Dynamic Catholic is a nonprofit organization, whose mission is to re-energize the Catholic Church by developing world-class resources that inspire people to rediscover Catholicism.
Dynamic Catholic reached out to our school in the summer and asked if we would be interested in piloting a program. The question that convinced me was: “Imagine what would happen to your school community if every student was inspired to collaborate with God, recognize God, and to experience Holy Moments each day!”
As the new school year began, the teachers and staff at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy began to plan. This year would be different because this would be a “Year of Holy Moments!”
The resources for the Holy Moments program were sent in August and included banners, posters, project ideas, and, of course, the book “Holy Moments” written by Matthew Kelly. Each student and parent received a copy of the book. The students use the book in class as they reflect on and discuss its content. The parents are encouraged to read the book and use it for sharing with their child.
The program is designed to be flexible and each school can be creative in how they use it. At Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, we have a prompt each week that is announced on Monday morning to the students. This prompt is also in the parish bulletin and is e-mailed to all the parents. This ensures that we are all aware of our focus for the week and can discuss it at home as well as in school.
Some examples of these prompts include: “Name two things you like about yourself.” “Surprise someone with a thoughtful note.” The prompts will continue throughout the year to motivate the students to recognize how God works in their lives.
We also have bulletin boards in the hallways designed to allow students and parents to write out and display their Holy Moments.
We are only at the beginning of the program, but I am very pleased with how the teachers, students, and parents have embraced it. The program is helping the students (and adults) to recognize the gift of God’s presence in our lives. To hear the phrase in the hallway, “That was a Holy Moment, thank you!” is in itself a gift. To read the Holy Moments on the bulletin board gives us an appreciation for all God’s love.
May you experience many Holy Moments in your lives, too!
Sister Donna Smith, DC, is an administrator at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy, Bayside