Parish of St. Benedict

Sharing our knowledge, talent and experience to serve our Church and others

For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy1:6-7)

As “Disciples of Christ” we are called to be thankful and ever-mindful of all that God has granted each of us. In August and September we will explore Discipleship through the discernment and recognition of the gifts we have been given.

While often attributed to Nelson Mandela, the following quote is actually from Marianne Williamson’s book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course of Miracles. Come and be inspired to be what God intended for you!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Suggested Reading:
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin For over 500 years, the Jesuits have enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as a society of scholars, educators, free-thinkers, and activists. In this digestible account of all things Jesuit, James Martin, S.J., encapsulates the uniquely Ignatian concept of spirituality. Translating the essence of the Jesuit philosophy into layman’s terms, he uses both traditional stories and personal anecdotes to vividly illustrate the Jesuit approach to God, friendship, social justice, decision-making, prayer, simplicity, obedience, and self-actualization. Martin’s engaging, intimate tone will appeal to anyone interested in understanding the history, the efficacy, and the universality of the Jesuit mission and way of life. –Margaret Flanagan (from Amazon.com)
The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran The Prophet was given to me when I was 16 years old. As I grew to love and understand it, I made it a guideline for my development. It became my standard gift for my good friends’ weddings and birthdays. I have loaned my copy out and not get it back, numerous times. Now I am 78 years old and am having to replace it again. Never have I found it so easy to buy and receive. Thank You, Jean Logsdon (from Amazon.com)
A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born to Do by Thomas Moore “Forget about the color of your parachute, here is a book that teaches you how to fly. Through ancient parable, contemporary therapy, personal vignette, and, above all, an uncommon sapience, Moore deftly guides through life’s greatest quandary: Why have I been created? Give this book to yourself.” -Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, author of Kabbalah: A Love Story
Discover your Spiritual Gifts by C. Peter Wagner’s small but powerful book provides clear teaching on what the gifts are, the difference between natural and spiritual gifts and how to find and use your spiritual gifts within the Body. The result is that you can become all God desires you to be when you find out how He designed the Body of Christ, how you fit in that Body and how you can use your gifts to bless others. The Church isn’t whole unless you exercise your spiritual gifts within its midst! (Amazon.com)

For the Kids
Your Special Gift by Max Lucado. One morning the people of Wemmicksville wake up to discover that they have all received gifts. Nobody knows who sent the gifts, but each Wemmick receives the perfect gift: When a family of Wemmicks needs help to reach Eli the woodcarver, Punchinello and his friends try to come to their aid. Only when they realize that Eli gave them each a special gift are they able to use those gifts to make a difference. This story will show kids how God has given them a special gift they can use to serve Him. Other books by Max Lucado for children: The Oak Inside the Acorn, Best of All, Because I Love You, All You Ever Need, Just In Case You Ever Wonder and lots, lots more! Check them out on amazon.com.

Discussion Question:
God has given everyone gifts and talents. Do you know what yours are? Are you using them? We invite you to have a discussion using the questions below. Your kids will love hearing about your dreams from your childhood, and you may just learn a thing or two about your own family members. Who knows what gifts are just waiting to be shared?

1. When you were a child, who or what did you dream of becoming as an adult?
2. What games or roles did you love to play when you were a child?
3. What skills do you have?
4. What are you good at doing?
5. What activities give you fulfillment in life?
6. What do you love spending your time doing?
7. What skills or abilities do other people recognize in you?
8. What is a gift that I have that no one has ever asked me to share before?
9. What is my gift to share?
10. How did I use one of my gifts recently? How did it feel to use that gift?
11. For which of my gifts am I most grateful?
12. Are there new ways or opportunities to use my gifts to benefit others?

Movie Suggestions:
Grab a flick, some popcorn and hang out together watching a great film that can spark conversation around this month’s theme: our gifts – sharing our knowledge, talent, love and experience to serve others. Here are a few to try:

Akeelah and the Bee – An inspirational drama, this is the story of Akeelah Anderson, a bright eleven-year-old girl with a gift for words. Despite her mother’s objections, Akeelah enters various spelling contests, for which she is tutored by the forthright Dr. Larabee, her principal Mr. Welch and the proud residents of her neighborhood. Akeelah’s aptitude earns her an opportunity to compete for a spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and in turn unites her neighborhood who witness the courage and inspiration of one amazing little girl. (Review from Christiancinema.com)
Veggie Tales – Join Bob, Larry and all the Veggie Tales friends for God Made You Special – a landmark collection of stories that helps kids learn that they are special just the way God made them. (Amazon.com)
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring- Frodo Baggins inherits a very special ring from his uncle and then discovers its world-changing power. He learns that his life, and the life of all of Middle Earth, hinges on him destroying the ring. Helping Frodo in his quest to destroy the One Ring is three of his fellow hobbits. Together they set out for the shadow lands of evil Mordor bent on destroying the ring before it destroys all of them.
Here is a link to a really cool exercise to promote the discussion of how we use our gifts by viewing a clip from the movie. It does require you have the extended version of the DVD on hand, as the clip is not streamed online. http://www.thesource4ym.com/videoclips/videoclip.asp?id=224
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium – Whimsical and bittersweet, this is a family-friendly movie with Dustin Hoffman staring as an eccentric 243-year-old owner of a magical toy store. He doesn’t appear to be sick, but he has lived a long and happy life and is content to leave his emporium to his employee Molly Mahoney. A former child prodigy who has grown up unsure of herself, she barely knows who she is, much less what she wants to become. It offers dazzling visuals and a premise that who you are isn’t equivalent with who you think you are. (Review from Jae-Ha Kim, Amazon.com)

Websites to Explore:
Authentic Happiness www.authentichappiness.org the empirical study of such things as positive emotions, strengths-based character, and healthy institutions with the end result of leading a happier life.

Upper Room Ministries www.methodx.net is an online Christian community where young adults (college to 30s) can identify and explore their relationships with God and with others.

Vital Aging Network www.vital-aging-network.org/index.asp promoting self-determination, civic engagement, and personal growth for people as they age.

Busted Halo www.bustedhalo.com an online magazine for spiritual seekers.

Prayer for Children:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for everything You have given me.
My gifts of time and talent are precious. I will do my best to use them for Your work.
I promise you today that all my words, actions and thoughts will show my love for You and my neighbor.
Please help me share all my gifts with the Church and others, help me to be generous, patient, forgiving and holy. ~Amen