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Our Spiritual Family Ministrieshelping you integrate a spirituality of communion into your parishes, ministries, communities, and families -
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Our MissionOSF Ministries works to renew and enrich parish life and the families they serve by teaching Church and community leaders the Spiritual Family Methodology, a practical application of St. John Paul II's "spirituality of communion." We also create and provide resources, personal mentorship, and programs to help further integrate this spirituality of communion into your parishes, ministries, communities, and families.
Our Vision
We want to help cultivate an organic unity within every parish: an interwoven fabric of community which grows and flows between the church, its families, and other related communities in one integrated Spiritual Family. We want to share the life-changing experience and transforming beauty of living the heart of John Paul II’s “spirituality of communion,” in which we see other persons as gifts, as reflecting the light of the Trinity, and as intimately united with us in the Mystical Body of Christ. Over time, we also want to establish a network of Catholic communities, ministries, and organizations that use this “spirituality of communion” as their guiding principle of formation.
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Our Work
Methodology
Learn about the Spiritual Family Methodology, a practical model for building and living John Paul II’s “spirituality of communion” in your own Spiritual Families. You will learn the Seven Stages of Building a Spiritual Family, the Ten Pillars of a Spiritual House, Relational Principles of a Spiritual Culture, Milestones of a Spiritual Life, and how to read your own unique Spiritual Profile.SUpport
We create and offer free resources to support your ministries and personal mentorship to support your leaders. Subscribe to our podcast or blog to learn more about integrating the Spiritual Family Methodology into your family, community, or parish. If you would like to contribute to the mission or build with us, send us a message!Ministries
OSF Ministries are community resources designed to help integrate a spirituality of communion within your gatherings, ministries, and programs. We also collaborate with other ministry leaders or program designers to build up our network of Catholic ministries and organizations that utilize the Spiritual Family Methodology to serve Catholic parishes, schools, and families.
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A Spirituality of Communion"Before making practical plans, we need to promote a spirituality of communion, making it the guiding principle of education wherever individuals and Christians are formed, wherever ministers of the altar, consecrated persons, and pastoral workers are trained, wherever families and communities are being built up...Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, "masks" of communion rather than its means of expression and growth." (Novo Millenino Ineuente, 43 , St. Pope John Paul II)Read the full Apostolic Letter
As described in Novo Millennio Ineunte paragraph 43, "A Spirituality of Communion" indicates:- Thinking of our Christian brothers and sisters within the profound unity of the Mystical Body
- Contemplating the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us
- Seeing the light of the Trinity on the brothers and sisters around us
- Seeing what is positive in others as a gift for the brother or sister and as a "gift for me"
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Spiritual Family MethodologyAnnie Buehnerkemper's
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The Spiritual Family Methodology is a new approach to living an intentional life and a response to St. Pope John Paul II's commission to promote "A Spirituality of Communion" in the Church. The intention behind the methodology is to develop the perspective of seeing all physical and spiritual realities in light of Divine Love. This kind of perspective helps you grow in understanding of who God has uniquely created you to be, how to cooperate with his grace and unique plan for you, and therefore, letting yourself be formed by his love for you. Engaging in a life in the Trinity unveils more how you uniquely image the Trinity which then moves you to go out and love others with that same love. It is by that love that you are drawn into communion with your brothers and sisters in the Mystical Body of Christ with the same mind, heart, and spirit in Jesus Christ. The methodology covers:
Seven Stages of Building a Spiritual Family modeled after Mary's vocation
Ten Pillars of a Spiritual House built on a Christocentric life
Relational Principles of a Spiritual Culture founded on the Law of Love
Milestones of a Spiritual Life based on a Theology of Communion
Spiritual Profile of a Living Monstrance as an image for Spiritual Communion.
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The LogoYou will see two sides to Our Spiritual Family's logo:
The left side depicts a universal STRUCTURE, or an anatomy, for a life of communion in the five main areas of our life: spirituality, relationship, work, community, mission.
The right side depicts the CREATIVITY of God and how each space of community grows as a unique and unrepeatable reflection of Him.
Our unique experiences of communion through this structure and creativity depicts the image of how each of us uniquely reflects the Trinity and bears Christ into the world, becoming A LIVING MONSTRANCE.
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The Symbols
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The Cross at the center symbolizes Jesus who is the Lord and center of all creation.
The illusion of the Eucharist symbolizes the (Mystical) Body of Christ and the communion we have in God and each other.
The Three Interlocking Circles symbolize the Trinity which is reflected in every created thing.
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The Red Into Gold symbolizes the love of the Trinity as the design for giving and receiving in relationship.
The Four Circles symbolize our Five Vocations to a life in the Trinity, Community and Wholeness.
The Small Rays symbolize the Ten Pillars which gives us protection against worldly falsehoods.
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The Gold Color symbolizes Divine Grace which elevates the human experience.
The Large Rays symbolize Jesus who lives, and moves, and dwells in us.
"Our Spiritual Family" symbolizes each unique reflection of the Trinity.
The Blue Color symbolizes Mary as the model of discipleship.
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The Left Side symbolizes the Spiritual Profile showing how we are a living monstrance, the image of our Spiritual Communion.
The Right Side symbolizes the unique creation that lives and grows by the hand of God.
The Monstrance symbolizes the wedding ring as the sign of espousal of the (Mystical) Body of Christ.
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Articles
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January 1I strongly recommend her for any work for a community big or small.Read More
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November 266 principles to help you practice JPII’s “spirituality of communion” in your Spiritual FamiliesRead More
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November 22Just for Today by Frances Ophelia Hardy + free downloadable resourcesRead More
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October 25How to consecrate the spaces in yourself and in your lifeRead More
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PodcastSubscribe to Our Spiritual Family Podcast and enjoy our conversations, testimonies, and insights on community life. Learn more about the Spiritual Family Methodology or check out our special guest playlists.
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Sunday Scripture StudyActs 2:42Get together with your friends and discuss the upcoming Sunday Mass readings. Sign up to receive our FREE study guides with question prompts that will help you reflect, discuss, and personally encounter Jesus alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ and intentionally prepare for Sunday's Mass. Let your hearts be transformed by His Word and His Body.
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Featured
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Sacred Heart of JesusFrances Ophelia HardySacred Heart of Jesus,
Inflame my heart with the fire of your love
so that I may be a reflection of your goodness,
so that I may be closer to you each day
and more like you every moment of my life.
Amen
Click here to view the prayer and download
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