Faith Formation

Greetings from the New Faith Formation Coordinator

Hello, my name is Pam Waldrom and perhaps we have met over the years as I have volunteered or worked in the parish community for the past 15 years. When Father Ryan spoke with me about the role of Faith Formation Coordinator, I was intrigued and excited. In this role I have the privilege of bringing faith content to our parish and act as facilitator and coordinator of lay volunteers for our expanding faith ministry.

We are all called to know and love God and be seekers of truth in our faith. I invite you to come and learn a little more, ask questions, be open minded and open hearted to God and develop a deeper sense of community and belonging here at St. Christina. How we strengthen and connect our faith community is by gathering together and encouraging each other in our journey. Your thoughts and ideas matter and I invite you to participate in our survey (at the bottom of this page) or email me at pwaldrom@archchicago.org. May God bless each of you and your families.

November Faith in Action

Did you know that Halloween or All Hallows' Eve to us Catholics, is the start of a two-day remembrance of those in heaven or on their way to heaven? All Hallows' Eve is the Vigil of All Saints' Day, when Catholics remember those who have gone before us to enter our heavenly home.

The Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1) is a family day of celebration - we celebrate the memory of our family members now sharing eternal joy and peace in the presence of God. We celebrate that they have reached their eternal goal and ask them to pray for us, so that we may join them in heaven and praise God through all eternity.

Then on November 2, we celebrate All Souls' Day, when the Church commemorates all the faithful departed still detained in Purgatory, and prays in suffrage for them.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030-1031 says, "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven."

In the Bible, Elijah, Jesus and St. Peter prayed for the dead before they were raised and it is recorded in Scripture:

1. Elijah: 1 Kings 17:17-24 - “Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried to the LORD, 'O LORD my God, let this child's soul come into him again.'"
2. Jesus: raising of Lazarus: John 11:41-42 - "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me."
3. St. Peter: raising of Tabitha: Acts 9:36-41 - “Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed."

The Saints also remind us to pray for those that have died:

"Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them." - St. John Chrysostom

"If during life, we have been kind to the suffering souls in Purgatory, God will see that help be not denied us after death." - St. Paul of the Cross

"As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us. We will ask who they are, and they will say, 'a poor soul you prayed for in Purgatory.'" - Blessed Fulton Sheen

"In our prayers, let us not forget sinners and the poor souls in Purgatory, especially our poor relatives." -St. Bernadette

As we enter the feast of All Saints and All Souls, we should think about and contemplate the last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. And really our focus should be, since we all must die and are destined to judgment, "How then are we to live?"

Let's start by remembering our dead. Some ways to remember the dead are to pray for them every day, have Masses said in church, make a visit to their gravesite, take out photos and tell their stories to new generations or make their favorite meal to commemorate a special time with them while they were here. One day, through the grace of God, they may thank you.



Peace to you,

Pam Waldrom

St. Christina Faith Formation Coordinator