Living our Faith (Page 2)

Following Jesus Christ is more than attending Mass on Sunday. Living our faith every day and in everything we do will lead us to be true disciples of our Lord.

As members of the Catholic Parishes of Penticton and the Universal Church in today’s world, believers are called upon to share their faith with the wider community. As we follow in the footsteps of Christ, we witness to our faith in how we raise our children, how we interact with friends, family and coworkers, and how we engage in modern culture. Through the centuries, no church has done more to care for our brothers and sisters in need than the Catholic Church.

You’ve probably heard the question:

If you went on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

It’s not a bad way to examine yourself. When you reflect upon your life, do people know you’re Catholic? Are you living your Catholic faith intentionally, with prayerful purpose? Are you living your Catholic faith out loud?

For instance, think of your house. When guests come over, do they see a home that reflects your faith or simply a place where people live? No one is suggesting you have to turn your home into a shrine, but if you are serious about your faith, your home should certainly be the “domestic church” we are called to create. A prayer space, crucifixes, a picture of the Holy Father and many other items are a great reminder to all that this home is dedicated to God.

Even a trip to the grocery store gives opportunities to share your faith. Let’s say the cashier has some dog tags around her neck (this is a true story!). You ask her about them, and she tells you they are a copy of her son’s dog tags. He is a combat soldier, and works in very dangerous places. You ask his first name, and she tells you. You promise to pray for his safety. A simple gesture like this is another way to live your faith “out loud.”

Remember, we are not meant to be “show offs” or holier than thou. However, Christ is very clear: we are to go out and make disciples of all nations. In order to do that, people need to know that we are persons of faith, open to questions, dialogue and that we are someone who prays with intent. Learning to not be shy about sharing the Good News and being open to situations like the ones above can help lay the groundwork for opportunities to share Jesus with someone.

Let’s all learn to live our faith out loud just a little bit more!

So, how do you live your faith in the Catholic Parishes of Penticton? Here is some food for thought:

• Be strengthened and enriched by attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass regularly or spending time with our Lord in adoration. Here’s the schedule.
• The sacraments are beautiful gifts to the Church that impart grace so we can go out into the community and share our faith with confidence. Participate in the sacraments as often as you can.
• Get involved in the life of the Parish and the Community of Penticton.
• Make sure our children are equipped with knowledge of our faith, first by parents and the family, but then strengthened by enrolling the them in our school or participating in our catechism program. If we do not take the teaching of our faith seriously, then society will teach them to live the life without God that’s so prevalent in public schools, universities, institutions, and our cities.
• If you’re an adult and have questions or want to explore the faith then do not be afraid to join our RCIA program and get your questions answered.
• Of course, running our parishes comes with a whole lot of expenses. Please don’t forget to contribute to the Parish according to your ability.
• In this connected world, there are an overwhelming number of online resources to help you. We’ve collected a few for you that we hope help give you a Catholic perspective on the news of the day, allow you to watch Mass if you can’t make it, or answer that burning question about our faith.