Missions Discussion Questions

Presentation for the Fourth Week of Advent December 20, 2020 by Bishop Callahan

“Joseph, Son of David…You are to Give Him the Name Jesus” 

Discussion Questions

  1. What stood out for you in the presentation? Why? 
  1. As was discussed, through the Biblical prophecies of the Old Testament we know that the Savior would be a “Son of David” – from the Royal line of King David. This lineage is traced in Scripture through the line of Joseph.   Joseph named Jesus, and also gave Him the title “Son of David.”  How are you growing in your understanding of the importance of St. Joseph in God’s plan? 
  1. Read the two passages from Scripture below. What are the similarities and what are the differences between the two annunciations? 
  • The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary announcing the birth of Jesus:

In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.  And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the Child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.  And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

  • The Annunciation to Saint Joseph announcing the birth of Jesus:

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with Child through the Holy Spirit.  Joseph, her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.  Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this Child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a Son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with Child and bear a Son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.  He had no relations with her until she bore a Son, and he named him Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)

  1. Scripture does not record any words spoken by St. Joseph but the example of his life speaks volumes. Write down a few words that describe Joseph’s loving response to God’s plan.
  1. Since he is Head of the Holy Family and Pillar of Families, what are some ways you can invite St. Joseph to be with your family in your joys and in your struggles?

Presentation for the Third Week of Advent December 13, 2020 by Fr. Woodrow Pace  

St. Joseph:  That Holy Night Through the Eyes of St. Joseph  

QUESTIONS:

  1. In what way did the talk help you to identify with the experience of St. Joseph on that Christmas night? 
  1. Like in the life of Joseph, some of our most painful experiences or regrets can work to perfect us. The raw emotion of doubt and suffering can stir us to a sense of wonder and awe before the face of God. What has God revealed to you through the hardships of your own life? 
  1. Imagine that someone you do not know sincerely asks you, “What does it mean when you call Joseph ‘The Foster Father of the Son of God?’” How would you answer the question: How might Joseph himself answer the question? 
  1. What is God inspiring you to be determined about? What can you do this Advent and Christmas Season in union with St. Joseph that might give you the gifts of courage and strength to carry it out? 
  1. As you reflect upon the Scripture passage below that was read at the end of the presentation what further thoughts and insights does it offer you? 

“While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered, and she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

 When the angels went away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’

So they went away with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe, lying in a manger. When they saw Him, they made know the saying which had been told them concerning this Child; all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told”      (Luke 2:6-20). 

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,

Jesus, graciously hear us.

   

God the Father of heaven,

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,

have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,

have mercy on us.

   

Holy Mary,

pray for us.

St. Joseph,

pray for us.

Renowned offspring of David,

pray for us.

Light of Patriarchs,

pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God,

pray for us.

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God,

pray for us.

Diligent protector of Christ,

pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family,

pray for us.

Joseph most just,

pray for us.

Joseph most chaste,

pray for us.

Joseph most prudent,

pray for us.

Joseph most strong,

pray for us.

Joseph most obedient,

pray for us.

Joseph most faithful,

pray for us.

Mirror of patience,

pray for us.

Lover of poverty,

pray for us.

Model of artisans,

pray for us.

Glory of home life,

pray for us.

Guardian of virgins,

pray for us.

Pillar of families,

pray for us.

Solace of the wretched,

pray for us.

Hope of the sick,

pray for us.

Patron of the dying,

pray for us.

Terror of demons,

pray for us.

Protector of Holy Church,

pray for us.

   

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               have mercy on us, O Jesus.

   

He made him the lord of His household

              And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:  O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.  Saint Joseph, pray for us. 

Presentation for the Second Week of Advent by Msgr. Joseph Hirsch - December 10, 2020

St. Joseph:  That Holy Night Through the Eyes of St. Joseph

QUESTIONS:

  1. In what way did the talk help you to identify with the experience of St. Joseph on that Christmas night? 
  1. Like in the life of Joseph, some of our most painful experiences or regrets can work to perfect us. The raw emotion of doubt and suffering can stir us to a sense of wonder and awe before the face of God. What has God revealed to you through the hardships of your own life? 
  1. Imagine that someone you do not know sincerely asks you, “What does it mean when you call Joseph ‘The Foster Father of the Son of God?’” How would you answer the question: How might Joseph himself answer the question? 
  1. What is God inspiring you to be determined about? What can you do this Advent and Christmas Season in union with St. Joseph that might give you the gifts of courage and strength to carry it out? 
  1. As you reflect upon the Scripture passage below that was read at the end of the presentation what further thoughts and insights does it offer you? 

“While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered, and she gave birth to her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

 When the angels went away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’

So they went away with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe, lying in a manger. When they saw Him, they made know the saying which had been told them concerning this Child; all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told”      (Luke 2:6-20).

 

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,

Jesus, graciously hear us.

   

God the Father of heaven,

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,

have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,

have mercy on us.

   

Holy Mary,

pray for us.

St. Joseph,

pray for us.

Renowned offspring of David,

pray for us.

Light of Patriarchs,

pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God,

pray for us.

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God,

pray for us.

Diligent protector of Christ,

pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family,

pray for us.

Joseph most just,

pray for us.

Joseph most chaste,

pray for us.

Joseph most prudent,

pray for us.

Joseph most strong,

pray for us.

Joseph most obedient,

pray for us.

Joseph most faithful,

pray for us.

Mirror of patience,

pray for us.

Lover of poverty,

pray for us.

Model of artisans,

pray for us.

Glory of home life,

pray for us.

Guardian of virgins,

pray for us.

Pillar of families,

pray for us.

Solace of the wretched,

pray for us.

Hope of the sick,

pray for us.

Patron of the dying,

pray for us.

Terror of demons,

pray for us.

Protector of Holy Church,

pray for us.

   

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               have mercy on us, O Jesus.

   

He made him the lord of His household

              And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:  O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.  Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Presentation for the Second Week of Advent by Msgr. Joseph Hirsch - December 6, 2020

Joseph and Mary:  A Holy Love Story

Questions for reflection:

  1. As you listened to this reflection today what insights have you gained and how can you adapt this to your Advent preparation?
  2. Advent is a time of much stress and busyness. As you journey to your Bethlehem this Christmas, how can the example of Mary and Joseph help you to prepare for Christmas?
  3. It was foretold in the Old Testament that the Savior, Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem. Read aloud and reflect on the following Scripture passage which reveals the Providence of God in fulfilling these prophecies.   Is there a word or phrase that stands out for you?  Why?

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David to be enrolled with Mary his betrothed, who was with child” (Luke 2:1-5).

  1. For your spouse or your children, how do you give them the space that they need, so that they will learn to listen to the Lord?
  2. For those who are still unmarried, how can you live a life of prayer and discernment as a couple in preparation for your marriage?
  3. How do you live the call of spiritual fatherhood and motherhood in your family? 
  4. How can you promote the Sacrament of Marriage as a Call and Vocation in your family and with your friends this Advent?

Presentation for the First Week of Advent by Msgr. Joseph Diermeier -- November 29, 2020

St. Joseph:  The Man Selected by God to be Closest to Mary and to Jesus 

QUESTIONS: 

  1. What stood out for you in the presentation? Were there any thoughts that might lead you to further meditation? 
  1. The Litany in honor of Saint Joseph includes several titles by which he is known – for example, as “guardian of the Blessed Virgin” or “Light of the Patriarchs.” If you were to choose one title from the Litany in honor of Saint Joseph that has meaning for you, which title would you choose and why?  See the list on page 2 with the titles of Saint Joseph bolded.  Or if you could create a title to honor an aspect of Saint Joseph’s life, what might that be? 
  1. In addition to the ways mentioned in the presentation about how Saint Joseph was the guardian of the Blessed Virgin, what other ways could he have shown himself to be the guardian of Mary and of Jesus? 
  1. It was mentioned that we can go to Saint Joseph when we are experiencing doubts. How else could we “Go to Joseph” during this Advent season? 
  1. As you reflect upon the Scripture passage (given below) that was read during the presentation and consider the two interpretations that were mentioned, do you find any new insights? 

When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly.  But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive a bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).  (Matthew 1:18-23)

Litany of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy on us

Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Jesus, hear us,

Jesus, graciously hear us.

   

God the Father of heaven,

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,

have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit,

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,

have mercy on us.

   

Holy Mary,

pray for us.

St. Joseph,

pray for us.

Renowned offspring of David,

pray for us.

Light of Patriarchs,

pray for us.

Spouse of the Mother of God,

pray for us.

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

pray for us.

Foster father of the Son of God,

pray for us.

Diligent protector of Christ,

pray for us.

Head of the Holy Family,

pray for us.

Joseph most just,

pray for us.

Joseph most chaste,

pray for us.

Joseph most prudent,

pray for us.

Joseph most strong,

pray for us.

Joseph most obedient,

pray for us.

Joseph most faithful,

pray for us.

Mirror of patience,

pray for us.

Lover of poverty,

pray for us.

Model of artisans,

pray for us.

Glory of home life,

pray for us.

Guardian of virgins,

pray for us.

Pillar of families,

pray for us.

Solace of the wretched,

pray for us.

Hope of the sick,

pray for us.

Patron of the dying,

pray for us.

Terror of demons,

pray for us.

Protector of Holy Church,

pray for us.

   

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               spare us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               graciously hear us, O Jesus.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

               have mercy on us, O Jesus.

   

He made him the lord of His household

              And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:  O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in Heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.  Saint Joseph, pray for us.