We Welcome your Return.... Just because you’re EWE
What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ Luke 15: 4-6
The Parable of the Lost Sheep may call to mind your experience of formation here at St. Max. Do you feel hesitant about beginning the formation journey with your family? Are you currently participating in one of our formation programs and have fallen behind on assignments? Have your children missed years of catechesis, but you would like to resume? Parents often feel uncomfortable to reach out to us in these circumstances because they feel embarrassed or guilty. Please don’t let these emotions stir. Take a deep breath and reach out to us if you feel lost in any way!
There is never going to be a formation program that will perfectly fit the needs of our ‘100’ and, even if it did, there are seasons in life when some families will fall behind on formation studies due to many different factors. Life may even present circumstances or hardships that necessitate an extended break. That’s ok! Please know that you can return to the sheepfold if you enrolled and have fallen behind on current assignments or if you haven’t been with us in some years. We are here to support you, to help you to explore formation choices or a catch-up plan that work best for you!
While true that the formation journey delivers knowledge of the Faith, it is more so a transformation in Christ that happens in our spiritual journey. Our Christian goal in this life is to become Saints so that we can one day reach Heaven. That’s big news! As such, there is no strict ‘time management’ in formation. It is not something that can be crammed into a school year or into a particular program; it is way of life and a change of heart. With that being said, it is always a good time to reach out to us about coming back or catching up.
Our flock is not 99; we are incomplete unless we have all 100 sheep with us. We search for you and ‘rejoice’ in your return. The shepherd sets the sheep on his shoulders and brings it home safely. He does so with joy, a joy shared with fellow shepherds that the flock is now whole again! We also rejoice to bring you back just because you’re ewe!
Please contact me anytime and we will discuss options!
God bless.
Mary Lou Baker
Coordinator, Religious formation for Youth
Saint Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church
mbaker@saint-max.org
513-777-4322 ext. 120