Adult Faith Formation

Adult faith formation is concerned with the ongoing faith life of adults. It asks the question: What do adults within the parish community need in order to grow in their faith? The goals of faith formation are: holiness of life (deepening of relationship with Christ in everyday life), active participation in the Christian community and service of God and neighbor.

The members of the Commission are: Bruce Belason, Tom Bell, Kelly Dunn, Fr. George Evans, Jacob Kallupura, John Murray, Kathleen Logan Prince, Dee Schwartz and Janet Wohlers. We plan to collaborate with parish staff and other parish commissions and committees to promote a parish community vision of adult faith formation. The Commission resonates with the words of Jane Regan: “To be genuinely Church in the 21st century, a dedication to fostering mature, committed adult communities of faith is essential.” We would welcome any ideas or suggestions that parishioners might have about ways in which we might achieve the vision. Please contact Kelly Dunn.

YOGA PRAYER

Gretchen Daggett, Kripalu Yoga Instructor with over 15 years teaching experience, offers 6 week sessions of Yoga Prayer at St. Julia’s. This spiritual form of gentle yoga calms the mind, opens the heart, and renews your deep connection with God. You will also experience the health benefits of lower stress and increased flexibility. Gretchen will guide you with compassion through warm-ups and postures, which provide the perfect transition to a quiet time of meditation and prayer at the close of the session.

Yoga Prayer sessions run consecutively during the year. Join the morning group from 9:30 to 11AM or the afternoon group from 5:30 to 7PM. Watch the bulletin for starting dates throughout the year. Yoga Prayer is appropriate for beginners or more experienced practitioners, and Gretchen will help you adapt postures to suit your body. This is “yoga for the rest of us”!

In our sacred practice, we will:

• Breathe into a place of inner harmony and peace
• Renew and invigorate our connection to God
• Reflect on spiritual readings and prayers
• Come home to our body as a temple of the in- dwelling presence of God, and
• Experience the health benefits of: lower stress, improved circulation, digestion, flexibility, and an overall sense of well-being and calm.

Where: Upper Lobby, St. Julia’s Parish Center, Weston
Cost: $10/session (or what your means allow)

For more information and to register, contact Susan Bayard at St. Julia’s at 781-642-1308 or Gretchen at 781-642-7678 or by email. Wear loose clothing, eat lightly, and bring a mat if you have one (some will be available at the Parish Center). Please feel free to invite a friend to share this beautiful experience!

Bible Study at St. Julia Parish

Saint Julia Bible Study Group meets on Tuesdays from September through June from 9:30 – 11:00 AM in the Parish Center. Meetings include a video lecture, refreshments, and discussion. One member comments, “Bible Study has become my auto pilot for life.” Another member emphasis, “Bible Study renews my mind, psyche, and my body.” A third member states, “I live in His presence all week thanks to studying God’s Word with a group of people who both challenge and encourage me.” Another writes, “Bible Study keeps my perspective focused on what is meaningful in life.” Finally, another member writes, “Bible Study is a bonus way in which I receive Jesus along with the Eucharist.” This group is coordinated by Dee Schwartz.

“The Word of God is living and effective,
Sharper than any two-edged sword, and
Piercing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and
Able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the human heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12)

A NEW BIBLE STUDY will start in September. No previous Bible study experience necessary! Come be part of a small group who will delve into the meaning and message of the Book of Isaiah. All materials and a Bible will be provided at registration. The group will meet from 9:15am to 11AM on Tuesdays, beginning September 13. Cost :$30.00 Contact Dee Schwartz for more information or to sign up.

Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)

This program is offered for mothers in the parish to get to know each other, to grow in their spiritual life and understanding of the special vocation of motherhood, and to nurture the faith in their families.  MOMS is a program developed by the Benedictine Sisters and has been used in parishes across the country.  The group runs for 6 – 8 weeks in the fall and again in the spring as the group wishes.  Babysitting is provided.  A number of the St. Julia MOMS groups  continue to meet years after their first meeting at St. Julia. For more information, or to start a new MOMS group, please contact Susan Bayard.

ARISE Together in Christ

The ARISE cookbook Food for the Body & Soul contains over 300 special recipes representing the collaborative efforts of ARISE groups from eighteen Boston Archdiocesan parishes plus entries from the CEO, Board of Visitors, residents and staff of Hearth, Inc. The cookbook also includes uplifting scriptural passages for reflection and inspiration. All proceeds will be donated to Hearth, Inc., the only organization in the country with a cost effective, sole focus and comprehensive approach to ending elder homelessness. The cookbook can be ordered by sending a request in writing along with a check made payable to Hearth, Inc. to ARISE Cookbook Committee, 68 Laurel Road, Weston, MA 02493. Order forms can also be found at the back of the church. The cost is $15.00 plus $3.00 postage and handling per book if ordered through the mail. If you prefer to pay by credit card and/or are interested in giftwrapping, please order your cookbooks directly from Hearth, www.hearth-home.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in a concrete action step of social justice!