Discipleship Groups are opportunities for small groups of people to gather for faith-sharing purposes. A menu of opportunities is available during Lent and in the Fall, and occasionally, a Discipleship Group may also begin at other times during the year.
Questions? For specific information about one or more groups, please e-mail the facilitator(s) indicated. For any other questions, please email Cristina Folan at commsupport@ndcarmel.com.
Do you ever feel like it’s almost impossible to raise kids who love God (and sit still in Mass!) in our modern world? You are not alone. This six-episode series features a diverse group of real Catholic families like yours sharing their daily struggles and victories. This program aims to encourage you as a mom or dad as you embrace your God-given role to form your family in the richness of the Catholic Faith. Topics discussed are Our Sunday Obligation, Confession, Family Prayer, Sacrifice, Generosity, and Handing on the Faith. Led by Diane Byrne (dbyrne@ndcarmel.com)
Format:
In James: Pearls for Wise Living, Jeff Cavins will guide us to see how the teachings of James speak to those of us who feel torn between the competing demands of this world and our faith. Meant to help a fledgling Church live out its faith in the face of persecution and a worldview opposed to the gospel, the book of James will help us discover wisdom we can apply to the present.
Eleven sessions in person on Mondays, 10:00-11:30 a.m., February 19, 26; March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29. Led by Norma Jahl (normadjahl@gmail.com).
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Please join us as we journey through the book The Cup of Our Life by Joyce Rupp. At each session, we will reflect on the week's daily devotionals intended to help us evaluate and strengthen our relationship with God. The book is centered on the many facets of a cup (the open cup, the chipped cup, the broken cup, the cup of compassion...), which will invite us to examine our lives and inspire us to grow deeper in our faith lives.
Six sessions in person on Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm, February 19, 26; March 4, 11, 18 & 25. Led by Carol Thompson (cat4clover@aol.com).
Six sessions in person on Mondays, 7:30-9:00 pm, February 19, 26; March 4, 11, 18 & 25. Led by Jessika Caruso (jessikaruso@gmail.com).
Join us for a special Holy Hour each Tuesday evening during Lent, with a short reading from St. Faustina’s Diary, singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and silent Adoration. All are welcome! Families are especially encouraged to come pray together.
Five in-person sessions, Tuesdays, 7:00-800 pm in the Chapel, February 20, 27; March 5, 12 & 19. Led by Marc Luciani (mluciani@ndcarmel.com) and Maria Cascio (FamilyFaith@ndcarmel.com)
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Today's world is thirsting for more kindness. Did you ever ask yourself if you could be a kinder person? Can I be as kind as Jesus?
Using the book The Hidden Power of Kindness by Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, we will explore the topic of kindness in our lives. As Fr. Lovasik states, Jesus is the ‘model and source of true kindness and charity,’ and Mary is ‘the Mother of Mercy, who mirrors her son.’ With the help of this book and scripture, we will learn what true kindness really is and how to incorporate it into our daily lives, even in those most difficult circumstances. You will find it is not complicated to become a kinder person. The ultimate goal is to live more fully in relationship with Jesus and others.
Five in-person sessions on Tuesdays, 7:00-830 pm, February 20, 27; March 5, 12 & 19. Led by Debbie White (luvmorgan02@gmail.com) and Liz Laverty (beth.laverty@gmail.com).
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Do you often hear how so many (friends, family members, and others) seem to be "hooked" on the series "The Chosen" season after season, yet you have not managed to watch a single episode? Do you wonder why they seem to be so caught up in it?
"This is the best "re-enactment" of Jesus's public life that I have ever seen. It is told through the eyes and back stories of the 12 apostles and how they were chosen by Jesus. It really brought me a new perspective I had not thought about before on how different the apostles all were, the personal battles they had to fight, and how they all had to learn to work together when Jesus chose them to follow Him."
This is your chance to check out the first season* of this extraordinary series for yourself (yet not by yourself)! Join us as we watch (popcorn at hand!) each episode and follow with a small group discussion! (*for The Chosen aficionados, scroll down for the Season Four offering.)
Eight in-person sessions, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:45 pm (the actual end time of each session will depend on the length of each episode, which could run from 20 minutes to an hour), February 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2 & 9. Led by Ann Bono (annbono@verizon.net).
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Do you feel that your work has meaning and purpose? Do you find it challenging to stay true to Christian ideals amid the reality of your daily routine and the culture of your workplace? In the busyness of our workday, as we rush to meet deadlines, achieve goals, and enhance our customers’ experience, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. During this 6-week virtual journey on Zoom, we will explore the perspective and relevance of Christian faith in our workplace, addressing such topics as Decision Making, Stress and Resilience, Failing Well, and Spiritual Renewal. In all, we will discover that God is indeed “at work!”
Six virtual sessions, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, February 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19 & 26. Led by Jen Qvotrup (jqvotrup@optonline.net).
Have you wanted to join a discipleship group but can’t fit one more thing into your schedule? Are you at home taking care of kids or loved ones and can’t seem to interrupt your schedule? Are there other reasons that you have been unable to join a group? This group is for you! Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “Where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is.” You will be amazed by the warmth and caring you will feel while you draw closer to our wonderful Lord. Led by Patty Allocca: clinicalpastoralcounseling3@gmail.com.
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No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for us. Best-selling author Edward Sri will guide us through the last hours of Christ’s life, from the garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Every step of the way, Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, biblical symbolism, and historical context shed light on the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death. It requires access to study materials, which you can purchase HERE*.
Five sessions in person, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 PM, February 21, 28; March 6, 11* (*Monday), & 27. Led by Tanya D'Souza (tancait@gmail.com). *Please contact Tanya prior to purchasing your study materials.
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The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season TV series about the life of Jesus. It allows us to see our Lord through the eyes of those who knew Him and see Jesus as He truly is - not only fully Divine but fully Human. Our journey will focus on Season 4 (click HERE to watch the trailer) of this life-changing series. We will watch one episode on our own each week and then come together during our weekly time together to discuss! No matter where you are in your faith journey, this is an offering not to be missed!
Eight sessions in person on Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, beginning March 6 through April 24th. Led by Patty Migliore-Torres (pmiglioretorres@gmail.com) and Ann McLoughlin(annie6556d@gmail.com).
This 24-session journey (via Zoom) reveals the remarkable story of our faith! Don’t miss the opportunity to get closer to God’s Word and our Catholic faith -- like never before -- through The Great Adventure Bible Journey.
Regardless of how much you “get” or “don’t get” the Bible, this innovative and interactive approach will guarantee a deeper and more spiritual understanding of God’s love message to us through His Word. Purchase your participant materials HERE.
Twenty-four sessions via Zoom, Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM, beginning February 21 through July 3. Led by Barb & Ed Katona (barbkat2013@gmail.com).
Join us as we grow closer to God through the beauty of art and the Gospels. At each session, we’ll learn about and discuss two or three great works, including, for example, The Wedding at Cana by Paolo Veronese, The Calling of St. Matthew by Caravaggio, and da Vinci’s The Last Supper. We’ll close each session with a discussion of the Daily Gospel Reading and Art Reflection as offered through Christian.Art. [Christian Art offers a unique approach to daily Gospel readings, selecting a work of art relevant to the day’s scripture passage. The reflections are written by Patrick van der Vorst, a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Westminster, London, and a former Director of Sotheby’s London. Christian Art’s mission is to draw people closer to God through the magnificent pairing of art and the Christian faith.]
Five in-person sessions: Thursdays from 10:45-11:45 AM, February 22 through March 21. Led by Carl Schlotfeldt (carl.schlotfeldt@gmail.com)
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As Christians, our journey is one of transformation into the image of Christ. As we are both afflicted and blessed by our human condition, God knows what each of us needs and guides us along the way to wholeness and holiness. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-24
The Enneagram is a tool that can offer insight into understanding the relationship of people to each other and to the divine. It can help us grow in our faith if we choose to do the work and invite God into the journey. Our journey will introduce the nine types and their vices and virtues with video, readings, and discussion. While at the end of the session, you still may have questions, our time together will invite you to be more aware of yourself and --through the power of the Holy Spirit -- be more intentional about living in a more positive, Christ-like way.
Four sessions in person, Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 pm, February 22, 29; March 7 & 14. Led by Beth Letizia (mrstiz1@verizon.net) and Susan Haemmerle (sjhaemmerle@gmail.com).
Do you sense that movement in you—that desire to go deeper in your relationship with Christ? Do you have a longing to follow Jesus more closely, to be transformed by Him? Do you notice a stirring inside, a longing to love God with all your heart, but feel unsure what steps to take next?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, know that God is the one who has put those yearnings in your soul. He has already given you the heart of a disciple. This series simply aims to help you follow those initial promptings of the Holy Spirit so that you may more intentionally encounter Jesus anew each day and be more disposed to the power of his grace molding you, transforming you ever more into his likeness. Click HERE for more details!
Six sessions in person on Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., February 15, 22, 29; March 7, 14, & 21. Led by Christa Cottone (christa_cottone@alumni.shu.edu)
Have you wanted to join a discipleship group but can’t fit one more thing into your schedule? Are you at home taking care of kids or loved ones and can’t seem to interrupt your schedule? Are there other reasons that you have been unable to join a group? This group is for you! Matthew 18:20 reminds us, “Where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is.” You will be amazed by the warmth and caring you will feel while you draw closer to our wonderful Lord. Led by Patty Allocca: clinicalpastoralcounseling3@gmail.com.
Couples -- The hope of deep, soul-level harmony is why we get married in the first place. But oneness doesn’t just happen. Couples and God make it happen. Regardless of how long you have been married, join us as we learn and discuss practical guidance in seven key areas of marriage: Communication, Money, Intimacy, Family and Friends, Conflict Resolution, Spiritual Beliefs, and Roles and Responsibilities.
Session highlights involve an engaging video talk, small group discussion, and exercises to complete together after each session. Requires purchase of a set of materials HERE prior to the first session.Six sessions in person, Saturdays, 10:30-11:45 am, February 17, 24; March 2, 9, 16 & 30. Led by Patty Allocca (clinicalpastoralcounseling3@gmail.com).
If you have a passion for a particular topic, book, film, or program, and you feel called to lead a virtual group, please reach out to Cristina Folan at commsupport@ndcarmel.com to discuss partaking in this opportunity of helping others draw closer to Christ! Start and end dates for a group are flexible, within the context of our seasonal offerings. Guidance/coaching will be provided.
We also encourage leaders to team up to co-lead a journey. It's a great way to get started in facilitating small group discussions and to share and nurture leadership in our faith community.