Adult Programs
Adult Education:
The Faith Formation Commission sponsors several adult education
programs and retreats throughout the year that are usually cluster-wide.
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Bible Study Groups: Using the Little Rock Scripture Study series, we’ve offered Scripture study for the Old Testament: Part 1 and 2, the Gospel of Luke, the Book of Acts, the Parables of the Kingdom, and many others. If you are interested in seeing the full series that Little Rock Scripture Study offers, please visit www.littlerockscripturestudy.org and click on Studies.
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Faith Sharing Groups: Using the Sunday by Sunday series, small groups get together to share their faith surrounding the upcoming Sunday readings. If you are interested in seeing the format of the Sunday by Sunday series, please visit www.goodgroundpress.com and click on Sunday by Sunday.
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Disciples in Mission during Lent: Starting in Lent 2008, we’ve been embarking on a three-year journey with Disciples in Mission, a small group faith-sharing experience that has an emphasis on evangelism. For more information about Disciples in Mission, please visit www.disciplesinmission.org or contact your parish office.
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Book Discussion Groups: Every year and sometimes twice a year, Msgr. Henchal leads a book discussion group that engages those that have an inquiring mind. Many timely topics from theology, spirituality, history, and tradition have been discussed using the latest and most popular book titles. For a list of book titles that have been read and discussed in the past, please click here.
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Retreats and Workshops: A variety of one-day retreats, workshops and overnight retreats are offered each year. Retreat topics have included the ‘Gather Us Mission’, ‘Intimacy of the Trinity’, ‘Evening Retreat with Mary, our Lady of Guadalupe’, ‘Babette’s Feast: Spirituality of the Eucharist’, ‘Labyrinth Prayer Path’, ‘Chocolate for Lent’ and ‘God Calling!’. Workshops have included topics on Annulment, Funeral Planning, Edge of Life issues, and Faithful Citizenship.
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Catechist Formation and Training: Several times a year, people involved in catechetics and initiation come together for training, discussion, and fellowship. We’ve used the Echoes of Faith series, which addresses topics in theology, methods, and catechist formation. This year we are reading and discussing ’The Creed’ (chapters 1-13) in the Adult Catechism written by the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The annual Catechist Ministry Day is usually held on the third Saturday in September, which offers several catechetical workshops, a guest speaker, lunch, and a look at the resources and materials offered by local religious bookstores and gift shops. We also offer an overnight or day retreat specifically for the formation of catechists working with all ages from children to adults. And, several times a year, the mandatory Protecting God’s Children training is offered for those who will be working with children and youth on a regular basis to help secure a safe environment for children in our parish.
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University of Dayton Courses: Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation from the University of Dayton is a new initiative to offer adult religious education and faith formation anytime and anywhere via the internet. The goal is to support the church's professional ministry of religious education and faith formation by making these courses accessible and affordable to anyone who has the Internet and about 5 weeks to do some light studying. Course fees are $40 to members of the Diocese of Portland plus the cost of textbooks. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, please contact your parish office or visit http://vlc.udayton.edu/ For the latest brochure, please click here.
Check the bulletin or the parish on-line calendar for details of upcoming
events. Or, you can check the schedules page for the Adult Faith Formation
calendar. If you’d like to
make a suggestion for an Adult Faith Formation opportunity, please contact the
Faith Formation Committee chairperson.