Monthly Archives: June 2012

The Adult Faith Formation Commission has been meeting monthly for over a year now.  We feel we have accomplished a lot, but clearly there is much more to be done. Among the programs and ideas we are considering or seriously planning for next year are:

• Continuation of the monthly gatherings for both men and women
• Expansion of the very successful parish book discussion group
•  Small group discussions of the book Faith Maps
• Greater use of the magnificent film series “Catholicism”
• Showing and discussion of the film “The Way” (Martin Sheen)
• Continuation and expansion of the scripture study groups
• Lecture/discussion programs, including special talks during Advent and Lent
• Occasional weekday morning discussions for older members of the parish
• Sunday afternoon workshop on “growing our faith through story-telling.”

As always, we would love to receive comments and suggestions. As thinking Catholics we all recognize the need to expand our understanding and appreciation of the gift of faith that has been given us. Inevitably the big challenge is finding the time and discipline to really do it! As we have said many times, our goal is simply to be of help to you in this effort.

The parish Book Discussion Group will be meeting during the summer to select the ten or so books to be read next year. We would love your suggestions. Because we meet monthly the books must be relatively short (200 pages or less), readily available, and inexpensive (under $20). Since the group was created eight years ago we have read books on an amazing variety of subjects and themes relating to Catholicism, Christianity and religion generally. We have read novels, biographies, books on church history, scripture, spirituality, prayer, liturgy, parish life, the sacraments, the papacy, books of poetry and books on the traditions and beliefs of Muslims and Jews. Our discussions are generally serious but always with some levity, sometimes contentious but always conducted in a spirit of genuine Christian love and respect for the opinions of all. If you want more information on the book group or want to be added to our mailing list, write to Peter Mongeau (pmongeau@verizon.net), who has labored long, hard and creatively to make the group so successful. Peter is assisted in leading the group by Anita Martin, Frank McConville and John Stewart.

St. John’s Faith Formation · AFFC@stjohnwellesley.org

by Father Robert Imbelli – Social Hall

Cardinal Newman’s extensive writings reflect his drive to make sense of the Christian vision, to appreciate in greater detail just how we arrive at faith. We too live in an age when many are struggling to understand the role that God plays in our lives. The thoughts and inspirations of Newman are as relevant today as they were when he died in 1890.  Father Imbelli’s talk and the discussion will focus on the chapter on Cardinal Newman in the book Faith Maps: Ten Religious Explorers. Copies of this book are available ($16.95), or we can send you just the chapter at no cost. Contact John Stewart at johnstewart@alum.bu.edu.

Fr.  Imbelli is an Associate Professor of Theology at Boston College.  This lecture is sponsored by the St. John’s Book Discussion Group.