Faith formation is a lifetime process which should not end upon being Confirmed. Throughout the year, the Director of Religious Education provides parishioners with several ways in which to enrich their faith and spiritual life. Participants in the studies and faith sharing communities have commented on how much they have enjoyed learning about their Catholic faith, and find themselves becoming closer to Jesus. These activities also provide a wonderful opportunity to get to know fellow parishioners and to start new friendships.
SCRIPTURE STUDY. According to our parish’s patron saint, St. Jerome, “Not to know the Scriptures, is not to know Christ”. To help us understand Scripture, a study of one of the books of the bible is offered at least once a year. This Scripture study group usually meets once a week for 90 minutes over a period of 4 to 7 weeks, depending on the length of the topic. Anyone interested may sign up when the study is announced in the bulletin. There is usually a nominal fee to cover the cost of the materials used.
In her liturgical tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each Wednesday to St. Joseph. The Church also designated the entire month of March as the “Month of St. Joseph” and celebrates the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary on March 19. March, therefore, is a perfect month to get better acquainted with your spiritual father. Here are a few suggestions:
“Let us love Jesus above all, let us love Mary as our mother; but then, how could we keep from loving St. Joseph, who was so intimately united to both Jesus and Mary? And how can we honor him better than by imitating his virtues?” (St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, as quoted in Levy, Joseph the Just Man, 147-148.)
“Who is St. Joseph?” What makes him so great? What are St. Joseph’s qualities – virtues – that we should strive to imitate? Answers to those questions may be found in the titles given to St. Joseph in the Litany of St. Joseph:
Noble Offspring of David, Light of Patriarchs, Spouse of the Mother of God, Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, Foster-Father of the Son of God, Zealous Defender of Christ, Head of the Holy Family, Most Just, Most Chaste, Most Prudent, Most Courageous, Most Obedient, Most Faithful, Mirror of Patience, Lover of Poverty, Model of Workmen, Glory of Domestic Life, Guardian of Virgins, Pillar of Families, Comfort of the Afflicted, Hope of the Sick, Patron of the Dying, Terror of Demons, Protector of the Holy Church
St. Joseph, Pray for us!
Reflect on the meaning of each title, and as you come to know St. Joseph better through his titles, strive to imitate the virtues and qualities they exemplify. Strive to model St. Joseph by your life!
“Ite ad Joseph!” Go to Joseph!
Your spiritual father will help you.
The Litany of St. Joseph can be found online at: dioceseoftrenton.org/year-of-saint-joseph
THE FORMED PROGRAM is an online Catholic resource, created by the Augustine Institute, with the hope that its outstanding Catholic content would not only enrich and strengthen the faith of practicing Catholics, but also help non-practicing Catholics return to their Catholic family. FORMED has something for everyone: adults, teens and children – movies, studies, e-books ~ and more – you can even get FORMED on-the-go with their new APP!
The best part – your access to FORMED will be free when you register to FORMED using our parishes’ unique subscription code. How to register to FORMED for free:
- VISIT FORMED.ORG WITH A WEB BROWSER
- CLICK ON REGISTER (LOWER RIGHT PAGE)
- ENTER PARISH ACCESS CODE: 6QQDHJ
- Enter your email and create a password (you will need this to login later)
- Enjoy!
QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
Contact: Christine Scholtz, lay ecclesial minister at: 732-222-2927 or cmscholtz@verizon.net
Several SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES meet regularly to share their faith experiences, pray, learn about their faith, and enjoy each other’s company. A community consists of 8–10 people and meets weekly, monthly or seasonally (e.g. Lent, Advent, Easter) depending on the needs and schedules of the individual communities. Participants in these communities have expressed a deeply satisfying and wonderful experience of support and friendship with fellow parishioners who try to live the values of their faith in today’s world. If you would like to be part of a small Christian community, or form one with your own friends and/or neighbors, please contact the Director Of Religious Education.
Refer to the weekly bulletin for these and other Adult Faith Formation activities and programs.