THE YEAR OF FAITH

Dear Saint John’s School Families,
As we continue to celebrate the YEAR OF FAITH which began on October 11,
and will close on November 24, 2013, there are countless opportunities to
become involved in ways to grow in our faith.  As Catholics, the word faith is
seen and heard everywhere, especially, since October.   Perhaps it would be
good to truly focus on just that word, and the meaning it has for each of us.
Just a simple word, but so complicated, so rich, and worthy of our spending
time and energy searching for our own understanding and appreciation of how
faith touches our lives.  Just what is faith?
Webster’s dictionary defines faith as firm belief in something for which there is
no proof, without doubt or question, belief in the traditional doctrines of a
religion , belief and trust in and loyalty to God, BELIEF, without doubt or
question.
The CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH is an excellent source to seek
help in attempting to understand faith.   143 by faith man completely submits
his intellect and his will to God.  146 Abraham thus fulfills the definition of faith
in Hebrews 11: 1 “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen”. Because he was “strong in his faith,” Abraham became the
“father of all who believe.”  Faith is a grace…….  Believing is possible only by
grace and the interior helps of the Holy Spirit.  148 The Virgin Mary most
perfectly embodies the obedience of faith.  Christian faith differs from our
faith in any human person.
160 To be human, “man’s response to God by faith must be free, and…
therefore nobody is to be forced to embrace the faith against his will.  The act
of faith is of its very nature a free act.”  “God calls men to serve him in spirit
and in truth. Consequently they are bound to him in conscience, but not
coerced.”  Faith is a personal act.
What a challenge it is to continue to understand and grow in this YEAR OF
FAITH.
Shalom
Mrs. Schmitt