Office of Religious Formation and Training

05/16/2016

We will be celebrating the Jubilee Year of Divine Mercy with an in-depth visual study called Divine Mercy in the Second Greatest Story Ever Told.

Join us June 4th, 9:00am – 3:15pm at Maryhill Renewal Center for this amazing study in the Year of Mercy.

Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, will guide us through the dramatic history of God’s Love and Mercy. This new video series will be presented as a one-day conference, telling the stories of St. Faustina, St. Maximillian Kolbe, Our Lady of Fatima, and Pope St. John Paul II.

The cost for the day is only $15 and including lunch. To register, please email [email protected] or call us at 318-445-6424 ext. 251. Everyone is invited. If you cannot join us, you can purchase the video set for $100 from Lighthouse Catholic Media.

04/06/2016

Today, our focus is on the apostles, who exemplified what it meant to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake. In Acts 5, the church is spreading in mighty ways and the gospel is being received.

As we move forward from Lent, how do we never stop "teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah"?

The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

04/06/2016

Today, our focus is on the second half of the beatitude found in Matthew 5:10-11, “…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

What would it look like for our reward to be great in heaven? How can persecution lead to a great reward in heaven?

04/06/2016

Today, our focus is on the first half of the beatitude found in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake…”

As we move forward in this Easter season, how can we consider persecution a blessing? How is it a blessing to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake? How do I react when others persecute us?

03/30/2016

Today, our focus is on a biblical figure who exemplified what it meant to be a peacemaker.

How can we work for peace in our own lives this Easter season?

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

03/29/2016

Today, our focus is on the second half of the beatitude found in Matthew 5:9, “…for they shall be called sons of God.”

What does it mean to be a child of God? What does it look like (sensory) to be children of God? How did you live as a child of God during the Lenten season? How do you plan to live as a child of God during this Easter season?

03/28/2016

As we enter into this Easter season, we focus on the first half of the beatitude found in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

What does it mean to be a peacemaker? How can you foster peace on a daily basis? How can we create peace this Easter season?

03/25/2016

We end this week's videos by focusing on a biblical figure who exemplified what it meant to be pure in heart. During Israel’s time under the rule of kings, God sent Samuel, the last judge of Israel to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to choose Israel’s next king.

As Samuel looked upon each of Jesse’s sons as a potential option for a king, what instruction did the Lord give Samuel?

Samuel Anoints David

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

03/24/2016

Today our focus is on the second half of the beatitude found in Matthew 5:8, “…for they shall see God.”

Do you long to see God?

03/23/2016

Today, our focus is on the first half of the beatitude found in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”

What does it look like to have a pure heart? How do we pursue purity on a daily basis?

As we come closer and closer to Good Friday, let's take time to examine our hearts and intentionally listen to God's word.

03/22/2016

Introducing: Tuesday Tunes. We will share a playlist of artists we are loving and listening to in our office. And, this week we've got an entire playlist just for you!

If you attended the Bible Gathering this past weekend, we hope you were blessed by the songs and prayers. Take a listen as we enter the Easter season.

A playlist featuring Jenn Johnson, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Hillsong United, and others