Why should someone come and experience the Evangelization, Prayer, and Scripture ministry at Saint Michael Church?
The Evangelization, Prayer, and Scripture ministry helps encourage personal faith in daily life. We explore the Gospels and Scripture; the Sacraments; prayer; and the lives and writings of the Saints and Church Fathers as sources of grace. We ask the question “how do I invite others to an experience of the Faith and to an encounter with Jesus” through my personal prayer life, example and deeper knowledge of the Faith.
DIGGING DEEPER INTO OUR FAITH – THE MASS – We meet on Tuesdays, October 10, October 24, November 7, November 21, December 5 and December 19 from 7 to 8:30 PM in the Commons – All are welcome to join us for this Adult Faith Formation program that focuses on the Mass and what the Lord is offering us through the Divine Liturgy – For more information, please contact program facilitator Peter Kitchin at 708-557-2600 or via email at pkitchin@comcast.net.
The Evangelization ministry is unique in helping participants learn to live a deeper spirituality and apply it in everyday life. We study materials about our Catholic faith, coming to better understand our Faith with our intellect. We ready ourselves to apply this knowledge to our heart, growing in an interior and personal way.
Our search leads to a deeper personal relationship with God, in prayer, action and word. It helps us respond to the “universal call to Holiness“. We strive to help educate and encourage each other because
- “God calls us all to this intimate union with him.” (CCC, #2014)
- And again because, “All Christians… are called to the fullness of the Christian life…” (CCC, # 2028- Lumen Gentium 40-2)
As committed Catholics we are sent out after each Mass to “GO” into the world to invite others to get to know the Lord in their own lives. Evangelization is all about an invitation. This is done very often by holding a door for another, with a simple smile, a helping hand, and a word of encouragement. It may involve telling your own conversion story or giving good example by how you live your life. Knowledge of the Catholic Faith helps Catholics to become better prepared to answer probing questions as we meet different people, situations and circumstances.
Our ministry, its courses and study, explores participants’ interest areas. These have included:
- why we have seven Sacraments,
- the importance of prayer,
- what the Mass is all about,
- or why God became man.
Our ministry also studies Scripture – learning and praying the Word of God and better understanding different books of the bible. We also hear some of the wisdom and teachings of the Saints, Fathers, and Doctors of the Church.
Examples of weekly readings and topics include:
- The Mystery of God
- The Gospel of John
- The different kinds of Prayer
- How do we pray?
- Practical suggestions in active Evangelization
- From Genesis to Jesus
- Understanding the Mass
- Ecclesiology – Study of the Church
- Mary, Mother of God