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 – Reading, MA

"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. Everyone has 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 – Willard, WI

"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 – Lake City, MN

"Blessed Are You and the other books in the Discipleship Series are most gratifying, inspiring and enlightening. I never looked at the Beatitudes quite this way before; it’s a wakeup call for me."

Anita – Reading, MA

Comments collected from participants by Fr. William Felix, Pastor of All Saints Parish – Stanley, WI

• "I never really understood or thought about the Beatitudes like I have through Blessed Are You."
• "The personal story in each chapter not only helped highlight the Beatitude, but often brought me to tears as I read about them."
• "The book was so easy to use in the group because everything was in one place." 
• "It was so good to have intercessory prayer and works of charity as an expected part of this. It helped put faith in action."

COMMENTS ON THE DISCIPLESHIP SERIES AS A WHOLE

“These are resources that really take people where they are in their lives and bring them to a deeper relationship with Christ and greater enthusiasm for service. After we finished the first book, everybody wanted to do the second one. We got the same people back, plus more. They keep telling me how much they enjoy the discussion questions, because they connect the Scriptures and the stories to their daily lives.”

Allen – Chicago, IL 

“I teach a Scripture class at Sancta Maria House, a healing home for alcoholics and addicts, in Vancouver. I decided to try a few lessons with them. The women loved everything about the books and I loved the thought-provoking discussion that the questions inspired. Then my pastor asked me to facilitate a program in the parish. I set up a Lenten study of Who is My Neighbor, and it met with equal success. All the participants indicate that they want to continue. Thank you for your inspired program.”

Rae – Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) 

“I led a group of young adults and they responded with much enthusiasm. There was such a good balance of Scripture, stories, Catechism quotes, discussion, prayer and focus on service, and the program was very do-able for busy people. The members of our group found many thought-provoking connections to their daily lives. They especially liked the stories that brought the Scripture themes to life. Everybody really looked forward to coming to the meetings!"

Eileen – St. Paul, MN 

“We are in the midst of the program, and the Discipleship Series has been very interesting. It's wonderful to be able to relate the stories of the men and women in the books to our everyday lives -- the way they reached out to people. The service aspect of the program opens the mind to many different possibilities. In our parish, a good number have been involved with St. Martin's Guild, which assists families in need.”

Dior – Delta, British Columbia (Canada) 

“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 – Wausau, WI 

"These books are truly ‘faith sharing resources with a mission of love.’ I particularly like the integration of the stories of the saints and the blesseds into the reading. Those stories are so important for us as Christians!"                                                                                                                                    

 Jeanne – Houston, TX

“I have been facilitating a group of seven parishioners, and speaking for myself it has been wonderful. As for the service component we as a group are planning to provide a meal at a local meal location. This will be a new experience for nearly all members of the group, and we plan on having our children assist in the experience.”

Jim – Plover, WI 

“The material was just about perfect. There was a great blend of readings, and the questions allowed each individual to relate, which gave us all a deeper insight into the topic. The most amazing result was how people came together. It is such a blessing to witness the Holy Spirit at work, as people who did not know each other find common bonds and are able to share their love for each other.”

Chris – Stratford , 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 – Lake Odessa, MI

“I am having lots of good feedback on the faith-sharing material and I believe that everyone will be interested in attending future groups. A few of us made a visit to the Place of Grace [Catholic Worker House]...and found it to be a very worthwhile project and I am sure that we will repeat the service in the future. Just getting us out of our comfort zone - (being one of the older crowd) has been very interesting.”

Marilyn – La Crosse, WI 

“Participation was good and we had some real great personal insight and sharing. Everyone was so happy they were a part of this experience and want more. Our service projects consisted of visiting the nursing home and writing letters. Also several of us, along with some other parish members, got together and made greeting cards. These cards will be going with my wife and me to Waveland, Miss. to be given to persons in need. We're leaving for a week to rebuild damaged houses. Each card will contain a $10 Wal-Mart gift card. Our parish got the fund drive going and we’re up to almost $800 so far. Our project pretty much got beyond our little group of 6 people. Pretty awesome.”

Gary – Eau Galle, WI

“I am involved in a faith-sharing group for Lent. I just want you to know that we have had the best sessions we've ever had. This week I had the flu and I still couldn't stay home. I went and sat off by myself in the corner so that I could be part of the session. Thank you so much for giving us such a wonderful program. It certainly is not a sacrifice to go to the sessions! It's just exactly what I need in my life right now.”

Rita – Independence, WI