Hope is the Virtue for November

Last month I let you know that each month this year the students in relgious education will be learning about a different virutue. Parents, look for a Home/School Connection to come home about the virtue of hope next week. This will help you to foster the growth of the virtue in your home.
What is the Virtue of Hope?   “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit. ‘The Holy Spirit…He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life ’” (CCC 1817)  The supernatural virtue of hope allows eth possiblility for Christians to trust in God.  This grace is a gift of God.  Hope has to do with things that seem difficult or impossible to receive, such as salvation.  Hope tells us that God, Who promised us eternal salvation, will also give us the graces that we need for the journey to Heaven. He is faithful to His word, so we can put our trust in Him.  Hope sustains us at all times, especially when feelings of discouragement or abandonment seem to overwhelm us. Hope opens up our heart in expectation of future blessings and eternal beatitude.  Why do we need the Virtue of Hope  The supernatural gift of hope helps us to trust in God’s promises, opening our heart to His mercy.  Hope leads us to persevere in prayer, even when all reason for hope seems absent.  Hope offers to us joy and courage which sustains us in times of trial.  Hope allows us to live, grow and persevere in faith. St. John Vianney is the model of the Virtue of Hope.  He continued to pursue ordination to the priesthood, even after failing the examination. St. John Vianney persevered in hope even though he often trembled from a conviction of his personal inadequacy.  St. John wept for the sins of the penitents in confession and had the constant hope of seeing sinners turn back to God. St. John Vianney is also the Patron Saint of Priests and of Confessors.  Discussion Questions: Discuss what it means to have hope in the future.  How would you someone know you are a person of hope?  How does the Sacrament of Reconciliation relate with the virtue of hope?