FORMATION 2006

FOREWORD.

Knights of the Southern Cross – Australia

When discussing the Formation Programme for 2006, members of the National Executive proposed as the topic “The Lives of the Saints”. They expressed the wish to see what influence the saints should have on our lives.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of canonised saints in the last quarter of a century. Pope John Paul II made a conscious effort to show that holiness should not be regarded as a rare thing, available only to a few, but is something demanded of each of us. He canonised a great number from different walks of life to show that holiness is achievable in many and varied ways.

It is my hope that, in reflecting on the lives and activities of some whose holiness has been recognised by the Church, we will come to appreciate that we are all called to be saints. We can and should make a difference to the world in which we live and to the communities of which we are a part.

Our primary aim should be to love God and to love our neighbours. Our thoughts about some saints, in different vocations, from different backgrounds, with different talents and responding to different needs, should spur us on.

A hymn in the Prayer of the Church for the Feast of All Saints (November 1^st) says:

“May all that splendid company,

Whom Christ came in glory to meet,

Help us on our uneven road

Made smoother by their passing feet.”

I would like to express my thanks to Sister Anne McMillan RSM, Director of the Ballarat Diocesan Pastoral Ministry Office, for once again giving generously of her time and expertise in the preparation of this Program.

+ Ronald A Mulkearns

National Chaplain.

“The Saints in our Lives”

Formation Program for 2006

“Father…..You renew the Church in every age by raising up men and women outstanding in holiness, living witnesses of your unchanging love. They inspire us by their heroic lives and help us by their constant prayers to be the living sign of your saving power” Preface for Holy Men and Women II – Masses of all saints.

Segments

1. "The Making of a Saint"

The intent of the Church in ‘the making of Saints’

2. "Padre Pio"

Capuchin Priest, Mystic, Confessor, Stigmatic. For 50 years he suffered the five wounds

of the crucifixion..

3. "Mary MacKillop"

Founder of Religious Order, Australian saint and educator

4. "John XXIII"

The first Pope of the Second Vatican Council.

5. "Eurosa Fabris"

A wife and mother presenting a model of sanctity accessible to all.

6. "Matt Talbot"

A layman who turned his life around.

7. "Damian of Molokai"

The priest of Molokai, saint of the lepers.

8. "Communion of Saints"

We are all able to be ‘saints’

Points for Successful Formation Programmes

Choose a formation leader for the year so that someone is responsible for the facilitation of the segment.

·        These formation segments require each participant to ideally have his own copy of the Readings, therefore a copy of the Session should be provided for each member at the each meeting.

Abide strictly to the allotted time; not less than twenty nor more than thirty minutes.

FORMAT OF PRAYER SEGMENTS

(20 mins)

1.         opening PRAYERS

v     Opening Prayers from the Order Prayers for Meetings of the Order.

2.                  PRAYER FOCUS

v     Each segment will address a theme taken from the Order Prayers and the Objects of the Order.

3.         THE WORD

v     The Word of God and related reading from Church documentation is proclaimed. This is read by the discussion leader or member/s nominated by him.

4.         reflection

v     Silent reflection on the Word of God and other readings. (5 mins.)

5.         THE SHARING

v     Members share their reflection on the Word and responses to discussion points. (10 mins.)

6.         CLOSING PRAYERS

v     Closing Prayer as in the Order Prayers for Meetings of the Order.

Acknowledgements:

The Scripture quotations used in the programme are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Material on the Saints taken from the website of the Holy See.

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Last updated: 12/02/2006