Christian Formation Mission Statement
The Christian Formation Commission seeks to ensure that all children, youth and adults of St. Mary of Pine Bluff Parish have the opportunity to hear
the "Good News" of Jesus Christ proclaimed and to experience on-going faith formation which will empower all to live out their Catholic Christian faith.
Adult Faith Formation Opportunities (2009-2010)
Weekly Bulletin Handouts (September – May)
In the Fall of 2008 we began a series of weekly bulletin handouts to help parishioners to grow in their knowledge of the faith in just a few minutes a week. The handouts are already 3-hole punched so you can save them and add them to your binder for future reference. The handouts for 2008-2009 related to Prayer and the Creed. In 2009-2010 we will focus on the Sacraments and the Moral Life. If you missed a weekly handout, extra copies are available in binders in the entrance of church at each parish.
Lighthouse Catholic Media
You can have access to the best teachers and preachers from around the world explaining the Catholic faith in your car, your workplace, your home, or anywhere you have a CD player. CDs are available in the displays in the entryway of each parish – pick one up and listen today.
How to Find Your Way Around the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great resource to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and His Church but its size can be intimidating. Many people have a copy on their shelf gathering dust instead of changing their lives. Take a few hours this year to learn more about the Catechism. We’ll learn about its structure and organization and take you into the Catechism to learn your way around and discover the treasures of this wonderful gift of the Catholic Church. FREE. Catechisms will be available for purchase. Sunday, January 24 after the 8:30am Mass.
Bible Study – Mary Mother of God
We will begin another four-week Bible study in January. This second DVD in the the Footprints of God series follows Mary on her extraordinary journey on location in Turkey, Israel and Greece with popular Catholic author and speaker Stephen Ray as guide. Down-to-earth teaching on subjects like Mary’s Immaculate Conception, Assumption into Heaven, and her role of intercessor, and more are offered in an energized, high-impact style that combines the best elements of a travel documentary, biography, Bible study, apologetics course, and church history review. The study will have a 20-30 minute video portion followed by questions and discussion. Meets after the 8:30am Sunday Mass on January 31, February 7, 14 and 21.
EPIC Church History Study
The epic story of the Catholic Church spans thousands of years. With an unlikely beginning in a remote outpost of the Roman empire, the Catholic Church now claims over a billion living members. The persecutions, martyrdoms, conquests, and triumphs all came together to shape Western civilization as we know it today. Our identity as Catholics means that we are the inheritors of the deeds of holy men and women who for 2,000 years have built a great civilization and spread the Gospel throughout the world. Church history is not just the recitation of popes, people, places, and events; it is a story of adventure, intrigue, rebellion, reform, and devotion. Come and join the adventure of Church History. This study meets Tuesday mornings at 10am, January 5, 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 16, and 23 or Thursday evenings at 6:30pm, January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18 and 25.
ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) (8-week studies for Women)
The ENDOW program is designed for today's "women in the pew', women who are neither theologians nor philosophers, but are faithful wives, mothers and career women. We will begin with Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Women: It is addressed to "all of the women of the world" and in it, Pope John Paul II gives thanks to all women, reinforces the special gifts of women, and calls to mind all of the contributions women have made throughout history. To accommodate a woman's busy schedule, there is no homework involved in the ENDOW program. All of the material is read aloud and discussed when the group meets. The cost for the materials is $60* Scholarships are available. Will begin January 24, Register Now.
Knights of Divine Mercy (For Catholic Men)
Centered in Christ, the Knights of Divine Mercy is an apostolate of Catholic faith formation for men, ages 18 or older. Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s millennial call to develop the art of prayer through communities focused as training grounds in holiness and schools of prayer, the Knights of Divine Mercy seek to assist men in discovering a masculine spirituality as we explore the great spiritual treasures of our Catholic faith. Every first Friday evening, September through May.
Basic Catholic Catechism Course (16-Lesson Course)
The Basic Catechism Course was written for the training of teachers preparing students; parents providing the spiritual needs of their children; people helping friends and family to develop and expand their knowledge of the Faith. The course is a self-study correspondence course – you study the lessons and take the tests before coming to study group. The study group for this 16-lesson course will be held 8 weeks in the Fall 2009 and 8 weeks in the Spring of 2010. The study group will have a lecture to further explain the main points of each lesson and then go through the answers to the questions. The cost for materials is $50*. ($70 for couples taking the course together.)
Advanced Catholic Catechism Course (36-Lesson Course)
The Advanced Catechism Course develops the four main topics of the Faith as introduced in the Basic Course: Faith (The Apostles Creed), Grace (The Sacraments), Christian Morality (The Ten Commandments) and Prayer (The Our Father). (Participants must have completed the Basic Catholic Catechism Course) Cost for materials $70*.
And there’s more!: Praying Morning or Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours after daily Mass, prayerful reading of Scripture known as Lectio Divina, bus trips to Men of Christ and Women of Christ Conferences, evenings of reflection, Fr. Rick’s teaching blogs, parish libraries, and much more.
To register for any adult faith formation opportunities or for any questions please contact Marie Lins at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or cell (608)469-3982 or at the St. Ignatius Parish Office on Wednesday mornings from 8-10am at (608)437-5348.
*No one will be turned away for an inability to pay in these challenging economic times. Just let me know that finances are an obstacle so we can find a way to make it work.
