“The Discipleship
Series has borne tremendous fruit in our Archdiocese. Consistently
participants have found it to be a source of joy, edification,
challenge, and consolation, and look forward to continuing with
other books in the series. I couldn't recommend it more highly to
parishes and dioceses as a vehicle for integral Christian formation.”
Kyle Neilson – RCIA
and Adult Faith Formation Consultant – Archdiocese of Vancouver
(Canada)
“These are
resources that really take people where they are in their lives and
bring them to a deeper relationship with Christ and greater
enthusiasm for service. After we finished the first book,
everybody wanted to do the second one. We got the same people
back, plus more. They keep telling me how much they enjoy the
discussion questions, because they connect the Scriptures and the
stories to their daily lives.”
Allen Simmons –
St. Florian’s Parish, Chicago, IL
“Annunciation Parish
in Kearney
(Missouri)
introduced the series to their small Christian communities and they
absolutely love them. These were groups that in the past had met to
pray and do Bible
study, but they had never engaged in any form of service.
These communities are now on fire for service after using the books
- most of them have used all three and are eager for the 4th.”
Jude Huntz –
Director, Human Rights Office, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
“I teach a
Scripture class at Sancta Maria House, a healing home for alcoholics
and addicts, in
Vancouver.
I decided to try a few lessons with them. The women loved everything
about the books and I loved the thought-provoking discussion that
the questions inspired. Then my pastor asked me to facilitate a
program in the parish. I set up a Lenten study of
Who is My Neighbor, and it
has met with equal success. All the participants indicate that they
want to continue. Thank you for your inspired program.”
Rae Pawlowski - Facilitator, St. Luke’s Parish, Maple Ridge, BC, and Scripture Teacher, Sancta Maria house, Vancouver,
BC (Canada)
“I led a group of young adults and
they responded with much enthusiasm. There was such a good
balance of Scripture, stories, Catechism quotes, discussion, prayer
and focus on service, and the program was very do-able for busy
people. The members of our group found many thought-provoking
connections to their daily lives. They especially liked the
stories that brought the Scripture themes to life. Everybody
really looked forward to coming to the meetings!"
Eileen
Mueller – Nativity of Our Lord Parish,
St. Paul,
MN
“We have had a very good response from 7
participating groups at Risen Christ Catholic Parish.
Evaluations have been most positive. Here is a sample of what
people had to say: ‘I feel closer to God and to members of the
parish;’ ‘A new way of looking at my faith;’ ‘Great opportunity to
meet people in the parish;’ ‘Thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship.
The sharing of each other’s lives is a wonderful process to take
part in;’ ‘Opened a deeper awareness of compassion, mercy, and
love.’ Our groups met last night for a year-end celebration
and are all excited to get the next
book!”
Cathy Yoder – Risen Christ
Parish, Boise,
ID
“We
are in the midst of the program, and the Discipleship Series
has been very interesting. It's wonderful to be able to relate
the stories of the men and women in the books to our everyday lives
-- the way they reached out to people. The service aspect of
the program opens the mind to many different possibilities. In
our parish, a good number have been involved with St. Martin's
Guild, which assists families in need.”
Dior Drego
– Parish Staff, Immaculate
Conception Parish,
Delta, BC (Canada)
“The people of
our parish were drawn to this series by the content and the
simplicity. If it’s too
heady, they are turned off.
They want to know, ‘how do I live out my faith?’ Too often
adult faith programs are ‘sit and get;’
‘do homework and talk.’
The Discipleship Series is a
well-rounded blend of doctrine, prayer and lived experience.
Some of the ways we have carried out service is through helping
homeless veterans, volunteering at Jubilee House (a Catholic Worker
house), and helping kids with cancer.”
Barb Ceranski - Director of Faith Formation -
St. Anne's Parish, Wausau, WI
“The
Discipleship Series is a wonderful tool that appeals to a broad
range of participants. Drawing from the lives of the saints,
Sacred Scripture, and Church teachings, it stimulates discussion
that not only enlivens faith and inspires reflection, but asks that
we put what we have gained into action. Long after our
noon
faith-sharing group at Catholic Charities has finished, I’ve seen
two and three gathered continuing a discussion or sharing additional
thoughts. The action component brings forth the “fruit” of
Faith Alive – for what good is faith if it does not prompt us to
serve one another?”
Deacon Richard Sage
– Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of La
Crosse
“The
Discipleship Series books are approachable, accessible and inviting,
and the program is fostering both prayer and charity in our parish.
We have 6 groups in our parish of 650 families, and the facilitators
come together to pray for an hour each week for the parish’s
intentions. Then they go to a nursing home and lead
faith-sharing with the residents there.”
Fr. Peter Manickam, Pastor – Sacred Heart Parish, Marshfield, WI
“In our small
parish we had 4 groups. The participants became so connected
that they want to keep meeting and to maintain the service
commitment. There is a lady in the Diocese who takes
food to the poor in a park in Grand Rapids every Saturday. We decided
to make bagged lunches for her to give away, and later we involved
students in preparing these meals. It was a beautiful
opportunity for everyone.”
Jeannie Wernet, Catechetical
Leader – St. Edward’s Parish, Lake Odessa, MI
“In
our parish, adult education has been challenging, but this book was
extremely interesting and easy to do. We had steady
attendance, without the usual drop-out rate. We look forward
to doing the next book!"
Deacon John McKinley – St.
Elizabeth’s Parish, Gooding, ID
“We
had 4 groups in our parish. People really liked the stories of
faith and we had very good discussions. At the last session we
reviewed what people did for service. One man and his wife set
up a basket in the back of church to collect food to bring to the
local food pantry, which they are still doing. There were some
folks who led a fundraising drive for a boy with cancer.
Others reached out to the mentally challenged and their families.
One woman had an elderly neighbor she would visit and bring grocery
shopping. It is so refreshing to hear the work being done to
help others. A good number of the participants plan to
continue their service commitment into the summer. We look
forward to doing more books in the series.”
Deacon Stillman Slason – Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton, SD
“The
interaction in our group was just wonderful. There was plenty
of meaty material, but also variety, and this contributed greatly to
the discussion. It met the needs of a variety of
personalities. For me, attendance is always a good indicator.
We had more participants at the end than we had at the beginning!
Deacon David Craig – St. Alice’s Parish, Pequot Lakes, MN
“I
had the occasion of teaching the diaconate candidates in our diocese
on Catholic social teaching over a period of days. I decided
to use one of the sessions of the
Discipleship Series as a
prayer/reflection component to the formation days. The
candidates found the event very moving and formative. The
discussion generated from the readings and reflections was powerful
and stimulating, and the experience motivated the men even further
to the commitment of service so essential to the vocation of the
diaconate.”
Jude Huntz –
Director, Human Rights Office, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
“The committee that I am
working with has done thorough reflection on our Lenten Study,
soliciting feedback from those who participated. Many have requested
that we continue these groups in the fall.
Thank you for your ministry to God's people.”
Sister Therese Collison,
Pastoral Associate - Church
of St. Peter,
St.
Peter MN
“Special social and spiritual bonds developed between the
faith-sharing group participants and fed into the parish, creating a
greater spirit of hospitality. There was much more awareness
of what we can be doing in our parish. For example, people
took a real interest in assisting the poor through our parish
mission thrift store. Other people saw they could serve by
helping with parish events and socials. With regard to the
books, group members were especially appreciative of the inspiring
stories of people from different eras. Those really impacted
us a lot.”
Sr. Rosemary Rombalski –
Pastoral Minister, Holy Family Parish, Arcadia, WI
“This has worked out very, very
well for our young adults.
They are so busy, so it’s great to have a 6-week program that
is easy to get through.
Each session only takes 1 ½ to 2 hours to do.
We have had really good discussions and great turnout and
consistency with this program.
With other study resources we have unfortunately seen
burnout, but I haven’t seen any burnout with this.”
Brian Dobeck - Director of
Wausau Deanery Young Adults Group, Wausau, WI
“This was such a good project for the Year of St. Paul, and really
emphasized how our faith is built on love. The book was
informative and relevant, yet not overly long. I especially
liked the ‘Reflect’ sections. I also liked the way the Pope’s
words and the Catechism references were meshed into each session.
Our group included two converts, one of whom has obviously had very
little formal instruction in the Church and was eager to learn.
She said she got a lot out of both the book and the interaction
(compliments to the author for writing in an easily understood
manner). Three of the members are former CCD teachers.
Our oldest is 95 and sharp as a tack!
“Most of the group
members were already extensively involved in parish and community
service of various kinds, so we incorporated those activities into
our discussion of service. We acknowledged what each was doing
and were inspired by those activities. In addition to parish
activities, one woman cares for an ill daughter and an elderly
mother; two gals volunteer many, many hours at the nursing home
where their husbands died; one lady makes mission rosaries almost
non-stop, and at least one of the others is now helping her.
We also discussed the service done by so many in the parish and how
important that work is to keeping our parish alive. We
discussed how our service is based on love, and that it’s important
to do such service even when nobody takes time to thank us. I
think we all gained an appreciation for the services performed by
those around us, and a greater sense of willingness to do more—to
say ‘YES.’”
Rita Smith –
St. Anthony de Padua Parish – Cazenovia , WI
“I
have used a lot of materials from different backgrounds and I want
to say that I was really impressed with this resource. I
appreciated how each lesson started with the Scriptures, then
gave examples of Jesus in the life of his people and then melded
them with our historical tradition and the Catechism of the Catholic
Church. There was a sense of cohesiveness to everything. And
the material is presented in such a way that it is very, very
approachable for the average
Catholic.”
Mike Schaefer – St. Mary’s Parish, Colby, WI
“Because the program encourages you to make a living witness of
your faith, you can’t help but share it outside the group.
It’s a stepping-stone to more, both for the individual and the
parish.”
Deacon David Allen – Blessed
Sacrament Parish, La Crosse, WI
“I
am involved in a faith-sharing group for Lent. I just want you
to know that we have had the best sessions we've ever had.
This week I had the flu and I still couldn't stay home. I went
and sat off by myself in the corner so that I could be part of the
session. I most enjoyed the stories of St. Thérèse and St.
Francis (in As I Have Loved You). Thank you so much for
giving us such a wonderful program. It certainly is not a
sacrifice to go to the sessions! It's just exactly what I need
in my life right now.”
Rita Halama – Sts. Peter and
Paul Parish, Independence, WI
“The
[county jail] inmates' comments about the book have all been
positive, and they like it better than the straight Bible studies
that I have used because it is less head stuff and more heart stuff.
I have found it easier to get them to reflect on what we are talking
about, how it applies in their own lives, in this place. I know that
in at least one case an inmate has modified his behavior as a direct
result of discussions we have had in the group. For me the most
powerful piece has been talking about the service component as they
discover ways in which they may be of service even in jail or
prison. I look forward to using the next book in the same manner.r>
Tom Skemp – Jail
Chaplain, City of La Crosse,
WI
“We have a young couples’
study group (which has 4 young families in it) who used your
Discipleship Series (they hired a babysitter or 2 to watch the 10
kids in the next room). The service component motivated them
to do something together that was also pertinent to their families.
They cleaned up the parish playground by repairing the thick plastic
border which had been damaged by snow plows, purchased a truckload
of wood chips and raked them out, and did other landscaping projects
nearby which included the removal of shrubs that did not survive the
winter and planting new grass. All of this followed a
picnic/potluck.”
Fr.
Brian Konopa, Pastor – St. Olaf Parish,
Eau Claire, WI
“We have had about 21 people that have been attending on a regular
basis. There have been a number of amazing stories of faith,
conversion, etc., that have been coming out of these
groups!!”
Jim
Trzinski – St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Almond, WI
“The
faith-sharing groups at St. Joachim's have been such a blessing.
Many have grown in the Lord and the conversations have opened many doors.”
Gerri
Romens – St. Joachim’s Parish,
Pittsville,
WI
“I have been facilitating a group of
seven parishioners, and speaking for myself it has been wonderful.
As for the service component we as a group are planning to provide a
meal at a local meal location. This will be a new experience
for nearly all members of the group, and we plan on having our
children assist in the experience.”
Jim Grygleski. – St.
Bronislava Parish, Plover, WI
“The material was just about
perfect. There was a great blend of readings, and the
questions allowed each individual to relate, which gave us all a
deeper insight into the topic. The most amazing result was how
people came together. It is such a blessing to witness the
Holy Spirit
at work, as people who did not know each other find common
bonds and are able to share their love
for each other.”
Chris Dickinson, St. Joseph
’s Parish, Stratford , WI
“I
am having lots of good feedback on the faith-sharing material and I
believe that everyone will be interested in attending future groups.
A few of us made a visit to the Place of Grace [Catholic Worker
House]...and found it to be a very worthwhile project and I am sure
that we will repeat the service in the future. Just getting
us out of our comfort zone - (being one of the older crowd) has been
very interesting.”
Marilyn Peterson – Blessed
Sacrament Parish, La Crosse,
WI
“Participation was good and we had some real great personal insight
and sharing. Everyone was so happy they were a part of this
experience and want more. Our service projects consisted of visiting
the nursing home and writing letters. Also several of us, along with
some other parish members, got together and made greeting cards.
These cards will be going with my wife and me to Waveland, Miss. to
be given to persons in need. We're leaving for a week to rebuild
damaged houses. Each card will contain a $10 Wal-Mart gift card. Our
parish got the fund drive going and we’re up to almost $800 so far.
Our project pretty much got beyond our little group of 6 people.
Pretty awesome.”
Gary Asher – St.
Henry’s Parish, Eau Galle, WI
“The Discipleship
Series books have been awesome. Extremely intuitive and
well organized. They put things in illuminating perspective
for the program participants.”
Arthur
Barbier, MD – Cathedral of
St. Joseph,
La Crosse, WI
