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. Lectio Divina helps us become better listeners to God and others and reminds us of the importance of His Word. 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 POWER OF PRAYER
This month, we learned that prayer is engaging in a conversation and relationship with God. Like a friend, God wants us to share with Him all of the things that we are experiencing in our lives. He wants to hear about our fears, successes, sorrows, and even our anger and disappointments. God understands all of these emotions because He experienced them through His Son, Jesus Christ. We spoke about a way to pray to God (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication), which follows from the prayer that Jesus taught us, the Our Father.
Have you ever wondered why we should pray? Why should we talk to and have a relationship with God? Watch this video from Fr. Mike Schmitz on how prayer transforms us:
→ MONTHLY LECTIO DIVINA: Philippians 4:6-7
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Questions to consider:
- When you pray, what do you find helps you? Talking to God like a friend, reciting a prayer, reading a book, sitting in silence, or praying with a friend/group of people/family?
- Paul tells us to not be anxious but to tell God our worries and sorrows to that he may help us. When you are nervous, stressed, or sad, who do you turn to first for help? Do you trust that God will take care of your worries?
- How do we know God listens to our prayers?
→ MONTHLY VISIO DIVINA: Christ in Gethsemane by Heinrich Hofmann
About this piece
We see unfolding the beginning of Jesus’ Passion from Matthew 26:36-44, Mark 14:32-41, and Luke 22:39-46, famously known as “The Agony in the Garden”. The drama in this painting is emphasized with the lighting and the intense clasped hands, yet Jesus’ face remains calm and even peaceful. Because of the lighting, all you can see are stone and a thorn bush (referencing the crown of thorns!).
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?
- In this picture, Jesus is praying to God the Father before His crucifixion. What do you think He is praying about?
→ HOMEWORK
- Write a reflection on Philippians 4:6-7 and Christ in Gethsemane using the questions as guidance (3-5 sentences for each)
- Complete “The 4 Ways to Pray.”
