St. Mary's Parish - Religious Education

Spiritual Growth

M.O.M.S.

Introduction

St. Mary's has several groups that meet on a regular basis for the purpose of encouraging our spiritual growth. We're in the process of collecting the information about these groups in this web-page, so please check back in a few weeks if you don't see what you're looking for now.

All people, parishioners and non-parishioners are welcome at all of these groups.

For those interested in converting to Catholicism:

How Does a Person Become a Catholic?

There are several ways. The Catholic Church warmly welcomes new members and tries to provide appropriate spiritual formation according to each person’s needs. In general, though, people who are becoming Catholic fall into three categories: infants and young children; people who whether baptized or unbaptized, have had little or no affiliation with or religious training in the Christian faith; and baptized people who have been active members in other Christian denominations.

Infants and Young Children

Children who are born or adopted into Catholic families usually are baptized as infants, a practice that began early in the church’s history. This makes sense because the children will be raised in a Christian environment, learning the ways of faith from their parents and other family members and eventually receiving formal religious training through their parish school or religious education program.

People with Little or No Christian Background

Many adults who wish to join the Catholic church have never been baptized. The church offers unbaptized adults a process of formation in the Catholic Christian faith and way of life called The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Christian initiation is a gradual process; it begins somewhat informally. Interested people are invited to meet with others who are exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic. They have the opportunity to ask questions about the church and to hear about the message of Jesus Christ and how it is lived out in the Church. As the process moves along the Period of the Catechumenate begins and provides a structure for catechesis which is the passing on of the teachings of the church. During this time each catechumen is paired with a sponsor who can serve as a spiritual companion and offer support and encouragement. Through the various rites of the catechumenate the church marks a person’s journey to full membership. The climax of the RCIA is the celebration of the sacraments of initiation – baptism, confirmation and eucharist – at the Ester Vigil, followed by a period for reflection on the sacraments and for integration into the life and mission of the church.

Baptized People Who Are Active Christians

People who have been active members of other Christian denominations seek membership in the Catholic church for many reasons. Often they are attracted by the church’s liturgies or by its stance on issues of life, justice and peace. Sometimes they are married or engaged to a Catholic. These candidates join with the catechumens in the RCIA to learn more about the Catholic church and to prepare for their reception into full communion with the church at the Easter Vigil.

What Is the First Step?

Anyone who is thinking about becoming a Catholic Christian or who would like more information is encouraged to contact Fr. Mike, Fr. Adam or Deacon Frank. Summer is a good time to do this. An RCIA Open House will be held in September and interested people will be able to meet informally with members of our parish who have become Catholic.

Seminar Series

Series #1:

St. Mary Parish will be hosting an Adult Education Series on the following dates:

October 2: The history of the Old Testament and its relation to the New Testament and an overall structure of the Bible
November 6: An appreciation of St. Paul’s life and thought
January 8: The manifestation of the Holy Spirit throughout the Old and New Testaments

The seminars, led by Jennifer Kiel, M.A.R. in Theology, will take place in the Pastoral Center from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Series #2:

Did you ever wonder what the Bible’s book of Revelations is all about? The mystery and symbolism and message has stumped and frightened Christians for ages. To many it is a book of fire and brimstone and to others a wonderful promise of spending eternity with the God of our journey of life and faith. Passionist Father and Bible scholar, John O’Brien will lead us into an exciting study of Revelations on Monday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am in St. Mary’s Pastoral Center. We will begin on September 29th. Come and bring a friend!

Thomas Merton Study Group

For the past seven years a small group of Thomas Merton enthusiasts and readers have met at St. Mary’s Pastoral Center to read and discuss books by Thomas Merton. In the beginning the group met in the evening but for the past four years the meetings have been during the day. The group has read and discussed Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation which explored the contemplative pathways to one’s deep spiritual center. During the 2005-2006 year the group discussed Peace in the Post-Christian Era which is a treatise on the issues of war and the nuclear threat during the 1960’s which, of course, resonates with us in today’s world. For the 2006-2007 year the group read and discussed Thomas Merton, Spiritual Master edited by Lawrence Cunningham (ISBN # 0-8091-3314-8, paperback). This book is an anthology of the many Thomas Merton writings, primarily about spirituality. For the 2007-2008 year the group will continue with the book, Thomas Merton, Spiritual Master.

The Merton group will finish the text, Thomas Merton, Spiritual Master at their first meeting for the 2008-2009 year. The text for the Thomas Merton Study Group during the 2008-2009 will be The Seven Storey Mountain authored by Thomas Merton –--Introduction by Robert Giroux--The Fiftieth Anniversary Edition (1998)-ISBN 0-15-601086-0 –paperback. Since some members of the group have read the book many years ago our focus will be new insights gained by the readings—in a sense it will The Seven Storey Mountain revisited. Everyone is welcome to join the group and people of other faiths and members of other churches are welcome as well. The group will meet the third Tuesday of every month (except December) - 9:30-11:00 A.M. at the Pastoral Center. Feel free to contact the group leader, John P. Collins, for further information. Telephone-508-753-6203. E-mail—jpcoll@aol.com.

2008

September 16
October 21
November 18

2009

January 20
February 17
March 17
April 21

M.O.M.S.

The Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) is a group of mothers who gather to share in the gift of mothering through prayer, discussion and friendship over coffee and rolls. Topics include a mothering or spiritual theme and roate every meeting. Location varies but typically we meet in the kitchen area of the O'Connell Parish Center from 8:00am to about 9:30am on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Plesae feel welcome to attend our next meeting or call Jen Zerwas at 508-845-3883 for more information.

Other Web Sites

Here are links to some other educational and informational web-sites. Click on the logo to go to that web-site.

Diocese of Worcester	USCCB	The Vatican	Archdiocese of Boston	Calvary Center
Catholic Free Press	Catholic News Service	American Catholic	EWTN