Discipleship Groups
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A discipleship group is a small group of individuals (ideally 6-12) who gather for a set number of weeks to explore a particular theme, topic, or series of scripture or faith-based material, deepening their spiritual journey, nurturing their relationship with Jesus, and supporting one another in living out the Gospel.
Rooted in faith, prayer, and shared life, these groups provide a space for honest conversation, spiritual accountability, and encouragement. Members learn to recognize God’s presence in their everyday lives and are equipped to respond to His call with greater trust and intentionality. -
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The purpose of a discipleship group is not just personal spiritual growth, but also transformation that leads to mission. As disciples grow in faith, they are encouraged to share that faith with others, whether through service, evangelization, or forming new groups. In this way, discipleship groups help build a culture of ongoing conversion, spiritual maturity, and vibrant community within our parish and beyond.
Please note that you may only register for ONE Discipleship Group during Lent. This guideline is necessary to maximize the fruitfulness of our offerings. Bless you!
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Please, keep in mind...In order to preserve and maximize the fruitfulness of our Discipleship Groups, we have established the following guidelines:
- You may only register for ONE Discipleship Group during Lent.
- The size of each group is limited to 12 participants, with the exception of devotional prayer groups.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!
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Mondays
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Spiritual Warfare & The SaintsIs Satan real, and does he tempt us today? Can the saints teach us anything about protecting ourselves?
We’ll explore these questions and more as we journey through the book, “Saints Who Have Battled Satan: 17 Holy Warriors Who Can Teach You to Fight the Good Fight & Vanquish the Ancient Enemy” by Paul Thigpen, PhD.
Together, we’ll examine how various saints, such as Padre Pio, St Catherine of Siena, and St. John Vianney, battled the Evil One and emerged victorious through the power of Jesus Christ. We’ll discuss how we can live similarly virtuous lives and arm ourselves as Christians. Each participant must purchase the book.
5 in-person sessions, Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30. Led by Laura Balogh, [email protected] -
Lent Bible Study: Teacher and Lord
From the St Paul Center: Lent Bible Study, Teacher and Lord. This journey is taught by a panel of wonderful people, including Shane Owens, Dr. Bergsma, Fr. Dave Pivonka, and other notables. In this study, we'll watch a video presentation/study and then discuss. Please bring your bible. There is a study guide that can be purchased ($7.95), helpful but optional. Click HERE for general information about the study and how to purchase the guide. Since we'll be watching the videos together, there's no need to sign up for membership unless you would like to watch the videos on your own.
7 in-person sessions, Mondays, 10 - 11:30 am, February 23; March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & April 13. Led by Norma Jahl, [email protected]
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33 Days to Eucharistic Glory
Join us for a sacred journey of consecration to Jesus in the Eucharist, guided by Matthew Kelly's 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory, which offers a simple yet profound daily guide that weaves together Scripture, Church history, the witness of the saints, and practical reflections to help us grow in love, surrender, and availability to God.
Lent calls us to deeper discipleship - to follow Jesus more closely by turning our hearts toward Him with intention and trust. This consecration is an invitation to set aside distractions, offer ourselves more fully to the Lord, and allow His Grace to shape our hearts and lives.
We will learn from holy men and women who lived with deep Eucharistic devotion and discover anew how Jesus desires to meet us, strengthen us, and lead us home. I hope you’ll consider joining me in this beautiful pilgrimage of faith as we open ourselves more completely to thetransforming grace found in the Eucharist.
We have 7 copies of the book (first come, first served), but you must arrange to pick up in time to complete your assigned reading (pages 1-16) before our first session! Please note that our journey begins on the Monday preceding Ash Wednesday!
6 in-person sessions, Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Feb 16, 23; March 2, 9, 16 & 23. Led by Pam O'Connor, [email protected]
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Tuesdays
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Becoming More Contemplative (For Women)In today’s busy world, many of us find ourselves running from place to place and never taking time to see what God may be calling us to do. Often in our spiritual lives, we have an inner desire for something more, and we either don’t know exactly what the something more is, what the path to get there is, or even where to start.
Our journey will entail reading and discussing the book “Hinds Feet on High Places” by Hannah Harnard. This book is an allegory dramatizing the yearning of God's children to be led to new heights of love, joy, and victory. In addition, we will learn and practice the aspects of Centering Prayer. Centering Prayer is a silent, contemplative Christian prayer method designed to deepen one's relationship with God by moving beyond thoughts, words, and emotions to experience God's presence within.
Participants need to purchase the book and read the first 56 pages before the initial meeting on February 24.
5 in-person sessions, Tuesdays, 7:30 -9:00 pm, February 24; March 3, 10, 17 & 24. Led by Beth Letizia, [email protected]
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Divine Mercy Holy Hour
Do you desire a Lent that truly touches your heart and draws you closer to Jesus? You are warmly invited to spend a holy hour each week in His loving presence, as we gather before the Blessed Sacrament.
During this Divine Mercy Holy Hour, we will rest in the unfathomable mercy of Christ, as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in song. A brief reflection inspired by the Diary of St. Faustina will help us enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s mercy, along with the Litany of Divine Mercy and the Litany of Trust. We will conclude with quiet, prayerful silence before the Blessed Sacrament, allowing Jesus to speak to our hearts.
Hear the Lord’s gentle invitation: “Come and pray with Me for an hour.”
Bring your joys, your burdens, and everything you carry to His feet. In His merciful presence, allow Him to console you, renew you, and quietly transform your life.
5 in-person sessions, Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Chapel, February 24; March 3, 10, 17, & 24. Led by Marc Luciani, [email protected] -
Tuesdays with Morrie: (For Women)
In the midst of busy lives and many responsibilities, Lent invites us to slow down and reflect on what truly matters. As women who have lived many seasons of life, we often carry wisdom, questions, joys, and losses - along with a desire to live more deeply and faithfully.Our journey this Lent will include reading and discussing Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. Through Mitch’s weekly conversations with his former professor, Morrie Schwartz, the book offers gentle but profound reflections on love, suffering, forgiveness, aging, and hope. These conversations invite us to consider how we are called to live - and how we are called to trust God with our lives.
Each weekly gathering will include prayer, guided reflection, and group discussion. Participants are asked to purchase the book and read the first 47 pages before our first meeting on February 24.
5 in-person sessions, Tuesdays 10:30 – 11:45 am, February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24. Led by Susan Haemmerle, [email protected]
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Wednesdays
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The Chosen Season 5
Come join us as we continue our journey with Christ’s Chosen ones. You will be able to view each of the episodes of Season 5 of The Chosen. Then we will reflect on what we just watched and discuss the impact the message has on our lives.
Please choose from these two convenient time offerings:- (Reached capacity/closed) 8 in-person sessions: Wednesday afternoons, 3:30-5:30 pm, Feb. 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1 & 8.
- 8 in-person sessions: Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 pm, Feb. 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1 & 8.
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The Screwtape Letters
Why do we sometimes succeed spiritually and other times feel like a failure? Are there spiritual forces trying to influence us? We always have a choice between God's will and evil's will.
If you have ever wondered about these questions, join us as we journey through The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, a 20th-century Christian apologist. We will also reference multiple bible verses, as we examine these questions in the context of our faith.
Each participant must purchase the book.6 in-person sessions, Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Feb. 18, 25; March 4, 11, 18 & 25. Led by Jenifer Dicker, [email protected]
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Thursdays
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Bridges to Contemplative Living
Thomas Merton reminds us that contemplation is not an escape from life, but a way of seeing life more clearly in God. This Lent, let's journey together guided by Bridges to Contemplative Living by Thomas Merton. Each session will involve an opening reflection, an introduction, a Merton quote, and an observation from another writer. The group will reflect on and discuss how these readings resonate in our lives and what changes we might consider making during this Lenten season. Reading materials will be provided."It is necessary that, at the beginning of this fast, the Lord should show Himself to us in his mercy. The purpose of Lent is not only expiation, to satisfy the divine justice, but above all, is a preparation to rejoice in his love. And this preparation consists in receiving the gift of His mercy—a gift which we receive insofar as we open our hearts to it, casting out what cannot remain in the same room with mercy."
8 in-person sessions, Thursdays at 7:00-8:30 pm, February 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 9 & 16 (no session on Holy Thursday). Led by Pat Madden, [email protected]
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Peace in His Presence
If we’re honest with ourselves, we can lose our peace multiple times a day. It’s not IF, but WHEN. In his book Searching for and Maintaining Peace, Father Jacques Philippe teaches us how to navigate life when things don’t go our way. It’s not about keeping a stoic expression amidst adversity, but a deep knowing in our hearts that amidst the crashing waves, the gaze of Jesus remains steadily upon us.Join us as we journey through Fr. Jacques's message and reflect on how we can deepen the joy, peace, and hope that Jesus’s resurrection can offer us.
Purchasing the book is optional. A free link to the ebook will be available to participants.
5 in-person sessions, Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:45 pm, Feb. 26; March 5, 12, 19 & 26. Led by Tanya D'Souza, [email protected]
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friday
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Eucharistic Amazement
Discover what author Jem Sullivan calls "Eucharistic amazement.”Judy Yap will use Sullivan’s Way of Beauty to facilitate visio divina (“sacred seeing”) meditations on Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist. Each meditation focuses on a work of sacred art and includes prayers of the Mass, passages from scripture and the Catechism, and a guided reflection.
Participants must purchase the book.
6 in-person sessions, Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30 am, February 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, and 27. Led by Judy Yap, [email protected]
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Ongoing: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays
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Morning Prayer Calls
Have you wanted to join a discipleship group but can’t fit one more thing into your schedule? Are you at home taking care of kids or loved ones, and can’t seem to interrupt your schedule? Are there other reasons that you have been unable to join a group? This group is for you! Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “Where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is.” You will be amazed by the warmth and caring you feel while you draw closer to our wonderful Lord. Led by Patty Allocca. There are two options:- Tuesday morning, 7:30 - 8:00 am - Old Testament Bible Study- In this comfortable environment, we practice Lectio Divina - where we read a few verses several times, summarize what we read, and then listen for the Holy Spirit and discuss how He guides us in our lives. (Please have your bible available.)
- Thursday morning, 7:30-8:00 am - Prayer Call. In this comfortable environment, we listen to various topics inspired by the Holy Spirit, discuss the topic, and pray for one another.
Join at any time! Please contact Patty Allocca at [email protected] for more information.
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Testimonials from past participants!
Here's what past participants have said about their Virtual Discipleship Group experience:
- The series helped focus me spiritually and insights shared by my fellow participants were awesome.”
- “Our facilitator guided us through our book with great care, thoughtfulness, and efficiency. She provided us with the tools to share our thoughts on every concept. I am deeply changed by this experience.”
- “This journey was a needed reminder of how easily our spirituality can be strengthened by sharing it with others, and by connecting with others who are yearning for the same thing.”
- “I benefited most from being with a group of people also seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus and to share faith experiences with others. The series did a great job of bringing Jesus, the man, to life for us as well as the experience of being an early follower.”
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Discipleship Group Leaders Welcomed!
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If you have a passion for a particular topic, book, film, or program, and you feel called to lead a virtual group, please reach out to Cristina Folan at [email protected] to discuss partaking in this opportunity of helping others draw closer to Christ! Start and end dates for a group are flexible, within the context of our seasonal offerings. Guidance/coaching will be provided.
We also encourage leaders to team up to co-lead a journey. It's a great way to get started in facilitating small group discussions and to share and nurture leadership in our faith community.
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What do past DG leaders say about their journey?
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