A. Contemporary Spirituality:
Living your Faith in a Materialistic Society

Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul.  The other things on the face of the earth are created for man to help him in attaining the end for which he is created.  Hence, man is to make use of them insofar as they help him in the attainment of his end, and he must rid himself of them insofar as they prove a hindrance to him.

- Ignatius Loyola

1. Discussion and Journal Topics

  • How to keep faith-focused in today's world.
  • Avoiding the "rocks of materialism" on the path to spirituality.
  • "Minutes of Gold":  Being people for others.
  • How to integrate and interweave your faith with everyday life.
  • How to avoid (help your children/grandchildren avoid) being caught up in the materialism surrounding us.
  • How to be an effective faith example without wearing religion "on your sleeve."
  • Is simple faith still possible?
  • Examining values that undergird our lives.
  • Scheduling time for prayer.

2. Discussion Aids (See Discussion Aids-A)

a. Suggested Scripture
b. Prayer Sources
c. Other Readings

3. Music (See Music-A)

4. Video Resources (See Video Resources)

B. Spirituality & Ethics in our Daily Lives:
The Practice of Holiness at Home and Work

Those who are put in charge of others should be no prouder of their office than if they had been appointed to wash the feet of their comrades.  They should be no more upset at the loss of their authority than they would be if they were deprived of the task of washing feet.  The more they are upset, the greater the risk they incur to their souls.

- Francis of Assisi

1. Discussion and Journal Topics

  • How to influence workplace decisions for ethical results.
  • How to "counter-point" when confronted with an ethics-compromising decision.
  • Ethical citizenship -A gift to the community.
  • Developing the ability to make ethical judgments in a principled manner.
  • Engaging in constructive and collaborative moral, social and political action.
  • The Gospel and Apostolic writings and general principles of ethical decision-making.
  • Forgiveness:  A critical action in relationship healing.
  • Pope John XXIII stated: "Justice Precedes Charity."  Are we powerless to fix unjust systems?
  • How can we best work for "Economic Justice" and thus, promote peace?

2. Discussion Aids (See Discussion Aids-B)

a. Suggested Scripture
b. Prayer Sources
c. Other Reading

3. Music (See Music-B)

4. Video Resources (See Video Resources)


C. Serenity: 
Finding God's Presence and Peace in the Stress of Daily Life

Just as taking a walk, journeying on foot, and running are bodily exercises, so we call "spiritual exercises" every way of preparing and disposing the soul to rid itself of all inordinate attachments, and, after their removal, of seeking and finding the will of God in the disposition of our life for the salvation of our soul.

- Ignatius Loyola

1. Discussion and Journal Topics

  • How to find God in the midst of stress.
  • The role of prayer, meditation and spiritual-based relaxation in stress reduction.
  • How to become more aware of God's presence and peace.
  • God dwells in the inmost silence of our souls.
  • You are in God's Hands:  "Let go and let God!"
  • Nothing is more practical than finding God.
  • Finding comfort and relief in the love of God.
  • God is present in all things.
  • Finding a place for contemplation: rest for body and soul.
  • Taking God with you on vacation.
  • Examine your mistakes in the presence of God.
  • How can contemplative prayer help simplify your life?

2. Discussion Aids (See Discussion Aids-C)

a. Suggested Scripture
b. Prayer Sources
c. Other Reading

3. Music (See Music-C)

4. Video Resources (See Video Resources)

 

D.The Gift of Grace:
Union with Christ Through the Sacraments

If a man lowers a rope into a well and pulls someone out who could not escape by himself, wouldn't it be true that the man in the well didn't climb out by his own power? And yet he still contributed something of his own to the process by hanging onto the rope and not letting it get away.  The freedom of the will is like that: It can do nothing without grace.  But when the divine goodness grants grace generously, the free will of a good man holds fast to it and cooperates with it properly.

- Thomas More

1. Discussion and Journal Topics

  • Finding time to utilize the sacraments.
  • What happened to the regular use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
  • How to avoid "robotic" reception of the Holy Eucharist.
  • Do you fear "The Sacrament of the Sick," also known as "The Last Rites?"
  • Drawing strength and courage in union with Christ.
  • God wants a personal relationship with each of us!
  • The power of prayer.

2. Discussion Aids (See Discussion Aids-D)

a. Suggested Scripture
b. Prayer Sources
c. Other Reading

3. Music (See Music-D)

4. Video Resources (See Video Resources)

 

© Copyright 2002 Marquette University - Please request permission to copy