Chapter 1: Out of the Boat-A Model

Part 1 Preface: The Gift of Grace and Chapter 1: Out of the Boat-A Model for Grace (pages 21-29)

Blue text question taken from the text's "For Study and Discussion"

Biblical quotations from Revised Standard Version Bible

1.  How can you help yourself and your child(ren) from falling into Satan's trap of negative thinking as Peter did at the beginning of the chapter?  Do you see a correlation between negativity and the inability to recognize Christ's presence?  How do you refocus that relationship?

2.  Read Mark 14:66-72

[66] And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest came; [67] and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." [68] But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you mean." And he went out into the gateway. [69] And the maid saw him, and began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." [70] But again he denied it. And after a little while again the bystanders said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." [71] But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know this man of whom you speak." [72] And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.

and then 1 Peter 4:8 [Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins]. 

Knowing that Christ gave Peter grace after he failed so miserably, how would he have you extend this kind of grace to your own child(ren)?  What would this look like in your daily interactions?

3.  How do you help your child(ren) receive grace?  give grace?

4.  What concrete step can you take this week to highlight grace in your home?

Introduction: The Ministry of Motherhood

In The Ministry of Motherhood, Sally Clarkson addresses how mothers can effectively reach the precious lives entrusted to their care by looking to the life and ministry of Jesus. She examines the relationship between Jesus and his disciples, and incorporates a plan for influencing children for Christ using the acronym GIFTS grace, inspiration, faith, training and service. It is an uncomplicated, yet strategic, plan for passing on crucial gifts to your children. In the dailyness of providing for your children’s physical, emotional and social needs, GIFTS provides a way to insure that vital opportunities for spiritual nurture and training are not lost in the shuffle.

Read more at her website www.wholeheart.org

Fishers of Men

As a wrap-up to Fulton Sheen's book on the priesthood, A Priest Is Not His Own, we watched a video made for theUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Vocations and Priestly Formation by Grassroots Films.  The goal of the 18 minute video, Fishers of Men, is to give people a look in on the life of a Roman Catholic Priest and invite young men to open their hearts to the call.
1.  How can we challenge our children to be something remarkable?
2.  What image(s) most struck you?  Why?
3.  What influence did Pope John Paul II have on your formation?
4.  How can we, as mothers, encourage and support our children’s vocations?

Sheen Film: Servant of All

Chapter 17: The Priest and His Mother

Definition-
putative (page 274)-purported; commonly put forth or accepted as true on inconclusive grounds

1.  Have you consecrated yourself and/or your child(ren) to Mary?  How do you pray for them, specifically concerning their vocation?  (page 271)

2.  What role does Marian devotion play in your spirituality?  (page 275)

3.  Amidst which daily tasks do you find yourself "on duty" rather than "on love"?  (page 275)

4.  How does the reality that "every soul is either a potential convert or a potential saint" impact your daily interactions?  (page 276)

5.  Share an example of how Mary has lightened your cross.  (page 276)

6.  "The Marian dimension of the Church is antecedent to that of the Petrine, without being in any way divided from it or being less complementary (Mulieris Dignitatem, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, footnote 55).  In what ways does our vocation as Catholic women support the dignity and vocation of our priests? our husbands?

Chapter 16: The Eucharist and the Body of the Priest

1.  How can a healthy Catholic view of the body help our daughters (and ourselves) avoid the low self-esteem perpetuated by our body conscience media/society?  (page 256)

2.  Do you treat your body as a temple of God?  Does your face reflect this fact?  (page 259)

3.  What practical steps do you and your husband take to guard the love in your marriage?  (page 260)

4.  Have you instructed your child(ren) about purity?  What illustrations did you use?  Did you consider any of Sheen's points?  (page 261-266)

5.  How does your faith express itself in sacrifice?  (page 267)

Chapter 15: How to Make a Holy Hour

1.  To what extent is meditation a part of your spiritual exercises?  (page 243)

2.  Share an example of a particularly fruitful meditation.  (pages 243-244)

3.  What is your favorite prayer posture?  (page 245)

4.  How do we show our love to God on a daily basis? our husband? our child(ren)?  (page 247)

5.  How has your increased knowledge of doctrine increased your love of Christ?  (page 249)

6.  "Today's strength must come from the Lord of today."  What helps you focus on the present rather than "forebodings and worries about the future"?  (page 250)