LENTEN RENEW: Faith Sharing Small Groups at St. Joseph

Lenten Renew is a St. Joe's tradition and a wonderful faith formation opportunity to reflect and prepare for the Easter season. These groups are open to all parishioners as well as members of the wider community. For 6 weeks during Lent, small groups meet 90 minutes once a week to discuss various books/materials, reflect on their faith, pray together, and support one another in their lives.

Renew Your Faith!
Lent is a time to renew our faith — something that requires prayer and reflection. Again this year, both St. Joseph's and Archbishop Hebda chose to focus on nurturing our communities by encouraging all the faithful to become involved in small groups. In a small community we can see how Jesus himself, in the midst of activity, always took time for silence and prayer, and we realize how important it is for us to do the same. Why not add a special ingredient to your observance of the Year of Faith by taking time this Lent for quiet, prayer and sharing in a small community? Sign up for a day and time of the week that works for you. The change you experience will be well worth the time. Groups will begin meeting the week of Ash Wednesday. In-person and virtual options available.

REGISTRATION
Registration is Required and is located in the REGISTRATION section of this page or by contacting the Director of Children and Adult Faith Formation to select a day, time and study that might interest you. Lenten Renew books/materials for those registered are available through the group lead or outside the Parish Office when available. 

Lenten Renew Small Group Options for 2025
This year we are offering multiple study choices! This allows participants to choose the day, time, and study that works best for them! We have the classic option of a lectionary-based book of reflections, a meatier option about the passion narratives in each Gospel, and a current events option! Book summaries can be found by clicking the book of your choice below.

 

OPTION 1:  Book:  Lenten Longings, by Catherine T. Nerney
Lectionary Based Reflections
“Lent invites us to a time of prayer, reflection, and conversion. Make a six-week retreat with your small group by exploring the Sunday readings of Lent. Simple language and everyday metaphors steep you in the season’s promptings to surrender self, work for justice, and deepen prayer life. Lenten Longings: Seeing With God's Eyes is an invitation to see ourselves, one another, and our world through the eyes of God.”

Groups who use this book will meet each of the 6 weeks of Lent.

OPTION 2:  Book:  Many Voices, One Spirit, by Ann Garrido
Overcoming Division in the Church
“Polarization in religious and political life makes progress in addressing the real needs of people difficult if not impossible. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked Catholics to commit ourselves to healing the divide by practicing a different approach to discussing controversial topics, especially with those with whom we may disagree—an approach grounded in concern for the common good.
Many Voices, One Spirit, in six faith-sharing sessions, offers concrete tools and action steps that can help us achieve healthy dialogue in our communities.”

Groups who use this book will meet each of the 6 weeks of Lent.

OPTION 3:  Discussion:  Immigration and Catholic Social Teaching
At a time when rhetoric around immigration can spiral out of hand quickly, cut through the noise and learn what our Catholic faith can tell us about immigration. Using addresses by Pope Francis, papal writings, USCCB documents, and immigration data, learn more about how our Catholic faith calls us to respond to the immigration crisis in America. 
This group will not be using one book for their discussion, but rather a collection of articles, book chapters, papal letters, and addresses. Group leaders will provide all materials.

This group is led by our Peace and Justice Commission and will meet 6 weeks during Lent.