Welcome to the online component for your faith formation! After each class, you will have a month to visit the Student Page to listen, watch, and read materials based on what you learned. These mini-sessions are meant to build upon what you learned in class, and give you tools to continue to grow deeper in your faith.
In each section, you will find:
- LEARN MORE: This section summarizes what we learned, and gives you additional information that builds upon what we learned, either through a video or an article. Watch/read it, chew on it, and discuss with your parents!
- LECTIO DIVINA: meaning divine reading, is a way of praying with the Bible (yes, you can pray with the Bible!). This is different from a Bible study; I am not asking you to look up and research facts about this passage (although helpful to understand the context of a particular passage), but I am asking you to reflect on how God is speaking to you personally through His Word. Remember that the story of the Bible is the story of US! It is the story of You and God. The time you spend praying the Lectio Divina is entirely up to you and varies by person. Click here to learn how to pray Lectio Divina.
- VISIO DIVINA: meaning divine seeing, is a way of praying with a sacred piece of art, and follows the same steps as Lectio. Click here to learn how to pray Visio Divina.
- HOMEWORK: the assignment that you will complete for next class will be placed here. Please complete your homework assignments in the Google Form at the bottom of each section. If you have any trouble, have your parents email me at
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In addition, your parents will have their own online ‘mini-session.’ Remind your parents of their “homework” and reflect and discuss the material with them!
→ LEARN MORE: THE STORY OF THE BIBLE
In class, we spoke of the Bible as a collection of books that told the story of God divinely revealing himself to His Creation; it is a story of love between God and His Creation, the story of God’s love for YOU! Due to humanity’s free choice, they chose to stray from God and rupture their relationship with Him. God, loving His Creation so much, establishes a covenant with His Creation in order to fix this relationship. This covenant develops over time leading to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. But, what is that story? Please watch this Bible Project video below to get a quick summary of this story:
The Story of the Bible • What It's About From Beginning to End
→ MONTHLY LECTIO DIVINA: Jeremiah 1:4-9
Please take 5 minutes to reflect on this passage from the Bible. This is a passage from the book of Jeremiah, a major prophet in the Old Testament:
The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
“Alas, LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.
Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.”
Questions to Consider:
- God says to Jeremiah that before he was born, God knew him and set him apart for great things. God also says that to us. What do you think about this?
- Some people say that young people are ‘too young’ to speak their mind and to make a change. If someone said this to you, what would you say in response?
- God gives courage to Jeremiah and puts words in his mouth to speak. Oftentimes, our fear stops us from trying new things or being the best version of ourselves. How is God speaking to your fears?
→ MONTHLY VISIO DIVINA: The Resurrection of Christ, created by monks in the Cell of St. John the Theologian Holy Monastery of Koutloumousiou in Mount Athos, Greece
About this piece
The icon of the Resurrection, also known as “Christ’s Descent into Hades*” is the icon of Easter, celebrating Jesus’ triumph over death. The icon depicts Jesus Christ descending into Hades and pulling Adam and Eve from the tombs, symbolizing His victory back to the very beginning of mankind. The two golden bars under Jesus’ feet (note that His feet and hands still carry the signs of His crucifixion) are the gates of Hades which He has broken open. On the left of the icon, we see David and Solomon, representing those who died before Jesus’ crucifixion, waiting patiently in Hades for their Messiah. On the right side of the icon, we see Abel as a shepherd, the first person to die as a result of the Fall, as well as Saint John the Baptist. In the darkness below, keys, locks & chains symbolize that He has entered and conquered both death and Hades.
*In the Apostle’s Creed, we proclaim that, “[Jesus] descended into hell, and the third day rose again from the dead…”. Before Christ’s death and resurrection, all who died were unable to enter into the Kingdom of heaven; there was a divide between humanity and God. As such, all the souls of the dead would descend to the realm of the dead, often spoken of as Hades, Sheol, or hell.
Questions to Consider
- What catches your eye about this picture? Describe why it catches your eye. What do you think God is trying to tell you through this?
- How do you see yourself in this picture?
→ HOMEWORK
- Write a reflection on Jeremiah 1:4-9 and The Resurrection of Christ, using the questions as guidance (3-5 sentences for each).
- Complete the Scripture Scavenger Hunt.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR HOMEWORK HERE
