Commissions

Lifelong Faith Formation - Adult & Family Ministry

Commissions
Lifelong Faith Formation - Human Concerns Social Justice

In This Section

• Small Christian Communities
• JustFaith
• Ministry to the Engaged
• Adult Confirmation
• New Beginnings
• Date Your Mate: Marriage Enrichment to Deepen Your Relationship
• Mom's Faith Connection
• Lifelong Formation Library
• Wednesdays in Lent
• Tuesday Evening Scripture Study

Small Christian Communities

St. Mary Catholic Faith Community, with a vision toward parish-wide faith-sharing, fosters a network of small groups that build community in our diverse congregation. Small communities are made up of people just like you who join together once a month, or for six weeks during Fall and Lent. They meet together for faith sharing, bible study, prayer, fellowship and service. Let us know your needs or interests and we will work with you to make it happen.

JustFaith

JustFaith is an adult formation process and spiritual journey. A seven to eight month course includes meeting weekly for readings, videos, lecture, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences in justice education. Participants typically become a small faith community, sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.

For more information, please see the JustFaith information.

Ministry to the Engaged

FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study)

These are inventories designed to deal with current issues and needs in marriage preparation.

Volunteer Opportunity

Couples married 5 years or more work with engaged couples to administer and review the pre-marital inventory, a marriage requirement of the Church. Team members meet with two to three engaged couples per year. The time investment usually consists of two to three meetings of about two hours each plus one annual meeting in the fall. A one-day training session is provided.

New Beginnings

This is an adult enrichment program that will occur three times each year. This process allows us to reflect on the power within our local parish. We are all encouraged to mine the richness of our spiritual lives. Through reflection we discover and embrace the gifts and ministry that God has planted in our souls. We transform ourselves from church members into Christ’s disciples.

Adult Confirmation

If, for whatever reason, you've not been confirmed, now might be the time to deepen your relationship with God through the sacrament of Confirmation.

This program, offered in collaboration with other local parishes is designed for the adult considering a commitment to faith in Christ through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The preparation course requires the full participation of the individual for 14 sessions (2 hrs in length) plus an evening of reflection. It concludes with celebration of the sacrament at the Easter Vigil.

Contact the Parish Office for more details.

Date Your Mate: Marriage Enrichment to Deepen Your Relationship

Date Your Mate Goes to the Movies!
Every third Friday of the month married couples gather at St. Mary's to relax, laugh, meet new faces, and share some thoughts around a short movie clip that refers to marriage. Informal discussion follows as we munch on popcorn, and then the two leave on the date of their choice.

Mom's Faith Connection

Often it seems our children know more than we do about the Faith. Or, we hear about Catholic concepts that we just simply don’t understand... the Trinity, Grace, Salvation, Incarnation. As adults, we need to discover and to deepen our understanding of what our Catholic Faith teaches. If you are a mom with students in our school or in the Religious Education programs at St. Mary’s and if you want to stay abreast of what your children are learning, growing in your faith understanding as well, then you will want to come to the Mom’s Faith Connection.

Lifelong Formation Library

Looking for some new information on scripture, spirituality, saints or just an interesting read? The browsing shelves on the third floor, outside room 312, have a surprising array of books, as well as other media, for the adult learner. Generous donors have made thoughtful contributions which range from devotional to academic.

Available to all parishioners, these materials can be checked out simply by signing the sign-out book next to the shelves (the honor system). Take a look! You’ll be glad you did.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to catalogue and maintain the resources of the browsing shelves located on the third floor, outside of room 312. There are a variety of devotional and academic resources generously provided by donors that are available to adult learners. There is no set time commitment to be involved in this ministry. If you possess organizational skills and a love for learning, please consider assisting in this area.

Wednesdays in Lent

On four Wednesday evenings in Lent St. Mary’s offers Stations of the Cross followed by an inspirational talk. This year's speakers are going to present a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church’s call for social justice. There is no charge.

Tuesday Evening Scripture Study

Each Tuesday evening Fr. Chuck Schramm leads a Scripture Study looking at the readings for the upcoming weekend. The study provides a time to learn and to process together the reading proclaimed on Sunday, giving the parish opportunities to understand better the Word of God. The groups meets each Tuesday at 7 P.M., except the second Tuesday of the month, in Room 312 in the Parish Office.

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