Father walked us through the 15 Stations of the Cross.

1. Jesus is condemned to death (He stood tall as those he healed and taught told lies about him)
2. Jesus takes up his Cross (Accepting the cross did not make it any lighter, its weight shocked him)
3. Jesus falls the 1st time (Tied to the cross he could not protect his face and flesh from the road)
4. Jesus meets his Mother (Pain of torture hurt less than knowing that Mary watched him suffer)
5. Simon helps carry the cross (Simon was forced to help Jesus)
6. Veronica wipes Jesus’s face (She risked bodily harm to give a little help and reduce his suffering)
7. Jesus falls the 2nd time (Again fatigue caused him to stumble, again he takes up the burden)
8. Jesus meets the women (They cry for him, He is reminded of the agony making it worse)
9. Jesus falls the 3rd time (He can carry the burden no more, but still he must go on)
10. Jesus is stripped naked (One more cruelty, those in power often try to strip away dignity)
11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross (All the pain before was insignificant compared with crucifixion)
12. Jesus dies on the Cross (‘God why have you forsaken me?’, only a few loved ones remain)
13. Jesus is taken down (Is he really dead? He can’t be)
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb (Hope is lost, there is nothing to be done now, he is gone)
15. He is Risen! (Anything is possible with God, there is light, carry your cross)

 
Please choose the two Stations that call to you.  Consider what it means and record your reflection in 4 sentences (a short paragraph).
 
Also in 4 sentences, explain the phrase, ‘my cross to bear’.  It may help to use struggles common to people your age as an example.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the time of fasting and preparation for Easter.  The Old Testament book of Jonah tells of a city of sinners that humble themselves by wearing rags and ashes.  After God saw everyone from the King to the beasts turn from their evil ways, our Lord spared them.
 

• What do the ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday symbolize?
  
• What does the phrase, “you are dust and to dust you shall return”, mean to you?
• Consider the Italian proverb, “After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box”. Share what this means to you in a few sentences (3+)
• Give an example of two types of Lenten commitments.  Why do we, as Catholics, make Lenten commitments?
  

1 Corinthians 12:12-21
St Paul helped spread Jesus’s word after he ascended into Heaven.  He founded many Christian communities and helped them follow Jesus, both in person and through writings.  This lesson is from a letter St Paul wrote to a community in Corinth: One Body, Many Parts.

• Fill in the line of Scripture: We were all Baptized into one Body, whether Jews or Greeks,___________________, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
• God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended.  What body parts are listed in the reading?
  
• What is the most important body part?
• What is the message of this reading?
• In a few sentences (3+), how can you apply this lesson in your life?
  

Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus tells of his return to judge the nations, as a shepherd separates sheep from the goats. To those on his right will inherit the kingdom. “For I was hungry and you game me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me….”
 

• Jesus place the honored to his right, the righteous. What does righteous mean?
  
• Why did he place the others on his left?
• There are 14 ‘Works of Mercy’, 7 spiritual and 7 corporal. Define Corporal and define Mercy.
• List the 7 Spiritual Works and give an example of performing each mercy.
   
• List the 7 Corporal Works and give an example of performing each mercy.
   
• Where did the Catholic Church get the works of mercy?
  

Acts of the Apostles 2:1-12
Ten Days after Jesus ascended into Heaven his followers numbered 120.  Hiding in Jerusalem during the Feast of Weeks Christ’s, they included Jesus’ Apostles and Mary.  Then suddenly from the sky came a strong driving wind, filling the house where they gathered together.

• What did the tongues of fire do to each follower?
• What does the ‘tongue of fire’ represent?
• Why did a crowd gather to listen to Christ’s followers?
• Where was the crowd from? (country of origin)
• What language did Christ’s followers speak to the crowd?
• Why did God speak to all that listened? Regardless of religion or country.
• What does the word ‘Pentecost’ mean? Why is important to all Christians?

Parable of the Talents
 
Matthew 25: 14-30
 
Please Recall: a rich man (the master) must leave his estate to travel for many months, perhaps more than a year.  He liquidates his assets and leave the cash (talents) with three servants to do with as they wish until he returns.
 

• Approximately much value does a Talent have if counted with today’s money?
  
• How many talents did the master leave the first servant? The second? And the third?
• How do you think each servant felt when the master trusted them with such wealth?
• Why do you think that each man felt that way?
• What did the third servant do differently with the wealth?
• The Master rewarded two of his servants, explain what the reward included. How did each servant earn the reward?
  
• Why did the third servant get punished?

 
Randy Pausch said “we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”  Explain how this quote corresponds to the lesson.  Think about what God expects from us in the life and the reward.

Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel), believed God had great plans for him and trusted in God.  Through this faith he was able to save his entire Family by moving them to Egypt during a great Famine.  Many generations later the decedents of Jacob (Israel) were called Israelites.  They lived as Slaves of the Pharaoh.  The Pharaoh ordered all the baby boys of the Israelites killed to limit their population.

• How was Moses saved from the Pharaoh’s order?
  
• Where did Moses grow up?
• Why did Moses leave Egypt?
• God commanded Moses to return and free the Israelites. How did God appear to him?
  
• List the Twelve Plagues:
  

 

• How did the Israelites avoid the Twelfth plague?
  
• The Passover of the Israelites is celebrated with a Seder Meal. What are two reasons we eat unleavened bread? What does the Salt water symbolize? Why do we chew a bitter Herb?
  

 

• Did the Pharaoh stand by his decision to free the Israelites?
  
• How did the Israelites cross the Red Sea?
• Many Israelites lost faith and grumbled as they wandered in the desert. Name two of the miracles God provided to the people through Moses.
  

 

• List the Ten Commandments:
• Why did God prevent Moses from entering the Promised Land?

 
Take the Ten Commandment Quizlet on parish website: http://www.saintlukecatholic.com/youth-ministry.html. How did you do?

In the Book of Genesis Joseph is the youngest of twelve sons of Jacob (Israel).

• Jacob loved Joseph the most of all his sons.What gift proves this?
• Did Joseph’s older brothers like him? How do you know?
• How did Joseph end up in Egypt?
• Why did Joseph succeed in all he did?
• Did Joseph quit believing in God when he was imprisoned?
• What is Famine? How many years of famine did Joseph predict?
• What job did the Pharaoh give Joseph?
• How did Joseph prepare for the years of famine?
• Why did Joseph’s brothers come visit him in Egypt?
• Did Joseph forgive his brothers? If so, Why?

In the Book of Genesis God made three vows to Abram: Protection, Children and Land.

• How old was Abram when God directed him to move to Cannan?
  
• What two things did God ask Abram to count as an illustration of many descendants?
• Once Abram accepted God’s Covenant his name changed as did his wife’s, Sarai. Give their new names and a reason for the change.
  

 

• God commanded Abram and Sarai to name their son Isaac.Who did Isaac marry?
• Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob.How many sons did Jacob have?
• God changed Jacob’s name to Israel.What does ‘Israel’ mean?

 
Abram and Sarai’s story is about a leap of Faith.  Faith in God and belief that God’s will is best.  God’s covenant with Abram is fulfilled in the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.

 Provide the Spanish word for each item.
Then Describe the following items in your own words (location/use/definition).
 

• Sanctuary
• Alter
• Pulpit
• Tabernacle
• Eternal Light
• Stain-Glass Window
• Cross
• Crucifix
• Holy Water
• Pews
• Stations of the Cross

 
Please explain which of these helps you feel closer to God.  (3+ sentences)
 
 
The Bible – Gods Inspiration recorded in human style
 
The Catholic Bible contains two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament
Assign one (and only one) of the parts to each fact about the bible
 

• Written in Hebrew
• Nuevo Testamento
• Antiguo Testamento
• Written in Ancient Greek
• Living with Jesus and the Teachings of Jesus
• Preparing for Jesus
• Jewish Holy Text
• Contains the Gospels (John, Matthew, Luke, Mark)

 
Why are the Gospels the most important piece of the Bible to Catholics?
 
What is the Spanish word for Gospel?  What does ‘Gospel’ mean?
 
What order do the Gospels appear in the Bible?
 
Who wrote the Gospels?