Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation (AFF) meets on a monthly basis and is dedicated to helping Catholics grow in their understanding of our Faith and in their personal relationship with God.  This ministry sponsors Catholic speakers, retreats, Bible studies, lecture series, liturgical celebrations, spiritual reading resources, and evangelization initiatives. Through this ministry parishioners are enriched in their understanding of the Catholic Faith, the teachings of the Catholic Church and current issues relating to our Faith.

This ministry sponsors our Circle of Seasons ministry, which provides information about various traditions associated with our liturgical seasons including Lent, Easter and Advent, and suggests appropriate activities for families to keep the focus on the spiritual aspects of the seasons and special liturgical celebrations.

Evangelization is another important part of this ministry, which helps parishioners to recognize their role as evangelizers in the world and how they can welcome, invite, reach out, and share their Faith with others. Their other primary goal is to reach out to those who have been away from the Church, are not regular attendees, or perhaps have never felt welcomed into a faith community. This ministry seeks to empower our parish to be a vibrant spiritual community that welcomes all those who have been hurt by life, or the Church, and are seeking a faith community where they can live out their questions, their beliefs, and their Faith.

Ministry Contacts:

Deacon Kevin Smith, 681-3961, mezpeg@roadrunner.com

Eileen Warner, 688-5678, ewarner@stgregs.org

 

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Bible Studies

Little Rock Bible Study is a series designed to help adults understand the Bible and their Faith through the Word of God. Anyone who is seeking to understand scripture, learn more about the Bible, and develop a biblical mentality, is invited to participate. Prior Bible study is not required. Helen Ernst, a graduate from Catholic Biblical Studies, leads with the assistance of group facilitators. Sessions begin in September & January and run for ten weeks. Each session is offered twice - Monday mornings and evenings.

Registration

Pre-registration is requested. Registration for Bible Study sessions will be open to parishioners a few weeks before the conclusion of the current study and just prior to the beginning of the new study. Registration information can be found in the Bulletin and by calling Joan King at 688-7238.

Ministry Contact:  Joan King, 688-7238

 

Great Adventure Bible Timeline is a Bible Study program that helps us to understand the narrative story of how God has and continues to reveal Himself to us through the Sacred Scriptures. We learn about the major people, places, events and themes of the Bible as we get the “big picture” of salvation history.  It follows the narrative story of the Bible and helps us grasp an overview of how each of the books relate to one another, and to our lives today.  There are 8-week overview sessions, as well as more in-depth 24-week sessions that are offered throughout the year on weeknights and Saturday mornings. Please see the Bulletin for dates and times.

Ministry Contact:  Eileen Warner, 688-5678

 

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Catholic Women’s Discussion Program

This program involves groups of women who are interested in personal growth as Christians through group discussion on timely topics. Meetings are held monthly from October through May in a member’s home. The program is designed to meet individual needs, to be flexible, and to change with the times. The small groups foster a sharing and open atmosphere where ideas can be freely expressed.

Ministry Contacts:

Teri Donner, 632-1920, momdad71@aol.com

Carol Cupolo, 632-1354, cupoloc@roadrunner.com

 

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Ladies of the Lord

Ladies of the Lord meets the second Thursday of the month. This group prays for priests, peace, and personal petitions. The meetings consist of praying five decades of the Rosary, one Divine Mercy Chaplet, and readings from St. Faustina’s Diary, the Bible and the Catechism, followed by discussion, sharing, witnessing and fellowship, as well as occasional guest speakers.

Our ministry also includes the Disciples of Divine Mercy, whose outreach is to pray with the sick and dying at their bedsides. If you would rather they pray from home or the Adoration Chapel for a loved one, that is fine too. For a home/hospital visit call Mary Lou Daigler 688-5148, and for prayers for your loved one to be said from our homes/Adoration Chapel call Geri DeLac 636-0042 or Maria Tupay 688-6956. Calls are welcome between the hours of 8:00 am and 7:00 pm.

Ministry Contact: Dawn Curazzato, 689-6906, samdawnc@roadrunner.com

 

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Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) is a prayerful experience of listening to the Word of God in silence. Each Wednesday morning the group meets to prepare for the following Sunday’s Gospel. After listening to and contemplating the Gospel, each member of the group shares how the passage speaks to him or her and how it relates to the world we live in and present-day situations.

Ministry Contact: Laraine Leardon, 688-5678, lleardon@stgregs.org

 

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Marriage Matters

A monthly date-night out for spouses to grow in their relationship with one another and to deepen their Faith through fellowship with other great Catholic couples. These Saturday evening gatherings include dynamic speakers and engaging discussions, followed by snacks, desserts, and beer and wine. This ministry helps couples grow spiritually and supports them in living out their sacrament of marriage. There is no registration or fee required; come when you can. Babysitting is available on campus for a nominal donation. Married couples of all ages are welcome.

Ministry Contact: Mrene & Craig Corra, 636-6116, corrasix@gmail.com

 

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Mission Retreat

Mission consists of seven consecutive evenings of prayer, spiritual renewal, and community building. It is an opportunity to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and re-ignite your Faith, while also getting to know fellow parishioners. Join us on this spiritual journey!

Ministry Contacts: Deacon John & Laraine Leardon, 689-2924, leardon@aol.com

PARISH MISSION RETREAT 2013: July 14-20

Sign up for MISSION, scheduled for July 14-20. You will experience seven beautiful nights of great speakers, liturgy and devotions, fellowship, food and music. It is something we invite you to prayerfully consider. Sign up today by calling Jo in the Parish Office at 688-5678. We hope you will consider our Mission Retreat. It's an experience you will never forget! Over 1,500 parishioners have shared in the Mission experience, we hope you'll join us.

Each evening session runs from 7:00 pm to approximately 10:00 pm. Exceptions are the first night, Sunday, which starts at 6:00 pm, and the last day, Saturday, starting at 3:30 pm. The Mission Renewal journey builds from one evening to the next and, for this reason, we ask you to plan on attending all seven nights.

 

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Men of God (MOG)

Men of God is a Spirituality Group for men ages 21 and older that meets on a monthly basis. The meeting includes Fellowship, “Discussion Groups” using the Book Signposts (How to be a Catholic Man in the world today) and praying the Rosary. You can join the group at any time. Each meeting has a different topic, so there is NO catching up. Fellowship continues after the meeting with beverages and food. We always accept new members. This ministry is a great way to meet other “God-Centered Men” in a structured but informal setting, and grow your spirituality.

2013 MOG Schedule – All meetings begin with optional fellowship from 7:30-8:30 pm (sheet pizza is supplied, while members bring beverages, snacks and desserts), followed by Rosary Prayer and Discussion Group from 8:30-10:00 pm, with more optional fellowship/cleanup afterwards in Gathering Room 2. Every quarter (March, June, September and December) we have a speaker or presenter giving a "Witness of Faith" that replaces the Discussion Group. We call this the Quarterly/Guest night, which is a great opportunity to bring a friend, family member or acquaintance to see what our group is all about!

 June 19, July 10, August 14;  Fall 2013 Dates: September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18

Ministry Contacts:

Scott Marcus (Ministry Leader), 510-5918, scottmarcus@yahoo.com

Ray Geska (Assistant Ministry Leader), 541-8345, raygeska@yahoo.com

Michael Bochiechio (Spiritual Director), 480-1391, bochiecm@erie.gov

 

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Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)

MOMS is an inspiring ministry designed by moms, for moms of all ages and stages. MOMS is a ministry for women seeking to live out their vocation of motherhood through their Catholic Faith, who come together to share the joys and struggles of motherhood. MOMS encourages and inspires women in their life roles as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, friends. "Angel Sitting" child-care available upon request.

 

2012-2013 MOMS Schedule – all meetings begin at 9:00 am in the Gathering Room unless otherwise noted.

September 21, October 19, November 16, December 7 (Advent Celebration at 7:00 pm), January 18, February 15, March 15, April 12, May 3

Ministry Contact: Christie Thein, christiethein@yahoo.com

 

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Pastor’s Book Discussion

Spiritual reading can be an integral part of our spiritual development as Catholics. Each Fall, Fr. Joe leads a book discussion on a particular Catholic book relating to a topic in our Faith. Watch the Bulletin for details regarding the book selection and meeting times.

Ministry Contact: Parish Office, 688-5678

 

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Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration

“The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship.  Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love.”  New Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 348

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is the continuous adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel located on the Grotto side of St. Gregory’s Church. Members of the parish sign up to pray before the Blessed Sacrament for one hour a week. Parishioners are also invited to stop in anytime to spend time with our Lord. Adorers and Substitute Adorers are always needed and welcome!

 

Urgent need for Adorers on Mondays 11:00 am - Noon, Thursdays 2:00-3:00 am, Saturdays Noon-1:00 pm, 5:00-6:00 pm, 6:00-7:00 pm, 7:00-8:00 pm & 8:00-9:00 pm and Sundays 2:00 - 3:00 am & 4:00-5:00 pm.

 

Ministry Contacts:

Kathy Deakin, 759-7149

Barbara Pelosi, 634-7478, bpelosi@roadrunner.com

 

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Pilgrim Virgin Statue Ministry

Our traveling Pilgrim Virgin Statue fosters family prayer in our homes. Since most of us are unable to make a pilgrimage to Fatima, Our Lady makes the pilgrimage to our homes. The statue is brought to your home by noon on Saturday and remains there until the following Saturday at 11:00 am. While the statue is in your home, the Rosary is to be recited daily, and you are encouraged to invite other family members, neighbors and friends to join you as you pray the Rosary and prayers of Our Lady together each day. Not only do these prayers become a blessing in your own life, they witness to others the significance of the Blessed Mother in our lives. Please call us to reserve a week with the Pilgrim Virgin Statue.

Ministry Contact: Rose Hoelscher, 634-9271

 

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Women of Grace

Women...find your purpose, feed your soul.  Based on Johnette Bankovic’s book, Full of Grace, this study will help you discern God’s purpose and mission for you. In a group study format with video lectures, you will delve into prayer, Sacred Scripture, Church documents and teachings, the Catechism, the lives of women saints, and the example of our Blessed Mother. This nine-session program is generally offered in the fall and spring.  This ministry offers a beautiful way to grow in faith and in our personal relationship with the Lord while in the company of other women on a journey of faith.

Ministry Contact: Chris Schober, 636-9784

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Women's Enrichment

Women’s Enrichment is a spiritual ministry comprised of a team of facilitators who meet once a month to pray for, plan and host a “Women’s Day," a type of mini-retreat that is held twice a year. These special retreat days of relaxation, revitalization and renewal are open to all the women of the parish, their women family members and friends and provide time to “Detach ourselves from the world and attach ourselves to Christ.”

Ministry Contact: Joycelyn (Joy) Bila, 834-0128, jbila@hotmail.com

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