Connect Parent Formation
Connect Parent Formation 2023-24
The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo
"Then God said: Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the tame animals, all the wild animals, and all the creatures that crawl on the earth." (Genesis 1:26)
Genesis 1:26-2:3
Explanation: God has made each person as good and as an irreplaceable treasure. In their freedom, our first parents let trust in God die in their hearts and rejected God’s plan of blessing for their lives. God is merciful and never stops pursing the heart of each person and offering a specific plan of blessing for his or her life.
Catechism of the Catholic Church References:
27-36, 41, 356, 368, 843, 1431, 1718-1719, 2015, 2562-2566, 2843
Compass Resource – Fruitful Conversations
The Annunciation by Fra Angelico
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)
Explanation: God did not abandon us in our state of confusion, rebellion, misery, and pain. In the fullness of time He sent His only Son, Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary to reconcile us with the Father. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and invites every person to live in relationship with Him by receiving His help and obeying His commands. All that God commands is for our own good.
Catechism of the Catholic Church References:
Compass Resource – Sexual Education
Chora Anastasis, Chora Church, Istanbul (14th Century)
Explanation: Every person at some point in his or her life has to face big questions. What is the meaning of life? If God is all good how can there be so much suffering? How do I find happiness? Jesus Christ is the answer to man’s deepest questions.
Catechism of the Catholic Church References:
Compass Resource – Gender and Sexual Identity
Slide Presentation - HERE
Descent of the Holy Spirit by Anton Raphael Mengs 1751
Explanation: God created every person with the capacity to make a gift of self and to love the way that God loves. The Sacrament of Matrimony is a beautiful revelation of this mystery.
Catechism of the Catholic Church References:
2331-2332, 2339, 2347, 2364, 2366, 2378, 2393, 2516, 2518-2520.
Compass Resource – Pornography
Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Hubert and Jan van Eyck
Explanation: God made us to be “priests” in the realm of creation – to intuit the goodness of creation and offer praise to God. We offer praise to God by making gifts of self, such as through our work, by engaging in loving relationships, and most especially by participating in the sacred liturgy. As baptized Christians we are united to Jesus through faith and love and experientially enter into His life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. The liturgy makes these events present as we do it “in memory” of Jesus.
Catechism of the Catholic Church References:41, 257, 280, 282-286, 293-299, 300-314, 338-339, 341, 356, 571, 1067, 1069, 1085, 1089, 1091, 1127, 1137-1158, 1163, 1168, 1361, 1363, 1604, 1721-1722, 1951, 2174, 2460, 2465, 2809
Compass Resource - Race and Racism
The Annunciation by Paolo de Matteis, 1712
Explanation: We are saved through hearing God’s word, taking Him at His word and believing Him, and accepting His gift of salvation won by Jesus in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. We get to heaven by following the way of Mary - by saying “yes” to God and allowing Him to make us like Jesus, “the author and perfector of our faith” (Luke 1:38, Heb 12:2). By His Holy Spirit, God changes our hearts so that we desire the things of God and have the help we need to act like God. God promises to give us the fullness of this saving grace through the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist.
Catechism of the Catholic Church References: 154, 155, 166, 618, 628, 766, 793, 1068, 1085, 1115, 1168-1169, 1225, 1682, 2014-2015, 977-978, 1221, 1239-1241, 1243, 1262, 1263, 1265, 1267, 1269, 1306-1308, 1302-1314, 1337, 1340, 1357, 1366, 1374, 1377.
Compass Resource - Faith Matters.
Msgr. Todd's Presentation on the Eucharist
What Happens at Mass?
DETAILS HERE
