Parent Materials

THERE WAS SO MUCH LOVE [IN GOD]...THAT HE BEGAN TO WALK WITH HIS PEOPLE, UNTIL THE FULLNESS OF TIME ARRIVED, AND HE GAVE THE GREATEST SIGN OF HIS LOVE, HIS SON. AND HIS SON, WHERE DID HE SEND HIM? TO A PALACE? TO A CITY, TO START A BUSINESS? HE SENT HIM TO A FAMILY! GOD CAME INTO THE WORLD IN A FAMILY.

-Pope Francis, address to families in Philadelphia, 2015

Followup, Makeup, and Review Materials

The linked emails include followup questions for parents and sponsors on the topics we explored together at the sessions.

Wednesday, March 11 - Candidate Session - Discernment: What Do You Want From Me, God?

  • Click on the email link above for a quick summary of the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" method of discernment and decisionmaking (incorporated into the parent and sponsor followup questions).
  • Video: "What Does God Want Me To Do?"

Wednesday, February 12 - Candidate Session - Vocation: Hearing God's Call

Wednesday, November 13 - Candidate Session - Authentically Catholic

  • Video: "Evidence"
  • Video: "Motivation to Go to Catholic Mass"
  • App and website resources:
    • Masstimes.org - find a Mass time that works for your weekend
    • YouVersion Bible App is a comprehensive, ecumenical Bible app, with many translations (we recommend the NABRE, which is the translation used at Mass). It includes the awesome feature of built-in bible reading plans on various themes (like trust, the Alpha series, or a specific book of the Bible). Plans break scripture down into bite-size pieces day-by-day, with plan lengths from a few days at a time to a full year. You can set reminders and link up with friends to read a plan together, too!
    • Verbum is a Catholic app that's basically a faith library in your pocket. A great resource!
    • Laudate is THE Catholic app -- it has things like the daily readings, Saint of the Day, rosary, a guide for Reconciliation/Confession, Stations of the Cross, the Catechism, and like a billion other things...all in one spot.
    • iBreviary is a favorite of priests and religious, because it is a digitized version of the Daily Office/Liturgy of the Hours that the ordianed and religious pray but we're all invited to participate in. IF you ever see a priest praying with an iPad, he's probably using iBreviary.
    • Echo is a beautifully designed, unique tool for intercessory prayer. You can create lists of people and causes to pray for (organizing them however you like), and set reminders to help you remember to actually pray for them. So helpful!

Wednesday, October 9 - Candidate Session - Being Human

  • Prayer Video: "Give Me Your Eyes"
    • Watch this video & reflect on the theological truth that all humans are made in the image of God (imago Dei).
    • Who do you find it hardest to recognize as the image of God?
  • Video: "What is Privilege?"
    • How is privilege related to the idea of social/structural sin?
  • Video: "A Trip to the Grocery Store"
    • How can we leverage our power to work for justice?
    • What does this have to do with being a prophet?
  • Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
    • How does Catholic social teaching frame what it means to work for a more just world?

Saturday, October 5 - Candidate/Sponsor Day of Reflection & Rite of Enrollment

Wednesday, September 11 - Candidate Session - Being Christian

Sat./Sun., September 7-8 - Fall Retreat - Love God, Neighbor, and Self

Wednesday, August 28 - Parent-Candidate Session - Being Catholic

Followup Emails from Gathered Sessions

These emails include followup questions for parents and sponsors on the topics we explored together at the sessions.

Wednesday, November 13 - Candidate Session (Coming Soon)

Wednesday, October 9 - Candidate Session - Being Human

  • Prayer Video: "Give Me Your Eyes"
    • Watch this video & reflect on the theological truth that all humans are made in the image of God (imago Dei).
    • Who do you find it hardest to recognize as the image of God?
  • Video: "What is Privilege?"
    • How is privilege related to the idea of social/structural sin?
  • Video: "A Trip to the Grocery Store"
    • How can we leverage our power to work for justice?
    • What does this have to do with being a prophet?
  • Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
    • How does Catholic social teaching frame what it means to work for a more just world?

Saturday, October 5 - Candidate/Sponsor Day of Reflection & Rite of Enrollment

Wednesday, September 11 - Candidate Session - Being Christian

Sat./Sun., September 7-8 - Fall Retreat - Love God, Neighbor, and Self

Wednesday, August 28 - Parent-Candidate Session - Being Catholic

Summer Reflection Process

In order to get to know your particular family and best support you in your role as your child's primary teacher in faith, the invitation and registration period includes a reflection process for the candidate and at least one parent, which is shared with the Coordinator of Youth Ministry in either written or in-person form. Please contact Ms. Rena with any questions!

SRP - Written Option

We ask that each reflection be between 400-500 words and be submitted by August 22, 2019. Please submit the reflection via email to Ms. Rena (renablack@stbernadette.org, in Word or PDF format.

Parent Reflection Questions:

  • How have you shared with your teen the importance of this Sacrament?
  • How does your family participate in faith together?
  • What is the greatest challenge to your faith, as an individual and as a family?
  • Describe your child's faith journey so far. What is the hope/vision you have for your child after they receive this sacrament?

SRP - In-Person Option

In lieu of the written option above, you and your candidate(s) may choose to meet with Ms. Rena in May, June, July, or August to have a conversation about these questions. Unless there are special circumstances, we encourage you to support your candidate in making the appointment (on the SRP In-Person Option SignUp Genius), as this helps underscore the candidate's agency in choosing to prepare for the Sacrament. Please prepare for your in-person conversation by reflecting on the following questions; you may want to jot down some notes to bring along.

Parent Reflection Questions:

  • How have you shared with your teen the importance of this Sacrament?
  • How does your family participate in faith together?
  • What is the greatest challenge to your faith, as an individual and as a family?
  • Describe your child's faith journey so far. What is the hope/vision you have for your child after they receive this sacrament?

Questions? Contact Rena Black, Coordinator of Youth Ministry

renablack@stbernadette.org | 410-969-2781

801 Stevenson Road Severn, MD 21144

All checks may be made payable to "St. Bernadette Parish."

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