“From This Day Forward”��Marriage Preparation Course 2024��WORKSHOP💘GOD💘LIFE💘MARRIAGE💘 � 💘FAMILY💘PRAYER💘TRINITY💘SEMINAR 07.6��INTRO OF BY BRIDGET�� FATHER GILLES BAGSHAW . ��SURPRENANT COORDINATOR
© 2006-2024 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant,
Associate priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC
WITH GOD... WE ARE ALL BEGINNERS... ��WE ALSO LEARN WELL FROM EACH OTHER...������What this means is that the more you participate, share your experiences, and ask questions, the more it will be an enriching learning experience for all of us.�
IS GOD REAL? or NOT REAL?��Is God good or bad?���If my experience of God & his Church is bad…��If I have contempt for God & his Church…��… then a relationship with God is difficult or impossible. ��💘 Faith accepts to examine our doubts, is unafraid to ask questions, accepts God as real, respects God as worthy of trust, and cultivates the relationship He offers everyone.�
�������Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 18:3��The Book of Genesis… ��tells about Adam and Eve…�� …how humans stopped trusting in God. ��This is the origin of doubt and fear. ��It is very human to find it difficult to trust in God….��God’s way to fix this broken trust is one person at a time. ��We can choose to use faith and practice trusting in God.�
�������If I don’t know God, where and how do I start?��If I know God or have experience of prayer, how do I advance?��������Jesus offers to bring us away from frantic activity and worry…��towards serenity, confidence, and a peaceful spirit.��Every life situation is an opportunity for prayer.�
Exploring the Universal Human Prayer Impulse�������� Ø Exhilarating “mountain top” experiences, breathing deeply…�� Ø Great life challenges, and “looking up to God”�� Ø Great regrets after “messing up” -- “turning to God”�� Ø Great sadness or fear -- “praying to God”�� Ø Great joy or hope -- “feeling God”�
��Spiritual exercise #1 – A SILENT CONTEMPLATIVE WALK ALONE – ��Practice trusting that God is always present. �Enter into silence, going past thoughts, images, and feelings… Waiting and expecting to walk in the Presence of God….��God is real….��God wants me to know that He is real….��God welcomes my every effort to enter into prayer… to receive Him….��
��Alternative Spiritual exercise #1 – SILENT ADORATION – ��I enter into silence, going past thoughts, images, and feelings…�… sitting alone, in the Presence of Jesus in the Living Bread…�the Blessed Sacrament… I look to Him and He looks at me….�I trust that God is always present everywhere, but especially here. ��God is real….��God wants me to know that He is real….��God welcomes my every effort to enter into prayer… to receive Him….�
�� .� Exploring opportunities for prayer in daily life….��Jesus, his mother Mary, and her husband Joseph were Jews.�They made room for God all day with short, simple prayers: ���Rising – making fire – breakfast – going to work – �beginning work – noon meal – resuming work – going home – �evening meal – family prayer – bed time - - - ���JESUS: “Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6�
To pray means to treat God as someone real, like a father, mother, brother, sister, friend or neighbour…. ��Once the Curé d’Ars, a French saint of the 18th century, asked an old peasant what he was doing sitting for hours in the church, seemingly not even praying; the peasant replied: ��‘I look at him, he looks at me, and we are happy together.’ ��That man had learned to speak to God without breaking the silence of intimacy by words. If we can do that we can use any form of worship. ����Anthony of Sourozh, Metropolitan. Living Prayer: The Pocket Library of Spiritual Wisdom (pp. 5-6). Darton, Longman & Todd LTD. Kindle Edition. �
Spiritual exercise #2.0 – Going a little further…. � �How has God touched your life? ���In your couple share your spiritual memories & feelings. ���You have 4 minutes together – enough time for each. ��Please come back in 4 minutes.��
Spiritual exercise #2.1 – � BUILD UNITY & AVOID DISHARMONY��� Taking a step to achieving HARMONY – as a Couple….���� What elements of faith in God do you have in common?�� How would you feel about praying together? ��� This is time for you as a couple... It’s a start. You can decide to � continue sharing like this in the future. You have 2 minutes.... ��
��Spiritual exercise #3 – St. Teresa of Avila� “Lord, I can’t pray properly. � I’m weak; I’m human; � I’m fragile. I’m easily distracted, � taken into thoughts of myself and the world. � But you, Lord, lead me past that. � Help me to pray truly as I am. ��Help me to focus on the Father, the Son, and You, Holy Spirit, �so that my soul may be opened, �and I can receive the grace that is there for everyone in prayer. Amen.”��Prayer published by C. Alan Ames inspired by St. Teresa of Avila�“The Warning: Testimonies and Prophecies of the Illumination of Conscience.” By Christine Watkins, Queen of Peace Media, 2020. Sacramento CA
�Q & A���Opening ourselves to God opens up many emotions and thoughts, and raises many questions. Your questions?��� (4 minutes) �
�Spiritual exercise #4 – Exploring the Liturgy of the Hours (Breviary)���God, come to my assistance. ��— ALL: Lord, make haste to help me.��Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:�� — ALL: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.���
Antiphon 1 - Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away. Psalm 119:81-88 XI (Caph)���MEN : I yearn for your saving help;�I hope in your word.�My eyes yearn to see your promise.�When will you console me?��WOMEN : Though parched and exhausted with waiting�I have not forgotten your commands.�How long must your servant suffer?�When will you judge my foes?��
�MEN : For me the proud have dug pitfalls,�against your law.�Your commands are all true; then help me�when lies oppress me.��WOMEN : They almost made an end of me on earth�but I kept your precepts.�Because of your love give me life�and I will do your will.��MEN : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;�WOMEN : as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.�
Psalm-prayer (read by the leader)�When evil seems to triumph, Lord, and our hope begins to fail, give us courage and perseverance in doing your will.�� ALL: Antiphon - Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.��Antiphon 2 - Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.�Psalm 61 Prayer of an exile�The prayer of the just man who places his hope in the things of heaven (Saint Hilary).��MEN : O God, hear my cry!�Listen to my prayer!�From the end of the earth I call:�my heart is faint.�
WOMEN : On the rock too high for me to reach set me on high, �O you who have been my refuge, my tower against the foe.��Let me dwell in your tent for ever�and hide in the shelter of your wings.�For you, O God, hear my prayer,�grant me the heritage of those who fear (love) you.��MEN : May you lengthen the life of the king:�may his years cover many generations.�May he sit ever enthroned before God:�bid love and truth be his protection.�So I will always praise your name�and day after day fulfill my vows.��
��WOMEN : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.���Psalm-prayer (read by the leader)�Lord Jesus, love and truth of the Father, you came to earth to relieve the pain of our exile; you took our weakness as your own. Uphold us when our hearts grow faint until we stand with you before God and praise your name.��ALL: Lord, you are my hope, a strong citadel against my enemies.��Antiphon 3 - O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe.�Psalm 64 Prayer for help against enemies�This psalm commemorates most particularly our Lord’s passion (Saint Augustine).�
����WOMEN : Hear my voice, O God, as I complain,�guard my life from dread of the foe.�Hide me from the band of the wicked,�from the throng of those who do evil.��MEN : They sharpen their tongues like swords;�they aim bitter words like arrows�to shoot at the innocent from ambush,�shooting suddenly and recklessly.��WOMEN : They scheme their evil course;�they conspire to lay secret snares.�They say: “Who will see us?�Who can search out our crimes?”�
��MEN : He will search who searches the mind�and knows the depth of the heart.� God has shot them with his arrow�and dealt them sudden wounds.�Their own tongue has brought them to ruin�and all who see them mock.��WOMEN : Then will all men fear;�they will tell what God has done.�They will understand God’s deeds.�The just will rejoice in the Lord�and fly to him for refuge.�All the upright hearts will glory.��
��MEN : Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:�as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.��Psalm-prayer (read by the leader)��Father, you gave your Son victory over the men who plotted evil against him; when he cried to you in his agony, you delivered him from fear of his enemies. May those who suffer with him in this life find refuge and success in you.��ALL: O Lord, guard my life from the menace of the foe. ����
READING Deuteronomy 8:5b-6 by a volunteer please….��MAN or WOMAN : ��“The Lord, your God, disciplines you even as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, keep the commandments of the Lord, your God, by walking in his ways and fearing (loving) him.”���Sacred Silence – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.��
��The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever.�ALL: The decrees of the Lord are true, and all of them just.���CONCLUDING PRAYER (read by the leader) ��Lord, fill us with the resplendent light of your eternal love. May we love you above all things, and our brothers for your sake. Grant this through Christ our Lord. — Amen.��ACCLAMATION ��Let us praise the Lord.�ALL: And give him thanks.�
Q & A��Any questions about praying with the Psalms?��(4 minutes)��BREAK ��� (5 minutes) � �
�� Praying “on our own”���Ø Prayers we have learned by heart, that is, from memory��Ø Prayers we have learned from church�����������
�� Praying “on our own”���������Ø Prayers we have taken from the Bible��Ø Prayers we have prayed spontaneously, �in the moment, from our own heart, mind, �and soul� ��
� Spiritual exercise #5 – “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” �� ORIGINS & DEVELOPMENT���The Rosary developed slowly during the first millennium and it was given its current form by Saint Dominic, a 13th c contemporary of Saint Francis.��In the Rosary we “accompany” Mother Mary and contemplate with her the “light shining on the face of Jesus”… and Jesus enlightens us.�� There are 4 sets of 5 Mysteries each:�� The Joyful Mysteries The Sorrowful Mysteries �� The Luminous Mysteries The Glorious Mysteries ���
As we contemplate each mystery of the Rosary, we are asking our Mother Mary to join us in praying to God our Father, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit.���Offer to God your intentions and hopes for your life of marriage and family. ���What would you like God to do for you, for your future marriage and family? ���
� Prayer exercise #5 – � “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” ��� � Mysteries of Joy�� � 1st Joyful Mystery – � The Annunciation of the Angel to Our Lady � (Luke 1,26-38) �� “Jesus, who wanted to take on our � human condition”����
� Prayer exercise #5 – � “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” ���� Mysteries of Joy��� 3rd Joyful Mystery – � The Nativity (birth) of Jesus in Bethlehem � (Luke 2,1-20) �� Jesus, who found no room � in the home of men…����
� Prayer exercise #5 – � “The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary” ���� Mysteries of Joy��� 4th Joyful Mystery – � The Presentation of the Child Jesus � in the Temple � (Luke 2,22-38 �� Jesus, who enters the Temple � to purify it…���
�God is mysterious… independent from our feelings….�� The “big change or difference” = having a personal, mysterious, but ordinary experience of God as real��Experiencing God as loving me attracts me to love God back… with gratitude, in prayer, and to love others.�� Jesus reveals his Father to us and gives us Holy Spirit.��� PRAYER IS ALL ABOUT DOING IT... Actually praying….� �
Different ways of “Praying alone”���(1) “In the moment” – “Here I am. Speak, Lord, your servant is � listening.” 1 Samuel 3:7-11��(2) In silence – sitting silently and resting interiorly in God��(3) A prayerful, contemplative walk with God��(4) Pondering the Word of God����
� Spiritual exercise #6 – “Lectio Divina” �� – reading prayerfully Psalm 139 alone�(Your preference)�� (1) On the printed sheet: Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24�� (2) Open your Bible and find Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24�� (3) Share my screen with Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24��� You have 5 minutes until ______ ��
�� Spiritual exercise #7 – silent meditation – Now we will have a brief experience of silence... Also called “resting in God”.���Prayer is always mysterious because God is mysterious. ��Never judge your prayer. It is a “visit with God”.��Don't listen to the thought that you did poorly... that's one of the devil‘s traps to discourage us. Don't be fooled. ����
Preparing for silent meditation – “resting in God”.���Ø Sit comfortably, hands resting on your knees, back & head straight & be still… adjust your body as needed so you can relax…��Ø Close your eyes. To stay in the silence, let the Name of Jesus Christ echo inside… “hearing” “Jesus” as you breathe in and “Christ” as you breathe out….��Ø Let the holy Name “Jesus Christ” bring you to rest in God….��� We'll have 7 minutes of silence. Beginning now….�
�Q & A��Highlights? Touching moments? �� Intriguing impressions? Thoughts?���Questions? (3 minutes)� �
🡺 Segment IV. Exploring “Praying as a couple” ��When husband and wife pray together… God is there… they open their hearts, minds, and souls to God and, at the same time, to each other. Couple prayer powerfully unites them.��Our BODY needs to be active & also relax…��Our MIND seeks the truth with order & peace…��Our PSYCHE – Our HEART – wants to love and be loved…��Our SOUL is where God loves us, dwells with us, & guides us…��God brings “light” to any darkness in our conscience…�and releases our ability to say “No!” to trouble / evil / temptations…. �
� Spiritual exercise #8 – The “FIREPLACE” of the Couple’s Love – ���“Face to face” / “heart to heart” “Couple Chats” �of husband & wife are the FIREPLACE of their mutual love. ��� In Couple Chats, Couples demonstrate caring for one another.� � Couple Chats are a dynamic set up for praying together��As husband and wife open their minds and hearts to each other, their souls also open to each other and to God. This is HOLY TIME.��This is prayer… opening our minds and hearts to the Other….��
�Testimony of Carlo and Bridget��A couple’s experience of praying together….��� A Couple caring for one another….� �� A Couple praying for each other….���As husband and wife remaining always connected to each other, their souls open to each other and to God... Their HOLY TIME.��
� Preparing for the Couple Chat… �� ⮚ Trust each other�� ⮚ Listen to each other attentively �� ⮚ do not interrupt… wait for the other to finish…. �� ⮚ don't use “you” (feels accusatory), but use “I” (how I feel); �� ⮚ instead of criticism – “Dear, how can I help?”; �� ⮚ acknowledge your faults with humility and accept the faults � of the other with gentleness and forgiveness ��
� If time permits… a �� Couple Chat…� �� Any questions? ���� You have 4 minutes for your Couple Chat. ��� Go back to previous slide….��
Man & Woman both can spend themselves to exhaustion – God has a plan… ��MATRIMONY = mater + monium = burden of mothering��THE BRIDE – the woman God designed to give & nurture life��THE BRIDEGROOM – the man God designed to “groom” or “care for” the bride in her giving and nurturing life��Husband & Wife praying for each other = “Spiritual Tag Team” ��You know where each other is = You’re constantly united…�Remember – Bridget’s & Carlo’s Testimony….� �Constantly praying for one another… �you constantly call on God to save each other’s life…�
�� �� Spiritual exercise #9 – Praying as a Couple – ��� One starts – You pray out loud for your fiancé. �� Then switch – the other prays for you out loud.��� Pray out of who each of you is. �� Remember the words your fiancé has been sharing.�� Use his/her own words to pray for him/her. �� God is with you. �
� Ø Afterwards, see how you feel….�� What will you see in each other’s eyes? �� Let yourself experience this as a moment of intimacy….�� God is always there with us when we pray.�� Praying together is showing each other love. � It will be precious for your couple to continue praying together.�� Any questions? ��� You will have 5 minutes for your couple prayer. ��
�� Prayer Expectations – �� “Reaching out” to God from within your spirit by day and by night, � in various places and various situations…. ��� Prayer happens mostly in silence. �� Our connection with God is most powerful at Sunday Mass. �� Jesus reveals his Father to us. �� They send to us the Holy Spirit to inspire and lift us up.��
Why go to Sunday Mass?��� Jesus gives us a standing invitation. ���Holy Spirit attracts us to join the Sunday Assembly (original word for Church)… but the “enemy” puts obstacles to prevent us….��� We bring to God all our concerns, fears, hopes, suffering, � and our efforts to live as children of God in a crazy world. ��
�� What happens at each Holy Mass? ��� At the start, we put into God’s hands our regrets and faults… � God loves us and is eager to forgive & restore our freedom to love. �� Why hold onto anger, bitterness, and misery? We give glory to � God for his wonderful Creation and all that He does for us. �� We listen attentively to the Word of God and how it applies to us.�� As bread and wine are prepared, we make offer ourselves, our � spiritual worship of God. In Holy Communion, the Father gives us � Jesus to slowly improve us and make us more loving like Him.��
🡺 Wrapping it up – Prayer at the heart of our lives��� Debriefing this workshop / seminar on Prayer�� What was this like for you? ��� Highlights? Touching moments? ��� Intriguing impressions? Thoughts? Suggestions?�� (3 minutes)�
RESOLUTION��👉 Use the TOOL of RESOLUTION to reach a goal…��Consider what you have experienced today….��What forms of prayer do you want to put into practice?��👉 Identify a good goal that you want… ��👉 Make a RESOLUTION to take steps…��👉 Ladies – keep a DIARY – Gents – keep a JOURNAL…��👉 LOG your progress… weekly… monthly… share together…�
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Workshop / Seminar: God, Life, Marriage, Family, Prayer���REMEMBER….�� 1. We have the impression that prayer is a chore requiring our time, commitment, and effort, BUT it is God, the Holy Spirit, who actually “prays in us” and does the “heavy lifting”…. Our part is to “BE THERE” and docile, like a sail opening to catch the wind….���2. Romans 8:26-27 “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.”��
ALPHA COURSE ��Explore life, faith and meaning together.��������https://alphacanada.org/try-alpha/#find-an-alpha���
💘 WORKSHOP / SEMINAR ON � PRAYER 💘 �� “The Trinity” �� by �� Andrei Rublev�� Russian icon 56” x 45”� 1411 A.D.
“From This Day Forward”��Marriage Preparation Course 2024��WORKSHOP💘GOD💘LIFE💘MARRIAGE💘 � 💘FAMILY💘PRAYER💘TRINITY💘SEMINAR 07.6���
© 2006-2024 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant,
Associate priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal QC