COMMENTS ON NEW BOOK -- BLESSED ARE YOU: LIVING THE BEATITUDES

"Blessed Are You is the fourth book in the Discipleship Series that the small groups at our parish have used.  I personally enjoy the stories, which teach me more about the saints.  I like to recall their example as I encounter my own challenges and opportunities to live out the Beatitudes in my life.  The format of these books is perfect for small groups." 

Marie L., Small Group Coordinator – Reading, MA

 
"I am amazed not only at the fruits of these sessions, but also at the enthusiasm of the people - they WANT to do something to live the Beatitudes.  The Holy Spirit inspired many ideas for service, including  making donations to a pregnancy resource center, collecting warm sweaters and sweatshirts for local students in need, and helping get the new parish library up and running."

Maria S., Parish Coordinator – Lake City, MN
 

"What a joyful and faith-filled experience!  Blessed Are You: Living the Beatitudes is everything I hoped it would be.  Personally, I submerged myself in it. Each session opens up my eyes and heart more and more. The participants have been commenting on just how much they are enjoying the material, how much they love reading about the saints and how moving the experience is." 

Gabe Y., Small Group Coordinator – Willard, WI

COMMENTS ON THE DISCIPLESHIP SERIES AS A WHOLE

“I've used the Discipleship Series for Confirmation preparation and both young people and adult sponsors love them! They really connect to the format, and the lives of the saints stories as well.  It helps them discern the name they will choose for Confirmation, and the idea of discipleship fits well with what Confirmation is really all about for them.” 

Jude H., Pastoral Associate, Visitation Parish, Kansas City, MO

“The Discipleship Series is a wonderful tool that appeals to a broad range of participants. Drawing from the lives of the saints, Sacred Scripture, and Church teachings, it stimulates discussion that not only enlivens faith and inspires reflection, but asks that we put what we have gained into action – for what good is faith if it does not prompt us to serve one another?”

Deacon Richard S. – Executive Director Emeritus, Catholic Charities, Diocese of La Crosse 

“The interaction in our group was just wonderful. There was plenty of meaty material, but also variety, and this contributed greatly to the discussion. It met the needs of a variety of personalities. For me, attendance is always a good indicator. We had more participants at the end than we had at the beginning!

Deacon David C. – St. Alice’s Parish, Pequot Lakes, MN

“We have had a very good response from 7 participating groups in the parish. Evaluations have been most positive. Here is a sample of what people had to say: ‘I feel closer to God and to members of the parish;’ ‘A new way of looking at my faith;’ ‘Great opportunity to meet people in the parish;’ ‘Thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship. The sharing of each other’s lives is a wonderful process to take part in;’ ‘Opened a deeper awareness of compassion, mercy, and love.’ Our groups met last night for a year-end celebration and are all excited to get the next book!”

Cathy Y., Small Group Coordinator – Boise, ID

“The people of our parish were drawn to this series by the content and the simplicity. If it’s too heady, they are turned off. They want to know, ‘how do I live out my faith?’ Too often adult faith programs are ‘sit and get;’ ‘do homework and talk.’ The Discipleship Series is a well-rounded blend of doctrine, prayer and lived experience. Some of the ways we have carried out service is through helping homeless veterans, volunteering at Jubilee House (a Catholic Worker house), and helping kids with cancer.”

Barb C., Director of Religious Education – Wausau, WI 

“In our small parish we had 4 groups. The participants became so connected that they want to keep meeting and to maintain the service commitment. There is a lady in the Diocese who takes food to the poor in a park in Grand Rapids every Saturday. We decided to make bagged lunches for her to give away, and later we involved students in preparing these meals. It was a beautiful opportunity for everyone.”

Jeannie W., Small Group Coordinator – Lake Odessa, MI 

“In our parish, adult education has been challenging, but this book was extremely interesting and easy to do. We had steady attendance, without the usual drop-out rate. We look forward to doing the next book!"

Deacon John M. – St. Elizabeth’s Parish, Gooding, ID 

“We had 4 groups in our parish. People really liked the stories of faith and we had very good discussions. At the last session we reviewed what people did for service. One man and his wife set up a basket in the back of church to collect food to bring to the local food pantry, which they are still doing. There were some folks who led a fundraising drive for a boy with cancer. Others reached out to the mentally challenged and their families. One woman had an elderly neighbor she would visit and bring grocery shopping. It is so refreshing to hear the work being done to help others. We look forward to doing more books in the series.”

Deacon Stillman S. – Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton, SD 

“The committee that I am working with has done thorough reflection on our Lenten Study, soliciting feedback from those who participated. Many have requested that we continue these groups in the fall. Thank you for your ministry to God's people.”

Sister Therese C., Pastoral Associate - Church of St. Peter, St. Peter MN 

“Special social and spiritual bonds developed between the faith-sharing group participants and fed into the parish, creating a greater spirit of hospitality. There was much more awareness of what we can be doing in our parish. For example, people took a real interest in assisting the poor through our parish mission thrift store. Other people saw they could serve by helping with parish events and socials. With regard to the books, group members were especially appreciative of the inspiring stories of people from different eras. Those really impacted us a lot.”

Sr. Rosemary R. – Parish Pastoral Minister, Holy Family Parish, Arcadia, WI

“This has worked out very, very well for our young adults. They are so busy, so it’s great to have a 6-week program that is easy to get through. Each session only takes 1 ½ to 2 hours to do. We have had really good discussions and great turnout and consistency with this program. With other study resources we have unfortunately seen burnout, but I haven’t seen any burnout with this.”

Brian D., Director of Young Adult Ministry – Wausau, WI 
 

“I have used a lot of materials from different backgrounds and I want to say that I was really impressed with this resource. I appreciated how each lesson started with the Scriptures, then gave examples of Jesus in the life of his people and then melded them with our historical tradition and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. There was a sense of cohesiveness to everything. And the material is presented in such a way that it is very, very approachable for the average Catholic.”

Deacon Mike S. – St. Mary’s Parish, Colby, WI 

“Because the program encourages you to make a living witness of your faith, you can’t help but share it outside the group. It’s a stepping-stone to more, both for the individual and the parish.”

Deacon David A. – Blessed Sacrament Parish, La Crosse, WI 

“The [county jail] inmates' comments about the book have all been positive, and they like it better than the straight Bible studies that I have used because it is less head stuff and more heart stuff. I have found it easier to get them to reflect on what we are talking about, how it applies in their own lives, in this place. I know that in at least one case an inmate has modified his behavior as a direct result of discussions we have had in the group. For me the most powerful piece has been talking about the service component as they discover ways in which they may be of service even in jail or prison. I look forward to using the next book in the same manner.

Deacon Tom S. – Jail Chaplain, City of La Crosse, WI 

“We had a young couples’ study group (which had 4 young families in it) who used your Discipleship Series (they hired a babysitter or 2 to watch the 10 kids in the next room). The service component motivated them to do something together that was also pertinent to their families. They cleaned up the parish playground by repairing the thick plastic border which had been damaged by snow plows, purchased a truckload of wood chips and raked them out, and did other landscaping projects nearby which included the removal of shrubs that did not survive the winter and planting new grass. All of this followed a picnic/potluck.”

Fr. Brian K., Pastor – Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, La Crosse, WI