CELAM has prepared this “home recollection” as a substitute to the missed scheduled recollection. It is our hope that the student/s doing this requirement will enter into the spirit of prayer and reflection. Let this remind the student of one’s relationship with God and His invitation to draw close to Him.

General Instructions:

Consider this as your “home recollection”. Decide on a specific time of the day that you are most awake and will not be distracted.

 Choose a place to pray where you can pray undisturbed– maybe a chapel, prayer room or in your own room. 

Be willing to take 10 – 20 minutes (or longer) each day for this prayer.

Have a prayer journal for you to write your reflections. 

For the journal, please use 1 binder refill. Submit your prayer journal to CELAM for checking and clearance.

Put the following in the cover page –

Name:                                                   Strand /Grade Level / Section:

ID#

Date Submitted:

Reason for missing the recollection: __________ . . .

On your "home recollection" attend 1 Mass.  The goal of asking you to go to Mass is to encourage you to pray and be in touch with God through the Sacraments.

Opening Prayer:

"Slow me down, Lord! Please the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with the vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusion of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tension of my nerves with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations of slowing down; to look at a flower; to chat with an old friend or make a new one; to pat a stray dog; to watch a spider build a web; to smile at a child; or to read a good book. Remind me each day the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed."   -Orin L. Crane

 Holy Spirit Come

Holy Spirit come

Make my ears to hear

Make my mouth to speak

Make my heart to seek

And my hands to reach out

And touch the world with Your  love. Amen.

Part 1:  Pray with A.C.T.S.

A.C.T.S. is an easy way to remember key elements of prayer. Go through the different steps prayerfully. It’s simply prayer in four parts:

Adoration – “Praise be to God!” (Psalms 68:35) “How awesome are your deeds!” (Psalms 66:3)

Tell God how much you appreciate Him. Express your love for Him. Praise His power and majesty. This is a great way to begin your prayer time. Praise God for the beauty of His creation (i.e. the sunrise, the mountains, trees & flowers, etc.). You should never run out of praise.

Confession – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Tell Him where you have fallen short. Be specific. Thank Him for the forgiveness He gives in Christ, and ask for help and strength to turn away from future temptations.

Thanksgiving – Always “glorify him with thanksgiving” (Psalms 69:30)

There are plenty of reasons to be thankful. Thank God for His love, His faithfulness, His patience and many other things. Express gratitude for what He’s doing in your life. Thank God for His blessings and answered prayers. Thank Jesus for dying on the cross for you. Thank the Holy Spirit for indwelling you. Thank Him for being your conscience, your counselor and that “still small voice.”

Supplication – “Make your requests known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Tell God what you want, no matter how small it seems to you. Pray for the needs and concerns of people closest to you.

(Let CELAM add another S for Scriptures.)

Scriptures – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

In your daily prayer, take time to read God’s word and allow Him to speak to you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Write your thoughts and reflections in your journal.

1. What was your experience of prayer using ACTS? Did you find this helpful?

2.  What is God’s message to you through the reading on Matthew 11:28-30?

3. Reflection: Where is God in your life right now?  What role does He play in your life?  What is his will for you?  Read and reflect on Psalm 25:4-5.

4. What are my dreams (hopes, desires and ambitions)?  What am I excited about my dreams? What are my fears?  What are the things that I need to do to fulfill my dreams?

Part 2: Learn how to Meditate

Quiet yourself for a few moments. Dispose your mind and spirit to your time of prayer.

Br.Camillus Chavez FSC is a De la Salle brother based in St. Mary’s University in California who teaches about meditation. He has visited USLS twice in the last 5 years to share about the importance of meditation. Learn how to meditate. Quiet yourself for a few moments. Dispose your mind and spirit to your time of prayer.

Opening Prayer

Come Holy Spirit I need you

Come Holy Spirit I pray

Come in your strength and your power

Come in your own special way. Amen.

A. Listen to the “Introduction to Meditate” (1:12 minutes).

Please CLICK

B. Listen to his 10-minute instructional meditation. Follow and pray along.

Please CLICK

C. Listen to Lauren Speeth.  “In God’s Hand” (.41 seconds)

Please CLICK

 Copy and write your thoughts and reflections in your journal.

1. Describe your experience while you meditated.

2. What were the instructions of Br. Camillus and Lauren Speeth?

3. Did Br. Camillus and Lauren Speeth help you pray and meditate? What did you learn from them?

4. Write a letter to God as your response to this type of prayer.

Part 3: Video: “Release”  

Please CLICK

Please answer in complete sentences.

1. What were the challenges that the young people in the video were sharing about that affect them?

2. Watch the video at least 2x. On the first time, watch & listen for your familiarization. On the second time, do the meditation by following the instructions given.

3. What instructions were given to be mindful?

4. Describe your own experience when you did the exercise in mindfulness. 

Part 4: Attend 1 Mass (for Catholics) or equivalent worship or service for non Catholics.

1. Put the date & venue of the Mass/Service attended. Indicate your religion. Put the name of the Priest/Minister.

2. Write the gospel reading for the day e.g. Mark 1:12-16 (for Catholics) or Bible verse for non-Catholics. Summarize the main message of the verses (at least half a page).

3. Write a personal reflection on these verses (at least half a page). How do these verses apply to you?

4. Write a letter to God presenting to Him your needs and concerns. Pray and offer these intentions in your Mass/Service.

St. John Baptist de La Salle. Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our Hearts. Forever!