Faith Focus

 

 

Why is the Church getting involved in politics?

"People will often cite separation of church and state when it comes to political issues. The Catholic Church is and remains nonpartisan. So, the Church will never endorse a particular candidate for office. But what we will do is get involved with the issues. So, whether it’s issues that a particular candidate is putting forward as part of their platform, or a political party, we will present those in light of our Gospel teachings. The Church plays an important role in the promotion and the attainment of justice and protection of the common good. Therefore, we’re encouraged to participate in public life, and to apply our Gospel values to political activities. When it comes to issues, I think that we not only have a right, but a responsibility as Christians to get involved in the political sphere, and to make sure that our voice is heard."

– Bishop Gregory Parkes, Diocese of St. Petersburg

 

Throughout the month of November our school community will be focused on the theme of “Leadership”. The dictionary definition for this term is simply the action of leading a group of people or an organization. Through the lens of our Catholic faith, this definition is lacking in regard to the weight of responsibility for any good leader. We prefer a pregnant explanation that recognizes there is much more to this understand beyond the superficial glance. Christian implications to this term must be perpetually wed in order that the coming of the Kingdom of God be the fruit of all leadership. And so this month, let us look at what Christ-centered leadership looks like in various areas of our pilgrim journey toward Heaven. No better place to start than with Jesus.

 

 

I think we can all agree that parenting is tough! We want to provide for our children but not over indulge. We desire discipline for them but don’t want to be too harsh. We want to raise them in the Church and hope that they will then take the bull by the horns with their own faith journey. All of this can feel like a tight-rope walk with the slightest misstep leading to disaster. Thanks be to God, parents aren’t the Savior, Jesus is. Our Parental leadership and parental authority are very real responsibilities not be taken lightly. (see CCC 2222-2230 for a brief insight) But, we must remain dependent on God in order to fulfill such a scared duty. How can we do that practically? Let’s lead with prayer when leading our children.

Prayer: A Parent's Prayer for their Children

Jesus was a leader. He displayed leadership par excellence and a defining part of Christ’s modeling for us was servant leadership. As our Lord was about to enter into his Passion, he washed the feet of his Apostles, communicating that ownership of authentic leadership should be coupled with humility and a desire to will the good of others. How can we actively “will the good of others” in our daily life? Perhaps by making a cup of coffee for your spouse as they rush through the morning routine. Maybe join a committee here at TC, dedicating your time and talents to our community. Consider picking up a holiday shift with your kids at local a nonprofit you are passionate about. Servant leadership can be demonstrated in so many different ways and all of it glorifies our gracious God.

 

Read more: 'Catholic Servant Leadership and the Golden Rule' Article

 

Being Catholic is and absolute grace and privilege beyond what the heart and mind can grasp. Between the Scriptures and the Sacraments, everyday has the spiritual potential of feeling like Christmas morning. But, St. Luke reminds us in chapter 12 of his Gospel, “much will be required of the person entrusted with much”.  As baptized Catholics we are expected to lead in our world as priest, prophet, and king. Our leadership, no matter our state in life, must be clear, bold, and rooted in the Person of Jesus. In society there exists so much uncertainty, many lies, much darkness. May we lead with our baptismal responsibilities; reassuring the anxious, fearlessly speaking truth, and dispelling all shadows with the light of Christ dwelling in us.

Read more: 'Priest, prophet, and king - who, me?' Article

This month our "Faith Focus" theme for the school community is "preparation". This current liturgical season, Advent, begins our Church calendar and invites us in beautifully to such a theme. Let's review the basics of this season just as a refersher for some of us that may be rusty or for some of us that haven't had the blessing of participating in the rhythms and dispositions of Advent. The Oxford Dictionary defines advent as the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. For Christians, it is the preparation time prior to celebrating the birth of Jesus and it includes four preceding Sundays that lead up to the great feast day of the Nativity of Christ. How do you prepare for a notable person's arrival? With great intention! That's exactly the mindset of the Catholic Church when it comes to the Advent season. Let us prepare for the arrival of The Most Notable Person!

 

 

 

 

Teamwork is our school’s overarching theme for the month of February. Did you know that 85% of our student population participates with an athletic team? Physical activity is proven to support mental health and physical health. How good! Do you realize the spiritual benefits of being part of a team? In its very nature a team opposes the self-centered mindset that culture often attempts to profess as honorable. Children come to realize as a member of a team that there exists a goal and good beyond their individual accomplishments or ego. They are a significant part of the whole, recognizing their need to cooperate, be sacrificial, and remain supportive of teammates. Can you hear the echo of Scripture? Take a moment to read 1 Corinthians 12: 12-26, allowing the logic of God’s word to strengthen our understanding of teamwork. 

 

Read More: 1 Corinthians 12:12-36

Have you ever felt alone on the spiritual journey? Who could possibly understand the challenges you have been through and are currently in? Praise be to God, we have a spiritual team and it’s called the Communion of Saints. People just like you that have toiled through the obstacles of this life, now bask in eternal triumph and are accessible to you! Our Lord gifted us with this heavenly team of collaborative partners to help bare the earthly load. How often do we approach these holy men and women as dependable teammates, capable of the teamwork in bringing God’s Kingdom come? Do not delay! St. Joseph, patron of fathers, pray for us. St. Monica, patron of mothers, pray for us. St Valentine, bishop and martyr, pray for us on this your feast day.  

 

 

Teamwork within the family is a nonnegotiable. This fundamental community impacts the entirety of society. In the home, each individual learns how important it is to be dependable, cooperative, forgiving, and so much more. If these are not modeled and experienced in the home how can a child bring these attributes into the communities where they exist? Nurturing the virtues that come with teamwork is the responsibility of the domestic church, the Christian family. Take the time to reflect upon 2207 from the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a guidepost in gifting the culture with authentic teamwork rooted in God.  

 

Read More: The Family and Society 

This month’s community-wide theme is “sacrifice”. How appropriate for us as we enter into the liturgical season of Lent. Throughout this penitential time the faithful are called into three distinct practices; prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Each of these Lenten pillars invites Christians into sacrificial activities for the sake of shifting our self-centered concerns to an others-centered mindset. We sacrifice our time when we pray a rosary for a loved one’s needs. We sacrifice personal indulgence when we abstain from meat each Friday. We sacrifice with our finances when we slip $10 into the poor box at church each week. These small sacrifices have transformative power. Let’s watch this “Lent in 3 minutes” video to support us on our sacrificial journey. 

 

Redemptive suffering is a concept your student will be exposed to several times throughout their years at Tampa Catholic. Redemptive suffering recognizes that Christians, through the power of Jesus, can transform difficulties with God’s grace. When we endure one of life’s challenges humbly and unite that sacrifice with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, power is unleashed. Because our Lord was able to redeem all people in every age with his Passion and death, when united with Him, Christian people also share in that transformative power! Next time you have a headache, stub your toe, or perhaps are angered by traffic, consider uniting those sufferings to our Lord as a sacrifice. Offer them up for a special prayer intention, trusting that Jesus has allowed you to cooperate with him in his great plan of redemption. 

 

Read more: From the Catechism

Sacrifices often feel like death! This may be a bit dramatic but we know how difficult it is to be kind to someone who isn’t extending kindness to us. Or how hard it is to forgive someone who has betrayed our trust. Dying to self can be a tremendous sacrifice and feel very uncomfortable. Take heart, my friends! That discomfort is just the growing pains of increasing holiness. Jesus tells us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”.  The Lord also communicates that our Father in Heaven makes the sun rise on the good and bad alike. Thank God for this mercy! Sometimes we are on the “bad” side, the unkind one, and what a grace when others sacrifice, extending kindness to us regardless of our actions.

 

Take a moment to reflect upon Matthew 5:43-48

“Don’t let your left hand know what you right is doing.” Mt 6:3 These words from our Lord are very counter-cultural. Too often we are tempted to believe that the affirmation of others is part of the formula for doing good. As if the best credit for the good we do is the acknowledgement and praise others extend us. Yet in this Gospel verse, Jesus reassures that a good deed done in secret is a gift to our Father in Heaven. He has repayment far superseding what the world can offer. As a spiritual bonus, in sacrificing the awareness of others, we are actually increasing in humility.  What a transformative virtue we could all increase in! May this litany help us on the journey. 

 

Read more: The Litany of Humanity

“Faith and Hope” is our community-wide theme for April. Once again, the liturgical season aligns so beautifully for us. We are still navigating through the desert of Lent but the end is near! We have been and are still journeying with enduring faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We have faith that He will sustain us as we continue our sacrifices and we have faith that these sacrifices will increase our holiness. All of this leads to the bubbling up of hope. “We who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us.” Hb6:18 

His glorious Resurrection lies before us! Hold fast in faith and hope, dear friends.

Crusader family, are you basking in the joy of the Resurrection?! The Easter season gushes faith, hope, and love for 50 days! The great joy of these realities is that Jesus Christ is Risen! He has given every human, throughout the duration of time, the opportunity to be swept up in His mercy forever. What extraordinary news! God’s generosity toward us can not be outdone. Therefore, rejoice in the glory of our Catholic faith. Christians have the hope of our Lord that has won the victory over sin and death. Christ is risen! And all the people say, “He is risen indeed!”.