Proclaiming Faith - Ways to Use

Suggestions for Use | Descriptions of the Components | Order of the Components

Suggestions for Use

At home:

Young People

to offer reflection for personal and spiritual growth

for groups to use as part of spiritual enrichment programs

Adults

to offer reflection for personal and spiritual growth

to help individuals prepare for Sunday liturgy

for families to break open scripture together

for bible study groups, parish RENEW groups, faith sharing groups

as a convenient resource for parishioners

In parish, school, and catechetical programs:

Young People

for a supplement that catechists and teachers can use to prepare youngsters for Sunday liturgy

to review and reinforce Sunday's Liturgy of the Word

to help teachers prepare lessons on scripture or Sunday liturgies

to help parents prepare their children for Sunday liturgy

for catechists for the children' s Liturgy of the Word

as a ready reference for teachers, catechists, parents, priests, and principals

as an enrichment component of Confirmation preparation

Adults

as an enrichment component of preparation for sacraments

as part of RCIA

for principals to use for parent newsletters

for principals to use for in-service sessions for teachers

for priests as a reference for homilies

as a ready reference for teachers, catechists, parents, priests, and principals

How do you use Proclaiming Faith?
Based on your experience, can you suggest additional ways of using Proclaiming Faith? Please let us know with the following form. If your browser cannot handle forms, e-mail your comments to sjane@sadlier.com.

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Descriptions of the Components

Prayer—prayer before reading God's word

Background—information about the bible, the Lectionary, the Cycles of Readings, and themes found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Opening—provides insight on how to make the readings part of your life.

Scripture—the citations for the First Reading, the Second Reading, and the Gospel are given for each Sunday and holy day. In addition to using a Bible to locate and read the passages, the citations are linked to the text found on the website of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference.

Reflections—the explanation for each reading opens up the faith story of God's people and offers a vision of how to live your Catholic faith.

Discussion Questions—drawing on the scripture passage, these promote personal reflection, group discussion, or class assignment or activity.

Activities—highlight the themes of the readings, help deepen our understanding of God's Word, and encourage us to share a message of God's word in at least one way. The final activity of the last Sunday of each Liturgical Season helps set the framework for the Liturgical Season to come.

Faith Word—words or phrases associated with the day's readings

Order of the Components

For all Sundays and holy days of obligation, Proclaiming Faith lists the scripture citations for the three readings and offers a brief explanation for each reading. The explanation opens up the faith story of God's people and offers a vision of how to live your Catholic faith. The readings and explanations are followed by activities that help to deepen our understanding of God's word.

Using your Bible or the links to the NCCB website, read the selections cited from the lectionary slowly and prayerfully, one at a time. Open your heart and mind to God's word in each reading.

After each lectionary reading, read the explanation. It is designed to help you open God's word for your life. Suggestions will be made on ways to make the reading a part of your life.

After you have finished the readings and explanations, do the activities of the day.