Wednesday Morning Scripture Study

You are invited to join us from 9:30-11:00 on Wednesday mornings.

On Wednesdays beginning September 13th from 9:30-11:00 am, we will be diving into Little Rock’s Scripture Study’s The Gospel According to John Part One.  This covers the magnificent prologue of John’s Gospel and a portion of Jesus’ ministry filled with the signs of his divine nature.

The cost of the book is $12, and you may drop by the Faith Formation office to sign up and pick up your book.   

About The Gospel According to John Part One

The Gospel of John is a testament to the divine nature of Jesus, the Word made flesh, the Light of the World. Part One of our study (John 1-10) covers the magnificent prologue of John’s Gospel and a significant portion of Jesus’ ministry. This ministry is highlighted by miraculous “signs” that reveal Jesus’ true nature and his relationship with the Father.

Afternoon Bible Break

Afternoon Bible Break: A bi-weekly bible study to refresh your spirit

Looking for something to brighten your winter days? Join our small group as we study Luke: The Good News of God’s Mercy. We learn through Luke, that God acts through Jesus Christ to meet our deepest needs, encouraging us to welcome God’s actions in our lives, and then go out and offer God’s mercy to the world around us 

Wednesdays, 12:30-2 pm
Jan. 10, 24, Feb. 7, 21, Mar. 6, 2

Stop by the Parish office to register and purchase a book.
Books cost $9.00. 

Questions: Call Kathy Doering- 839-9273, Carmen Gray-832-4164 

Description:

An overview of the key themes and messages of the book of Luke are offered in this Bible study, Luke: The Good News of God’s Mercy. The overriding message of the book of Luke, that God has acted through Jesus Christ to meet our deepest needs, encourages us to welcome God’s actions throughout our lives and, in turn, to go out and offer God’s mercy to the world around us.

For busy adults who want to study the Bible but don’t know where to begin, Six Weeks with the Bible provides an inviting starting point. Each guide is divided into six concise, 90-minute segments that introduce one book of the Bible. All biblical text is printed in the guides, which means no additional study aids are required.

Christ Renews

Life has a way of teaching us that all of our commitments, including our commitment to Christ, need continual renewal if we are to be faithful!

Christ Renews is an ongoing process for the personal spiritual renewal of men and women over the age of 18 that results in the renewal of our faith community. The process begins with a weekend of prayer, talks given by members of our Midland Area parishes, times of silence and reflection, social activities, and small group discussion. This all takes place in a relaxed, prayerful, and caring atmosphere. Participants are free to share as much or as little as they wish. This is a wonderful time spent exploring our faith and growing in our relationship with Christ.

Think and pray seriously about this opportunity

  • do you need to deepen your faith?
  • do you need space for your inner journey?
  • is your life out of balance?
  • are you out of touch with the action of God in your life?
  • are you seeking to enrich your understanding of what it means to be a Christian in today’s world?
  • do you see yourself as “church”? As a disciple of Jesus?
  • do you need to listen anew to Jesus’ call?

What about the cost?

The renewal weekend is a gift from the team putting on the weekend to the participants attending the weekend.  Volunteers provide food and service.

Who facilitates the weekend?

A team of people from the previous Christ Renews weekend is in formation now with a Spiritual Director, preparing to make your weekend a truly special experience.

What happens during the weekend?

The many activities include prayer, reflection, talks, small group discussions, and social activities; all in a relaxed, prayerful, and caring atmosphere. Participants are free to share as much, or as little, as they wish. The entire weekend is informal. Casual clothes are recommended.

There will be a Reconciliation Service and we participate in Sunday Eucharist together with the rest of the parish community. There are opportunities for private and shared prayer.

It is a Spirit-filled weekend!

Laidback Book Club

Thrift Store Saints, Meeting Jesus 25¢ at a Time

By: Jane Knuth

Our next Laidback Book Club begins September 25th. We will be reading Thrift Store Saints, Meeting Jesus 25¢ at a Time by Jane Knuth.  Please purchase a paper or digital copy, join us on Facebook, or read along with us, and then join in for a community discussion on Thursday, November 16 at 7:00 pm. Contact Christy Granda for more information about how to join the group.

The description from the publisher reads: Thrift Store Saints is a collection of true stories based on Jane Knuth’s experiences serving the poor at a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in the inner city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. At the outset of the book, Knuth is a reluctant new volunteer at the store, sharing that her middle-class, suburban, church-going background has not prepared her well for this kind of work. By the end of the book, Knuth has undergone a transformation of sorts, and neither she nor we can ever view the poor in the same way again. 

This should be an excellent quick read to accompany our Faith Formation theme of Kingdom Builders based on Catholic Social Teaching. 

The Mass with Bishop Ken Untener

These recordings are from a presentation given at a local parish in January 2001. The audio has been edited in order to enhance the quality, but there are some sections that could not be recovered. Particularly, in the Question & Answer section.

We hope you enjoy this presentation and come away appreciating Mass and participating more fully.

Small Faith Groups

Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more important than our own. The question, therefore, is not ‘How can we make community?’ but, ‘How can we develop and nurture giving hearts?’”
~ Henri Nouwen

Blessed Sacrament Parish Community is excited to continue our small faith groups initiative! Keep reading to learn more about the small group initiative and why you should be a part of it! It is our hope that our parish community will continue to grow in faith, discipleship, and fellowship through these small faith groups!

If you are part of an existing group, please check with your leader for meeting times and dates because some have changed.  If you are interested in joining or starting a small faith group, please contact Christy Granda. 

WHAT IS A SMALL FAITH GROUP

Generally, it is a group of 5-10 people who gather weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly for 60-90 minutes for fellowship, prayer, and discussion. These groups can meet at any place where community, conversation, confidentiality, and connection can happen. Though the composition and topic can be different for each group, the goals are the same for ALL groups; to make friends and make a difference while growing as disciples of Jesus.

WHY SMALL FAITH GROUPS

Jesus didn’t journey through this life alone. In fact, he called a group of twelve to follow him and companion with him. The group ate, prayed, and celebrated together. When times were difficult, they supported one other and strengthened each other’s faith. We were created from a community of love to be a community of love, and Jesus modeled that for us.

Small communities are powerful vehicles for adult faith formation, providing opportunities for learning, prayer, mutual support, and the shared experience of Christian living and service to Church and society.

Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, USCCB, 106

WHY SMALL FAITH GROUPS AT BLESSED SACRAMENT

At a parish as large as Blessed Sacrament, it’s easy to feel like you are just a number, just another person sitting in a pew. We realize that it’s often difficult to take the first step necessary to engage in all of the available ministry and faith formation opportunities. Small Faith Groups provide that first step and offer an immediate sense of belonging and a connection point to the larger parish.

WHO ARE SMALL FAITH GROUPS FOR

EVERYONE and ANYONE! Small Faith Groups are built around what people already have in common:

  1. Life Ages and Stages: young professionals, young families, empty nesters, singles, retired folks, married couples…
  2. Demographics: just men or women, mixed groups of men and women
  3. Areas of Interest: Scripture Study, Book Club, Papal Letters, Theology, God in Nature, Ministry Groups, Christian Music, Service, and Video Series on a whole range of topics

Sacred in the Secular: Rosary on the Go

If you enjoy walking or jogging by yourself or with others why not turn it into a time of prayer so that you can exercise your body and your soul at the same time?!

If you are new to the Rosary on the Go, Blessed Sacrament will provide rosary rings for each participant and a weekly prayer intention based on Pope Francis’s monthly prayer intention. Please contact Christy to request your rosary ring(s) and list of weekly intentions. In Mark 16:15 Jesus said, “GO into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature…” On your mark, get set, GO!!!!

Bible in a Year Podcast

Midland Area Inter-Faith Friends

The Midland Area Inter-Faith Friends are inspired to affect positive change through Unity, Support, Compassion and Willingness to make a difference in this world as we face so many issues and problems.

Midland Area Inter-Faith Friends is also currently  a part of a non-profit organization “Foster Closets of Michigan”.

Come and join us and be a part of making a difference in our local community.

To learn more, visit their website.