reNEWing your faith in the New Year

Happy 2015, friends! Let’s get this party started.

I’m not really one for making New Years resolutions. Why? Because I’m more into goals. And lists. Okay, so maybe it’s just a difference in wording. But in any case, I have a list to share with you this week…

The following is a list of fifteen suggestions (because 2015) of concepts to consider, activities to try, and events to attend in the New Year in order to enrich our faith lives. They are in no particular order. If you already do these, great! If you don’t, give some or all of them a try. Not all of these will “work” for everyone – but you’ll never know if you don’t take a risk. Let’s embark on this journey together, assume responsibility for our relationships with God, and learn a little bit more about ourselves and our faith:

1.  Take time to breathe.

All elements of our lives will be more in balance if we take time daily to re-center (as a 50% extrovert, 50% introvert, I can especially relate to this point). Recently I heard a suggestion to stop into the chapel in our dorm for two minutes of quiet reflection every time we pass it. This can be done with a “prayer corner” in a house or an apartment, too. Give yourself the gift of quiet time with God in the midst of busy days.

2.  Pray the Rosary.

Do it on your own, with old friends, or with new friends at the Grotto (the Rosary is said every evening at 6:45). See page 60 of the new Notre Dame Prayer Book or this link to a guide of this awesome Catholic prayer. 

3.  Engage in conversation with a priest or a nun. Or multiple. Enough said.

4.  Try out evening prayer.

On Notre Dame’s campus, Vespers is celebrated at 7:15pm every Sunday evening in the Basilica.

5.  Go on retreat.

Notre Dame offers several retreats in the spring, including the All-Class “Take Time” retreat on February 6-8 and the Silent Retreat on February 27-March 1. See the Campus Ministry website for more information. Or, try out attending a retreat at your parish!

6.  No Bible, No Bed. No Bible, No Breakfast.

Make a commitment to read at least a small portion of Scripture every morning and every night. If this is not an element of your normal routine, start small. Try it out for a day, then expand to a week, a month…Give yourself the gift of knowing God through His Word.

7.  Keep a prayer journal.

8.  Make a collage of things you love about your faith.

This can be made of words, images, or both. Cut out things from magazines and newspapers, print images from online, or use this site to combine your words into a fun image to remind you of why your faith deserves attention amidst your busy schedule.

9.  Celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation.

See page 58 of the new Notre Dame Prayer Book or check out this link for a guide to this beautiful sacrament. Ask any priest to accompany you on this healing journey, or visit the Basilica during scheduled times for Reconciliation.

 10.  Find faith inspiration online!

I am the first to admit that I spend too much time on FaceBook. But in the New Year, let’s try to funnel some of that wasted time online into time spent deepening our spiritual lives. This can come in many forms, whether it consists of reading up on what Pope Francis has to say, listening to podcasts, or browsing through other spiritually-based blogs. Get creative with it! If you find anything you wish to share, please feel free to do so in the comments section below. Here are some suggestions from Megan to help get you started.

11.  Cross your palm with your thumb as a quick prayer of thanksgiving throughout the day.

12.  Make your own spiritual playlist…

…to listen to in the car or on walks and runs. See my Spiritual Playlist to help you get started.

13.  Try out a faith-sharing group or Bible study, whether that be something you start among your family or friends, an already-existing program in your dorm, or one of these fantastic initiatives on campus:

Compass - Monthly large-group sessions on Wednesday nights from 8-10pm in the CoMo lounge and weekly small group gatherings. “As a freshman, learn more about your Catholic Christian faith. Meet other faith-filled freshmen. And learn what it means to be a Catholic young adult at Notre Dame.”

Four:7 - Tuesdays at 8:15 in the Cavanaugh chapel. “A student-led, passionate Catholic community that meets once a week to worship through song, listen to guest speakers, and reflect during small group discussion. Students are invited to come once or come weekly.” Four:7 also has a Bible study that meets on Friday afternoons.

Iron Sharpens Iron - Thursdays at 10pm in CoMo 329. “a community of Christians from all denominations who seek to grow deeper and stronger in their relationships with each other and with God through student-led worship and prayer, accountability and fellowship.”

14.  Perform a Random Act of Kindness.

See my post on the call to kindness and Megan’s post on RAKs to help get the ideas flowing.

15.  Ask your friends and families about their faith lives. You may be pleasantly surprised at what fruitful conversations emerge!

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but simply a gathering up of suggestions that one might explore. If you would like to share other reNEWing practices, readings, etc., please comment below!