On Sunday, October 9, 2022, I had the opportunity to handle a Confirmation class as the catechist in charge was unable to come for that day. It was a welcome occasion on my part to once again step into a classroom to teach a group of 18 students in their high school years. While they were busy working on their letters addressed to inmates for Deacon Sam’s Prison Ministry, it was a chance for me to look into their book and check on what their lesson was supposed to be that day. It was on Prayer, particularly persistency in prayer. Curious what this group had learned in their previous years attending faith formation classes, I started asking what they know about prayer. It was a delight listening to their responses. It will take pages and pages to write their thoughts and ideas from that single word prayer.
I am sharing the interaction and experience because I want to congratulate first their catechists in past years for having instilled in them basic but relevant tenets of the catholic faith; and second the parents concerned who must have continued to reinforce and practice what their children have learned considering the gap in years between the time they received their first communion during their elementary days until now that they are in high school. These parents could serve as models for others. I have no doubt these children will be so well prepared as they continue their sacramental preparation this year under their very competent catechist and their supportive parents.
One question raised towards the end of the class was how could they be sure that their prayers include everything that God expects to hear from them. As expected, some shared their responses which I summarized into one word spelled with 4 letters – ACTS. “A” for Adoration, “C” for Contrition, ”T” for Thanksgiving, and “S” for Supplication. Smart as they were, I have no doubt they knew what I meant.
El pasado domingo tuve la oportunidad de impartir la clase de Confirmación cuyo profesor no pudo venir esedía. Fue una buena ocasión de mi parte entrar una vez más en un salón de clases para enseñar a un grupo de 18 estudiantes, la mayoría en sus años de escuela secundaria. Mientras estaban ocupados trabajando en sus cartas dirigidas a los reclusos para el ministerio de prisiones del diácono Sam, fue una oportunidad para mí de mirar su libro y verificar cuál se suponía que sería su lección ese día. Fue sobre la Oración, particularmente la persistencia en la oración. Con curiosidad por lo que este grupo había aprendido en los años anteriores asistiendo a clases de formación en la fe, comencé a preguntarles qué sabían sobre la oración. Fue un placer escuchar sus respuestas. Tomará páginas y páginas escribir sus pensamientos e ideas a partir de esa sola palabra: oración.