Week 1 - Looking at Now

Catholic Renewal

Welcome to week one of our six week journey to renewal.  Before we get started please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Victoria.  I am currently living in the Pacific Northwest.  I became Catholic as an adult in 1998 at Easter Vigil, after completing my Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Class (RCIA).  My husband had become Catholic the previous year.  I am so glad that I came into the faith.  There are so many, many things I appreciate about being Catholic.

I, perhaps like you, feel that I often fall short of what I could be for God.  These next few weeks will allow us to examine where we are right now, where we would like to go, and perhaps even plan ways to get there.

So, shall we get started?   I will be using the Catechism of the Catholic Church (which can be found on line at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm

SECTION ONE
“I BELIEVE” 

26      We begin our profession of faith by saying: “I believe” or “We believe.” Before expounding the Church’s faith, as confessed in the Creed, celebrated in the liturgy, and lived in observance of God’s commandments and in prayer, we must first ask what “to believe” means. Faith is man’s response to God, who reveals himself and gives himself to man, at the same time bringing man a superabundant light as he searches for the ultimate meaning of his life. Thus we shall consider first that search (Chapter One), then the divine Revelation by which God comes to meet man (Chapter Two), and finally the response of faith (Chapter Three).  (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

We will spend time on each of the chapters, divided into weeks.  This week we will look at our faith and answer that important question, where am I right now with my faith?

I would like you to think about 4 questions:

1. How do I know God?
2. How do I speak about God?
3. Where am I in my faith journey right now?
4. Where would I like to be in my faith journey and how will I give that expression?

This Lenten Season my priest, Father Ben Innes, shared with me something that has caused me to move forward and risk in my journey.  The summary of what he shared was, you can stand on the shore and talk about your faith and beliefs OR you can step into the ocean and take action on you beliefs.

This week, I would like you to reflect on the four questions I posted above and then create a layout about one or more of the themes.  If your journaling of thoughts is too personal to share, feel free to have a hidden page to write on.

So our tasks this week are:

1. Review the on line Catechism of the Catholic Church, especially the introduction to section one.
2. Contemplate your Lenten experience and answer the four questions
3. Create a piece of art that reflects your journey right now.  Please feel free to add a link below so we can look and admire your creation!

I will be back shortly with my example to share as well.

Peace be with you as you explore this week.

~ Victoria

Here is my week one layout.  I am doing the 8 1/2 x 11 size.

The color is off a little since it is a gloomy day in the Pacific Northwest.