NEW! Together – A Bible Study for Mothers with Children

Hi friends,  Please join us for this great study – beginning next week.  A feature of the study will be Familiaris Consortio.
This is Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation on God’s Plan for Marriage and Family.  Pope JP II has been called “the Pope of Marriage and Family.” No other Pope in the history of the Church has given more than a fraction of the attention that John Paul II has dedicated to marriage and family themes.  One of his themes is: “the future of the world passes through the family”.  Below is the info you will need to register, then if you wish, you may read a note from one mom who will join.

 Join in a Bible Study for Mothers of Young Children!

When: Begins October 6th, meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, October through May
Where: Parish Center Meeting Room with childcare available in the nursery next door
Time: 9 -10:30 am. Every other week we will gather together for prayer and fellowship while studying from the Bible, the Catechism and the writings of Pope John Paul II on Marriage and Family. It’s the perfect study to help you as a mother to grow more deeply in your faith and enrich your life and your family’s life! All participants will need a Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Faith; all other materials are provided. The cost for materials is $15 – 20 per participant.

There will be a small additional fee for childcare. For questions or registration, please call Deanne Wessel at 651-430-1264

This is a quick plug and testimonial for the Bible study for mothers of young children that will be starting next week at St. Michael’s.

When I had three boys under the age of five as well as a traveling husband, I was tired and anxious and often felt like I was losing hope in my ability to be a good wife and mother. (Wait, I still feel that way sometimes!) When my second son was born, and I was working full-time, I started attending an evening function for moms at my church. This led to many other studies. Some were geared towards personal growth, others focused on the Scriptures, some on the Catechism and prayer, and some were simply listening to speakers and the stories of other women. I grew up a cradle Catholic and I was amazed how some of the women (especially the facilitators) I met could so confidently speak about God and Christ. They seemed so knowledgeable and “holy”. Speaking this way generally wasn’t part of my vocabulary. At the same time, I gravitated toward it … these women seemed so at peace and so joyful. No matter what the focus was, I always felt an amazing peace after attending. They were all willing to meet me where I was with my faith. I felt a closeness to my Catholic faith and to Christ the weeks I attended and I felt better equipped to teach my children about the faith as well. (And, even my husband!) I made life-long friends too.

 Did my anxiousness go away? Not entirely. I’m human and am still learning how to deal with my temperament. But, I definitely know that I am not alone and that no matter what is thrown in my path, I can get through it by falling back on what I learned in those group studies. Learning about our faith is a journey that never ends. No matter where you are in your journey, this study would be a great way to learn more about the Catholic faith especially to how it pertains to the FAMILY. It’s a place where the door will be open to questions and dialogue about being a Catholic family today … and you’ll meet some great women too!

 I hope you will prayerfully consider attending and/or pass on the information to others you know.

 The group will meet just TWICE A MONTH. (My schedule is liking this already!)

 Peace,

Becky Thomson