PRAYER

Are you looking to grow in your relationship with Christ?
Dive into prayer in a new way!
​
Check out these cool resources that will challenge you to grow in your spiritual life. 
 Below you will find ideas and resources to help you learn and grow in your faith this year, stream Mass and Adoration online, get daily readings and prayer straight to your phone, ​along with other resources for you and your family.

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Quick Links

"Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 4:6-7 ~

Learn more about Prayer
with Fr. Mike Schmitz

​Fr. Mike Schmitz

Father Michael Schmitz is the director of youth and young adult ministry for the Diocese of Duluth, and chaplain for the Newman Center at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He was ordained a priest in 2003 after attending The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity at the University of Saint Thomas. Father Mike provides podcasts of his weekly homilies on iTunes and BulldogCatholic.org. He also appears in programs targeted toward youth and young adults for Ascension Press, as well as regular short videos on “Ascension Presents.”

Also check out: 

Fr. Mike also offers some great tips to praying the Mass like never before.

Check out his YouTube channel for even more videos about the Catholic Faith!

Spending Time in Prayer

“This is the wonderful truth, my dear friends: the Word, which became flesh two thousand years ago is present today in the Eucharist.” 
- Pope St. John Paul II -
“When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much
Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host,
you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”
- Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta -

LINK: A Beginner’s Guide to Adoration
​          by Caitlin Sica

Franciscan Father Greg Friedman explains that there are as many ways to pray as there are individual human beings.

Streamed Mass & Adoration
(watch live or recorded)

St. Michael the Archangel in Canton, Ohio
Join Fr. Benson and the St. Michael's community in prayer during your normal mass time on Sunday and through out the week

Act of Spiritual Communion

“If we are deprived of Sacramental Communion, let us replace it, as far as we can, by spiritual communion, which we can make every moment; for we ought to have always a burning desire to receive the good God”
- St. Jean-Marie Vianney - 
My Jesus, 
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
I love You above all things, 
and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Prayers: Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet

​Reflect on The Stations of the Cross for Teens

Reflect on the Stations of the Cross for teens by clicking the cover above.

Or try...
​​Virtual Stations of the Cross 

Busted Halo presents the traditional devotion in a virtual way to help you reflect on the mystery of Jesus’ death and what it still means to us today.
Picture
(Click photo to open link to video.)

How to Carry Your Cross

​Ben Walther gives a powerful talk on what it means to carry your cross.

From the Comfort of
​Your Own PHONE

Apps

iBREVIARY
Liturgy of the Hours, Prayers, etc.
​
LAUDATE
Listen/read daily readings, listen/pray the rosary. ​​

Also, check the App Store or Google Play Store for additional devotional apps
​that can be downloaded right on your phone.
​The Ultimate List of Catholic Podcasts
Compiled by Nick Longo

Even More Ways to Pray!

What is Lectio Divina?
Lectio Divina (literally divine reading) is a way of becoming immersed in the Scriptures very personally.
Share your reflection on Instagram, and make sure to tag @stmikescantonlifeteen!

Praise & Worship

When the living Word of God and a deeply moving melody meet, a power is unleashed that can transform hearts in an incredible way. 
This is a MIGHTY sword against Satan. It counters and uproots lies about our worth and God’s love. When we pray with praise and worship music, we drown out the voice of the enemy! Not only are we speaking out Scripture and planting truth in our hearts, but we SING it over our lives! As St. Augustine tells us, “He who sings prays twice.”
- Mary Castner

Crafts to Do at Home

Make a Prayer Jar

Prayer Jar Instructions

Suggested Supplies: 
  • Mason Jars
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush & Cups
  • Tacky glue or hot glue
  • Trim & Ribbon
  • Mod Podge
  • Glitter & Gems
  • Paper
  • Markers
  • Jumbo Craft Sticks
Do you like to craft? Looking for more ideas for daily prayer? Try this easy, fun activity that challenges you each day to pray and connect with God in different ways. Feel free to come up with your own challenges and ideas.

"A Beautiful Mess" String Art Cross

Template
Supplies:
  • 5x7 piece of wood
  • small brad nails
  • string
  • ​hammer

Suggested Reflection:
Reflect on the wounds of Christ as you put the nails into the wood while creating the template; and as you string the design, reflect on how, by His sacrifice on the cross, Christ brings beauty from our mess. This finished art will serve as a reminder of God's love for us this Lenten Season and always. 

Share your art by tagging @stmikescantonlifeteen on Instagram!

Resources for Parents and Teens

Responses, resources, prayers, videos, and websites for all ages
More Resources Coming Soon...
Then Jesus said to His disciples,
​"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"
- ​Matthew 16:24-26 -