What People Are Saying About ARISE Together in Christ
Season Three, In the Footsteps of Christ
The following represent a few remarks from ARISE Team Members, Leaders, and small group participants about Season Three.
 Holy Family Parish, Gloucester
Last week one of the Action items--number 4 (page 43)--was to do something to support the culture of life. Our group has prepared and signed the attached letter to our two Senators Kerry and Kirk and our Representative Tierney and requesting that they protect life from conception to natural death in the forthcoming Health Care Legislation by proposing a ban on the use of taxpayer provided funds for abortions and end of life medical issues.
We thought that it would be good if all of the ARISE groups could sign the letter and then send it to these legislators. It would be a great outpouring of the support for our Catholic teachings on the Right to Life, truly living out the Gospel--the success of ARISE!
Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, Wakefield
One of our small community groups prepared a hand-out on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and distributed it at all our Masses this past weekend and spoke after Communion as well, explaining that this was an "action" taken by one of the small ARISE groups to remind people of the rewards of Reconciliation and how being part of an ARISE group inspired them to do this. The handout listed the times for confessions for not only our parish but for many of the churches nearby, as well as Arch St. in Boston.
Holy Name Parish, West Roxbury
Season 3, In the Footsteps of Christ,proved for the ARISE groups at Holy Name to be both challenging and life-giving. Most felt that it really stretched them to think of those who are less fortunate. The action part seemed to be less of a problem. One example: “In this third session of ARISE we were called to Christ in charity, solidarity and justice. This inspired our groups to help Kobonal Mission develop its outreach to 41 poor Haitian families in the first phase of their project by purchasing a ½ acre of land or sponsor a water project delivering safe drinking water to the village.
We hope to go forward on our journey in the ARISE program and continue to follow "in the footsteps of Christ.” People were more comfortable in sharing scripture, faith and prayer. One person told me that although he did not share much he learned so much from others as well as being stretched about the social teaching of the Church.
Saint Mary's Parish, Dedham
Just wanted to let you know of some of the wonderful things that have “taken flight” as a result of ARISE meetings:
- Several groups wrote or emailed legislators regarding: Health Care Bill
- We purchased gift certificates for groceries and sent them to Catholic Charities
- Gave cash to purchase Bibles for ministry at the Dedham jail
- Purchased a FLOCK of chicks through Heifer International to go to Darfur
- 5 ducks, 2 chicks, a goat to go to a village in Africa
- Sent $ for a scholarship for a Mom in Africa to get job training
- Donations were made for toiletries to the VA and the Long Island Shelter
- Bags of groceries were given to the food pantry
- Wrote to the seminarians
- Posted on Facebook the information obtained at the Archdiocesan Justice Convocation regarding Human Trafficking
- Write notes and send cards regularly to those in nursing homes
- Makes calls to shut-ins
- Sponsor a young woman from our Life Teen who started Life Teen in Germany.
I can’t tell you what a joy it has been to be part of this wonderful program! This is in addition to the relationships that have been made. You should see the hugs at Mass…Members call and check up on one another and have a great prayer line going! Amazing!
Saint Mary's Parish, Lynn
Saint Mary’s Parish had 27 ARISE groups which involved many parishioners from different cultures. In addition, there was a group comprised of Iraqi refugees who translated the ARISE materials into Arabic; a Haitian group that used the Creole materials and a Congolese group who conversed in their own language but used the English ARISE materials. Other groups had people from Santo Domingo, Nigeria, Cameroon and Uganda. Given the make-up of our parish, our Peace and Justice Committee hosted Sr. Marie Prefontaine at the end of our 6 week session for a discussion on the current status of immigration law in the United States today. Over one hundred people attended and the program was very well received.
In conjunction with ARISE, several new people have decided to join our Peace and Justice Committee. Another group of people have expressed an interest in establishing a welcoming committee for new immigrants and refugees. In the last several years, Lynn has seen an influx of refugees who have great needs as they attempt to adjust to a new culture and unfamiliar surroundings. St. Mary’s sees this kind of outreach as a true work of justice.
Plans are currently underway to ship church benches and many religious items to Haiti where a new church is being built. ARISE participants have volunteered to assist in this project which will truly advantage the people of Haiti.
In all, one of the greatest outcomes of ARISE at St. Mary’s Parish was the sense of community that was established within the groups, especially across cultural lines the relationships that have been created will serve our parish community well as we try to reach out and involve new comers to a more active involvement in the parish community. |