Popular Gospel Stories: A Woman Washes Jesus' Feet • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on the woman who washes Jesus' feet from Luke 7:36-8:3.

Conversations about Love

This campaign begins with a focus on love itself. This will lead eventually to an exploration of forgiveness, which is born of love, and becomes a loving act for all concerned. Through public television programming and thoughtful conversations, we explore the mystery and meaning of love—how it’s expressed and felt, and how it manifests differently for different people—and we’ll consider the potential power of love to transform and heal our personal lives, our professional lives and our communities. In campaign conversations, we seek to explore the many forms love takes—from friendship and family bonds, to marriage, to carrying love into the larger community through altruism and volunteerism.

Conversations about Forgiveness

The goal of the Four Conversations about Forgiveness is to encourage participants to think and talk about forgiveness, with the hope that this will bring about meaningful change in attitudes and behavior. The Campaign for Love & Forgiveness (www.loveandforgive.org), a project of The Fetzer Institute (www.fetzer.org), is a community engagement initiative that encourages people to bring love and forgiveness into the heart of individual and community life. The resources at loveandforgive.org are available for anyone to use.

Forgiveness Conversation Cards

These conversation cards on forgiveness, love, and compassion can be used on their own in a group setting, sent home with families, posted to social media / bulletins, or alongside Conversations about Love and Conversations about Forgiveness.

The Power of Forgiveness

These community conversations are based on The POWER of FORGIVENESS by Journey Films. It includes reflections on Forgiving Yourself, Forgiving Others, Forgiving your Spouse, and Forgiveness in the Family.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

This session focuses on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. It explores what we say yes to, what we say Amen to, as we celebrate this sacrament individually or communally. Participants will look at this sacrament as a celebration of God’s forgiveness and an opportunity for conversion as they explore the Rite. This resource is available in partnership with Lifelong Faith Associates. • By John Roberto

Essay for Leaders: Reconciliation

Background on the Sacrament of Reconciliation for leaders to deepen their understanding. • By Dr. Maura Thompson Hagarty

The Practice of Forgiveness

This session includes 15 activities for the Practice of Forgiveness that you can use to build a family or intergenerational learning program. There are also four children’s activities that can be used in a children’s program and family activities. • By John Roberto

The Living Community • FIRE

Blessed are the Merciful

Participants will experience the meaning and the need for mercy, and will understand the basic difference between mercy and justice. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

The Responding Community • FIRE

The Fall Guy: The Stories of the Fall

Participants will have clearer insight into the stories of the origin of sin and a sense of sin's communal nature. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

The Believing Community • FIRE

Forgiveness, Resurrection, & Life Everlasting

In this session participants will experience forgiveness as it was taught by Jesus. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Celebrating Community • FIRE

Reconciliation as Healing

This session has two options. In the first, participants will be given a clearer concept of sin and forgiveness and will demonstrate the examination of conscience and celebrate Reconciliation. In the second, participants will understand the sacrament of Reconciliation and the process of reconciliation as ways in which we become more beautiful people. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Celebrating Community • FIRE

Jesus Teaches Forgiveness

In this session participants will have the opportunity to experience and understand how Jesus treated sinners. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Popular Gospel Stories: The Prodigal Son • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Luke 15:1-32.

Prayer & Forgiveness Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

Use this table prayer to remember and seek forgiveness from each other and God.

Forgiveness & Reconciliation • Generations of Faith

This all-ages session will examine the Christian call to forgive and reconcile within our families, and with the whole world. It will give participants the chance to learn and practice the art of forgiveness. • By Susan Vogt