JOIN US FOR BIBLE STUDY  THIS FALL. 

SAVE THE DATES!

MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Ephesians: Discover Your Inheritance
8 Tuesdays, 9:45 AM – 12:00 Noon - Parish Library
September 24 – November 12, 2019

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians reveals how God’s love through His Church calls us to live our faith and
be transformed in our daily lives. 
Join us for Fellowship, a DVD (with Jeff Cavins and Thomas Smith), Prayer, and Discussion. 

• Discover more about being a son or daughter of  God and an heir to all God has to give.
• Delve into the great mystery of loving one another as Christ loves the Church.
• Identify your place in God’s “plan of sheer goodness”.

Please contact Dorothy Welsh for more information and a direct sign up link
from Ascension Press.  dwwelsh5@aol.com or 301-526-5779

 
EVENING BIBLE STUDY
Psalms: The School of Prayer
11 Wednesdays – 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Sept 25 and Oct. 2 --- Parish Library
Oct. 9 thru Dec. 4 --- Duffy Center
Would you like have a copy of the Blessed Mother’s prayer book?
Actually, you do have one:  The Book of Psalms.
The Psalms reveal Israel's response to God's covenant offer and serve as a model
for our response to Him. Our communication with God is enriched by a deeper understanding of the book of Psalms, and echoed in the individual psalms
that reside in each of our hearts.
 Join us for Fellowship, Prayer, Discussion and
a DVD (with Jeff Cavins, Tim Gray, and Sarah Christmyer).  
Sign up and order your book here:
https://study.ascensionpress.com/studies/40463/registrations/new
For more information please contact Suzanne Nelson
suzanne.nelson2@gmail.com

AND DON'T FORGET....

• Jeff Cavins at the Museum of the Bible, Oct.19 Space is limited. Tickets are available for purchase now at https://web.cvent.com/event/950f704c-41bc-46a3-bcf3-18ee2da22084/summary.

For more information contact jackiefmurphy@comcast.net

PREVIEW OF MORE COMING ATTRACTIONS
Science&Faith Events - TBA

• Interactive: Lecture & Discussion: The Ages & Stages of Adulthood

       Thursday, Nov. 7, 7:30-9:00 PM -  Parish Library

• Panel Discussion: End of Life Issues

       Thursday, Feb. 20, 7:30-9:00 PM - St Raphael Duffy Center 

• Lecture: The Spirituality of Aging 

        Date: TBA

St. Raphael Small Groups
Contact: suzanne.nelson2@gmail.com

• Information Night - Thurs. Sept. 19

      7:30 PM – Duffy Center (All are welcome)

• Facilitator Training – Thurs. Sept 26

      7:30 PM – Duffy Center

• Evening of Recollection - TBA

 
AFF Team Meetings
Thurs. 7:30 PM – Duffy Center

• Gearing Up – Oct. 10
• Reflect, Review, Refresh – Feb. 6
• Planning Ahead – May 7

 
Watch this space for details to come!
 

Are You Called?
- To help gather a new Small Group?
- To be a Small Group Facilitator?
- To Host a Small Group, in your home? Or at the Parish?
- To reach out to others about joining a Small Group?
 

We Need You! To discuss, please call or email Suzanne or a current Small Group member.

Q&A

Q. What are the benefits of “faith sharing” and discussion in an AFF setting?
 
A.  Many authors have addressed this question. Here is a brief summary of some of their thinking.
 

1. Discussion encourages us to articulate what we believe and how we experience our beliefs.
2. Group interchange can strengthen our faith and help us understand other people’s ways of thinking about theirs.
3. Sharing life experiences in a prayerful context helps to clarify interconnections between faith and life. 

 
“Of fundamental importance is the dialogical approach which, while recognizing that all are called to the obedience of faith, respects the basic freedom and autonomy of adults and encourages them in an open and cordial dialogue. In this way, they can make known their needs and can participate, as they should… in their own catechesis and that of others.” #57

- Adult Catechesis in the Christian Community, NCEA 

 

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NEW!     FORMED

Sign up for FREE here:    formed.org/signup                                    
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St Raphael Church AFF FACEBOOK GROUP

Join us.
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1457324274578094/
 

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BOOKS & LINKS 

• Facilitating a Small Group

• LifeLong Faith https://www.lifelongfaith.com/journal.html

• On the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist see especially CCC # 1474 – 1381 http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c1a3.htm

• Bishop Barron and the Nones – June 13, 2019 https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/06/13/catholic-church-should-focus-on-getting-nones-back-bishop-barron-says/   

• God the Father: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual-growth-for-kids/trinity/god-the-father                                                                                                                              

• Christian Morality: In the Breath of God by Russel B. Connors, Jr., 2002.                   

• Leadership Roundtable – Online resources from an organization of laity, religious, and clergy working together to promote best practices and accountability in Church management, finances, communications, and human resource development in the U.S. https://leadershiproundtable.org/what-we-do/our-resources/                                                                                                               

• THEM: Why we hate each other and how to heal, by Ben Sasse, 2018

• A Season of Holiness by David Knight, 23rd Publications, 2018.

• The Art of Getting Over Yourself  by Jon Leonetti, 2017.

• Christian Self-Mastery: How to govern your thoughts, discipline your will, and achieve balance in your spiritual life, Basil W. Maturin’s update of a classic, 2001.

• Sharing the Wisdom of Time, by Pope Francis and Friends, 2018. A collection of personal stories in which grandparents and elders from around the world share from their “reservoirs of wisdom” to inspire and guide.

AFF at OTHER PARISHES