Category Archives: Book Discussion Group

Thursday, January 17: Book Group, 7:30-9:00pm 
Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church by Luke Timothy Johnson.  Parish Center Board Room.

Tuesday, February 5: Evening for Women, 6:30pm This year’s theme focuses us on the door of faith always open for us, beckoning us to rediscover more about the core of faith as love offered and accepted, an invitation to ponder the biblical revelation of love. Through reflection, prayer, sharing, with a fabulous pot-luck, we’ll enter that door of faith together. (Bring one of your favorite winter recipes!) Social Hall. Moderator: Sr. Evelyn Ronan, SND

Adult Faith Formation Commission: AFFC@stjohnwellesley.org

The first two books on the schedule of the St. John’s Book Discussion Group are:

September 13: Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor
Ms. O’Connor once described herself as a “hillbilly Thomist”, pointing out that she read Aquinas for twenty minutes every night. This novel, 129 pages, is readily available in paperback. We will also discuss Father Gallagher’s chapter in Faith Maps, “Flannery O’Connor: Assaulting the Imagination”, a wonderful, brief analysis of the thought behind her writing.

October 11: Voting and Holiness: Catholic Perspectives on Political Participation, edited by Nicholas Cafardi
The Conference of Catholic Bishops has once again issued a “call to political responsibility”, urging Catholics to become informed citizens and to analyze issues and candidates before voting. Our October discussion will give people an opportunity to explore some of the specific connections (and non-connections?) between Catholic teaching and the political issues of 2012.

All meetings are from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.  Although the books selected for each month are mostly under 200 pages and can generally be purchased for less than $20 (or borrowed from the library), we recognize how difficult it is for some to read each one. Thus, people often come to these gatherings with a broad understanding of the topic, author or focus of the book, rather than a grasp of the specific details. This is fine. For more information about the Book Discussion Group please contact the Adult Faith Formation Commission or call one of the leaders of the group – Peter Mongeau, Anita Martin , Julie and Frank McConville or John Stewart.

St. John’s Adult Faith Formation Commission
(Email: AFFC@stjohnwellesley.org)

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.

The AFFC Book Discussion Group will meet this Thursday, October 13 at 7:30pm in the Parish Center.  This month’s selection: What Happened at Vatican II by John W. O’Malley.  For more information, please click here to visit the Book Discussion Group page on the website.