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.

Schedule for Small Groups 2024-2025

• This past Advent 2024, we studied 33 Days to Eucharistic Gloryby Matthew Kelly. (We have extra copies of the 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory at the parish office if you don’t yet have one.) During Lent 2025, we are studying 7 Secrets of the Eucharist by Vinny Flynn. There are extra copies of these also at the parish office if you are interested.
• We will then have another series of homilies (and corresponding handouts) on the Mass during Easter 2025 leading up to Corpus Christi that will focus on the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites of the Mass. Part I of this Mass Moments series can still be obtained by going to https://stmarys-wbl.org/synod/and scrolling towards the bottom of the page.

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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. More information about our various ministries can be found HERE.

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Retreat Opportunities

2025 Parish Lenten Mission

You can view the 2025 Parish Lenten Mission here on our YouTube page – Part I (here) Part II (here)

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 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 finishing with the 4^th Pillar this spring 2025 here at St. Mary’s. Another group is just starting the 2^nd Pillar this spring at St. Pius X.

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/

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Apps/Online Resources

ROSARY IN A YEAR PODCAST: Check out the new Rosary in a Year podcast – available now on your favorite podcast app. Sign up for the prayer plan here or click here to watch/listen on YouTube. In Ascension’s Rosary in a Year podcast, Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, guides listeners in a step-by-step journey that will change the way you pray – no matter where you are in your spiritual life. 

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.