Saturday, January 23, 2021

Script for our Seminar on - God - Prayer - Life - Marriage - Family - January 23rd, 2021

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

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GOD 💘 LIFE 💘 MARRIAGE 💘 FAMILY 💘 PRAYER 💘 GOD

https://abbagilles.blogspot.com/p/catholic-christian-tools.html

1. INTRODUCTION - Who is Father Gilles Surprenant? (fathergilles@gmail.com)
?GOD & YOU - - - & MARRIAGE - - - & LIFE - - - & FAMILY (5 minutes)

This session = a SEMINAR / WORKSHOP in the ADRAGOGICAL METHOD

~~CASE STUDIES~~ - ~~SELF-EVALUATION~~ - ~~ROLE PLAYING~~

REPORTING - DIALOGUE - SHARING BEST PRACTICES

I am your FACILITATOR & RESOURCE PERSON

2. OPENING PRAYER: BRIEF HUMBLE GIFT OF SILENCE (3 minutes)

PARAMETERS (45 min)

OPEN FORUM ON : GOD 👈PRAYER 👉 LIFE - MARRIAGE - FAMILY

REQUEST FOR PERMISSION - It may be useful to have an audio recording of our Open Forum. May I have your permission to post it on my web page with your voices as you contribute to our dialogue and as we learn from each other?

WIDE OPEN FORUM: SHARING OUR EXPERIENCES, CHALLENGES, ISSUES, BEST PRACTICES, QUESTIONS....

SETTING THE STAGE

SCENARIO # 1 - Absence of God = Risk of power politics in love, marriage & family

= setting the stage for eventually entrenching in one's fortress VS one's spouse

SCENARIO # 2 - Presence of God = Plug into the Source of love, marriage & family

= relaxing by immediately respecting one another's dignity as given by God the Creator

FOCUS: What has been your experience of God? Interiority? Prayer? Spiritual things?

1)      Are you familiar or comfortable with your interior life?

2)      Perhaps you’ve never really thought much about your interior life?

3)      Do you find the idea or reality of your interior life challenging or frightening?

4)      Where are you with regards to your interiority at this point in your life?

5)      Have you and your fiancé shared about your respective interior life?

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4. A spiritual exercise in PRAYER – whether or not you pray regularly (15 minutes)

1) Sit comfortably, hands resting on knees… Back & head straight… & relax…

2) Be still… adjust your body as you need to in order to let go & relax…

3) Pay attention to your interior landscape as if you were driving in the country…

4) If all is quiet and peaceful, lovely… focus on a kind image of God or Jesus

5) If all is not quiet, notice the noise, words, echoes, whatever comes along…

Acknowledge it briefly and let it go; focus on a kind image of God or Jesus

6) If you are on familiar terms with God or Jesus; have a good visit with Him.

If you are not on familiar terms with God or Jesus, consider this an introduction.
He is very interested in a personal relationship with you: it’s always up to you.

7) You get to decide how open you want to be with the Creator & Saviour….

8) Now you’ll have 7 minutes of silence….

5. Feedback – Q & A – WRAP-UP (5 minutes)

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC

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Tuesday, November 24, 2020

What is the Family Life Chaplaincy Service?

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PDF more detailed version of this file with the history of the FLC in Montreal and a section on Our Lady of Fatima

Family Life Chaplain

What is the Family Life Chaplaincy Service?

Jesus Christ is humanity’s only true wealth… walking with us on our troubled paths… revealing Himself “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24)… making us all brothers and sisters… drawing us out from our comfort to those on the peripheries of life… where the “joy of the Gospel” awaits us in life-giving encounters… as Jesus transforms despair into hope in the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit! (Pope Francis)

Your Family Life Chaplain is your Parish Priest sent by Jesus, through the supervisory authority of the Archbishop of Montreal, to bring the presence and divine mercy of God given to us in Jesus to you and your family in your local parish. Your priest is a happy man because he knows he is loved by God in Jesus, and he continues to offer his life to the Lord in order to be there for you at those times when you sense you need guidance, encouragement, the healing and strength God the Father gives us through his only-begotten Son in the mysterious moments of divine grace we call the Sacraments.

Normally, the best way to meet your pastor is to go to the church for Sunday Mass, because there you will have an opportunity to meet him, find out about his availability, meet other Catholic Christians, and discover the various services offered in your parish. However, during the various degrees of confinement due to the worldwide Covid-19 Pandemic, you could start by locating your parish’s contact information, and then make contact with them. If you are not familiar with your local parish, you can find it here.

May the peace of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ and his Eternal Father be with you and your family!

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Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Catholic Christian Couple & Parent Spirituality Moments for Daily Catholic Christian Devotions All Day Long

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EXCEL file for note taking & tracking progress PDF file for more details

Please note that some items repeat to help you do them more than once during the day. Be gentle with yourself and take time. These spiritual exercises are rooted in Christian fatih and the Roman Catholic tradition. Try them and track your progress.

We often feel incapable because we are simply human. Offer God your poverty and boldly do these spiritual exercises. Let God manifest his power to love, give life, strengthen, heal, deliver, and protect. Know that when evil, temptation, trouble, or pain come, God knows and allows it for a greater purpose, and trust He is WITH YOU and gives you strength to endure in peace and confidence. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Christ Jesus)." Philippians 4:13

We can do many of these as quickly as a flash of lighting… the key is to exercise within us the power God gives us.

BEGINNING THE DAY

1. BEDTIME Examen prayer before going to sleep

2. RISING Thank and praise God on waking

3. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

4. EARLY MORNING Look for God's Word in Bible

5. Offering God my day while washing & dressing

6. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Morning

7. MASS – Plan, prepare, and participate in Daily Mass

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BEFORE – DURING – AFTER BREAKFAST

8. I ask Jesus to bless OTHERS as I interact with them

9. I ask God to bless me as I prepare breakfast

10. Saying "GRACE" for a blessing before having breakfast

11. Saying "GRACE" to give thanks after having breakfast

12. We put food away and do the dishes together

PREPARING THE WORK / SCHOOL DAY

13. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

14. I ask God's guidance and strength for my morning

15. I bless my spouse & children Father + Son + Holy Spirit

16. I ask God's protection before we drive or travel

17. “Lord bless all those I meet esp. those burdened”

EMBRACING THE WORK / SCHOOL DAY

18. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

19. I ask God's guidance as I enter into my work

20. I work in peace knowing God is with me

21. I face challenges with confidence in God’s help

22. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

23. "God bless my spouse" when s/he comes to mind

24. At an opportune time I meditate silently

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

BEFORE – DURING – AFTER LUNCH

25. I ask God to bless me as I prepare lunch

26. Saying "GRACE" for a blessing before having lunch

27. Saying "GRACE" to give thanks after having lunch

28. We put food away and do the dishes together

29. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them

30. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

EMBRACING THE WORK / SCHOOL DAY

31. I ask God's guidance as I get back into my work

32. I work in peace knowing God is with me

33. I face challenges with confidence in God’s help

34. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

35. I ask God's help as I go out to run errands

36. I take delight whenever I remember I am loved

37. I thank and praise God when I receive help

38. I often let myself be glad to be alive

39. When I see one in trouble I ask God to bless them

40. When I see beauty in others I give God praise

41. As a car cuts me off I ask God's mercy on them

42. "God bless my spouse" when s/he comes to mind

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

PERSONAL TIME

43. At an opportune time I meditate silently

44. I take God with me as I go for a walk and fresh air

45. I take God with me as I take a little nap

BEFORE – DURING – AFTER SUPPER

46. I ask God to bless me as I prepare supper

47. Saying "GRACE" for a blessing before having supper

48. Saying "GRACE" to give thanks after having supper

49. We put food away and do the dishes together

FAMILY TIME

50. Patience - with love I accept to endure a trouble

51. I ask Jesus to bless OTHERS as I interact with them

52. We pray the Rosary together as a couple/family

53. I ask Jesus to bless our children – FUN time

54. I ask Jesus to bless our children – homework

55. I ask Jesus to bless our children – wash & PJ's

56. I ask Jesus to bless our children – story time

57. I ask Jesus to bless our children – prayer / bed time

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COUPLE TIME

58. Mercy – with God's love I forgive the other

59. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

60. I thank God as I look upon my spouse with love

61. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Evening

62. Spouses - we have a SIT DOWN heart to heart chat

63. I / we plan for the possibility of Mass tomorrow

64. I / we thank God and ENJOY some recreation

65. I ask God's mercy as I tie up the day's loose ends

66. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Night

67. Husband: "Lord help me pleasure my wife first, not me."

68. We welcome God and his love to our nuptial bed

Daily or once a week spouses will learn from each other by sharing their experiences and praying together.

Created April 19th, 2018 - Updated October 25th, 2018 - November 17th, 2020

Father Gilles Surprenant, Poustinik fathergilles@gmail.com 514-864-5600 ext. 618

If you want to chat, please do:

Diocesan Center for Marriage, Life, and Family

Katerine Perrault 514-931-7311 ext 233

Ellen Roderick 514-931-7311 ext. 287

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

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Simple Faith & Spirituality Ideas for Daily Catholic Christian Devotions

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EXCEL file for note taking & tracking progress PDF file for more details

Please note that some items repeat to help you do them more than once during the day. Be gentle with yourself and take time. These spiritual exercises are rooted in Christian faith and the Roman Catholic tradition. Try them and track your progress.

1. Examen prayer before going to sleep - e.g. Thank You Father for… forgive me for… Glory..

2. Thank and praise God on waking in the morning - e.g. I thank You and praise You Father for this day

3. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul

4. Early morning glimpse of God's Word in the Bible - e.g. "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening…"

5. Offering God my day while washing & dressing - e.g. "Father, let me walk with Jesus this day…."

6. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Morning - e.g. "God come to my assistance…."

7. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them - e.g. "Lord, bless…."

8. Asking God to bless me as I prepare breakfast - e.g. "Father, bless these elements and your family."

9. Saying "Grace" before having breakfast - e.g. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts…."

10. Saying "Grace" after having breakfast - e.g. "We give You thanks O Lord for all…."

11. We put food away and do the dishes together - e.g. Enjoy the moment and each person….

12. Love connects as I look at crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul…

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

13. I ask God's guidance and strength this morning - e.g. "O Holy Spirit grant me wisdom & strength."

14. I bless my spouse & children F Son + HSp - e.g. "Father, bless…."

15. I ask God's protection before I drive or travel - e.g. "Lord, bless and protect me and everyone…."

16. Lord bless all those I meet esp. those burdened - e.g. "Father bless your children, especially…."

17. Prepare and participate in Daily Mass

18. Love connects as I look at crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul…

19. I ask God's guidance as I enter into my work - e.g. "O Holy Spirit grant me wisdom & strength…."

20. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

21. "God bless my spouse" as s/he comes to mind - e.g. "God bless my spouse…."

22. At an opportune time I meditate silently

23. Asking God to bless me as I prepare lunch - e.g. "Father, bless these elements and your family…."

24. Saying "Grace" before having lunch - e.g. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts…."

25. Saying "Grace" after having lunch - e.g. "We give You thanks O Lord for all…."

26. We put food away and do the dishes together - e.g. Enjoy the moment and each person….

27. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

28. Love connects as I look at crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul…

29. I ask God's guidance as I get back into my work - e.g. "O Holy Spirit grant me wisdom & strength."

30. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

31. At an opportune time I meditate silently

32. I ask God's help as I go out to run errands - e.g. "Lord, be with me as I run these errands…."

33. I take delight whenever I remember I am loved

34. I thank and praise God when I receive help - e.g. "Lord, I thank and bless you."

35. I often let myself be glad to be alive

36. When I see one in trouble I ask God to bless them - e.g. "O God, bless…."

37. When I see beauty in others I give God praise - e.g. "Father, I praise you for your children…."

38. As a car cuts me off I ask God's mercy on them - e.g. "Lord, have mercy on them…."

39. "God bless my spouse" as s/he comes to mind - e.g. "God bless my spouse…."

40. I take God with me as I go for a walk and fresh air - e.g. "Lord, be with me as I go for a walk…."

41. I take God with me as I take a little nap - e.g. "Father, grant me rest…."

42. Asking God to bless me as I prepare supper - e.g. "Father, bless these elements and your family…."

43. Saying "Grace" before having supper - e.g. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts…."

44. Saying "Grace" after having supper - e.g. "We give You thanks O Lord for all…."

45. We put food away and do the dishes together - e.g. Enjoy the moment and each person….

46. Patience - with love I accept to endure a trouble - e.g. "Lord, have mercy on me, on them…."

47. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them - e.g. "Lord, bless…."

48. We pray the Rosary together as a couple/family - e.g. "Mother, be with us as we pray…."

49. I ask Jesus to bless our children - homework - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

50. I ask Jesus to bless our children - wash & PJ's - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

51. I ask Jesus to bless our children - story time - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

52. Mercy - with God's love I forgive the other

53. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul

54. I thank God as I look upon my spouse with love - e.g. "Thank You, Lord…."

55. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Evening - e.g. "God come to my assistance…."

56. I ask God's mercy as I tie up the day's loose ends - e.g. "Lord, have mercy…."

57. Intercessory prayer for our prayer list - e.g. "Lord, have mercy…."

58. I / we thank God and enjoy some recreation

59. Spouses - we have a sit down heart to heart chat

60. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Night - e.g. "God come to my assistance…."

61. M: "Lord help me pleasure my wife first, not me."

62. Welcome God and his love to our nuptial bed

Created April 19th, 2018 - Updated 181025 - 201117

Father Gilles Surprenant, Poustinik fathergilles@gmail.com 514-864-5600 ext. 618

If you want to chat, please do:

Diocesan Center for Marriage, Life, and Family

Katerine Perrault 514-931-7311 ext. 233

Ellen Roderick 514-931-7311 ext. 287

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE

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In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.
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© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC
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God likes to be found in silence - simple instructions to help you "pray" in "silence"....

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In both Jewish and Christian faith traditions the common experience of seekers of God is that He likes to be found in silence; not necessarily external silence, but interior silence in our own spirit.

A spiritual exercise in PRAYER – whether or not you pray regularly (10 to 15 minutes)

Set a timer for 7 minutes. Read these instructions first.

1) Sit comfortably, hands resting on your knees… Back & head straight… & relax…

2) Be still… adjusting your body in any way you need to in order to let go & relax…

3) Pay attention to your interior landscape as if you were driving in the country…

4) If all is quiet and peaceful, lovely… now focus on a kind image of God or Jesus

5) If all is not quiet, notice the noise, words, echoes, whatever comes along…

Acknowledge each one briefly and let it go; focus again on a kind image of God or Jesus

6) If you are on familiar terms with God or Jesus; then have a good visit with Him.
If you are not on familiar terms with God or Jesus, consider this an introduction.
He is very interested in having a personal relationship with you: it’s always up to you.

7) You always get to decide how open you want to be with the Creator & Saviour….

8) Start your timer for 7 minutes of silence…. With time, you may want to slowly increase this time….

9) When your timer rings, stop or if you want, continue in silence to max 15 min. for now; then stop.

Review of your experience of silence

Your connection with God will become more real and personal as you make silence and prayer a regular part of your day as a spiritual exercise, an exercise of your spirit. It is within our spirit that God connects with us because God is SPIRIT and not flesh. Yes, Jesus took on flesh, a human nature, when He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. As Son of God, though, Jesus is SPIRIT like the Father and the Holy Spirit. God created us human beings with an “empty space” in the center of our self, our identity, our soul or spirit and this space is designed to receive the mysterious divine presence of God the Holy Trinity. When we welcome God, we become most fully and perfectly human. Many scientists deny the existence of the soul or spirit because they cannot observe or measure it with instruments. That is because "spirit" exists in another dimension and we already have the "interface" we need to enter into this realm of spirit, the realm which is God's "natural state or habitat". All we need is to trust in God.

The whole adventure of life begins our free response, yours and mine… that is how God designed life on Earth for us humans. Jesus didn’t come to reform the Roman Empire or even the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. He came to help people, one person at a time, even in speaking to crowds; so that all those who want to encounter God can decide to accept to enter into a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit. From this point of departure, we can experience how God wants to enrich all our relationships with others, beginning with our own family of origin, and then through marriage, in developing our own family as a couple for the flowering of family life. For celibates – whether they choose to be celibate or not – the journey is similar but in a different mode. God offers mutual personal knowledge and intimate, loving relations to every human being.

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Father Gilles' Archive Pages

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Script for our Seminar on - God - Prayer - Life - Marriage - Family - January 23rd, 2021

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

What is the Family Life Chaplaincy Service?

Family Life Chaplain

What is the Family Life Chaplaincy Service?

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Catholic Christian Couple & Parent Spirituality Moments for Daily Catholic Christian Devotions All Day Long

Simple Faith & Spirituality Ideas for Daily Catholic Christian Devotions

God likes to be found in silence - simple instructions to help you "pray" in "silence"....

Seminar / Workshop on God - "Introduction to Prayer" - Marriage Preparation Course "From This Day Forward" - Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 at St. John Fisher Parish - Marriage is a great adventure for LIFE! Workshop Seminar 08.3

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