Faith Formation

Missionary Zeal for Jesus Christ:

I am not a good camper. I don’t like insects. Unfortunately, my parents made me experience camping trips.

The highlight of camping trips is sitting around a campfire. Watching the food be cooked over the open fire is relaxing and makes for good eating. The best activity I liked was making s’mores over the fire.

Imagine going on a camping trip and you forgot to pack fire starters or matches. No store for miles, no one close to you so that you can borrow from campers. All the food you could have cooked is now going to be chips and a drink. And its not just about food! It’s no fun without a fire burning. The story telling, share memories, and the joy of singing together is disturbed. Reliable source of fuel is a must have.

Catechists need a reliable source of fuel. Catechists are called to be on fire for Jesus Christ. Your fire sparks and warms the faith of others. This same fire enlightens our work as a catechist.  This fire or spark is your missionary zeal fueled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit inflames our heart, our lives with divine power, grace, and gifts. It is the Spirit that calls, inspires us, propels us forward to give life living waters to others. Our vocation, faith and inspiration do not come from or own efforts, but by this fire of the Holy Spirit.

So, how do we fan the fire of the Holy Spirit? The most important way is through a good prayer life. Prayer is the channel to the Holy Spirit. It is our direct communication to the divine. Another way is reading and studying Scripture. This helps a catechist to speak with conviction about Jesus and the Church. If we are convinced by what we say, and our attitudes display a conviction; people will pay attention and listen. It’s the missionary zeal! The love of Christ that you cannot keep it in! You must speak it, live it, and worship it!

Does zeal mean we never suffer, or we are blind to suffering? NO. Our zeal leads us to pray for others, to preach the Good News of Jesus, and help others with kind words and actions. This should bring hope to others and experience healing.
How do you demonstrate a missionary zeal of God in your life? Do you know of someone that radiates zeal in what they say or do? What do they teach you about zeal?

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in me the fire of your love.”

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the children and teens of St. Padre Pio.

Judy Ortiz, DRE
judy.ortiz@shrineofpadrepio.com
210-497-6101 ext. 100 

(Paprocki, Joe,” The Catechist’s Backpack”)

Registration for CEP is officially closed.  For questions regarding late registration please contact the parish office 210-497-6101 or email the parish adminstrator: paty.mendoza@shrineofpadrepio.com

Class Descriptions and Schedule
(Please read carefully to identify which program your child will attend).
 

• CEP (Kinder - 5th Grade): Wed 5:30-6:30 PM
• EDGE (6th - 8th Grade): Mon 6:00-7:30 PM
• HS Life Teen (9th-12th Grade): Sun 5:00-6:30 PM
• Confirmation I (9th Grade): Sun 4:00-5:00 PM
• Confirmation II (10th Grade): Sun 4:00-5:00 PM
• FIF (Foundations in Faith or RCIA Adapted for childen (3rd-12th Grade): Tue 6:00-7:15 PM

• CEP (Kinder - 5to Grado): Miercoles 5:30-6:30 PM
• EDGE (6to - 8vo Grade): Lunes 6:00-7:30 PM
• HS Life Teen (9o-12o Grade): Domingo 5:00-6:30 PM
• Confirmation I (9o Grade): Domingo 4:00-5:00 PM
• Confirmation II (10o Grade): Domingo 4:00-5:00 PM
• FIF (Bases de la Fe) y/o RCIA Adaptado para ninos (Grados 3rd-12th): Martes 5:45-7:00 PM

Para completar los Sacramentos de Iniciacion: Bautismo, Eucarista, Confirmacion todas las clases sacramentos del segundo ano requeriran juntas con los padres.

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