Christ the King Parish, McFarland Wisconsin: Faith Sharing Groups

O Sweet Jesus! Pierce my heart so that my tears of penitence and love will be my bread day and night; may I be converted entirely to You, may my heart be Your perpetual habitation, may my conversation be pleasing to You, and may the end of my life to so praise-worthy that I may merit Heaven and there with Your saints, praise You forever. Amen.
(from the Pieta)

Proclaim the Gospel:

Luke 13:22-30 (Salvation and Rejection)
(Other readings: Isaiah 66:18-21; Hebrews 12:5-7. 11-13 )

Invitation to Share:

To be saved, knowing Jesus in not enough; we must accept Jesus’ invitation to a deep personal relationship with Him. This relationship demands that with repentant hearts, we welcome the “sinners, tax collectors and the unclean” as Jesus welcomes them, especially those in our immediate families. In what ways have I responded to this relationship. How have I turned away from it?
(adapted from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

Ending Prayer:

God of Mercy, Father of all, You welcome the downtrodden and are a voice for the voiceless. You feed the poor and offer forgiveness to sinners. And above all, You send us your Son for the salvation of the world. Reveal to us our unrepentant, stony hearts and replace them with hearts full of love and compassion. Place Your Spirit within us, so that we might walk in your footsteps and speak Your Word to a waiting world. Enfold us in Your protective arms and help us grow in the intimacy You long to share with us. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

If you would like to learn more about faith sharing opportunities or resources, contact Julie Allington – 838-8324

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August 29, 2010 – Humility Shall be Honored

Take 10 minutes to share your faith with your family or friends, at the beginning of Parish Committee meetings, etc.

Opening Prayer:

In You, O Lord, I have found my peace. My heart is not proud, my eyes not above You; You fill my soul. I am not filled with great things, nor with thoughts beyond me. My soul is still, my soul stays quiet, longing for You like a weaned child in its mother’s arms; so is my soul a child with You.
(from the Gather Hymnal, “My Soul Is Still")

Proclaim the Gospel:

Luke 14:1, 7-14 (Conduct of Invited Guests and Hosts)
(Other readings: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18-19, 22-24)

Invitation to Share:

Jesus invites all to the marriage feast of his Church. When He comes, whoever he finds humble He will bless, for whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. When we let go of inflated worldly desires we begin to see the real blessings around us: family, friends, sunshine, life, eternity. Do I relate more to the guest who hurried to the place of honor or the one who assumed the lowest place – in my work, family, community, or parish? Do I reach out or do I avoid the outcasts in my life and society?
(adapted from PrayerTime, Cycle C, Living Faith)

Ending Prayer:

Lord God, You have created men and women in Your image. Through the incarnation of Your Son You have gifted them with Your dignity. You have made human beings the stewards of creation and have gifted them with a dignity that only You can give. You have set a banquet table for all Your children and You will go to the ends of the earth to seek out the lost, and give them a place of honor at Your divine table. Instill in your disciples Your very own passion for the rejected of our world. Send them out to gather the lost and invite them to Your heavenly feast. And let this be accomplished through the power of Your Holy Spirit. We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
(from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

If you would like to learn more about faith sharing opportunities or resources, contact Julie Allington – 838-8324

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September 5, 2010 – Demands of Discipleship

Take 10 minutes to share your faith with your family or friends, at the beginning of Parish Committee meetings, etc.

Opening Prayer:

Leader:		You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. She shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak your words in foreign lands and ll will understand. You shall see the face of God and live.
All:		Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
Leader:		If you pass through raging waters in the seas, you shall not drown. If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand before the power of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.
All:		Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
Leader:		Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed are you!
All:		Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.

(Gather Hymnal, Be Not Afraid)

Proclaim the Gospel:

Luke 14:25-33 (Sayings on Discipleship)
(Other readings: Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17)

Invitation to Share:

Christianity is costly; it may cost the relationships of people close to us. Our cross may require tough decisions. Does my need for strong family/friendship ties conflict with my Christian convictions? In what concrete ways does this Gospel invite me to carry the cross?

(adapted from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

Ending Prayer:

O God of all creation. You invite all human beings into a deep and personal relationship. You insist that we shall have no other gods before You. Help us as we seek to place You first in our lives. Send Your Spirit to strengthen us as we strive to embrace the cross, and fill us with the wisdom we need to resist the attachments of this world. Alone we can do nothing; with You all things are possible. We ask this prayer through the power of Jesus’ name. Amen
(adapted from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

If you would like to learn more about faith sharing opportunities or resources, contact Julie Allington – 838-8324

PRINTABLE VERSION

September12, 2010 – Forgiveness and Welcome

Take 10 minutes to share your faith with your family or friends, at the beginning of Parish Committee meetings, etc.

Opening Prayer:

O Lord, Your amazing grace – how I savor the sound - has saved a wretch like me! I was lost, but You found me; I was blind, but You opened my eyes. Your grace gave me the gift to reverently fear You as my Lord and Savior, yet that same grace relieved all my fears. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my Shield and Portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun. (adapted from Hymn, Amazing Grace, words by John Newton)

Proclaim the Gospel:

Luke 15:1-10 (The Lost Sheep, Lost Coin)
(Other readings: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Timothy 1:12-17)

Invitation to Share:

What does today’s Gospel teach us about seeking out the lost? Think about those close to you – family and friends, and those who are in need or hurting. How can I share the good news with them?
(adapted from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

Ending Prayer:

God of the lost, through the Incarnation of your Son, you free human beings from the ravages of sin, and you pour out your abundant mercy on the lost and the broken. Sinners find refuge in the shadow of your wings and you provide your people with an abundant harvest. Send workers into the world to seek out the lost and offer life to sinners. Direct our efforts and purify our hearts as we go out seeking the lost sheep of this world. May your Spirit empower us to become more effective ambassadors of your compassion. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord. Amen. (from PrayerTime, Cycle C)

If you would like to learn more about faith sharing opportunities or resources, contact Julie Allington – 838-8324

PRINTABLE VERSION

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