APPENDIX I
MISSION OF THE CROSS
God’s saving work fulfilled as His gracious kindness we are called to partake in, through forgiveness of sin upheld in our hearts and souls, revealing love of God and love of neighbour, for God does not want any one of His children to be lost
IN PURSUIT OF THE STANDARD OF CHRIST
AIM
To bring the love of God into all hearts, through interiorily practicing renewal of the forgiveness of sins. For which, the members of Children of Love are called love missionaries – also, formally, missionaries of Jesus of the Easter splendour, as Jesus is the Brightest Light of all heaven and earth, and Holy Love of Love. And so, too, in serving Jesus, who is Eternal Love, the members are steadily, offering themselves as love martyrs, as in their living and in their dying, striving to bring about the reign of God’s about the reign of God’s love.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
This is a special spiritual assignment, as commissioned by Jesus and to be performed with Jesus, in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary, his holy Mother, through the power of the Holy Spirit of God, by members of Children of Love, who pray for the forgiveness of sins; and all, as a means of reaching out to others in their communities with the message of true love of God. And, of course, by this, never to judge others, still, or, to condemn them. But, rather, to encourage them to lift their hearts, souls and minds to God, who is always merciful, always ready to forgive – full of compassion and love. It entails a concrete and substantial work of love done, spiritually, to bring about conversion of souls, upon genuine reconciliation, and for which a verbal report is made at the weekly meetings, with details of the number of persons contacted.
SCOPE
Any number of persons could be approach and, if possible, ministered to, by groups of two or more members. It could be to try to focus on a family setting, if that could be arranged; or, other formal and informal groupings; or even, a large assembly, representing a congregation, as a worshipping community. The standard orchestration, nonetheless, as work done – not a heroic work, through, for such involves bigger and much difficult missions, could take the form of ordinary house to house visitation and ministration.
NATURE
It involves bringing people together, then-or just one person being addressed – and speaking, briefly, with scriptural emphasis, on the message of true love – the Sacrificed Love of God. Now, through presenting the image of the Crucified Christ, the people are asked to reflect on this message of love that comes from God, and to think about the people that they have wronged and those, also, who have wronged them. Then, next, they are called to practice forgiveness of sins, through renouncement of their own will, mortification and prayer. And they are, also, made aware of the fact, in simple terms, and not as cohesion, that they cannot hope for their sins to be forgiven by God, if they themselves fail to forgive their neighbours of their offences.
POSITIVE RESULT/IMPACTS:
Love mission, as out-lined, if properly pursued and implemented in the truth of God and as by the light of faith, with tenderness of joy, firm hope and ardent charity, would product the following outcomes, overtime:
Conversion
Reconciliation
Healing
Restoration
Freedom from the bondage of sin and death
Salvation
Inner joy, and
Peace
CENTRAL MESSAGE
The forgiveness of sins. By the fact, that Christ called us to forgive sins, not withstanding how many times that we are wronged; and, he commanded us to love our enemies.
RECOMMENDED PRAYERS
The simple Catholic prayers, such as, the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary and the Rosary, when earnestly prayed to invoke the strong name of the Blessed Trinity and the intersession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, are more than sufficient to helps us in our journey of faith. But, if still not convinced, we should add this short prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy. Help my unbelief. Amen.
METHOD OF APPROACH
The following steps, for logical reasons, and to avoid presumptuousness on our part, are adviced to be adhered to:
Greetings, followed by introducing ourselves, our organization, and the parish that we belong to; and making it known, then, too, that we are on a love mission, to inspire personal and universal forgiveness of sins.
If we are granted audience and welcome, then, we can proceed with restating, still, in very simple terms, the purpose of our visitation.
Example:
We are, here, just as, we have already indicated, on a love mission; to bring about love in all our hearts-true love of God. And, which is, part of what we do, as members of Children of Love, praying compassion, love and peace in the world. Thus, in essence, by the special grace of God, we wish to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, hinged on the theme of the forgiveness of sins. He is our Lord and Saviour, in whose holy name, we undertake this work. He is the Sacrificed Love of God, the Mediator of the New and Everlasting Covenant, and he calls us to the forgiveness of sins, in being truly converted to him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as the righteous path to reaching the perfection of God. And so, now, I wish to invite you, to truly reflect on those whom you have wronged and, also, on those whom, you think, have wronged you-yes, especially, those whom you are finding it difficult to forgive, and those who are finding it difficult to forgive you, too. Brief sharing by all, with ministration and follow-up comments. No arguments, at all.Counselling, aimed at depending of faith. Concluding with prayer.
DURATION
Each visitation can last up to 30 minutes, or more, depending on the response received, scope of interaction and deepening of faith. It can also, be continued on a later date, as planned mission, with scheduled time and clear follow-up agenda, if necessary. But, always, as a spiritual assignment.
FOLLOW-UPS:
Follow-up visitations, after some reasonable space of time, must strive on improvements. Such as, encouraging participation in Church activities, and sustaining enhanced prayer life.
RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE:
The missions must always be conducted with maturity, prayerful dignity and joy. All matters discussed, are to be treated with absolute confidentiality and used to secure spiritual growth of the persons involved.
MISSION ENRICHMENT
At all times, we should show perceptiveness, understanding, love and true wisdom.
ULTIMATE VISION
The whole work is seen as a practical and most revealing way, spiritually, to partake in the joyous celebration of the Sacrificed Love of God, bringing forgiveness of sins in all hearts, for the glory of God.
THE LAST WORD
Evangelisation
Reconciliation
Healing
Peace
WE PRAY FORGIVENESS OF SINS SO THAT WE CAN ALL HAVE A BETTER FUTURE MISSION REVISITED: TO LOVE AS JESUS HAS LOVED US
Mission of the Cross is an evangelization initiative of Children of Love, to promote individual, collective and universal forgiveness of sins. Requiring spiritual counseling and prayer, it is undertaken as weekly assignment of members. Join us to pray for true forgiveness of sins by all hearts.
PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS
Father Love, you sent your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem us from the bondage of sin and death. Help us to know him and to acknowledge him in our lives, as Lord and Saviour of all mankind. And as we follow his example of true love, ever-radiant and beautiful in our eyes, as foretelling the glory of your kingdom to come, let us keep our eyes fixed on the mission of his holy Cross by interiorily practicing true and un-conditional forgiveness of sins; and so, too, with unweavering resolve, rejecting all tricks of the devil, Satan, the spirit of evil, who roams the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Also, guide us by your divine mercy and upon faithful love, to do your will, at all times, in order to bring about the triumph of good over evil in the world. And, as we are the people that you have chosen, even before the foundation of the world, help us to persist on the path of righteousness and peace, with joyous faith, ardent love and true wisdom, that we readily gain by being united with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, who prays for us, with her Immaculate Heart, to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We beg you, now, O Almighty Love of Love, hear our prayer, through the prayers and intercession of the holy Mother of your divine Son, Jesus Christ, and strengthen us ever-more in your sweet love. Do not abandon us, because of our unworthiness and wretchedness. But, out of your pure goodness and graciousness, let your face shine upon us, as you grant us, as you grant us healing, and renewed hope, and true life; and, let this your redeeming work of love, through Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our sins, and rose again on the third day, wash away all our iniquities and offences, to make us worthy in your sight, as we stand before your holy presence. And, now, Father Love, as we grow in knowing Jesus, as the one who was slain, may he draws us ever closer to you, in our struggle to reach our heavenly inheritance, purifying and sanctifying all our offerings, as they represent our good deeds, and all for the greater glory of your holy name. O Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest of the New Covenant of Love, through you, in the power of the Holy Spirit of Love, we make these petitions, as we pray forgiveness of all our sins and the sins of the whole world; and, just as, we forgive those, who have sinned against us. Good Lord, Mighty Saviour, have mercy on us. Sweet Jesus, most graciously pray for us.
Father of the world to come, you alone are our light and our help:
Thou, Crucified Christ;
Thou, Risen Christ;
Thou, Glorious Christ;
We worship, adore and glorify you, now, and forever and ever. Amen
APPENDIX 2
Project: Youthworks
Sub-title: Preparing young hearts to be good leaders, after the example of Jesus Christ.
Conceptual Framework: Project to underscore the moral, religious and spiritual bases of inspired leadership that comes from God, which the youth, all over the world, out of the sense of duty and love, are called to aspire to and vigoriously pursue.
Target: People between the ages of 13 to 45.
Positive Results/Impacts:
It teaches true virtues and morally sound behaviour
It sensitizes the youth to their higher callings and vocations.
It promotes adherence to responsibilities and commitments by youth.
It strengthens character formation.
It builds up self-esteem and over-all confidence in managing human affairs.
It instills discipline and firm awareness of set goals.
It discourages inclination to inordinate ambition and unhealthy competition.
It inspires leadership by example.
It encourages respect and love for others.
It promotes openness and transparency in service.
It creates greater awareness and motivates all and sundry, for the pursuit of noble and good causes.
It strengthens our belief in God, and leads others to the feet of His divine Son, Jesus Christ.
CHALLENGES: Finding the appropriate instructional methods, ways and means to motivate all persons participating in the project.
PROGRAMMING: Suitable time-frames and duration
CONTENT: The Inspired Leadership That is, to say, imbibing the qualities and imitating the leadership that comes from God, after the example of Jesus Christ – illustration, by the storyteller king (The Story Divine)
PATTERN OF DISCIPLINE: As a pure spiritual work, this activity is to be conducted without giving material relief to those being approached, or visited. In the same way, too, no form of refreshments (food or drink) and gifts, are to be received by those who undertake the mission.
APPENDIX 3
SPIRITUAL EMPOWERMENT
For Whom?
For all who desire to gain the knowledge, wisdom and strength to serve God and man, in living out the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.
LOVE-CENTERED JOY OF PRAYING JESUS TEACHING HEARTS, BLESSING SOULS, AND INSPIRING FAITH, THROUGH MARY, HIS HOLY MOTHER.
THEME
Deepening of knowledge of God, for effective supplication and enrolling hearts to partake in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
This is a spiritual empowerment programme for the faithful, who desire to know God, to love Him and to serve Him, through effective supplication and enrolling hearts to partake in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is bringing us, joyously, to what we ought to do, whenever, we turn our heats to pray to God. And our hearts are where God reaches out to us, and dwells in us, if we allow Him to do so-and He, in turn, helps us there, to reach out to our neighbours, who are in need of our help; as we all are, indeed, in need of help, in one form or another, and more especially, being all sinners and unworthy to come before the Holy presence of God Almighty.
This programme, thus, is aimed at sensitizing us to what we all need to, aspire to as children of God, namely, to walk in the power of light and be able to pray to God, in spirit and in truth, according to His holy will, which is full of compassion, love and peace, as we find reflected everywhere in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is our Model. For Christ came into this world, and died for our sins. He is the light that permeates all good things that we think of, speak about and do, as earnest prayer, and by which, living out our lives, through faith, as scripture tells us, we no longer walk in the dark. It is this light of Christ, as we persist in earnest prayer and thanksgiving, that will allow us to shine as light in the world and to witness to the truth, for the greater glory of God, our Father in heaven.
OBJECTIVES
To lift up to God the living soul of the individual, through prayer and thanksgiving.
To motivate our desires towards doing good and loving our neighbours.
To empower our vision, mission and purpose in life, to focus on Christ and discerning and knowing the will of God for us.
To see heaven as our home and to work towards attaining our salvation in Christ Jesus.
To believe and pray the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
To pray our identity in God, as children of Light, a people set apart.
To pray for the Church and for the work of winning souls for Christ.
To pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst, instructing us and guiding us, for the greater glory of God.
To pray for increase of faith and for the mighty gathering of the people of God, bearing good fruits in abundance.
To pray for compassion, love and peace in the world.
About praying Jesus, through
Mary, in the power of the
Holy Spirit.
Part One
What is Prayer?
How must we pray?
What must we pray about?
When must we pray?
Why must we pray?
Part Two
Prayer of doing something good in fulfilling all that Jesus commanded us to do.
Prayer of living out our whole life in bearing witness to our faith
Prayer of Knowing God’s plan for us and His plan for those around us.
Prayer of truly knowing God, loving Him and serving Him, with all our hearts, minds and strength.
Part Three
Prayer for deliverance
Prayer for healing
Prayer for peace
Prayer for victory
Prayer for success
Prayer for prosperity
Prayer for abiding grace and happiness.
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