A Word From Dave Retseck, Director of Faith Formation

 The end of October generates a lot of discussion and activities about saints in Faith Formation. Our eighth-graders are preparing for Confirmation next year will display their selections for Confirmation names during the annual Saints Showcase at the 5 p.m. Mass this Sunday. Some will even give witness to the assembly about their selections and why they chose their saint’s name.
Meanwhile, our seventh-graders are discerning and researching saints that they connect with, and might want to choose as they continue preparing for the sacrament in two years.
Our younger students in grades 3 and 4 don costumes and participate in our annual Holy-ween event to help them celebrate the saints.
Above all this, we honor the Feast of All Saints on Friday, November 1 (a holy day of obligation) to remember the men, women, teens and children who responded to God’s call of holiness in their lives and mentor us – even today – to say “yes” to Christ in our lives.
God has a universal call for EVERYONE. All of us, as Christ’s followers are called to holiness. If we follow that call to be holy, then we also seek to become saints.
Think about the variety of saints in our Church’s rich history.
Which saint inspires you, in this moment of your life? Is it one from your childhood that you knew and to whom you prayed, or as your life has changed, have you sought comfort and support from other saints, who know just what you are going through, because they, too, as St. Paul says, “… fought the good fight”?
Take some time this week to think about the saints who are part of your life, praying for you and encouraging you to respond to your call to holiness every day.
 

• Dave Retseck, Director of Faith Formation