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I’d like to simplify this month’s report by focusing on the beginning of every Rosary; The Apostles Creed. For those of you who hunt, fish, camp or travel for specific job functions, you probably have a variety of packing lists that you maintain for each type of journey. Pilots all go through pre-flight check lists before take-off. Most probably take into consideration the weather conditions, the perceived activities, the mode of travel, but keep it to the simple, but essential “must-haves” for your excursion. When our 5th grade kids went to Wolf Ridge for the week-long field trip, the teachers sent home a packing list with all those must-haves. When Chris Kostelc takes the crew on retreat, he sends a packing list. With large traveling groups, space is limited and the bare essentials are all you need to get by. You get the point. I try to approach the Rosaries as if taking short journeys. Using my imagination to create visuals of each mystery, I try to day dream about them as if they were trips back in time to when they were actually occurring. Some are more graphic, some are harder to relate to (hence the name Mystery). The graphic Sorrowful Mysteries are the easiest to use this method. Every year, we HNOJ KC’s donate Rosaries to the Passion Play 9th graders, and every year and encourage them to use this visualization technique when they meditate on them and relive a few moments of their play. Last month’s Lecturers Report illustrated the Oscar short film, visual journey using fifth Mystery of the Joyful Mysteries. The 7th grade class I presented to, identified with the similar aged Jesus as both being lost and then again teaching all the scholars. Starting the Rosary with the Creed is, like taking an inventory of what we all believe. It’s going over a packing or check list of what we profess. By reciting it, we check off the list of all what we believe, before we disembark on the Rosary journey. The Creed sets the tone by reminding us of those basic tenets. It’s really quite a simple prayer. If you recited one, right now, there is nothing to add, subtract or challenge. It covers all the basics that we are all taught to believe, straight out of the catechism. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth……check I believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son…………check Who was: Conceived by the Holy Spirit……………check Born of the Virgin Mary…………………..check Suffered under Pontius Pilot……………check Was crucified, died and was buried……check He descended into hell………………….check After 3 days, He rose again…………..…check He ascended into Heaven………….…..check He sits at the right hand of God to judge the living and the dead………check I believe in the Holy Spirit………………..check The Holy Catholic Church……………….check The forgiveness of sins………………….check The resurrection of the body……….……check And life in the world to come……………..check “KC jumbo, you are cleared for departure & take-off”. “permission to buzz the tower?” “DENIED!” |