Join a SMALL GROUP this Advent: “Time For God”

Everyone always seems to be so busy! Especially in the months leading up to Christmas! Our time is precious. Yet, the Advent season is a wonderful gift of Mother Church calling us to quiet our hearts and make ready to once more renew our relationship with God and prepare to welcome the Christ child into our hearts and homes. There is no better way to do this than to reinvigorate our prayer lives. St. Francis de Sales, the great Spiritual Director, once said, “Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.”

This Advent, we encourage you to join a small group, discussing “Time for God” by Jacques Philippe. As a best-selling author and Catholic spiritual guide, Philippe describes what is prayer. Reflecting from scripture, the tradition of the Church and the lives of the saints, he offers practical ways to enhance our prayer, as well as addressing common misconceptions that can lead us astray. As he points out, “We often forget the real secret to gaining time and being productive is to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well (Mt 6:33). If we make time for God through prayer, He multiplies our time and makes it fruitful and productive in all areas of our life.”

BOOKS COST $8.00 AND CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE PARISH OFFICE OR CHURCH BOOK RACK.

Sign Up Online

If you are interested in facilitating a small group or would like to start a group with your family or friends, please email Kelly Hernandez at: khernandez@stfrancisa2.org. We will order books and provide materials. Groups can meet in the comfort of home or there is space available to meet on parish grounds.

JOIN A SMALL GROUP!

Small Groups offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parishioners while enriching our faith. Those involved in small groups consistently cite a greater feeling of community as well as better clarity in what it means to live out their faith on a daily basis.

Every Advent and Lent, various groups gather together once a week to read and discuss books on faith. We aim to deepen our faith and commitment to Christ and His Church through prayer, fellowship, and learning. The groups meet at different times and places, join one that fits your schedule!

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION
Meets every Monday from 7:00 – 8:00 pm In the Chapel

Have you thought that you should try meditation?   Our meditation group is for beginners as well as advanced meditators.  This ancient form of Christian prayer, rooted in the Gospels and St. Paul is offered weekly. Come when you can.

Contact parishioner Paul Thompson at 734-646-5591 for more information or just show up.

PRAYER SHAWL KNITTING MINISTRY

“Blanket those in our community in Prayer, Healing and Love.”

Do you like to knit or crochet?
We use the craft of knitting/crocheting to create shawls for those in the community who might derive comfort, warmth, and spiritual sustenance from them. People such as the homebound, chronically ill, those experiencing a crisis, and a mom with a first baby are typical recipients.

The Knitting Group meets on the second Monday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Parish Library, located off the gathering space of the church. Our St. Francis Web page is here.: stfrancisa2.com/knitting-ministry/  To get a broader perspective on what this is all about, visit: www.shawlministry.com

We attach this note: “Crocheted by hand and threaded with prayers of love and hope, this item is a gift to you.  May it bring blessings of comfort, gifts of warmth and the knowledge that you are loved.   – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Prayer Shawl Ministry”

For more information, please contact Donna Johnston @ donnakj@umich.edu