came, the chief priests with the elders and the scribes, that is, the whole Sanhedrin held a council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" He said to him in reply, "You say so." The chief priests accused him of many things. Again Pilate questioned him, "Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of." Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. Now on the occasion of the feast he used to release to them one prisoner whom they requested. A man called Barabbas was then in prison along with the rebels who had committed murder in a rebellion. The crowd came forward and began to ask him to do for them as he was accustomed. Pilate answered, "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. Pilate again said to them in reply, "Then what do you want me to do with the man you call the king of the Jews?" They shouted again, "Crucify him." Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?" They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him." So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. The soldiers led him away inside the palace, that is, the praetorium, and assembled the whole cohort. They clothed him in purple and, weaving a crown of thorns, placed it on him. They began to salute him with, AHail, King of the Jews!" and kept striking his head with a reed and spitting upon him. They knelt before him in homage. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him out to crucify him. They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. They brought him to the place of Golgotha — which is translated Place of the Skull — They gave him wine drugged with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and divided his garments by casting lots for them to see what each should take. It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." With him they crucified two revolutionaries, one on his right and one on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself by coming down from the cross." Likewise the chief priests, with the scribes, mocked him among themselves and said, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also kept abusing him. At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three o'clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some of the bystanders who heard it said, "Look, he is calling Elijah." One of them ran, soaked a sponge with wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink saying, "Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to take him down." Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.Here all kneel and pause for a short time. The veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion who stood facing him saw how he breathed his last he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" There were also women looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses, and Salome. These women had followed him when he was in Galilee and ministered to him. There were also many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was laid.

What’s your thought?:

What crosses do you bear? I would say it is not as big as the one Jesus carried!

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

Judas:

• You made plans to hang out with a friend and you cancelled because a person who is more popular wanted to hang out
• You made fun of someone because you thought it would make you more popular
• You yelled at your parents because they asked you to stop at the store to pick up some milk

A disciple of Jesus:

• You took a few minutes to pray for someone who was in need of prayers
• You went to mass 15 minutes early to pray
• You dropped a bag of food off to the food pantry

Conclusion:

Welcome to the start of Holy Week! Take a few minutes each day this week to reflect on your Lenten promises. Have you kept to your Lenten promise? If so, why? If not, why not? If you kept it- congratulation! Keep up the good work. If not, start over with your Lenten promise. Take the next 40 days to try to live out your “Lenten Promises.” Remember just because Lent is almost over, your journey doesn’t have to end! Find another promise and enrich your faith! Keep up the great work. Remember, if you do not complete it, you can always start over!

March 25, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/032512.cfm

Gospel

Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. "I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it and will glorify it again." The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." He said this indicating the kind of death he would die.

What’s your thought?:

How do you respond to a tough decision? What decision did Jesus make for us – the hour is coming. Stay tuned.

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

Not a follower of Jesus:

• You had a chance to help a friend who had made a mistake and asked for your help but you chose to do something else
• You noticed a person was struggling with a grocery bag, but you decided to walk the other way, so you did not have to help them
• You drove someone else’s parent’s car when you knew that your friend should have driven his parent’s car

A follower of Jesus:

• You took a minute with a an elderly person who needed someone to talk to
• You noticed a pile of bulletins fell at Church and you picked them up
• You went to the store and a person on a scooter asked you to put a case of water in their scooter basket and you did

Conclusion:

It is decision time! We all have to make decision - sometimes hard ones. Take this week and look at a hard decision you have to make. It could be a simple I love you to a parent, but it is hard to say it or it could be to talk to someone you have not talked to in a long time. Here are your action steps:

1. Write down the decision you would like to make

2. Come back 24 hours and review it

3. The next day – start working on the decision you would like to make!

The hour has come – act on it! Jesus did!

March 18, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031812.cfm

Gospel

Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

What’s your thought?:

Do you prefer to be in the light or the dark with your faith?

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

People of darkness:

• You told your parents you went to Mass but you went to a friend’s house instead
• You were supposed to help a neighbor with yard work , but told them you were sick, but you went to a friend’s house
• You told a coach you could not make practice because you had plans with your family, but really didn’t have plans with your family

People of light:

• You joined a volunteer club at school because you wanted more opportunity to help others
• You stayed after school to help a friend with school work because they were struggling in a subject
• You went on a mission trip with a Church group

Conclusion:

How much time in your day do you spend trying to find out about your Faith or even finding the good in people? I ask you to make an effort to find out more about your Faith this week and something good in someone. You may ask how do I do that? First, set one hour of time aside this week and try the following:

1. Google a topic about our Faith and read about it. 15 minutes

2. Find someone who you are somewhat friends with and hang out with them and find out what their interests are

It is amazing what a little time with someone can do to build a relationship! Enjoy the fourth week of Lent!

March 11, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031112.cfm

Gospel

Since the Passover of the Jews was near, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, as well as the money changers seated there. He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables, and to those who sold doves he said, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me. At this the Jews answered and said to him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said, "This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body. Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the Scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing. But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.

What’s your thought?:

What is the temple Jesus is referring to in Gospel? Is it the bricks/stones or Jesus himself?

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

Moneychangers:

• You did not study hard for a test and you looked at someone’s answer in class
• You decided to play games instead of picking up your room
• You distracted your sibling from studying for their test and they did not do well on the test

Disciples

• A friend of a different faith asked questions about the Catholic faith and you helped answer those questions to understand our faith better
• You extended an invitation to a friend with a different faith to come to Youth Group
• You helped your family by taking care of your siblings instead of going out with your friends

Conclusion:

How is your Lenten promise going? Take time this week to reflect on what you decided to give or do more of. If you are on track with what you are doing, congratulations and keep up the good work! For the ones who need to get back on track. Start today! A new leaf has been turned over! Remember - Enjoy the journey!

February 26, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/022612.cfm

Recap – Below is the complete Gospel

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

What’s your thought?:

How has Satan tempted you this week? What did you do to fend him off?

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

Wild beasts:

• You gave into a friend who asked you to drink alcohol
• You defriended a good friend because a so called friend made you choose between them and the other person
• You texted a friend making fun of the person you were sitting next to

Angels

• A friend facebooked you making fun of a person and you asked them to stop
• You texted a friend that you have not seen in a while and asked them how everything was going
• You texted your friend asking them to come to the next SJS Youth Group meeting

Conclusion:

Lent kicked off this past week! What do you plan on doing for Lent? I am going to suggest to you not to give something up, but to do something pertaining to your faith. Experience your faith this Lenten season by giving of your time. How you may ask? Take time to pray, volunteer for a few hours somewhere, eat dinner with your family on a Friday night instead of eating out with your friends or talk with someone about your faith! Turn over a new leaf this Lenten season! Enjoy the journey!

February 19, 2012

View the Readings at: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/021912.cfm

Recap

A group of four men carried a paralytic to see Jesus. Unable to get near Jesus because of the large crowd, they came through the roof. They laid the paralytic on a mat near Jesus. Jesus said, “Child your sins are forgiven.” The scribes who were sitting around asked themselves, “Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus knew what the men were thinking and he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts?” Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, 'Rise, pick up your mat and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth" -he said to the paralytic, "I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home." He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this."

What’s your thought?:

How often do we see Jesus in our life?

Impact:

Who are you in the Gospel today?

Scribes:

• You had an opportunity to go to confession and did not go
• You put a family member down because you wanted to be “cool” with your friends
• You parents asked you not to hang out with someone, but you did and you got in trouble with the police

The four men and the paralytic:

• You went to confession
• You practice your faith daily by praying
• You asked a friend to go to Mass with you

Conclusion:

This is the week you celebrate your faith. Take action and ask a friend or family to pray with you or take time to volunteer somewhere. Give an hour of your time for a greater cause. Once you are done take 15 minutes and either write a letter or have a conversation with Jesus about your experience. After that 15 minutes of conversation with Jesus you will feel amazing because of the good you did! Have a great week!

• You had an opportunity to help an elderly person, but decided to sleep in
• You had the chance to go visit a sick friend in the hospital, but did not go
• You had a chance to visit your grandparent in the nursing home but you did not make time

• You went to a local soup kitchen and volunteered a couple of hours
• You made a surprise visit to a friend that was having a bad day
• You went to visit your grandparent in the nursing home

• You reacted to what someone said about you negatively instead of talking to them
• You were grounded because you acted out because your parents were trying to tell you something important
• You yelled at a teacher because she asked you to sit down

• You told your parents you would like to ask a friend to go to mass with you that has not been for awhile
• You write a letter to your parish priest letting him know that you learned something from him
• You called a friend and told them you learned something from the mass you attended

• A friend asked you for help with a project and you said no
• You were asked to help at a event to help raise money for cancer and you said no because you wanted to watch TV
• You were asked to go to the Stations of the Cross and you said no because you already went to church that day

• You asked a friend to go to a friend’s house who was in need of help and they said yes
• You asked a friend to go to mass with you.
• You asked a friend to go to SJS Youth Group

• Go spend one hour with Jesus at Adoration!
• Find a website that talks about our faith!
• Spend time with your family!

• You do good deeds to make yourself look good for other people.
• You only help because people are watching you.
• You only help at home because you know your parents will give you money in return

• You thanked someone because they helped you during a tough time.
• You discovered a new talent because of a suggestion from a homily you heard.
• You took a nature walk and thanked Jesus for the good you have in your life.

• You go to mass but only worry about what is happening on Facebook.
• You decide to skip youth group to sleep.
• You asked to be excused from the dinner table instead of being with the family.

• You asked your family to pray together at dinner time.
• Instead of going to a friend’s house, you ask your friend to join you at youth group.
• You set the dining room table for a family dinner.

• You passed on an opportunity to volunteer because you wanted to get extra sleep.
• You decided to go to a friend’s house instead of helping your family with a volunteer project
• You had a few minutes to spare and you decided to watch TV instead of saying a prayer

• You attended mass and were fully participating in all aspects of the mass.
• You said extra prayers today because you received good news.
• You told a friend how awesome mass was.

• You see a piece of a paper on the ground that could be picked up but you don’t.
• You see a friend being picked on and walk a different direction to avoid the situation.
• You see something fall out of someone’s pocket and you walk by it.

• You listen to your friend’s issue that they are having with their parent.
• You helped someone with their homework.
• You went to a community wide program at Church

• You decided to miss Church because you slept over a friend’s house
• You decided to use social media to make fun of someone you do not like
• You went to Church and where texting your friends during Mass

• You talk with a friend about your faith
• You invite someone to a SJS Youth Group meeting
• You attend a program at Church to learn more about your faith

1. 1.The bulletin – Located at Church or on-line at www.sjohio.org/bulletin
2. 2. Visit www.sjohio.org
3. 3. Call 440-238-5555 and ask for a Stewardship Handbook – has a summary of all the ministries

• You decided to disobey your parents.
• You decided to tune out your teacher during a class that was preparing you for a test.
• You tell a friend that you were unable to hang out with them because your parents said you couldn’t hang out but go hang out with someone else instead

• You go to confession during Advent
• You decide to spend time with your parents instead of going out with friends
• You pray for others instead of praying for things!

• You decided to blow off a friend who needed you because they were upset.
• You decided not to do your homework because you wanted to hang out with the “cool kids”.
• You forgot to tell your parents that you were running late from a friend’s house.

• You helped the house without being asked.
• You stopped and said hi to someone in the hall at school that you did not know.
• You came to SJS Youth Group meeting!

• Did you disrupt class when learning about a new subject?
• Argued with parents until you got your way
• Picked on someone to make you feel good about yourself.

• You picked up the trash that was on the ground that several people walked passed.
• Volunteered at a nursing home to talk with the elderly who has not had a visitor in months.
• Spent time with a friend who was having a hard time with school

• The only time you work on your faith is when you go to mass.
• You make a decision to do something because your friend does it, but it is not morally right.
• You do just enough to get by in school.

• You pray more than just at Mass.
• You do a random act of kindness because the opportunity presented to you.
• You study for a class and understood the material than just memorized it.

• You are involved in to many things so it looks good on a college application.
• You did something nice just because someone was watching you.
• You became friends with someone because they can help you get into the “in crowd” at school.

• You saw someone who needed help and you helped them without someone knowing.

• You did something nice for your sibling or friend and they did not expect it.
• You made a friend because you had a similar interest because you said hi.

• You test the boundaries of curfew with your parents.
• Turn in your homework late.
• You talk about a friend behind their back.

• Listen and respect your parents’ decisions

• Are nice to your friends, family or even a stranger
• Let good actions speak louder than words

• You talk about a friend behind their back
• You talk bad about someone you do not know
• You put down a friend who did a good deed for someone

• You take a few minutes a day to pray

• You talk to someone who may not have many friends
• You are not influenced to be friends with someone because they are in the “in crowd”

October 9th, 2011

• Listen to my parents and teachers
• Spend a few minutes in prayer a day
• Tell someone that I cared about them in person

• Talked back to my parents and/or teachers
• Forgot about my faith until a few minutes before mass
• Picked on someone this week