Adult Faith Formation

The parish faith formation committee has provided and will continue to offer programs

which encourage the spiritual and prayer life of all the parishioners. The goal of the

catechetical department has been to encourage all of us to develop from womb to

tomb. We have been blessed to have the resources to offer biblical studies and

reflection on the Word of God for over 30 years.

"The lectionary is the church's curriculum, just as the liturgy is the Church's program of

formation. Through our three-year-cycle, the church proposes for our reflection a broad

range of readings which present the teachings of Jesus and the central mysteries of our

faith. The homilist leads us to reflect upon our own experience to see what God is doing

in our lives. As we listen to the story of what God has done for his people in the past, we

can begin to tell our own stories in faith. Each time the Scriptures are read, we listen to

them anew to see what God is saying to us at this time and place in our lives."

Because of the importance of scripture and the misuse of it we have always had a

scripture program at St. Irenaeus. Pat Egan-Myers offers a Thursday morning

program in which we break open the Sunday readings. We use material from celebration,

At Home with the Word, adn other commentaries to struggle with the meaning of the authors

and then how we try to live and apply them to our day and age. We offer prayers for those

living the reality of the readings.

Deacon Richard has offered programs on St. Paul and other writings on Thursday evenings

and Tuesday evenings. This program is dedicated to the systematic development of the

thought of St. Paul and gives a more in depth look at the historical and theological development

of Paul's theology.

In Lent and Advent we have offered special Saturday and Sunday workshops with Fr. Anthony

Gittins, Monsignor Zenz, Megan McKenna, and Fr. Joe Mannath. In Lent one of our most successful

programs was with Fr. Dan Thotakara on meditation and prayer.

The challenge for all of us to remember that we all need to grow in our faith. It has become increasingly

difficult for parents of this generation to find time for prayer, reflection and even dinners together. We

have found that many of those who participate in the longer programs are retired or have raised their children.

The challenge for the adult faith committee is to offer one day opportunities for the parents  and families

to come together in service, prayer, workshop and reflection. We feel that our Confirmation program

and Sacramental programs of Eucharist and Reconciliation give parents and oppuntunity to reflect on

their understandings of what it means to be Christian and Catholic in 2009.

The offerings for this fall will include a program on St. Francis on Thursday evenings by

Deacon Richard and Thursday morning bible with Pat Egan-Myers and Deacon Paul Lippard.

We do offer written material in the church welcoming area. You will find Care Notes

and Exploring the Sunday readings. In the parish hall there is a set of books you

are free to take. We will be placing other materials there for your use. There are

tapes for your listening. These are excellent! I realize tapes and videos have

become obsolete. You are welcome to use the recorder and video machines in

the parish hall.

We are working on other opportunities for the fall. There will be new information

on the page in the future!

Francisco di Bernardoni

"SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI"

Study Group with Deacon Richard SFO & James Butina SFO

The sessions are free, all are welcome.

For additional information or to sign up call:

Deacon Richard: (248) 651-9595

James Butina: (586) 731-4895

Session Schedule:

All sessions will be held in St. Irenaeus Parish Hall unless

other wise noted beginning at 7:00pm.

Thursday October 1st:

Welcoming

Introduction

The Lord's Prayer

Who is Francisco di Bernadoni

Video

Why  Francis of Assisi is Alive today.

Thursday October 8th:

The World Francis inherited

Larger World

Local World

The Church in Francis' time

Knight of the world to Knight of Christ

Thursday October 15th:

Humility, Poverty, and Simplicity

His Ministries

Thursday October 22nd:

NO SESSION

Thursday October 29th

Coming to know and experiencing Christ

Francis' three great loves

Francis and the Blessed Mother

Thursday November 5th

Not By Himself

His Mission Carried on

And what about today?

Thursday November 12th

Video: "Brother Sun, Sister Moon"

A Message for our time

What does Francis have to say to me?

Conclusion

Secular Franciscans they are followers of....

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI!

Sunday, November 16th @ 2:00pm

in the conference room in the education bldg.

Learn more about this, ALL are welcome!