As 2023 dawns, our Adventure in Grace continues. We have been reflecting on, sharing and looking for grace in many ways the past year and a half. Our pilgrimage got us started by looking at Sacraments, (the formal seven), sacraments (the everyday and less formal) and grace (the basic flow of God’s love) a bit differently. Our Church identifies major sacramental moments, but grace gives the energy for both the formal and informal. We here at Holy Family built the pilgrimage around stating sacredness in unique ways, to bring new life to how important and pivotal they are in the pilgrimage of life, and the spiritual nature of that pilgrimage brought about by grace.
We have investigated how Sacraments give grace, but also how grace gives sacraments.
We gave monikers to the seven Sacraments and presented them in this manner:
Drenched – Baptism
This inspires us to embrace the fact that not only were we baptized—WE ARE BAPTIZED
Affirmed – Confirmation
This inspires us to see how prevalent the affirmation of the Holy Spirit is and that we must be instruments of its gifts – Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgement, Knowledge, Courage, Understanding, Right Judgement and Wonder and Awe in God’s creation – and not simply receive them
Fed – Eucharist
This inspires us to be energized by the unbelievable sacredness of Christ’s REAL presence, but feed each other because we are fed
Forgiven and Healed – Reconciliation
This inspires us to embrace forgiveness as a sacred moment and Reconciliation as a process leading to healing and hope
Committed – Marriage and Priesthood
This inspires us to embrace that we were not simply married or ordained, but we ARE married and ordained
Healed – Anointing of the Sick
This inspires us to both blend and distinguish healing (spiritual) from a cure (physical).
SCC-GIGs
The year ahead invites us to deepen the adventure articulated above in many ways. One of the most important resources for continuing to share grace in its many and everyday offerings is to either join or start a Small Christian Community-Gathering in Grace. We are encouraging adding the element of investigating and considering grace to the strong history of Small Christian Communities here at Holy Family.
If you saw the video featuring sharing by Karen Brady, Chester Trocha and Bob Patchak included at all Masses this weekend, perhaps you got just a little deeper glimpse of how simple it is to join and participate, and how enriching SCC-GIGs can be. If you missed it, watch it anytime this week on our website.
This weekend‘s Epiphany story helps us to see that the Kings/Wisemen started individual journeys from different places. The star brought them together and they gave their gifts away. SCC-GIGs can do the same. They bring our unique journeys together to share our gifts of insight, experience, knowledge, support, compassion, fellowship and more to learn from each other, connect the scripture story with our own, grow, expand and have fun.
There will be an Orientation Session on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm in church to give you more information. Please come. Invite others to join you. Grow in Grace.
Here are the Top Five Reasons to Join a SCC-GIG:
• Grow in faith with others and individually by connecting faith with everyday life and realizing that Grace surrounds us at all times
• Gain new insights into the scriptures and our Catholic tradition
• Be part of a small community that supports and cares for each other
• Enhance the celebration and encounter with Christ and others in the Eucharist
• Assure the ongoing renewal of the Body of Christ