Session 6 - Catching Fire - Becoming Flame: The Challenge of Forgiveness - Saturday, October 24

This week Fr. Albert tells us as we have been forgiven, so we are challenged to forgive other people.

This weekend is the final session of the series Catching Fire, Becoming Flame.  If you haven't joined us this year, take this opportunity to renew the commitment of joining men of like mind in fellowship and spirituality.

In Christ!.

   His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’  Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.  So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives his brother from his heart.”   Matthew 18:32-35

Session 5 - Catching Fire - Becoming Flame: God's Will & Decision Making - Saturday, October 17

In session 5, Fr. Albert informs us that we don't follow a master blueprint set forth for us by God.  Instead, God provides us free will and we must learn to make good decisions.  In making decisions, we listen to: our head, our heart, and our gut; however, we also need to consider our past, our potential, our present identity, our passion, and our faith.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

Session 4 - Catching Fire - Becoming Flame: Seven Principles of Prayer - Saturday, October 10

Brothers,

In this 4^th week of the series “Catching Fire, Becoming Flame” Fr. Albert introduces us to Seven Principles of Prayer:

1.       Prayer should heighten your sensitivity and make you more aware of
          God.

2.       Pray from where you are, not where you think you should be.

3.       The best way to pray is the way that works for you.

4.       Frustration in prayer is a (good) sign that you are trying too hard.

5.       Growth in prayer is growth in silence.

6.       Dryness in prayer is a (good) sign that God is calling you to “let go” of
          your way of praying, so that the Spirit can pray within you.

7.       Listen to your distractions; learn from them, and pray from them.

The Holy Spirit has an individual plan for each of us; let us pray that as we journey together through this series we become aware of this ultimate plan.  Only when we allow ourselves to be fully immersed in the magnificence of God can we fully experience him and be open to do his will. 

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-13

Session 3 - Catching Fire - Becoming Flame: The Examen - Saturday, October 3

Session 3 - The Examen

This prayer practice, designed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, has a 500 year history  It will deepen your sensitivity and awareness of the presence of God in your life.  the Examen focuses on God, not you:  you look for where God has been in your life over the last twelve hours.  Join us this Saturday to discover the five steps of the Examen, gratitude, petition, review, forgiveness, and renewal.

Keep in mind also this is the first Saturday of the month and as such we will pray the Rosary in the Church immediately after the session.

In Christ!

SB