Catholic Family Initiative

The Catholic Family Initiative consists of religious education classes for all members of the family offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8 pm. All ages are covered, including classes for Pre-K-5th grade, young adults, married couples, and adults. Subject matter varies and includes: Church doctrine, Bible study, current issues, bioethics, relationships, and others.

All classes will enhance the continual conversion and faith formation of the participants – and thereby the family unit itself. Fall and Winter sessions are offered and run 6 weeks each session. You can become involved at the beginning of each session; previous participation is not required. Each Wednesday evening we begin with a potluck dinner at 5:45 pm in the cafeteria. It is not required to participate but offers a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to spend social time with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Contact Jan Marrah for more information (jmarrah@saintjoan.org or 865-9964).

This fall our Catholic Family Initiative will introduce a new ministry, Living Your Strengths. The fall session begins on Wednesday, September 7th. This first class will be an overview of what Living Your Strengths is all about. Small journey groups will be formed from the larger group and will meet together for the following 6 weeks. This should not be considered to be another “CHRP program”. It is completely different and your commitment ends at the end of the 6 weeks. The small journey groups allow people to get to know one another and to take an amazing journey together in discovering our God-given talents.

When you register you will receive a book that includes an ID code that gives readers access to StrengthsFinder.com, a personality assessment that reveals your top five talents. We will offer opportunites to assist those that need help to access the test on the internet. The book shows people how to identify and affirm their talents, and how to use them for growth and service. Most importantly, Living Your Strengths helps people discover their true callings. There are registration forms at Fr. Ted’s corner and there will be registration after all Masses on August 20/21 and 27/28. There is a cost of $30 for book and journey workbook at the time of registration. Registration deadline is August 29th. Scholarships are available for those who need assistance to purchase the books. Please contact the parish office.

Prayerfully consider joining us this fall in this new ministry. While millions of people in the U.S. are actively involved in some sort of religious organization, many people feel disengaged from their faith communities. More than half report that they really don’t get the opportunity in their congregation to do what they do best. The problem is this: too many people’s talents are going unappreciated. But it doesn’t have to be this way.