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This Fall- Beginning Oct 6 at 7 pm
Join other parishioners as we seek to grow in a deeper and renewed encounter with Jesus Christ. The greatest way to lead others into a personal relationship with God is to be able to witness to one’s own ongoing journey with him. Saint Pope John Paul II stated “By accepting Christ, you open yourselves to the One in whom God has made himself fully known and has shown us the path to himself.” [RM 3]. Come join us. You will not be disappointed.
To sign up, complete the registration form on this page or contact Darrin Nelsonor (908) 756-6524 ext 15Formation Schedule Topics
Evenings 7:00 – 8:30pm
Tuesday Oct 6: What is the meaning of Life?
Tuesday Oct 13: Why does Jesus matter?
Tuesday Oct 20: What does Jesus want us to know?
Tuesday Oct 27: Why do I need a Savior?
Tuesday Nov 10: Why is the Resurrection important for us?
Saturday Nov 14 Retreat: Topics: Who is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit and you.
Tuesday Nov 17: New life in the Spirit: Being a Catholic Disciple
Tuesday Dec 1 : Believing and Belonging: Our need for the Church
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Here is something to reflect on for a moment.
How would you respond if a friend of yours were to ask you “How does your faith help you deal with the hardship I am experiencing with life?” So many of us are searching for meaning, hope, and healing in their lives. This is one of the reasons why Pope Francis wrote his encyclical called ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ [Evangelii Gaudium]. He says, “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day.[EG3]”
How are you responding to Pope Francis’ words? What does a ‘renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ look like in your life today? Last year 15 parishioners journeyed together through ‘Discovering Christ’ and each experienced their own ‘renewed personal encounter with Jesus’. You are invited to participate in this same 8 week journey starting Tuesday, October 6th.
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starting october
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Re-engage with your faith
RE-ENGAGE WITH YOUR FAITH THIS FALL..WITH CHRIST AND YOUR COMMUNITY
Last February and March fifteen parishioners from our parish joined each other online through Zoom to experience a formation called Discovering Christ. This particular formation is focused on the encouragement of Pope Francis when he says “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” (EG 3).
The experience these parishioners had expresses what Pope Francis’ next words of hope were after his quote. He says “Jesus is always capable of restoring our joy”. Pope Francis asks us to have an openness that allows Christ to encounter us daily. Discovering Christ guides you into this openness.
Over the next few weeks you will be hearing the stories of our parishioners and their experiences. They hope to encourage you to consider joining them this October as we form another small group of those who would be interested in such an experience. After each story the parishioner will share their contact information so you can personally reach out to them with any questions about their experience. In the meantime, if you would like to learn about ‘Discovering Christ’ sooner you may contact me through my parish contact information below.
Your friend in Christ,
Darrin Nelson
Adult Faith Formation and Parish Evangelization
Contact info:
dnelson@stmaryswatchung.org
(908) 756-6524 ext 15
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Discovering Christ invitation
I remember the first time when I read these words from Saint Pope John Paul II, “Christ fully reveals man to himself. The person who wishes to understand himself thoroughly must draw near to Christ”. These words, from his encyclical Redemptoris Missio, were like an answer to a long standing prayer I had with God. My prayer was, “God I have a great desire to know you in relation to who I am and what you desire for my life.” It was as if Saint John Paul II was speaking directly to me saying “Darrin, draw closer to Christ and you will find your answer”.
Small confession. At the time of this revelation I was a very active yet complacent Catholic. What do I mean by ‘active and complacent’? I was going to mass every Sunday, actively participating in adult faith formation, and I had a very good routine prayer life. At some level I thought this is what being a very ‘good active’ Catholic was all about. However, at the same time I was realizing why so many Catholics were stepping away. They were not finding real relevance between ‘the practice of their faith’ and the very real life challenges they were faced with each day. “Christ fully reveals man to himself” says Saint Pope John Paul II. ‘Discovering Christ’ is an opportunity for you to personally encounter why God came to us in Christ. Discovering Christ will help you to begin seeing the relevance of your faith with the many life challenges we face daily. Jesus’ words and deeds that ‘amazed the people’ (Luke 4:32) are proclaimed so that you are amazed by how the Gospel message transforms your life and how it provides our salvation. Are you ready to personally ‘Discover Christ’ in your life? To participate with Discovering Christ starting Tuesday October 6th you have the option to either be present at the Parish Center with proper Social Distancing State protocols or via Zoom.
The formation has 8 sessions with a Saturday retreat. To learn more about the program you can sign up for a program info-session that will be held on Monday, September 21st at 7 pm via Zoom (see online registration form above) or contact me in the parish office.
Your friend in Christ, Darrin Nelson.
Adult Faith Formation and Parish Evangelization Darrin Nelson; (908) 756-6524 ext 15
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march, 2020 discovering christ program
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witness stories
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from alina urdaneta
The “Discovering Christ” virtual formation was a soothing balm for my soul and at the same time a jump-start to a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
One would think that at my stage in life, my faith and the role of the Holy Trinity in my life are well established. Yet the sadness of losing my son to cancer two years ago has changed my outlook on life. I grieve with hope—as Saint Paul invites us to do—and that keeps me going, but finding joy in the everyday has become challenging at best.
During this formation the Holy Spirit genuinely helped me become immersed in Christ’s message of faith and hope. I felt awakened to take actions that Christ is inviting me to take. To look at life and find joy in the everyday, to be grateful for what I have, to remember that life has a purpose beyond personal tragedy, and that Christ is our unfailing friend. Of course, you must nurture that friendship, and if you do, that friendship becomes real, present and enough. Daily invocations and conversations with Christ are becoming commonplace and my trust in Him at the center of new found strength to live this life on earth (whatever is left of it) to its fullest.
A beautiful part of this experience is the bond I’ve made and continue to build upon with my fellow parishioners. During this program they shared life stories and how they live their faith. That has also been the work of the Holy Spirit. Getting to know them better during this journey has been a privilege. I treasure this bond and hope I can be as valuable to them as they have been to me.
The Discovering Christ formation was the beginning of a virtuous cycle of love and an active friendship with Christ. I encourage everyone who is thirsting for more in their lives to participate in this formation beginning Tuesday October 6th and start this virtuous cycle without delay. For more information you can contact me directly or staff member Darrin.
Alina Urdaneta
urdaneta.alina@gmail.com
Darrin Nelson
Adult Faith Formation and Parish Evangelization
Contact info:
dnelson@stmaryswatchung.org
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from Dan Germaine
Discovering an even deeper relationship with God and being Catholic.
My name is Daniel Germaine. I am a parishioner at Saint Mary’s Church and a member of the Knights Of Columbus of Saint Mary’s. When the pandemic hit it was devastating to my life because I felt as if my connection to the parish was taking away from me. I longed to see my fellow parishioners. I missed tremendously receiving the body and the blood of Christ and the importance of ‘Community’ for me as a Catholic. It was like a big hole in my heart.
"Then one day I received an invitation from a friend in the parish asking me to consider joining him with a formation program called Discovering Christ"
Dan G.
Like many of you, I was brought up Catholic and have been a practicing Catholic all my life. But with the ritual of ‘practicing’ there was still something missing. Participating in Discovering Christ, I personally discovered what was the missing piece in my Catholic faith. A deep and personal relationship with Christ.
Discovering Christ showed me a wonderful new way at looking at my faith and understanding it. It was a jubilation that not only filled my spiritual needs and my faith, but helped we understand things in my faith that I just quite never understood. It awakened so much for me regarding the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. It has been an enjoyable journey with some incredible parishioners.
Are you feeling a little disconnected from the parish and would like to grow deeper in your faith? I urge you to open a new door in your faith journey and participate in Discovering Christ this October. You will feel and see a new awakening in your spiritual faith that will uplift you and give you great peace. I hope you join me this Fall as we gather again for Discovering Christ. May the peace of God be with you always.
You can contact me or Darrin Nelson to find out how to join this wonderful experience.
Daniel A Germaine
ddangermaine@optonline.net
Darrin Nelson
dnelson@stmaryswatchung.org
(908) 756-6524 x 15
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from valerie devito
HAVE YOU EVER FELT A FEELING OF EMPTINESS IN YOUR LIFE?
I have. Despite having a very active life with a loving family and an abundance of friends, for most of my life there remained, deep down inside me, a feeling of longing. I was raised a Catholic and after I married and had children, I decided to become more involved in my Catholic faith. I went to mass regularly, became a eucharistic minister, and taught religious education for many years. But still, the void remained. It wasn't until I participated in "Be My Witness" and more recently, " Discovering Christ" that I encountered the saving love of Christ in my life. From the very first session, "Whatis the Meaning of Life?" I was awakened to the full meaning of Jesus; life, death, and resurrection. The love of God and Jesus now permeates my life. I have a purpose that doesn't revolve around status or material things. My life is complete and the void has been filled. I invite you to participate with me in, "Discovering Christ"; this Fall.
See if the experience doesn't open your heart to something you never expected. You can contact me or our staff member Darrin Nelson to find out how to join this wonderful experience.
Reach out to:
Valerie DeVito
Darrin Nelson
St Mary’s Stony Hill Church
Formation and Evangelization
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