Below are a number of upcoming opportunities:
- Pilgrim Church, Part 2 – (no pre-requisites required)
Monday 1-3 at the Parish Center
Feb 17, 24, March 2, 9
This four part series will examine the vision of Church that comes out of Vatican II.
Week 1 we will look at the vision of Church from Vatican II itself
Week 2 will focus on the changes in the Church and how the reforms were implemented
Week 3 we will look at the changes in the implementation vision that arose under the pontificates of John Paul @ and Benedict and begin a discussion of ordained ministry
Week 4 we will look at ministry, inculturation and look at the new Exhortation on the Amazon Church - Spirituality Saturdays
There are many ways to pray and prayer is essential to building our relationship with God. This Lent take advantage of this opportunity to explore different prayer forms, learn what might be the best fit for your prayer life!
March 7, 10-12 at the Church
Lectio Divina and Benedictine Prayer with Dr. Julie WilberdingLectio is a prayer form that focuses on entering more deeply into a chosen scripture passage, moving from reading to reflection to response and finally contemplation, resting in our God encountered in the Word.Julie Wilberding is a parishioner of St. Agnes. A scientist by training, she also holds a Master of Arts in theology from St Mary’s Seminary and University. She is a Benedictine oblate with Saint Meinrad Archabbey and works at Fort Detrick, MD. Julie has led Lectio and introduced people to the rich tradition of Benedictine spirituality for any years.March 14, 10-12 at the Church
In the Footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi with Susan BurkeA Franciscan prayer service featuring the “Canticle of the Sun” and other prayers by St. Francis of Assisi will precede a brief introduction to Franciscan spirituality through the life of St. Francis (1182-1226), St. Clare, the Franciscan religious orders, and the Secular (lay) Franciscan Order, which commits to a lifetime of simplicity, minority, ongoing conversion, and prayer and has a presence in this area.Susan Burke, a St. Agnes parishioner, professed to the Secular Franciscan Order in 1988. In 1993 she was certified as a spiritual director by the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC. Her B.A. in English at Rosemont College led to her work as a writer and editor at the Air Line Pilots Association, the Winchester Star, Philadelphia Magazine, and Chilton Book Co. For the last 20 years, she has been a per diem chaplain at Winchester Medical Center, as well as a freelance editor. She has a daughter and three grandchildren.
March 28, 10-12 at the Church
Praying the Ignatian Way with Sr. Mary Kate Birge, SSJ.Ignatian Prayer is grounded in the principle that God is active in our daily lives and is always present to us. Ignatian Spirituality helps us recognize the presence of God in our lives so that we may “love him more and follow him more closely.” This is accomplished through a daily Examen, the Spiritual Exercises and through spiritual direction. Through prayer we come to understand the Love of God and live it out in our lives.Sr. Mary Kate Birge, SSJ., holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from The Catholic University of America, an MA in Classics from Tufts, an MA in Theology from St. Johns University, has studied Christian Spirituality at Creighton University and is a Spiritual Director in IgnatianSpirituality. She is an Associate Professor of Theology at Mount St. Mary’s University.April 4, 10-12 at the Church
An Introduction into Carmelite Mystical Prayer with Dr. Jan SengerCarmel has a rich prayer tradition. Actually, the primary apostolate of Carmel is praying for the Church and for the coming of the Kingdom of God. During this session we will enter into contemplative prayer, being aware of the characteristics of Carmelite prayer: solitude, meditation and contemplation.
Dr. Senger is Professor Emeritus and Research Professor, Institute for Physical Science and Technology. He is a St. Agnes parishioner and has been a member of the Discalced Carmelite Secular Order since 1972. Dr. Senger has recently presented at St. Agnes on Carmelite Spirituality now come join him and pray the mystical prayer.
- Eucharist: Source and Summit
This is a three-part series on the Eucharist, the core sacrament of the Church. The Eucharist both forms us and transforms us.
Begins March 16 (March 16, 23, 30) at the Parish Center
1:00 – 3:00 pm
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church. Over three weeks we will trace the scriptural, historical and theological understandings of this most central sacrament.
Week 1: Scriptural roots of the Eucharist, Last Supper to Lord’s Supper
Week 2: Historical development of the Eucharist, table to tomb to the Vatican 2 Church
Week 3: Theology of the Eucharist – To be formed and transformed - Survey of Catholic Doctrine
Continuing our partnership with the University of Dayton, we will be offering the following 5-week course
March 5 to April 2
7:00 – 9:00 pm
St. Agnes Parish Center
This course is open to anyone, for those seeking catechist certification this course does count towards the diocesan requirements. The Diocese has waived the usual fee and will be offering it free of charge.If you are interested please contact Jeanne McKeets to register, jmckeets@dwc.org you must register through the diocese so that Dayton can set the course, this course will be offered as a face to face version of the online course and will also have online access to course materials
Course Summary
This course will look at some of the major doctrines of the Catholic Church. Participants will come to a better understanding of the Trinity, original sin, church, salvation history, and the communion of saints. Participants will be asked to identify the meaning of magisterium, ecumenism, eschatology, and other Catholic terms.Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU’s.Course Facilitator: Dr. Rodica Stoicoiu - Lenten Vespers
During Lent we will be celebrating Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6:00 pm at the Church.
We gather to give thanks for the day through music, silence, light and darkness. Vespers is a peaceful and prayerful way to close the day.
Keep an eye on the bulletin – we will be offering Saturday Morning prayer experiences in various spiritualities over the Lenten Season.
If you have any questions, contact Rodica at liturgy@stagnesshepherdstown.org.
