Seven (7) Ways Sharing Can Make You Happy

Sharing can do more than just save you a buck. New psychological research suggests that sharing fosters trust and cooperation in the community and contributes to personal well-being. This article offers some of the ways that sharing can boost your happiness levels and help your community thrive. The complete text, including several video clips, can be found at Sharing (http://tiny.cc/qxnng).
1. Sharing involves reciprocal giving, and the research is full of the benefits of giving, from greater physical health to personal happiness. 
2. Sharing can cause the release of oxytocin, a hormone that increases feelings of well-being.  3. Sharing builds trust, and trust is highly correlated with happiness.
4. Sharing increases positive social interaction with others, which can prolong your life. 
5. Sharing invokes gratitude, and gratitude is highly correlated with happiness. 
6. Sharing can decrease the disparity between “the haves” and the “have nots,” which increases well-being. 
7. Sharing involves cooperation, and cooperation has been essential to human flourishing.

from cl Weekly October 24, 2011

Mexico: Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead  celebration in Mexico is a celebration of loved ones who have passed. This is a 3 minute video that helps explain the customs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3obZze-V0YI&feature=fvsr

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (Nor the Day, Nor the Hour) November 6, 2011

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12–16 (Seek Wisdom); Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (Be One); Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13 (Be Prepared)
Adults: What gifts do I share to making the world a better place?
Children: How have my parents, grandparents, or teachers shown me God’s love?

http://www.faithfirst.com/question_week.html

St. Jude Thaddaeus

Feastday: October 28
St. Jude Thaddaeus is the Patron of Desperate Cases
St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. To learn more about St. Jude Thaddaeus vist http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=127 

Religious Education

Religious Education for Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM and for Grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in "the Loft"

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

"Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." -- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be "salt for the earth, light for the nations." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States provides a framework for Catholics in the United States.

Table of Contents:
■Introductory Note
■Part I - The U.S. Bishops' Reflection on Catholic Teaching and Political Life
■Part II - Applying Catholic Teaching to Major Issues: A Summary of Policy Positions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
■Part III - Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials
■References
■Major Catholic Statements on Public Moral Issues

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfm

“First Fridays for Food Security" Facebook Event: November 4

On Friday, November 4 (the first Friday in November) Catholics are invited to "fast" by limiting meal spending to the amount allotted for a family of their size in the USDA Modified Thrifty Food Plan, which is used as the basis for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps). On Friday, November 4, participants can visit the Facebook event page to leave comments about their experiences and access information and reflections on food insecurity in the U.S.A handout on the theme of Poverty in the United States for use on November 4 (http://tiny.cc/4o7op) is also available. First Fridays for Food Security will continue on every first Friday through April 6, 2012.

From cl Weekly - October 24, 2011, Volume V, Number 43