WHAT:
"From Ritual to Relationship" is a mission that explores the question: "How do the rituals that Catholics regularly participate in help us to grow in our relationship with God?" Or, perhaps, vice versa!
Have you ever wondered why the Sacraments are so essential and take place at key moments in our lives? Or why sacramentals and private prayers are also vital? Have you ever sought to enrich your participation in Holy Mass or your recitation of the Rosary? This mission will focus on how concrete external rituals reflect and connect to spiritual realities, draw us deeper into them, and strengthen our faith, hope and charity for daily life.
(Note: Although "premiering" for Advent, the content is not particularly Advent-themed. The mission is designed to be used any time of year.)
Please feel free to schedule the mission for whenever is best for your parish/group!
The instructions below are for the diocese of Peterborough, Ontario.
WHERE:
Due to pandemic restrictions, we will be offering two options for participation. The first option: There are several parishes in the diocese of Peterborough, Ontario (listed below) that will be offering an in-person Mass, followed by a viewing of the mission talk in their church building. (The video will be projected onto a screen from a proprietary YouTube link. The video can also be downloaded ahead of time.) If your parish is interested, please contact: jacobsullivan@sacredheartcollege.ca. The second option would be for individual priests or parishioners to host the mission for themselves and those in their community with a home viewing (following all respective pandemic restrictions). If you are interested in hosting a small home viewing, please contact: jacobsullivan@sacredheartcollege.ca for details. Home Viewing Package
WHEN:
(Dates may vary depending on parish; check with the parish you're attending for details.)
December 6 (Monday) 7-9:00pm(ET)
December 7 (Tuesday) 7-9:00pm(ET)
December 8 (Wednesday) 7-9:00pm(ET) Feast of the Immaculate Conception
HOW:
Though the formats will vary to accommodate the needs of different parishes, our suggested format will be as follows. The mission will open each evening with the Mass of the day. (Each of the participating parishes will be offering an in-person Mass at 7:00pm.) Those participating online are asked to attend a local daily Mass before watching each session. Mass will be followed by an opening prayer and then a viewing of each particular evening's 30-minute talk by Sr. Helena Burns. (The video will be projected onto a screen from a proprietary YouTube link. The video can also be downloaded ahead of time). A short break for reflection (reflection questions will be provided), can be followed by a discussion on the reflection questions. Each evening will then be closed with a prayer. Aside from the Mass/mission talk, the format is flexible and can be adapted to each parish's/home's needs and wishes.
Format:
7:00pm--7:45 Holy Mass
7:45--8:15 Watch mission talk of the evening
8:15--8:30 Silent reflection on the questions OR Refreshments (outside of church, of course)
8:30--8:55 Discussion on the questions OR Refreshments followed by discussion on the questions
8:55--9:00 Closing prayer OR Closing prayer followed by Refreshments
(But seriously, refreshments are completely optional, of course. No need to get extravagant.)
COST:
FREE! (Matthew 10:8).
Sole requirement: a desire to advance in the love of our Returning King and your Catholic Faith!
We hope you'll join us!
WHO:
Sr. Helena Raphael Burns, fsp, is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, an international congregation of Roman Catholic Sisters founded to communicate God's Word through the media. She has an M.A. in Media Literacy Education; a B.A. in theology and philosophy from St. John's University, NYC; studied screenwriting at UCLA and Act One-Hollywood; and holds a Certificate in Pastoral Youth Ministry. Sr. Helena has also studied at the Theology of the Body Institute, PA. She is a columnist on media and culture for the Toronto Catholic Register. She wrote and directed a documentary on the life of Blessed Fr. James Alberione: MediaApostle.com and is a co-producer on The40Film.com.
Sr. Helena gives Media Literacy and Theology of the Body workshops & courses (sacredheartcollege.ca) to youth & adults all over Canada and the U.S., and believes that media can be a primary tool for sharing God's love and salvation. (She is a Canada/USA dual citizen: an international woman of mystery.)