At The Well Prince of Peace Catholic Church

Do you have a guiding scripture?Bridget: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. LET not your hearts be troubled neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27Nicole: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks received, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks is will be opened." Matthew 7:7&8Expectations VS Reality-What we were planning prior to quarantine-Does this look different now?Mothering amidst a crisis and isolation-Where have you struggled in this?-Where are you beginning to flourish?Questions for audience:1. Where are you finding hope? What scripture or practice is helping you draw close to God?2. What is the Lord refining in this season?

“In describing the arc of the conversation of Gabriel and Mary, the gospel of Luke perfectly describes the arc of the spiritual life: God initiates the conversation; we are initially hesitant and fearful; we seek to understand God's word in our life; God reminds us of our experience, and, free to choose, if we say yes to God, we are able to bring new life into the world.” - Fr James Martin March 25 The divine entering the ordinary world- What are your initial thoughts on the Annunciation? - God is the one that begins the conversation. Do you allow God to begin the conversation in your life?-What those things where God begins to move us? (Nature, babies, friendships) And are we surprised when this happens?-Mary fully entered into her vocation as mother and follower of God. my vocation is not only the way that I love God, but also the way that God loves me. How is this present in your life?-just as in many important scenes in scripture the angel Gabriel tells Mary to not be afraid. How do you overcome fear in order to say yes to God?-In order for Mary to give her fiat she looks at where God has been present-what he has already done for her and Elizabeth. Have you had this experience of being able to trust God once you look at where he’s been present before?- The last part is faith. The angel eventually leaves Mary and she carries on based on faith. Even though God is with us it can seem lonely.

Questions:-What struck you about their story? These women were both mothers, like you and I, and they both made the decision to stick to their faith and be martyred instead of giving up their beliefs for their families. Although we don't have to be that drastic is there something we are clenching to instead of surrendering to the Lord's plan? How do you discern what is God's Plan for you?-Looking at the friendships you have now how are they pulling you closer to God? How do you talk to your friends about hard things? How important is it in your life to have friends that can tell you the truth?-If you were forever going to be linked to the relationships you have now would you be happy with the people you are surrounding yourself with now?

Questions:• What are ways that you practice forgiveness?• How forgiving are you to yourself?• What are ways that we can cultivate having a more forgiving spirit?"From dust you were created, to dust you will return"-Do we live like we are dying?What are your lenten plans? Do you have anything special you are going to try this lent that you haven't done before?Resources:Return of the Prodigal Son by Henry Nouwenhttps://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B00G8ELSM6&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_SUypEbNXHMASEMemento Mori by Sr. Theresa Alethia Noblehttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0819865176/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_8VypEbSNZPCZ7

"Gratitude should always be our first response for all the blessings in our lives. Our second response should be to live a life worthy of the blessings we have received."-Matthew KellyHow do we foster gratitude? What do you do on a daily basis?How does looking at things through a lens of gratitude change your perspective?How does it lead to conversion?

Nicole: Mary Did You Know reflectionBridget: Take up and Read, Rooted in Hope (https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Hope-Elizabeth-Foss/dp/1978285558)Every Sacred Sunday (https://everysacredsunday.com)The Nativity by Geri Melchers (https://www.garimelchers.org/gari-melchers/bel-1606-2/)1. How are you building joyful anticipation this season2. What “fiat” yes does the Lord want from you?3. What are you carrying over from Advent to Christmas?4. How do you maintain stillness among merriment?