Things to talk about:

• Do you think the master in today’s Gospel story was fair to his servants? Why or why not?
• The Lord has entrusted many things to us: money, natural talents, spiritual gifts, etc. He expects us to grow them. What things has the Lord entrusted to you, and how does he want you to grow them?
• Why do you think Jesus tells us this story?
• St. Cecilia shared the Word of God with people in the streets or Rome. Share a time when you used your talents to share your faith.

Things to do:

• In honor of St Cecilia, play some Christian music each night as you clean up after dinner, or in the car…
• Each week many people use their talents to serve at Mass. How many people (beside the priest and deacon) served at the Mass you attended this weekend?
• Plan to come to the Thanksgiving Day Mass, 10:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for so many blessings.
• Write down some ways your family  can prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent.

230

St. Cecilia was a young woman in Rome who, from a young age, wanted to consecrate herself to God. She spent her days preaching the word of God in the streets of Rome and brought many people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and risen from the dead. Living during a time of great persecution, she was arrested, and many attempts were made to execute her, but miraculously, she survived them all. Finally, her head was chopped off, becoming one of the Church’s first virgin martyrs. She has been a powerful intercessor for Christians since the early days of the Catholic Church, and many churches are named after her worldwide. Her body was exhumed in 1599, and she was the first saint to be discovered as incorrupt, meaning that her body did not decay as bodies normally do after death. St. Cecilia is the patron saint of musicians. Many musical compositions are dedicated to her, and her feast day has become the occasion for concerts and musical festivals.

Closing Prayer: Family Talent Gratitude Prayer

Starting with the youngest member, each member of the family lists the talents they see in that person. After all their talents have been named, the father (or mother) leads a prayer thanking God for this member and the gifts he or she brings to the family.

Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Catholic Insights

Matthew knew that Christ’s coming was delayed, so he emphasized living the Christian life. The “talents” that the Master left behind are the divine wisdom and example we have received in the Gospel. The enterprising servants are those who use the time of Christ’s delay to multiply the generosity, forgiveness, compassion and mercy that they received.

The servant who buried the treasure is the disciple who knows Christ’s teachings but does nothing to share them with others.

What does God really expect rom us? How can we make the best use of the gifts that God has bestowed on us for the good of the world and of the Church? We are reminded that God expects a great deal from us because God sees the glory within us. We all want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Did you know?…. there are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgment, courage, reverence and wonder and awe before God. When we are confirmed, the bishop or priest says, “Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit,” as he anoints us with holy oil. These gifts strengthen us to be missionary disciples.

Things to talk about:

• Compare and contrast the actions of the wise and foolish virgins. What does this parable teach us about being prepared for Jesus’ second coming?
• If Jesus returned today, what would he find you doing?
• What does Jesus mean when he says, “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour”?

Things to do:

• Join us at Rise Against Hunger, Saturday, November 11, read more and register
• Find one FairTrade item this week (coffee, chocolate, tea). Look for the FairTrade Symbol on the product.
• Plan to come to the Thanksgiving Day Mass, 10:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for so many blessings.
• Write down some ways your family  can prepare for Jesus’ coming this Advent.

Closing Prayer

God of the rich and the poor, of all the human family, we ask your blessing on us as we seek to follow your ways. Help us to see the world as you do, as one family gathered at one table, ready to serve one another.  Challenge us to do what is right, to love justice, and to walk humbly with You, our God. We ask this in the name of Jesus your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Catholic Insights

Jesus promised to return to earth in glory, in the fullness of time, to gather the faithful into the Kingdom of heaven. This parable teaches us to wait faithfully, tirelessly and wisely, for he may come at any time.

Most of the writers of the New Testament believed that Jesus would return in their lifetimes. When Christ did not come right away, Christians began to consider how they should live while they waited.

To know neither the day nor the hour, but to remain prepared, is to live in hope. And although we place our hope in the Christ who is to come, we must be aware that Christ is already here. If we do not recognize Christ among us, will we recognize him when he comes again?

In Jesus’ time, the bridesmaids did not accompany the bride down the aisle. They helped the bride by watching for the groom’s arrival. Then the girls accompanied the groom into the town. The groom could arrive at any time, so it was important for the bridesmaids to have lamps and enough oil in case he came after dark.

The bridegroom in the story represents Jesus. The oil represents our faith and good works. Every day we have opportunities to serve him and our brothers and sisters in Christ in the ways we think, speak and love. The wise bridesmaids represent the faithful disciples.

The lesson for us is to treat every moment as if it might be the moment of Christ’s return. Are you ready?

Fairtrade is a term for an arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships. Look for products with this symbol. Read more, fairtradeamerica.org.

Things to talk about:

• What is a hypocrite?
• What is Jesus trying to teach us in this Gospel?
• Do you know anyone who brags? What’s it like to be around someone like that?
• What does Jesus mean when he says, “the greatest among you must be your servant.”?
• Who is God calling us to serve today?

Things to do:

• Practice the virtue of humility this week. Let others go before you, when possible, and try not to boast.
• Do a random act of kindness this week and only tell your parents/kids. (Rake leaves from a neighbor’s yard!)
• We continue to celebrate the Saints all month. Research each family member’s Saints feast day. Look up who the Saint is for the day each person was born. Click HERE for research.
• Watch a video together about a Saints life, Check out FORMED. Our parish has a free subscription. Available in both English and Spanish. We love the Brother Francis videos for kids. (Go to FORMED.org/signup, Enter parish zip code 30066, Select Transfiguration, Enter your name and email)

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the examples of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshipping you forever in heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps and yours, Jesus Christ. Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your Glory, and to the service of my neighbors. Amen.

~ Sr. Thea Bowman

October is Rosary Month. Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8. This is a great way to learn the Rosary prayers.

Catholic Insights

In this Gospel, the scribes and the Pharisees are concerned with status, position and keeping up appearances, but Jesus reminds his followers that to be a disciple means to be a servant. They have great knowledge in the Jewish law and say the right words; this is what Jesus means when he says they “sit on the chair of Moses.” Jesus points out that they preach but do not practice. This is the essence of hypocrisy.

At it’s best, Christian humility makes God present. Someone who speaks divine truth in a humble way can change a life. Humility reveals God’s presence at work in the power of the Gospel. It means to serve as Jesus did, finding joy when grace transforms another’s life. We are truly blessed in our humility.

St. Clare of Assisi, even though she was born into wealth, humbled herself to become a religious sister after meeting St. Francis. In the middle of the night, she left her parents’ home and exchanged her rich clothing for a simple habit. Francis cut all of her hair. St. Clare spent her life barefoot, owning nothing and devoting herself to prayer and the service of God. Toward the end of her life on Christmas Eve 1252, Clare was upset that her illness was keeping her from Mass in the new Basilica of St. Francis. Suddenly, she was blessed with a vision of the Mass on her wall, both hearing and seeing it miraculously from several miles away. Because of this vision, she is the patron saint of television and the patron of sore eyes. Her feast day is August 11.

Things to talk about:

• Is it hard to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind? Why or why not?
• Who are the neighbors in your life that you are commanded to love?
• How do you ask for forgiveness when you fail to love God or your neighbor?
• As we celebrate All Saints Day this week, consider the saints. In what way are they alike? Which saint stories have been most meaningful to you? Why?

Things to do:

• This Gospel talks about love of God and love of neighbor. Count how many times you hear the word “love” at Mass today.
• Carve Pumpkins—use creative designs to evangelize those who come trick or treating to your house through biblical images or Bible verses. Share the following reflection with your children: Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.¨ God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off you. He opens you up and scoops out all the yucky stuff, including seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then he carves you a new smiling face and puts his light inside you for all the world to see.
• This week, the Church celebrates the feasts of All Saints (November 1) and All Souls (November 2). Discuss the Communion of Saints (CCC 962) and share stories of some of the saintly qualities of your deceased family members. Display a few pictures in a special place to remember to pray for the souls of the faithful departed in your family.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for the gift of family. Help us to be a holy family as your family was holy and is a model for holiness for us. Help us to love, understand, and forgive one another and to celebrate and rejoice in each other’s goodness. Help us to be a light to others and always look to love and serve you in others, especially the elderly and those who may be lonely. We ask this through your holy name. Amen.

October is Rosary Month. Join us on Friday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to Pray the Rosary for Peace in the Middle East. We are praying a Rosary Novena and will continue to gather to pray the Rosary through December 8.

Catholic Insights

Jesus, the Master Teacher, offers a direct way to the Kingdom of God. Jesus reduces the Ten Commandments to the Two Greatest Commandments. The first three commandments teach us how to love God and the other seven explain how to love our neighbor. He connects the Two Greatest Commandments by showing us that loving God means we extend care to people around us.

How can we apply these commandments to our lives? They teach us to live virtuously, as well in obedience to God.