Our Lady of the Woods

Adult Faith Formation - 2022/2023

Adult Faith Formation Team

Pat Butler (RCIA Coordinator); Fr. Bob Johnson, SVD; Cynthia Keleman; Thom Shanaver (Chair of Evangelization); and Claudette Wagner (Director of Faith Formation)

Structure

Adult Faith Formation centers around THREE FAITH SURGE MOMENTS (moments of concentrated effort, with reachable and obtainable goals within definitive moments to foster faith growth).

(A)-September 12th: RCIA/Know Your Faith

Do you want to become Catholic? Do you want to learn more about the Catholic faith? This is where you want to come. We meet twice a week, on Mondays from 6:30-7:30pm and on Wednesday mornings from 10:00-11:00. Both sessions meet in the chapel. Anyone can come. Members of the Family of Parishes are invited to attend. Monday sessions begin September 12 and 14. Come anytime. You will be welcomed. Led by Pat
Butler.

(B)-October 11th through December 21st Bible Study: What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith: Tuesday Mornings (10-12 am) and Wednesday Nights (7-9 pm)

The Catholic Church is extraordinary. Founded by Christ himself, the Catholic Church is where we encounter God in his Word, his sacraments, and his saints. The Church faithfully proclaims the Fullness of faith, leaving no truth out. It proclaims the fullness of life, leaving no person out. It calls all to repent and believe in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the source of all life and salvation. Maybe you’ve been Catholic your entire life.

Maybe you’re just beginning to explore the Catholic Faith. Wherever you may be in your journey, you will be profoundly moved by the beauty and the richness of the Catholic Church. Register with Claudette Wagner at [email protected].

(C)-October 14th: Widows’ Ministry

If you are a widow, come join us for support, spiritual and mental. The first session is Friday, October 14th at 10:00 in the chapel. At that time the group will decide day and time we will meet as well as choose a couple of topics to be discussed. Updated information will be published in the bulletin.

(D)-October 18th: Why are young people not fully practicing or even abandoning the Catholic Faith in which you raised them?

As part of our Adult Faith Formation Programs at Our Lady of the Woods we will be offering a series of presentations to equip you to talk about the issues that cause your children and other loved ones to drift away from
the Church. Join us for the first in this series: “ABORTION – how to discuss it without burning bridges or making people upset.” Are you equipped to intellectually talk to your children, and loved ones, about Homosexuality, Abortion, Contraception, Divorce and Cohabitation?

Registration for this this first, 4 session, presentation will be required. The course will be held on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings starting October 18th and 19th . For more information, or to save your place, please contact Thom Shanaver at (734) 942-6818 or email [email protected].

(E)-October 20th: Edward Sri series, “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – The Annunciation”

PART ONE OF EIGHT AFTER 9 AM MASS ‘til 10:30 am led by Fr. Bob.

(F)-November 12th/13th: Tour of the Church.

This is a repeat of the tour given a couple of years ago. We will walk around the church talking about various items. A short history of Our Lady of the Woods will be included. The tour will take place after all the masses on the weekend of November 12 and 13 lasting no more than one half hour. 

(G)-December 8th: “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – The Visitation.”

PART TWO OF EIGHT AFTER 9 AM MASS until 10:30 am led by Fr. Bob.

(H)- January 10th through February 15th: Bible Study: A Biblical Walk Through the MassTuesday Mornings (10-12 am) and Wednesday Nights (7-9 pm)

The words, the gestures, and the rituals of the Mass are rich in meaning. A Biblical Walk Through the Mass explores the extraordinary biblical roots of the Liturgy and reveals what it all means and why it all matters. This fascinating tour of the Mass will renew your faith and deepen your love for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Contact Claudette Wagner at [email protected].

(I)-January 12th: “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – THE NAITIVITY”

After the 9 am Mass with Fr. Bob

(J)-February 2nd: “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD AND FINDING JESUS IN THE TEMPLE” 

After the 9 am Mass with Fr. Bob.

(K)-TBA: The RECONSIDER Workshop - Helping your non- practicing Catholic loved one reconsider their position on God, Faith and the Catholic Church.

We all feel devastated when our loved ones leave or decide not to fully participate in their Catholic upbringing. But even if we see no way for them to return there’s always a path, God wants them back even more than we do! Join us to learn the best Tools, Tips and strategies to lead your loved one to the truth of the Catholic Church, and let the Holy Spirit do the “Heavy Lifting.”

This workshop is about: Developing a relationship - Earn the right to be heard on matters of God, Faith and the Catholic Church. Equipping yourself spiritually and mentally - Talking less to your loved one about God and more to God about your loved ones. Determining your loved ones obstacles and concerns. Concerns that caused them not to participate fully in their Catholic faith. Developing a “Reconsider Game Plan” a plan specifically designed for your particular loved one to cause them to reconsider their position on God. This workshop is not about trying to convince your loved one about Jesus or how they should live, but rather, it’s about learning to take an interest in what your loved one has to say. 

Due to current scheduling uncertainties, we do not have specific dates and times that The Reconsider Workshop will begin. Watch for updates in our Bulletin or Website OLOW.org. For more information, or to save your place, please contact Thom Shanaver at (734) 942-6818 or email [email protected].

(L)-March 30th, 2023: “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – MARY AT THE CROSS”

After the 9 am Mass with Fr. Bob

(M)-April 20th, 2023: “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – THE WEDDING AT CANA”

After the 9 am Mass with Fr. Bob

(N)-May 11th, 2023: “Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother – MARY CROWNED WITH GLORY”

After the 9 am Mass with Fr. Bob.

(O)-TBA: What is Alpha?

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith, in a friendly, open and informal environment, usually over a meal. Alpha is no-cost,  no-pressure and no-commitment. More than 4,000 Alpha courses have been run around the world, including in many Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Sessions start with a meal where people gather and build community. You watch a short video teaching, then breakdown into small groups to  discuss the topic of the video. Got questions about the purpose of life? Plan to sign up for the Alpha course.

Due to current scheduling uncertainties, we do not have specific dates and times that Alpha will begin. Watch for updates in our Bulletin or Website OLOW.org. For more information or to save your place in line, please contact Thom Shanaver at (734) 942-6818 or email [email protected].

(P)-TBA: APRIL 2023, “Creating a Culture of Civility” with Cynthia Keleman

Workshop addresses questions like: Not a civil society today? Have you had it with the disrespectful way some people treat others? Are you frustrated with the gridlock in Washington, slanted newscasts, and late-night talk show hosts? Maybe you’ve received a hurtful e-mail, copied to a dozen of your friends—and you’re embarrassed! Do you want to be part of the solution? You can help restore a civilized world, starting with your
social network. Jesus, the Master, directs your pathway to respect. Are we losing civility? What does civility mean? So, who is responsible for improving civility? The first step toward creating a culture of civility is what we do in our own lives. Jesus says: “Make Me the center of your life. Make Me the center of your relationship with one another, and politics will not separate you.”  We will be able to live together in peace and be a “city that is set on a hill” with Christ at the center (Matt. 5:14).