St Joseph on the BrandywineAdult Faith Formation Programs
“All the baptized, because they are called by God to maturity of faith, need and have therefore a right to adequate catechesis.”
Spring 2012
—National Directory for Catechesis United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Adult Faith Formation CommitteeLoretta Carlson, Chairperson: [email protected] Hapka: [email protected]
John DolanStephanie GriffinDonna PfarrerStewart Tan
Please contact Loretta or Ann to register for programs. Registration requested. Walk-ins are welcome.
St. Joseph on the Brandywine Parish
Phone: 302-658-7017Web site: stjosephonthebrandywine.org/
Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Rebman, VG, PastorRev. David F. Murphy, Associate PastorMr. G. Edmund Lynch, DeaconMaryanne Bemiller, Director of Religious Education
Schedule for Spring 2012JanuaryTom Vresics“Light to the World: Regaining Our Catholic Mojo”January 22, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
FebruarySister Mary Anne Nolan, RSM“Growing in Spirituality:Prayer as Conscious Relationship with God”February 11, Saturday, 3 to 4:30 p.m.Rev. Michael Connolly, OSFSLent RetreatFebruary 25, Saturday, 8 a.m. to NoonMary Louise Chesley-CoraBible Study: Book of GenesisFebruary 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28; 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.
MarchSister Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM, MA“The Poor: Why Are They with Us Always?”March 18, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
AprilSiobhan Riley“Pilgrim Feet: A Pictorial Journey Toward Resurrection”April 15, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.Sister Peggy McDonald, IHM“Saints for Our Times: St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Dorothy Day”April 29, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Join the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Book Club. See back page for details.
How does Centering Prayer help us open our whole being to God, beyond though t s , words , and emotions?
How can St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Dorothy Day be models and mentors for u s a s w e s t r i v e t o understand more deeply our own call to holiness and what it means to be a “saint”?
What is our responsibility as Christians to the poor of the world?
What Are Some of the ThingsYou Will Learn When You Attend
Our Adult Faith Formation Programs?
Tom Vresics“Light to the World:Regaining Our Catholic Mojo”January 22, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
In the midst of Church scandals and a changing, more secularized culture, we may find ourselves in a spiritual rut, or we may need some ideas to help a loved one recapture his or her Catholic “mojo.”
Through humor, sight, sound, taste, and prayer, this program will help us all reclaim our Catholic identity and, in doing so, learn how we can be “light to the world.”
* * *Tom Vresics has given numerous talks at our parish and throughout the diocese on topics related to the Scriptures and Salesian Spirituality. He has also written two student texts on the Bible that received the imprimatur from Bishop Malooly: A Salesian Guide to the Bible and Step In! Salesian Bible Meditations, volumes 1 and 2.
Sister Mary Anne Nolan, RSM“Growing in Spirituality:Prayer as Conscious Relationship with God”February 11, Saturday, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
In addition to some reflections on prayer in general, we will explore the Method of Centering Prayer, which helps us open our whole being to God, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. We will engage in an abbreviated experience of centering prayer and then reflect on the experience.
We also will explore conversational prayer as a way of deepening our relationship with God. Topics will include listening at prayer, centering ourselves as we enter into prayer, and distractions at prayer. We will then use Lectio Divina, a Benedictine method of praying with scripture, to pray one of the readings from the Liturgy of February 12.
* * *Sister Mary Anne Nolan, RSM, is a Sister of Mercy who is co-director of Mercy Spiritual Ministries. This mobile ministry of the Sisters of Mercy engages individuals and groups in prayer, reflection, and ongoing spiritual development. A spiritual director, Sister Mary Anne is also an adjunct professor in the Religious Studies Department of Gwynedd-Mercy College and has been teaching for more than ten years in the adult faith formation program in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Rev. Michael Connolly, OSFSLent RetreatFebruary 25, Saturday, 8 a.m. to Noon
In preparation for the holy season of Lent, please join us as we explore one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus’ presence in “the breaking of the bread.”
In a series of short presentations, interspersed with time for individual reflection and prayer, Father Connolly will explore the main themes in Brant Pitre’s book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper, connecting it with the Eucharist, the center of Catholic worship at the Mass.
The day will begin with Mass at 8 a.m. with Father Connolly as celebrant. Afterwards, we will enjoy a continental breakfast and fellowship in the Family Center before the retreat proper begins at 9 a.m.
* * *Rev. Michael Connolly has been a priest for 38 years. He has served as a teacher at the high school and collegiate levels; a chancery official; a provincial administrator; and, most recently, a pastor. Father Connolly gives retreats and parish missions to clergy, religious, and laity in many dioceses. Currently, he teaches Latin at Salesianum School.
Mary Louise Chesley-CoraBible Study: The Book of GenesisFebruary 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28Wednesdays, 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.
“In the beginning.” For five weeks during Lent, we will focus on the questions our ancestors of faith asked about God, creation, life on the planet, relationships, covenants, and how it all came to be. We continue to ask these questions today as we become more aware of our call to be co-creators and caretakers of our Mother Earth and as we ponder our relationships and responsibilities to our sisters and brothers who share this planet with us. The sessions will include prayer, scripture readings, and reflection on the stories and their impact on our lives today. Please bring your bibles, and please try to read the Book of Genesis in its entirety before the first session.
* * *Mary Louise Chesley-Cora has been a teacher of scripture for more than forty-five years. Her graduate studies include a master’s in religious studies from St. Michael’s College in Vermont, a certificate from Villanova University/Gratz College in Jewish studies, and a certificate from the Bat Kol Institute in Jerusalem for Jewish studies. She taught scripture at Padua Academy for fifteen years and also served as campus minister. She is presently involved in Resurrection Parish as a music minister and co-chair of the Adult Faith Formation Committee.
Sister Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM, MA“The Poor: Why Are They with Us Always?”March 18, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Sacred scripture clearly states that we will have the poor always with us. This program will help us explore the following questions:• Why are the poor with us always?• Who are the poor?• What is our connection with the poor—if any?• What do we learn from Jesus’ words and example about our
responsibilities to the least and most needy among us?• How have we responded? How will we respond?
* * *Sister Marie Michele Donnelly, RSM, MA, currently serves as co-director of Mercy Spiritual Ministries, through which she provides retreats for parishes, school faculties, ministry groups, ecumenical groups, and religious communities. She has been a frequent presenter and keynote speaker for groups across the United States. Sister is an adjunct theology professor at Gwynedd-Mercy College and holds a master’s degree in theology from Villanova University.
Siobhan Riley“Pilgrim Feet: A Pictorial Journey Toward Resurrection”April 15, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Using pictures she took in the Holy Land coupled with famous artwork from the long Christian tradition, our speaker will trace the steps of the first disciples from the moment of Jesus’ death to his resurrection and the resurrection appearances. With references to scripture, tradition, archaeology, and geography, Ms. Riley will help you walk beside James and John, Mary and Mary Magdalene, John the Beloved and Simon the Rock as they mourn and rejoice in the days following Christ’s crucifixion.
Commentary will include reference to current political/social struggles in the Middle East and the continued ethnic unrest among Latins, Greeks, Jews, and Muslims.
* * *Siobhan Riley grew up in St. Joseph on the Brandywine parish where she still returns for the major feasts of Easter and Christmas. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and theology and a master’s degree in theology. She studies Greek and Latin and recently returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land where she studied the sacred sites of Our Lord’s life and death. Currently she teaches Confirmation preparation in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and works for Horizons: Journal of the College Theology Society.
Sister Peggy McDonald, IHM“Saints for Our Times:St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Dorothy Day”April 29, Sunday, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
In this program, which Sister Peggy subtitles “Models and Mentors for Our Spiritual Journey,” we will explore the inspiring lives and spiritual wisdom that St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the “Little Flower”) and Dorothy Day have to offer us for our everyday lives.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a canonized saint, offers us much insight into holiness through her spirituality of the “little way,” a spirituality that finds holiness in the most ordinary tasks and human interactions of daily life.
Dorothy Day, who bears the title “Servant of God” as her Cause for Canonization continues to be promoted, was a remarkable 20th century Catholic lay woman. Her way of holiness combined practical charity on behalf of the poor (Houses of Hospitality) with persistent efforts to promote justice and peace (the Catholic Worker Movement), making her especially relevant for our times.
* * *Sister Peggy McDonald, IHM, is a member of the religious congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She is professor of theology at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania and holds a doctorate in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In addition to her classroom teaching, she has given workshops, retreats, and presentations on Christian spirituality and adult faith formation.
Add Your Voice!Join the Vibrant Discussions in the
St. Joseph on the Brandywine Book Club
Please join us for the first meeting in 2012 of the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Book Club on Monday afternoon, January 23, from 12:45 to 2 p.m.
What better way to nourish your relationship with God and neighbor—as well as your own spiritual life—than to read the works of religious and spiritual thinkers of every faith?
Come prepared to discuss ANGELS by Billy Graham and A TREASURY OF CHRISTMAS MIRACLES by Karen Kingsbury.
Other meetings are planned for March and May. Once the group has formed, we will decide if we want to meet year-round and/or if we would like to meet more frequently.
Other authors may include G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, Joan Chittister, and Rabbi Irwin Kula. Your suggestions are welcome and encouraged.
For more details, visit the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Web site: stjosephonthebrandywine.org/
“Who has encountered Christ desires to know him as much as possible, as well as to know the plan of the Father which he revealed.”
— General Directory for CatechesisUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops
