Adult Discipleship

Various adult enrichment programs occur throughout the year. St. Mary of the Lake encourages all parishioners to be ON MISSION – knowing, following, and sharing Jesus – by participating in the communal life of the parish.

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Small Groups

Small groups are a helpful way to grow in faith and support each other on the discipleship journey. There are opportunities to join small groups throughout the liturgical year (we usually have small group sessions in Advent, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time). Groups of 6 to 12 people meet weekly or as defined by the group. Groups can meet either in homes, at the parish, or online/over Zoom. We will help you find a group based on your availability and interests. We invite you to fill out this small group interest form – HERE – and Nathan Schuster ([email protected]) will follow up with you. Let Nathan know if you are interested in being a leader/co-leader.

Schedule for Small Groups 2024-2025

• September – November 2024 Fr. Eilen will be providing a series of homilies (along with corresponding handouts that include key points, reflection questions, and resources for small groups and families to discuss). This series will be focusing on the Introductory Rites of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Word.
• Later this year during Advent 2024, we will study and reflect on 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory by Matthew Kelly. This 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory book will be provided to parishioners. During Lent 2025, we will study and reflect on 7 Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn.
• We will then have another series of homilies (and corresponding handouts) on the Mass during Easter 2025 leading up to Pentecost that will focus on the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites within the Mass.

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Volunteer Opportunities

We also encourage you and your family to volunteer in the parish and community! There are a number of great opportunities available based on your availability. We invite you to fill out this volunteer interest form – HERE – and Nathan Schuster ([email protected]) will follow up with you. More information about our various ministries can be found here.

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St. Mary’s Addiction Ministry

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we have addiction ministry meetings in the St. Joseph Room on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month – 6:30-7:30 PM in the St. Joseph Room. Jim Rathburn, a parishioner of St. Mary’s, leads the meetings. Contact Nathan ([email protected]) for more information/the next meeting time. We know that addiction is all around us impacting fellow parishioners and our loved ones. Our faith in God and freedom deepens when we open ourselves in community – in relationship with God and one another. Anonymity, confidentiality, and privacy are paramount in these meetings. The meetings will include 12 step reflections, prayer, and sharing. Those attending will be invited to join a messaging group in order to contact each other more frequently (between meetings).

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Retreat Opportunities

2025 Parish Lenten Mission

Save the date: St. Mary’s will have a Lenten Mission the evenings of March 26-27, 2025. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

We recommend that parishioners find time on retreat throughout the year to quiet the mind and heart and be renewed in the Spirit. View HERE for other retreat houses around the Twin Cities area.

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Catechetical Institute

We currently have parishioners studying in the Pillars program of the Catechetical Institute. One group is starting their 3rd pillar this fall 2024 here at St. Mary’s. Another group is just starting their 1st pillar this fall at St. Pius. The Catechetical Institute is a resource developed by The Saint Paul Seminary for Catholic adults who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and further their spiritual formation. The Pillars program (A Journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church) with the Catechetical Institute is a 2-year program and covers the 4 pillars of the Catechism. If you are interested in learning more about CI, please check out their website http://www.cistudent.com/pillars/ or reach out to Nathan Schuster at [email protected].

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Apps/Online Resources

FORMED: Enjoy a FREE subscription to FORMED – the “Catholic Netflix”. Entertaining movies, studies, talks, and popular eBooks—all in one place for your whole family! Go to https://formed.org/signup on your browser or search for FORMED in your App Store. Search by parish for St. Mary of the Lake/White Bear Lake in order to register for free.

HALLOW: The Hallow App has some free content, as well as a premium subscription called “Hallow Plus” that includes the rest of the content library. Hallow Plus is $10/month (or $70/year) – or you can receive a Family Pass (up to 6 accounts) for $120/year. There is a 7-day free trial of Hallow Plus. Go to https://app.hallow.com/or search for Hallow in your App Store.

AMEN: The Amen App is totally free! This app provides nourishing Catholic prayers, meditations, and Scriptures to draw your heart, body, and soul into a deeper resting place in God. Go to https://amenapp.org/ or search for Amen in your App Store.

You can also check out this PDF which describes other Catholic Apps.

Watch the bulletin for important news and updates from St. Mary’s.

Please contact Nathan Schuster, Manager of Mission at [email protected] if you have any questions about adult discipleship opportunities.