Adult Faith Formation Commission
The Adult Faith Formation Commission was formed in January of 2006. Adult faith formation is concerned with the ongoing faith life of adults. It asks the question: What do adults within the parish community need in order to grow in their faith? The goals of faith formation are: holiness of life (deepening of relationship with Christ in everyday life), active participation in the Christian community and service of God and neighbor.
In 1999, the U.S. Bishops published a Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation called "Our Hearts Were Burning". In the Introduction, they stated: "We seek to form parishes that are vitally alive in faith. These communities will provide a parish climate and an array of activities and resources designed to help adults more fully understand and live their faith." They identified six dimensions of adult faith, each of which they described as "a fundamental aspect of Christian life and a foundational content area for adult faith formation." Those dimensions are: knowledge of the faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, communal life and outreach/social action.
The members of the Commission are: Bruce Belason, Tom Bell, Kelly Dunn, Fr. George Evans, Jacob Kallupura, John Murray, Kathleen Logan Prince, Dee Schwartz and Janet Wohlers. We plan to collaborate with parish staff and other parish commissions and committees to promote a parish community vision of adult faith formation. The Commission resonates with the words of Jane Regan: "To be genuinely Church in the 21st century, a dedication to fostering mature, committed adult communities of faith is essential." We would welcome any ideas or suggestions that parishioners might have about ways in which we might achieve the vision. Please contact Kelly Dunn.
The St. Julia Interfaith Study
"Neighbors Understanding Neighbors"
Perhaps at no other time in history has it seemed more necessary to better understand not only our own religion, but also the religion of others. What do the followers of other religions believe? How do their beliefs affect our families, our towns, and our world? How do 'believers' view those who do not share the same understanding of God?
Fortunately at St. Julia Parish, we have the opportunity to explore these important questions in our Interfaith Study series. By using up-to-date DVD lectures, current readings related to contemporary interests, field trips, excellent speakers and meaningful discussions we gain genuine knowledge and deepen our understanding and appreciation of how people of other religions live and practice their faith.
With the wave of religious fervor sweeping the Islamic world, St. Julia's Interfaith Study began in September 2006 with the comparative study: "Islam and Christianity". A total of 52 people signed up for this first study. The overwhelming enthusiasm prompted a second interfaith study for Spring 2007. This study focused primarily on the Holy Land, and its three religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Fall of 2007 we studied Orthodox Christianity.
1) To genuinely understand people of other religions; 2) To pray for people of other faiths, as well as, for world peace; 3) To have dialogue with people of other religions; and 4) To form an interfaith collaborative 'Outreach Initiative' for those who suffer loss.
All adults are welcome. Please come, gain new insight, as well as, meet new faces or re-connect with those you know. For more information, you may contact Dee Schwartz at 781-431-6463, or by email.
ARISE Together in Christ
With grace and the prayers of our fellow parishioners and the participation of faith communities throughout the entire Boston area, ARISE Together in Christ began its first six-week session October, 2008. Season 2, "Change our Hearts" began in February, 2009. Here in St. Julia Parish, nine small faith-sharing groups, with a total of 92 participants, met weekly to share the Gospel and their faith in parishioners' homes, at our Weston Parish Center, and at our St. Joseph House in Lincoln. This fall 's program was "In the Footsteps of Christ".
THE ARISE FALL SEASON: We are the Good News! begins the week of October 4. Spring 2010 attendees will be contacted by Arise group facilitators to see if they wish to continue and new participants are welcome to sign up at stjulia.org (coming soon), or by using the yellow forms provided September 25-26. Recent participants again provided positive feedback about the opportunities for faith-sharing and mutual support. Growth in understanding and appreciation of the Scriptures were added benefits. "Encouraging forgiveness, putting faith into action, and strengthening one's faith," are all by-products of spending just six 90 minute sessions together with fellow Catholic believers this fall. All groups welcome new members.
A REASSURING ARISE FOLLOW-UP: This past winter, a Monday ARISE group participated in Amnesty International's Global-Write-A-Thon, seeking the release of nearly a dozen prisoners of conscience. Every group member wrote individual letters to the President/Prime Minister, to the Ambassadors to the US of these countries: People's Republic of China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, Union of Myanmar, Nepal, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Good News! Two of the prisoners of conscience have been released from jail. Mohammed Hassan Odani was released in June from Guantanamo after eight years without being charged with a crime. Also, Musaad Abu Fagr, Egyptian blogger and Bedouin activist, was released from jail in Cairo earlier this month after three years imprisonment without trial. This is really exciting news! In the human rights field, Amnesty International has very few successes, but to have two in such a short period of time is energizing to all who do this work each day. Sharing this joy are all who helped in reuniting these two men
Here's what some parishioners have said about the process:
• A long-time parishioner remarked that she is feeling much closer to her Church than she has in years.
• One man said he is hoping that through ARISE he will reconnect with the vitality he experienced when he converted to Catholicism years ago.
• A woman in one group said she appreciated being able to hear the voices of people of different generations talking together about faith.
• Someone else said he savored the opportunity to dialogue about everyday faith experiences in a comfortable setting.
• One said it was good way to get to know fellow parishioners.
"As one of the 10 hosts of ARISE, Session One, what did you think of the experience?"
Philomena Gildea, host for a Thursday morning group, enjoyed the opportunity to welcome the dozen participants to her home each week. She said that the experience "was a pleasure" and that all who joined the ARISE experience seemed to enjoy it.
Questions? Call Joan Duffy at 781-894- 7701.
The ARISE cookbook Food for the Body & Soul has arrived from the publisher and is ready for purchase. The cookbook contains over 300 special recipes representing the collaborative efforts of ARISE groups from eighteen Boston Archdiocesan parishes plus entries from the CEO, Board of Visitors, residents and staff of Hearth, Inc. The cookbook also includes uplifting scriptural passages for reflection and inspiration. All proceeds will be donated to Hearth, Inc., the only organization in the country with a cost effective, sole focus and comprehensive approach to ending elder homelessness. The cookbook will be available at the parish picnic in September and can be ordered by consulting the parish website, or you may also send a request in writing along with a check made payable to Hearth, Inc. to ARISE Cookbook Committee, 68 Laurel Road, Weston, MA 02493. Order forms can also be found at the back of the church. The cost is $15.00 plus $3.00 postage and handling per book if ordered through the mail. If you prefer to pay by credit card and/or are interested in giftwrapping, please order your cookbooks directly from Hearth, www.hearth-home.org. Check future bulletins for additional opportunities to purchase the cookbook in person. Don't miss this opportunity to participate in a concrete action step of social justice!
YOGA PRAYER
Gretchen Daggett, Kripalu Yoga Instructor with over 15 years teaching experience, will be offering two introductory sessions of Yoga Prayer at St. Julia's this June. This spiritual form of gentle yoga calms the mind, opens the heart, and renews your deep connection with God. You will also experience the health benefits of lower stress and increased flexibility. Gretchen will guide you with compassion through warm-ups and postures, which provide the perfect transition to a quiet time of meditation and prayer at the close of the session.
Yoga Prayer will start Wednesday, September 8 for a 6-week series running consecutively during the year. Join the morning group from 9:30 to 11AM or the afternoon group from 5:30 to 7PM. Yoga Prayer is appropriate for beginners or more experienced practitioners, and Gretchen will help you adapt postures to suit your body. This is "yoga for the rest of us"!
In our sacred practice, we will:
• Breathe into a place of inner harmony and peace
• Renew and invigorate our connection to God
• Reflect on spiritual readings and prayers
• Come home to our body as a temple of the in-
dwelling presence of God, and
• Experience the health benefits of: lower stress, improved circulation, digestion, flexibility, and an overall sense of well-being and calm.
Where: Upper Lobby, St. Julia's Parish Center, Weston
Cost: $10/session (or what your means allow)
For more information and to register, contact Susan Bayard at St. Julia's at 781-642-1308 or Gretchen at 781-642-7678 or gvdaggett@comcast.net. Wear loose clothing, eat lightly, and bring a mat if you have one (some will be available at the Parish Center). Please feel free to invite a friend to share this beautiful experience!
Bible Study at St. Julia Parish
STUDY THE BOOK OF JOB
September to November, 2010, on Tuesday morning, 9 to 11AM, plan to come and be steeped in the mystery and rich universal appeal of this Old Testament book, in our parish Bible Study. Job's themes are timeless: innocent suffering; human limitations; humility; and trust in God's provisions and care. Job has as many interpretations as there are interpreters. Why not add your own consideration of this timeless book? Following Job will be a study of the "Infancy Narratives of Jesus' Birth" for three weeks. Call Dee Schwartz at 781-431-6463, with any questions.
Saint Julia Bible Study Group meets on Tuesdays from September through June from 9:30 - 11:00 AM in the Parish Center. Meetings include a video lecture, refreshments, and discussion. One member comments, "Bible Study has become my auto pilot for life." Another member emphasis, "Bible Study renews my mind, psyche, and my body." A third member states, "I live in His presence all week thanks to studying God's Word with a group of people who both challenge and encourage me." Another writes, "Bible Study keeps my perspective focused on what is meaningful in life." Finally, another member writes, "Bible Study is a bonus way in which I receive Jesus along with the Eucharist." This group is coordinated by Dee Schwartz.
Sharper than any two-edged sword, and
Piercing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and
Able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the human heart."
(Hebrews 4:12)
Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) supports candidates and catechumens as they journey toward their reception into the Catholic church. See RCIA for more information.
Women's Spirituality Circle meets at St. Julia Church in Weston and is coordinated by Nancy Corcoran, CSJ.
