Mind, Body, and Spirit Retreats For Young People

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Mind, Body, and Spirit Retreats For Young

People 2008 E. Fulham, St. Paul Catholic School, DOSP

Lord, Open our minds and hearts as we begin our Mind, Body, and Spirit Retreat Day. Help us to understand that we are called

to love one another and to see that You didn’t give us all our gifts and

talents so we would keep them to ourselves. Let us be more aware of the ways we can put our faith into action. Help us to understand that we are called to show love and respect for all that You have created in

this world. Amen.

2 2008 E. Fulham, St. Paul Catholic School, DOSP

God’s Gift of CommunityChristian Charity

Putting Faith Into Action

Caring For God’s CreationGod’s Gift of the EarthGlobal Water CrisisBeing Good Stewards of the Earth

Group Activity: Wanted Poster, Lunches to Go

Physical Activity: Yoga Life Skill: Stewardship


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For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,

slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. (1 Cor

12:13)

2008 E. Fulham, St. Paul Catholic School, DOSP

As a member of the Catholicfaith community, Catholics are connected in spirit with other Catholics everywhere.

This special spiritual connection is called The Communion of

Saints.

The Communion of Saints gives Catholics the gift of an extended faith family. This faith family includes all those who live now, all those who have ever lived, and all those who have not yet been born.


Reaching out to others is a great way to put faith into action.

Communities are filled with people who have many different needs.

God gives us many opportunities to use our gifts in service to others while helping our community.


Feed the hungry. Give drink to the

thirsty. Give clothes to those

who have none. Shelter the

homeless. Visit the sick. Visit the imprisoned. Bury the dead.


Help the sinner. Teach the ignorant. Counsel the

doubtful. Comfort the

sorrowful. Bear wrongs

patiently. Forgive injuries. Pray for the living

and the dead.


Real charity requires giving up something in order to

help someone else.

Charity is a way of showing witness to the

love of Jesus Christ.


“Through the eyes of faith, the starving child, the believer in jail, and the woman without clean water or health care are

not issues but Jesus in disguise.”

Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for U.S. Parishes, USCCB


Walking into an empty church on Sunday morning

Being the only one in attendance at a funeral for a loved one

Being seriously ill in the hospital with no visitors

Being in trouble, and having no one to turn to for help

Having no friends that share your values and beliefs


Discuss the various groups in which you are, or have been, an active member, such as a soccer team, yearbook

committee, band, or youth group.

How often do the members in your group gather together? How is the group affected if you choose not to participate? Is support for one another an important factor for your

group’s success? Can people join this group without having to do anything

to help the other members in the group?


How often do the members in your faith community gather together?

How is the group affected if you choose not to participate? Is support for one another an important factor for your

group’s success? Can people join this group without having to do anything

to help the other members in the group?


Praying for an unborn child, someone who has died, or someone in need

Actively participating in Liturgy

Inviting a friend to attend church

Volunteering to help a neighbor in need

Putting money in the St. Vincent de Paul box

Baking cookies for a struggling family

Spending time with someone lonely

Helping with family responsibilities

Sending a card to a distant family member, war veteran, or prisoner

Resisting gossip among friends Rejoicing in good news with

friends


Divide into groups of two or three. Use the poster board and materials provided to design a Wanted Poster to recruit people to join you in a group called “Putting Faith Into Action.” Include

detailed information such as membership requirements, how often members meet, and the benefits of joining.


Presenter: Refer to Activity Summary Page

Leaving the World a Beautiful Place for Future Generations


“The world that God created has been entrusted to us. Our use of it must be directed by God’s plan for creation, not simply for our own benefit. We show

our respect for the Creator by our care for creation.”

USCCB Administrative Committee, Faithful citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility, p. 15


All people are responsible for being good stewards of the earth.


In 2006, 700 million people lived in countries without access to sufficient

water.

Water-borne disease kills 1.8 million children in

developing countries each year, or 1 child every three minutes. 19

2008 E. Fulham, St. Paul Catholic School, DOSP


Families Can Make Simple ChangesTo Become Good Stewards of the Earth.


Many home cleaning products are harmful to the earth. They contain damaging chemicals that disturb the ecological balance. Use “green” cleaning products that are biodegradable and designed with the earth in mind.

www.educationforjustice.org


Biodegradable substances contain properties that permits them to be broken down by bacteria and other microorganisms into simple, stable products that will not harm the environment.

http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/eco_info/glossary/index.cfm


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Mind, Body, and Spirit Retreats For Young People