Dear Parishioners, +JMJ
On numerous occasions over the past couple of years, the pastoral leadership team has talked about family spirituality. Recently at one of our meetings, somebody suggested that we hand out a wonderful kids’ resource at our weekend Masses: The resource is MagnifiKid. The name is a take-off on the monthly devotional, called Magnificat. The same organization produces both. The word Magnificat comes from the very first word of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s response, when Elizabeth exclaims that the Holy Spirit moved in her, because of Mary’s greeting at the Visitation. Mary says, “My soul magnifies the Lord…” Well, that word “magnifies” in Latin is Magnificat… which is where the devotional gets its name. That is my very favorite, modern devotional for adults, and the one I recommend to everybody.
In order to help our children engage in Holy Mass more fully, and to help parents help their children, we are going to purchase a subscription of MagnifiKid for the parish. The kids’ version comes out as a pamphlet each week. The ushers and greeters can hand out to any kids at each weekend Mass a pamphlet of MagnifiKid. The children can take the pamphlets home after Mass, and parents can help the children with any games or other exercises to follow-up on the Mass. MagnifiKid is aimed at children 6-12 years old.
Each issue of MagnifiKid contains the following:
- All the readings and the prayers of the Sunday Mass with explanations of the difficult words and the meaning of the rituals
- A suggested prayer for Morning and Evening
- Many suggestions on how to live the entire week with the Lord
- Various games, a comic, and activities to help children learn about Christian life and culture
- A page intended for the parents with suggestions for family prayers.
We are sure that this will be a super resource to help parents help their children engage in Holy Mass, and live the Mass throughout the week. Although it always has to be part of a pastor’s vision to enhance and strengthen family spirituality, it also happens to be the case that family spirituality, intentional discipleship in the home, is also included in one of the six pillars of the recently published Diocesan Strategic Plan. The second pillar of the plan reads:
– INVIGORATING EVANGELIZATION & FORMATION: Share the gospel through intentional discipleship, deepening our faith and growing in relationship with God and one another
And, the second bullet point under this pillar heading is the following:
– Foster intentional discipleship of students, parents, and family through parish-wide religious education and ministries
Those are some great goals, and we hope this effort serves those goals in our parish. Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, we have already received our first subscription of MagnifiKid. Please look for your nearest usher or greeter as you come to Mass, and make sure your child gets a copy! May the Lord bless your family faith life abundantly!!
Have a blessed week!
In cordibus Iesu et Mariae,
Father Poggemeyer
