– Series –
Project Nazareth includes a number of different series, each one tailored in the same way for younger children and for older children, including a corresponding ‘Going Deeper’ section as a complement for parents. Each of the series makes use of the same format, based on the Bible and Catechism, using the four methods of Ponder, Listen, Pray, and Act.
The series may be used in different ways, depending on the choice of the individual family or the parish faith formation program. Explore these different options below to decide which one is the right option for your family or parish right now.
Project Nazareth Sacred Mysteries
The Sacred Mysteries Series walks your family through each week of the liturgical year in preparation for each coming Sunday Mass. Your family will read the coming Sunday’s readings together and reflect on and pray with the various themes found in them. This series is continuous and takes account of the variations in the yearly liturgical calendar. The Sunday Mass is itself the most profound way to form the faith of families. The Sacred Mysteries Series will be the choice of those who wish to deepen their own experience of the Mass, enable the encounter with God in the liturgy, and strengthen the faith of children and parents, week by week, Sunday by Sunday.
The Good News Series walks your family through what is known as the “Four Point Gospel.” It explores the four themes of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Life. Each session explores the Scripture passages pertinent to each of them from the Old and New Testaments, along with Catechism passages bringing light to the Church’s understanding of each of these aspects of the story of salvation. Families and faith formation programs that wish to foster the ability of children and parents to articulate the basic elements of the human relationship with our Heavenly Father will choose the Good News Series. Additionally, many basic Catholic prayers and practices are taught (or reviewed) in this series, making it an ideal place to start. Since this series is not directly tied to the liturgical year or the Sunday Mass, it can be incorporated at any time of year.
Project Nazareth Eucharist Microseries (4-week series)
The Eucharist Microseries walks the family through many Scripture passages related directly and indirectly to Jesus’ gift of Himself in the Holy Eucharist to help families develop a greater appreciation for and love of our Eucharistic Lord Jesus. Over the course of four weeks, families will reflect on the beauty and origins of the Eucharist, God’s plan for salvation, our encounter with the risen Lord at each Mass, and our call to ‘go forth’ and share the Good News after we receive the Eucharist at Mass.
Project Nazareth Open Wide Our Hearts Microseries (4-week series)
The Open Wide Our Hearts Microseries gives families the opportunity to reflect upon the call to love our neighbors as individuals created in the image and likeness of God. The series explores Catholic teaching on racism, with Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2018 in particular in mind. This pastoral letter against racism receives its name ‘Open Wide Our Hearts” from St. Katharine Drexel who said “If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts...” Over the course of four weeks, families will consider how racism goes against God’s plan for humanity; our call to love God, our neighbor, and ourselves; and the call to seek true justice and walk humbly with God.
Project Nazareth St. Joseph Microseries (4-week series)
The St. Joseph Microseries gives your family an opportunity to deepen your faith in Jesus Christ through an encounter with St. Joseph. This series can help your family to reflect on the life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a family living the routine of their daily life at home. It explores Joseph’s role as a faithful man of God, teacher to Jesus, model of holiness to all, and prayerful intercessor for us today. As Pope St. John Paul II tells us, it was in the Holy Family, “that the Son of God spent long years of a hidden life. It is therefore the prototype and example for all Christian families.”
It is inspired by Pope Francis' proclamation of a Year of St. Joseph running through December 8 2021. Please visit https://www.bostoncatholic.org/yearofstjoseph for more ideas and information about this year in the life of the Universal Church.