The Spiritual Growth Committee met on Monday, April 26, 2021

• Andrea Svagdys-Gumbrell summarized the results of the recent parish survey which will be made available to all parishioners soon.
• Due to COVID, there will not be a Day of Spirituality in 2021 but some ideas are being explored for a fall, 2021 parish ZOOM presentation.
• Fr. Niccolls and Deacon Paul suggested that we have a St. George Daily Lenten Reflection booklet, with scripture reflections written by parishioners, for Lent of 2022. Fr. Niccolls will speak to our summer seminarian interns about organizing this effort.
• Bonnie Moran has assumed the chairpersonship of the Spiritual Growth Committee.
• Spiritual Growth Committee members are: Bonnie Moran – Chair; Andrea Svagdys-Gumbrell; Joyce Purcell; Joan Talbot; Patty Walsh; and Kyle Lewandowski. Fr. Niccolls and Deacon Paul serve as ex officio members.

We are thankful to parishioners for your participation in the recent surey.  Results will be shared once they have been compiled and reviewed by the Spiritual Growth Ministry team.

Bishop McManus has asked that each Parish in our Diocese set aside a day on which, from home, you are willing to commit to an hour of prayer. Its purpose is to pray for an end to the Corona virus pandemic, the healing of the sick, those who died from the virus and the protection of Health Care Workers and those who, in the words of our Holy Father Pope Francis, are writing the decisive moments of our time - supermarket employees, cleaners, caregivers, transportation providers, first responders and other volunteers.
St. George Parish has chosen Friday, as our day to pray together. Our Pastor has asked us to please consider taking a specific hour to pray every Friday. If you are able to do this, please contact JoAnn Nally 508-527-6973 or jnallyspirit77@aol.com, with the hour you choose. 

The purpose of the Spiritual Growth Ministry is to offer programs, events and opportunities for the spiritual growth of our parish community, to guide our parish community toward a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to nurture the prayer life of each parishioner.

• After much discussion with JoAnn, we reluctantly joined our present Faith Sharing Group for Lent, 2017. We have been pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoy it. Our facilitator guides the group through the Sacred Scripture readings that will be presented at the upcoming Sunday Mass. Placing the readings within the context of what came before or what will happen later helps us to understand what we are reading. Time is set aside for quiet reflection, questions and sharing how the readings relate to our lives today. This Faith Sharing Group has enhanced our lives in many ways. We are learning more about our Catholic faith. We are sharpening our listening and critical thinking skills. We feel comfortable asking questions and sharing personal stories with each other in a nonjudgmental environment. We are getting to know some of our fellow parishioners on a much deeper level. D. and P. W

• Last year, when registration was taking place for Faith Sharing groups during Advent, I wanted to register but I wasn't sure if I would fit in or if I could share my feelings about my faith with others.  I decided to register and see how it might work out.  I was welcomed and immediately felt comfortable within my group.
  Joining the Faith Sharing group has opened my eyes to the fact that our belief in our Catholic faith and how we interpret the gospel and readings we hear each week at mass influences us in different ways as we live our daily lives. 
  Coming together each week has given me the opportunity to see how my faith has guided and supported me through many situations in my life.  I feel I have become a better person by listening to others as well as sharing my feelings and experiences. 
  Meeting with others who love their faith as much as I do has been a wonderful and spiritual experiences for me.  The greatest gift I have received is to see how merciful God is. 
  Coming to mass and hearing the readings and gospel we share during the week has given deeper meaning  to  the scriptures and celebration of the Eucharist. I am so thankful for the time I share with members of my group.  I look forward to Friday mornings with these wonderful people of faith who have not only become friends but feel like family. J.A.A.

FRIDAY FAITH SHARING

 
11am with Joyce Purcell and Andrea Svagdys-Gumbrell
 
We have gone VIRTUAL.
 
We hope you will join us for this time of enriching prayer and reflection.
All are welcome! No previous experience necessary.
 
Contact Andrea via email andrea@svagdys.com
 
Andrea will email you the Zoom Link and Readings/Reflection (no need to buy the book this time).
You will need to have access to a device with Video and a Microphone.
(a dial-in option is coming soon)
 

Loyola Press offers you daily spiritual guidance through their online "retreats."  Try one, or sign up for daily emails or app reminders.  
Click here to find out more.  

We invite you to join a small "faith sharing" group here at St. George Parish. Please see a recent bulletin for more details.  

Maybe you haven't "joined the parish" but you are thinking about it and want to get a sense of what our community is all about.
Come, share a thought if you are comfortable, or simply listen as others speak about the inspiration they find in the Gospel. Perhaps you have been a parishioner here for years and you want to build a deeper connection to God and God's people.
Come and rest in the peace that God's word can give.