The St. John’s Book Discussion Group was created ten years ago with the basic goal of helping people to understand better the concepts, doctrines, ideas, people, events, institutions, history and relationships that make up the Catholic experience. We have done this through nine or ten meetings a year, held at the parish and focused on a particular book or publication, defined broadly to include, for example, a selection from scripture, an encyclical or a group of poems. There is no membership in the group – it has been open to everyone with an interest and a willingness to contribute to the discussions.
As we enter our second decade and embark on a new relationship with spiritual neighbors from St. Paul’s (and other parishes in the area) we feel it is appropriate to pause and consider ways we might improve the Book Discussion Group – with new members, new approaches to the selection of books and new discussion formats. We are proud of all we have accomplished – the list of books we have read is impressive and we continue to have 10-15 participants at each meetings, an ideal number for lively and fruitful discussion – but we know we can do better.
Thus, we will hold a meeting at the Parish Center (the building on the opposite side of the parking lot from the school) on Thursday evening, June 18, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. to discuss the future of the book group.
Please come and bring your ideas, suggestions and proposals for specific books or types of books you would like to read and discuss, along with any thoughts you have about organizing this wonderful effort in adult faith formation. There is no commitment — we welcome those who want to become active as well as those who just want to listen! For further information please contact one of the following: Peter Mongeau, pmongeau@verizon.net, Frank McConville, jfmcconville@comcast.net, John Stewart, johnstewart@alum.bu.edu and Anita Martin, ravelrig@live.com
