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Beginning in October 2022
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Discipleship Groups are opportunities for small groups of people to gather in person or via Zoom for faith-sharing purposes. A menu of opportunities is available during Lent and also in the Fall.
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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.
Some of the groups require the purchase of a book or related materials. If you need financial assistance, please contact our parish office at 973-538-1358, ext. 105.
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TUESDAYS
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Christ vs. Satan in Our Daily Lives
Are the Devil and demons real beings? Are we tempted in today’s modern world, and if so, how do we recognize and overcome spiritual evil? In this Discipleship Group, we will explore and discuss these questions as we read theologian and Jesuit Fr. Robert Spitzer’s book, Christ vs. Satan in our Daily Lives: The Cosmic Struggle Between Good and Evil. Fr. Spitzer’s focus is the human heart. His goal is our moral and spiritual transformation, which leads to true peace and genuine happiness, even in times of trial and human suffering.
Led by Laura Balogh: lbalogh@ndcarmel.com.
6 sessions in person, Tuesdays, 4:00-5:30 pm, October 4- November 8. Purchase your book HERE. -
Morning Teleconference Calls for Christians
Have you been wanting to join a discipleship group but can’t fit one more thing in 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! Morning Teleconfence Calls has been created with you in mind. 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.We will be offering two Teleconference calls a week for 8 weeks. You can sign up for day of the week or both:- Tuesday morning 7:30 - 8:00 am - Old Testament Bible Study- Bring your Bible. In this comfortable environment, we will be practicing Lectio Divina - where we read a few verses several times, summarize what we read, and then listen for the Holy Spirit and discuss how He is guiding us in our lives. 8 Calls, 7:30-8:00 AM, beginning Tuesday, October 4-November 22.
- Thursday morning 7:30-8:00 am - Prayer Call. In this comfortable environment, we will be listening to various topics inspired by the Holy Spirit, discussing the topic, and praying for one another. 8 Calls, 7:30-8:00 AM, beginning Thursday, October 6-December 1.
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Box of Butterflies
Please join us as we explore and discuss Roma Downey’s book “Box of Butterflies” and discover the unexpected blessings all around us. Her personal and beautiful testimony to the presence of God in her life (and in ours) has wonderful scripture readings, psalms, poems, proverbs, and prayers sprinkled throughout this charming book and will uplift you and remind you that there is a God.
Led by Carol Critchley: majkidmom@gmail.com
This 4-week session will meet either in person or through Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 PM, October 4, 18, 25; Nov. 1 (no session on Oct. 11). Purchase the book HERE. Participants are asked to read the introduction and first two chapters prior to our first session.
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Good Sports
When should we first sign our children up for sports? If our child doesn’t play on this team this season, will he be able to keep up next season? Is the money outlay for the travel team worth it? What do we do with our other children when one is playing in a weekend tournament? Are we the only ones feeling like we are at the mercy of our kids’ sports schedules?
Such are the questions many parents are asking today-sometimes out loud, but more often silently to themselves-about the world of youth sports. Parents who have a faith commitment have other questions about children’s sports experiences too. Do we skip Mass for Sunday games? Even if we have the resources, are the expenses what we are meant to spend our money on? What about families who can’t afford for their children to play elite sports? Where do youth sports fall in our family’s values and priorities?
Led by Diane Byrne: dbyrne@ndcarmel.com.
Join our 6-session* conversation Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 pm, October 11-November 15. *We will gather virtually for five sessions and will hold the last session in person.
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WEDNESDAYS
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Pray with Scripture, Meet God
In this Year of the Eucharist, you are invited to a six-week journey drawing closer to God's Word and His living presence in the Blessed Sacrament. During the week, participants will reflect on specific passages from the Gospel of John, Chapter 6. On Wednesday evenings, we will gather in the Chapel to spend time with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament; this will be followed by small group faith-sharing on the scripture insights drawn during the week and the experience of encountering our Lord in Adoration.
Led by Maria Cascio: FamilyFaith@ndcarmel.com.
6 sessions in person, Wednesday evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM, October 5-November 9.
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THURSDAYS
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Revelation: The Kingdom Yet to Come
An intriguing 11-session virtual study program that shows how the kingdom established by Christ in his Church is intimately connected with the kingdom of heaven. In this study, presenter Jeff Cavins pulls back the veil on the rich symbolism present in Revelation. Discover what the mysterious figures and images of Revelation mean and see how Revelation is more than an apocalyptic vision of the “end times.” Explore the Church’s teaching on the second coming of Christ and the Last Judgment. Understand how God, the Divine Bridegroom, and the Church, his spotless bride, enter into a heavenly, holy, and mystical marriage every time we celebrate Mass. Participants purchase their study set ($29.95) HERE.
Led by Barbara & Ed Katona: barbkat2013@gmail.com
11 Sessions via Zoom on Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 pm, October 6 - December 22 (no session on Thanksgiving Day). -
The Search
Join this 7-session in-person series hosted by Chris Stefanick, exploring the deepest questions of the human heart—Why am I here? What's life all about? What is this journey in between the event we call “birth” and the one we call “death”? What do you want from your life during the in-between? We will journey through the great big story of everything as astrophysicists, psychologists, neuroscientists, artists, chemists, and professors point to one big (surprising) conclusion: Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. What do you seek? Click HERE to check it out!
Led by Christa Cottone: christa_cottone@alumni.shu.edu.
7 Sessions in person on Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, October 6 - November 17.
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The Shoes of the Fisherman
Join us as we journey through this novel by Morris L. West, unraveling the heartwarming and profound story of Kiril Lakota, a cardinal who, after spending 17 years in a Siberian labor camp and is eventually set fee, reluctantly steps out from behind the Iron Curtain to lead the Catholic Church and grapple with the many issues facing the contemporary world. We will tap into both the book and film clips to delve into this extraordinary journey.
Led by Bob Waters: watersro1@gmail.com.
6 Sessions in person on Thursdays, 10:30-12:00 pm, October 13 - November 17. Purchase the book HERE. -
Morning Teleconference Calls for ChristiansHave you been wanting to join a discipleship group but can’t fit one more thing in 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! Morning Teleconfence Calls has been created with you in mind. 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.We will be offering two Teleconference calls a week for 8 weeks. You can sign up for one day of the week or both:- Tuesday morning 7:30 - 8:00 am - Old Testament Bible Study- Bring your Bible. In this comfortable environment, we will be practicing Lectio Divina - where we read a few verses several times, summarize what we read, and then listen for the Holy Spirit and discuss how He is guiding us in our lives. 8 Calls, 7:30-8:00 AM, beginning Tuesday, October 4-November 22.
- Thursday morning 7:30-8:00 am - Prayer Call. In this comfortable environment, we will be listening to various topics inspired by the Holy Spirit, discussing the topic, and praying for one another. 8 Calls, 7:30-8:00 AM, beginning Thursday, October 6-December 1.
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Testimonials from past participants!
Here's what past participants have said about their Virtual Discipleship Group experience:
- The series helped focus me spiritually and insights shared by my fellow participants were awesome.”
- “Our facilitator guided us through our book with great care, thoughtfulness, and efficiency. She provided us with the tools to share our thoughts on every concept. I am deeply changed by this experience.”
- “This journey was a needed reminder of how easily our spirituality can be strengthened by sharing it with others, and by connecting with others who are yearning for the same thing.”
- “I benefited most from being with a group of people also seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus and to share faith experiences with others. The series did a great job of bringing Jesus, the man, to life for us as well as the experience of being an early follower.”
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Discipleship Group Leaders Welcomed!
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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.
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What do past DG leaders say about their journey?
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