Dear Friends,
As your parish looks for ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council (opened Oct. 11, 1962), I hope you will consider using my six-meeting small group series, "The Spirit of Vatican II." The first meeting looks at Pope John XXIII and events leading up to his call for an ecumenical council. The next five meetings cover the four Constitutions of the Council: Liturgy, Church (2 meetings), Divine Revelation and the Church in the Modern World. All these sessions present the gist of the document and explore their impact on our lives today. See a summary of each meeting and a typical discussion question in the "Small Group Guides" section at the left. Parishes that have used this series have mentioned the material is accessible and the discussion questions are fruitful. It is enlightening to those who remember Vatican II and those who have barely heard of it. You can order from Franciscan Media (St. Anthony Messenger Press) at http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=B16683, or 1-800-488-0488. $3.95/copy.
Also, please consider exploring "The Gospel of Mark" during this Year B. "The Gospel of Mark" is my six-meeting series that walks through this first and shortest Gospel, a few chapters per meeting. This series has a dual focus: What is Mark saying about the life and mission of Jesus? How does this connect to my life in the 21st century? Get more information from the "Small Group Guides" listing at left. You can order the booklet from Franciscan Media (formerly St. Anthony Messenger Press) at http://catalog.franciscanmedia.org/Product.aspx?ProductCode=B16687, or 1-800-488-0488. The price is only $3.95 per copy.
For those of you who've liked the Gathered In His Name series, I have written other small group series that have not yet been published and would be happy to send you a free sample and then print on demand if you'd like to buy them for your small groups. Six-session titles include:
The Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of John
Great Figures of the Old Testament
The Sacrament of Baptism (six-week session breaking open each word and element in the ritual)
Saints Who Changed the Church
Lent series for Year A (Years B and C to come)
There is one series written for 7 meetings:
The Liturgical Year (7 sessions - one on the liturgical calendar, one on each liturgical season)
Like the Gathered in His Name titles, these booklets will be printed on 11x17 paper, folded to 8-1/2x11, and will run 24-30 pages long. At this time, at least, the cost would be $4.00 per copy for the six-meeting series and $4.50 for The Liturgical Year, plus shipping. Please contact me at margo@doten.us if you're interested. Thanks!
You are welcome to use the Gospel reflection questions at right in any way you'd like, without fee, for your small church community, or in a parish bulletin or for personal use. If you do include these regularly in your parish bulletin, I'd appreciate hearing it, for help with my marketing. To use the reflection questions in a diocesan newspaper or other subscriber-based publication, please contact me for approval. This material is under copyright, all rights reserved.
WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE:
- See reflection questions for the Gospels of the next four Sundays (and sometimes for holidays or feastdays that come up during the week). Use them for fruitful discussions in your small groups.
- Discover more about the Gathered In His Name series for small church communities. Check the "Small Group Guides" menu at left. You’ll find synopses and sample questions from each meeting of every title in the series.
- Read articles I wrote for Church and Catechumenate magazines. Topics include RCIA sponsors, RCIA rituals, parish communications programs, leading a tour of the parish church/worship center, and “Faithful Citizenship” (written in 2004). You'll find them under the "Published Articles" menu.
- Keep coming back! The reflection questions will be updated regularly, and more material will be added as the site develops.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.