Teens
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April
For ideas to celebrate the Easter Season with teens, visit our Side Dishes/Families page at this link.
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March
Ninth Graders: Confirmation
9th graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation attend monthly PURPOSE sessions and complete other formation activites throughout the year. Find details at https://stbonifacechurch.org/purpose
Side Dishes for All Teens
Pray
A devotion to the Precious Blood of Christ
Devotion
Watch
Explore
Use your Bible and see how God sees you.
How God Sees You
Answers
Reflect
Sunday Scripture Reflections
God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way. Find connections for every Sunday of the liturgical year at https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/
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February
Ninth Graders: Confirmation
9th graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation attend monthly PURPOSE sessions and complete other formation activites throughout the year. Find details at https://stbonifacechurch.org/purpose
Side Dishes for All Teens
Pray
Prayer Journals
https://occatholic.com/prayer-journals/
Watch
Are these quotes from the Bible or Kanye?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pxZEn-mMtg
Explore
Exploring the New Testament:
Kingdom of God video, Ed Sirois: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQvc-ajNuFI&%3Bt=145s
Reflect
God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. The Sunday Connection provides useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way. Find connections for every Sunday of the liturgical year at https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/sunday-connection/
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January
Ninth Graders: Confirmation
9th graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation attend monthly PURPOSE sessions and complete other formation activites throughout the year. Find details at https://stbonifacechurch.org/purpose
Side Dishes for All Teens
During his pontificate, Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of a closer relationship with Jesus. In this short reflection, the practice of Lectio Divina is suggested as one of the ways in which to grow in our relationship with Jesus.
Pray
http://popesprayerusa.net/2020/12/14/entering-vibrant-relationship-jesus/
Watch
GROUNDHOG DAY
February 2nd is Groundhog Day, a day where the Punxsutawney groundhog predicts the next six week of winter. Groundhog Day is also a movie where the main character is stuck in his life.
Do you ever feel stuck in your life? Do you have the same routines?
Explore
As Catholics we believe in the dignity of every life from conception to natural death. Why have a march which gathers people from across the nation? Read:
https://marchforlife.org/about-the-march-for-life/
Pray that our country will recognize the value of all life.
Reflect
We continue our journey through the Cycle B readings this liturgical year. Cycle B features the Gospel of Mark, the shortest of the four. It is supplemented with readings from the Gospel of John. If you haven’t had a chance yet to read Mark’s gospel in its entirety, maybe now is the time. For a little video preview of this fast-paced gospel, click here:
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/mark
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December
Ninth Graders: Confirmation
9th graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation attend monthly PURPOSE sessions and complete other formation activites throughout the year. Find details at https://stbonifacechurch.org/purpose
Side Dishes for All Teens
Pray
Coming Soon!
Watch
Coming Soon!
Explore
24 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness
https://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/24-random-acts-christmas-kindness-kids/
8 Fun Holiday Activities Your Teen Will Love
https://www.thespruce.com/fun-holiday-activities-your-teen-will-love-2608968
Reflect
Teen Christmas articles
https://lifeteen.com/blog/category/faith-old/liturgical-seasons/christmas/
Music
The Ultimate Catholic Christmas Playlist
https://lifeteen.com/blog/the-ultimate-catholic-christmas-playlist/
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November
Ninth Graders: Confirmation
9th graders preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation attend monthly PURPOSE sessions and complete other formation activites throughout the year. Find details at https://stbonifacechurch.org/purpose
Side Dishes for All Teens
Pray
How to start talking to God
https://lifeteen.com/blog/prayer-101-start-talking-god/
Overwhelmed with school, family expectations, coronavirus? This prayer method can help!
https://bustedhalo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/BH-CrisisRetreat-final.pdf
Watch
Coming soon!
Explore
National Bible Week is November 15-21
See how well you do with this Scripture scavenger hunt.
- When did Paul shave his head and why? (Acts 18:18 & Numbers 6)
- When did Jesus spit? (John 9:6)
- When was Jesus so happy he wasn’t even hungry? (John 4:25-36)
- When did Jesus cook fish on a campfire on a beach? (John 21:9)
- When did a riot almost break out because silversmiths were afraid that if too many people became Christians the market for silver idols would collapse? (Acts 19:23-40)
- When did Jesus take two tries to cure a blind man? (Mark 8:22-25)
- When did a disciple get money from fishing without either earning wages or selling the fish? (Matthew 17:27)
- When did many Jewish priests become Christians? (Acts 6:7)
- When did Jesus’ followers sit on the grass and arrange themselves in neat rows, like flower beds? (Mark 6:39-40)
- Who gave a big party for Jesus? (Luke 5:27-29)
- Which apostle do we know was married? (Mark 1:30)
(From the “Trading Post” section of Religion Teachers’ Journal, January 1994, p. 41 and April/May 1994, p. 42. Questions by Diana Faust, Tinley Park IL)
Reflect
Create a Thanksgiving Journal
Write a creative letter to God, thanking God for all the many blessings in your life. To begin writing your prayer, write “Dear God” at the top of your paper. Then, follow the guidelines below to create your thanksgiving prayer to God.
- Thank God For Your Blessings: Sometimes, we don’t always take the effort or time in our lives to name the blessings God gives us. Begin your prayer writing, “Thank you God for the gifts of…” Write on your paper at least five things, people, or experiences you are grateful for. Open your eyes and your heart to your daily gifts of friendships, family, your basic needs, health, etc. Remember those who have given you love and valued your friendship.
- Thank God for Your Talents: Pause and think of the skills and talents God has blessed you with. Are you a good listener? Musically talented? Artistic? A good athlete? Energetic? Humorous? Good in school? Thank God for at least three talents you have been blessed with.
- Be a Blessing to the World: How will you do something nice for someone this Thanksgiving season? Close your letter to God by saying, “God, I want to show my gratitude to others by…” End your prayer by writing, “Amen.”
Place your prayer in the journal: When you are finished, put your prayer in a sheet protector and place it in a gratitude journal on your prayer table.
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October
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Watch
We return to the early Christian communities and learn of the challenges they had to care for their members. Just like today, solutions to quarrels and challenges can be found.
October Teen Video
Confirmation Connection
Video
With the appointment of seven deacons to care for the hungry, the established Church began. They soon created a Creed, a statement of beliefs.
Confirmation Connection Video
Cadence 5:59
Introducing Cadence at 5:59! Cadence at 5:59 will be a regular feature on Faith Formation L!VE.
Cadence at 5:59
Read
Did God Cause Covid-19?
The effects of the Coronavirus have lasted longer than we expected, disrupted our lives, and possibly shaken our faith. This blog from LifeTeen helps us to understand where God is in all of this.
Did God Cause COVID-19?
How should Catholics respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Watch
Carlos Acusti's Story
Carlo Acusti, a soccer player, video gamer, and web designer was born in 1991, died when only 15 years old, and was beatified in 2020. He said, “All are born originals, many die as photo copies.” Watch the story of this young saint.
Carlo Acusti Video
Read
Every Sunday at Mass, we stand and profess our faith by saying “I believe…” The Creed is a statement that contains the central beliefs and doctrines of the Catholic faith. It truly is, in a sense, our Catholic “national anthem.” But just like the singing of our “Star Spangled Banner” can become just another song we sing without thinking much about what it means, the words of the Creed can become just another set of words we recite without realizing their depth, meaning, and power.
Do you really believe in what we profess about our faith? A “yes” or “no” answer really isn’t adequate. Believing is supposed to make a difference in how we live our lives. If you say you believe, is your life any different because of your belief?
These are important questions to ask as you move closer to celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation. Take a critical look at what we believe as Catholics as stated in our Creed, and what difference, if any, our believing makes in how we live our lives.
Take a few minutes with each statement. Use the link below to find the Nicene Creed. Do some research if there is a statement you don’t understand. Discuss with a parent or sponsor.
Why do Catholics pray the creed?
Pray
“Prayer Isn’t Always Easy: Tips to Help Get You in the Habit of Praying!”
1. Mind
In order to pray, you have to decide to pray. Making the deliberate choice to pray puts your mind in a good place to be able to both talk and listen to God. Making the choice to pray at a specific time and place will allow you to prepare your mind and your heart ahead of time!2. Time
Prayers can be quick or they can last for days. Like any good conversation, good prayer takes quality time. You want to be sure to leave time to listen for the voice of God. Choosing a set time to pray each day can also be helpful in making prayer a “good habit” in your life.3. Place
You can talk to God anywhere, but having a good place to pray can help you focus quickly and put you in the right frame of mind to meet with God. Consider creating your own sacred space. This could be in your bedroom, in the woods, or even in your car. Choose a place that is free of distraction and that you can go to regularly.4. Body
Figuring out what to do with your body during prayer can be very helpful. Using the body in prayer has been a part of our faith tradition since the beginning. Consider trying out one or more of these actions or postures in your prayer time: Sign of the Cross, bowing, sitting, kneeling, open hands – palms up, hands lifted in the air, dancing, laying prostrate (flat on the ground, face down).5. What to Say
What do you talk about when you pray? Some find it helpful to use traditional prayers; others talk to God using their own words, and many people do both. Whatever you choose, remember that prayer is all about your relationship with God and others. Talk to God like you would talk to a friend. Don’t do all the talking; make sure you take time to listen! Remember others in your prayer as well. Include the needs of your friends and family, your local community, and even the world.6. Ritual
There are many ways to pray! Over the millennia, people have developed rituals and forms for prayer. Consider prayers like the Rosary, Centering Prayer, Stations of the Cross, Prayer with Icons, novenas, Ignatian Prayer, and so on. Your church may even have prayer traditions of its own that you can learn and incorporate into your personal prayer time.
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September
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Being part of a community is important to each of us. We need a sense of belonging and support. Everyone’s community is different. How can you build your community?
God and Community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1yZgwv1DMU
Pray: Prayer isn’t always in a church or a separate quiet place: https://lifeteen.com/blog/boredom-prayers/
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