Through the eyes of an 8 year-old

Flavour of the day!

THIS ONE IS FABULOUS!

It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista , CA. San Diego County . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment to "explain God."

I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
He had such an assignment in California , and someone published it. I guess miracles do happen!

EXPLANATION OF GOD:

"One of God's main jobs is making people.

He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."

"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times beside the bed. He doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off."

"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your mom and dad's head, asking for something they said you couldn't have."

"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our church." "Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of Him preaching to them and they crucified Him.

But He was good and kind, like his Father, and He told his Father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K." "His dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth, so He told him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in Heaven. So He did.

And now He helps his Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important."

"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." "You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!

Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway." "If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can.

It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids." "But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime he pleases.

And... that is why I believe in God."

-Contributed by Danny Dutton...shared by Alf, August 2007

About Us - Youth Facilitators of Holy Family

FLavoUR of the DaY

Our buddies in catechism!

Holy Family Catechetical Ministry is very fortunate to have a group of teen helpers known as the Youth Facilitators, or affectionately known as “YFs”.

The YFs are under the Catechetical Ministry umbrella and their primary role is to assist the Catechists teaching Confirmation levels. More often than so, they have been a source of inspiration for Confirmation teens as role models and as a bridge between the teens and Catechists. Their duties do not bind them within the classroom; however, they are involved in the planning and running of activities during retreats and rites.

In the classroom, YFs do not just help the catechists arrange chairs or mark attendance. They assist in group discussions and even with lesson planning. Very often, lessons are planned within the limitation of Catechists which sometimes can be very lecture based. However, YFs help to inject a sense of fun and excitement by coming up with out-of-the-box ideas and games for the lesson, complimenting the work done by the catechists.

Usually, YFs will go through 1 cycle of confirmation (3 and half years). At the end of it, they would either progress on as a senior YF or a junior catechist. As a senior YF, they would head a group in the areas of music, praise and worship or formation etc. As a junior catechist, they will take on responsibilities of a Catechist such as planning and presenting a lesson, organizing retreats and activities etc. The journey of a YF has been very meaningful because it provides an avenue for them after receiving the sacrament of confirmation to grow spiritually and contribute back to the church.

-Benson Woon, Con 1 Catechist

Below are some testimonies by current YFs.

Angela Espehana…
My experience being a YF -in training so far has been eye-opening yet at the same time enlightening. I'm surprised that the students I'm facilitating are that naughty, but I can see a part of myself and my friends in them when we were that age as confirmants (ie. people preparing for confirmation). Right now I'm trying to relate to them and be their mentor, giving them guidance and encouragement to participate along the way. As a YF I'm also learning more about Jesus' mission for me and learning new things about God with the Con 1’s, be it in their lessons or during formation.

Valerie Tan…
I have grown spiritually after joining this ministry. The best thing about joining this new ministry is that I get to learn many new things such as the true characters of my friends, the importance of serving God and the joy of seeing the teens enjoying themselves (during games day). I have also made many new friends and going from being an acquaintance to friends is simply amazing. But most importantly, I have learnt much more about God and have gotten closer to him. My experience so far has been a very pleasant experience and enriching one both spiritually and physically. I have also learnt the importance of teamwork and that nothing can always be perfect.

TOPpings


When we feel weariness tinkling down the muscles, uninspired or restless,
Let us kindly ask God to steer us back to where the focus is, and be our anchor during stormy weather and rough seas…




Teaching your least ones

Jesus, loving friend and Saviour
you have said so clearly in Scipture
that what I do for your “little ones”
I do for you.
I find this hard to remember
especially when a child
is disruptive or loud or rude
or even just too playful.

I forget that you are with me
when a child is too slow or too unwilling
to learn or remember what I am teaching
It’s so much easier to believe
that you are present in those children
who are quick, bright and well groomed.

The “nice” little boys and girls
are so much easier to teach!

Forgive me, Jesus,
when I fail to see your presence
in the messy, less than perfect children

Forgive me when I show preferences
and give me courage
to love and teach every child
as you want me to love and teach.
May I reach out to your “least ones”
in every class I teach.

I can only keep it
if you help and guide me.

Amen.

-Gwen Constello
“A prayer book for Catechists”


ExTRA goodIES

Before

Before I forget, let me remember the laughter and tears
Before I forget, let me remember the dreams and fears
Before I forget, let me remember the dazzling sun
Before I forget, let me remember the cool night air
Before I forget, let me remember you there.

This is dedicated to all who have passed (too soon) into the next world and to those who are left behind -family and friends alike. For some of us, the most difficult is to go on with life. For many, it is a time of questioning ‘why’? There are no easy answers, no clear-cut explanations. Perhaps the most important thing is to remember how much we loved them. Perhaps that is all that matters: LOVE.

-Contributed by Liesl Massang, August 2007