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Continuing Faith
On-Going Faith Formation and Spiritual Growth:
Every Catholic-Christian is called to continue growing in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of his/her faith throughout life. St. Aloysius Parish provides a range of programs and resources to meet the broad spectrum of households which form the assembly of the faithful.
Central to on-going growth in faith and spirituality is the weekend liturgy. The scripture readings and homily provide focus for living out the gospel during the coming week. First priority in planning and use of resources is given to reverent, engaging liturgies and richly nourishing homilies.
Among other opportunities -- some seasonal, some year-round -- either directly sponsored by the parish or supported and promoted for ongoing formation of parishioners -- are the following. Some are bookmarked for additional detail:
Spiritual Book Club
Liturgical Ministry workshops and training sessions
Christian Life Communities
"People of Faith: Generations Learning Together"
Scripture Study
Centering Prayer Group
Spanish-language Scripture Prayer/study Group
Sunday Pre-School for ages 3 through grade 1
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Echoes of Faith Catechetical Training
Advent Festival
JustFaith
Faith and Light
Lenten Scripture/Prayer/Reflection groups
Advocacy Weekend
Spirituality Resources Weekend
Parish Library:
books and videos
Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL)
Mini-Retreats and Days of Recollection
Novena of Grace (March)
RCIA team training through North American Forum on the Catechumenate
Journey to Justice Retreat (Fall)
Senior High Youth program
Junior High Youth program
Social Ministry Fair
Hands-on volunteer opportunities for community
service
Catechists' Fall Retreat
"Entrusted to Our Care” – diocesan safe-child training program
Speakers, conferences, workshops through Gonzaga University
For information on and scheduling of these opportunities, please check links provided or call 313-5896
Friendly folks who agree to read and discuss a selected book together in an informal home setting. Great way to share reflections and broaden horizons. Books range from contemporary theology to biography to social consciousness to spirituality. Call for more information: Adam and Kay Raley (443-0337)
A good selection of print and media materials for both adults and children is available for borrowing throughout the year from the Parish Library shelves located in the Parish Center hallway. Self-checkout system provides easy access during business hours (Tues. - Fri., 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM). On Sunday, the library is open from 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM. New materials appear regularly, so stop by often and use this resource to nurture faith at home.
JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH YOUTH PROGRAMS
Wednesday evening is Junior High Youth Night at the Parish Center. Junior High youth (grades 6 - 8) meet from 7:00 - 8:15 PM to share fellowship, faith enrichment, activities and service opportunities with leaders drawn from local colleges and universities. They call their oganization G.R.A.S.P (Growing, Reaching and Some Preaching!).
Senior High youth (grades 9 - 12) meet from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in the Parish Center on Wednesday evenings with an agenda for growth, faith formation, fellowship and peer support. They form the C.I.A. youth leadership group with a mission to help all high school students discover new horizons, build friendships, grow in faith, become "Catholics In Action."
Both groups are open to all youth who wish to participate. Parents and youth are encouraged to call for more information: (313-7006).
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES IN EVERYDAY LIFE (SEEL)
A parish staffed by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), St. Aloysius strives to help men and women grow in prayer and relationship with Christ though the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, designed by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. The Exercises are designed to allow a full thirty days of prayer and reflection, apart from ordinary daily activity.
For people following a busy daily schedule of work, family, school, community involvement and more, SEEL provides an opportunity to follow the Exercises in the context of one's own life and schedule, stretching over a nine-month period rather than a thirty-day retreat. Commitment to an hour of prayer each day, a weekly visit with a personal Spiritual Director and a monthly meeting of all the retreatants together form the structure of SEEL.
New groups form in the late summer and early fall, but information is available year-round by calling the SEEL office (313-5898).
As winter turns to spring, parishioners are invited to register for this casual, friendly way to meet one another -- old friends and new acquaintances -- over pot-luck dinners in host homes. A series of four dinner dates (February, March, April and May) provide opportunities to socialize, share stories of faith and family, discuss current issues, explore common interests. A great opening for newcomers to the parish community! Call 313-5896 for more information.
A Monday afternoon reflection/study group meets at the Parish Center (Antonian Room) from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Six-week programs using Little Rock Scripture Study format are scheduled at various times throughout the year. Please call 313-7009 to discuss your interest.
For those interesting in deepening prayer life through silent meditation, a group meets weekly at the Parish Center (Thursdays, 10:00 AM) using materials developed from the World Community for Christian Meditation, including writing of Fr. John Main, OSB and Fr. Lawrence Freeman, OSB. Please contact Gary Meisenburg (570-3161; meizie@comcast.net) for information. All faiths welcome.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD and SUNDAY PRE-SCHOOL
Every Sunday during the 11:00 AM liturgy, children in grades 2 - 5 are invited to come forward for a blessing and then go with their leaders to a separate area to listen to God's Word from the children's lectionary and explore it in terms that "meet them where they are." A team of adult facilitators guides the interactive reflection on the day's scripture readings and helps the children to relate what they have heard to their own experience. Children return to join their families after the homily. NOTE: Please check the weekly bulletin (posted from the Homepage) for dates of three-week breaks in late spring and late summer.
Younger children (age 3 through grade 1) are blessed and dismissed with their leaders to follow a similar program in space designed for them in the Parish Center. Parents call for them at the Parish Center after Mass. Children must have already celebrated their third birthday before joining this program.
Both Sunday morning programs run throughout the year with the exception of three-week breaks around Memorial Day and Labor Day.
An important spiritual experience at St. Aloysius Parish for over 75 years, this nine-day devotion draws thousands for prayerful renewal each spring during March. The novena honors St. Francis Xavier, missionary Jesuit who brought the faith to India and Japan. The novena is a tradition in most Jesuit parishes and brings together people of many faith experiences to pray for their own needs and the needs of others. In 2009, the novena dates will be Saturday, March 7 through Sunday, March 15.