Why is faith formation in adulthood necessary?  Once we've been confirmed, haven’t we gone about as far as there is to go?  Of course not!  As Catholic Christians, we are intended to be life-long learners, continuing to mature in our understanding of the faith and our intimacy with the heart of Christ.  Our parish's Faith Formation programs are largely geared to a child’s level of appreciation and understanding.  But adults are better equipped to tackle the more challenging mysteries of our faith with a far greater depth of wisdom and life experience.  

“Adult faith formation, by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study, must be "the central task in [this] catechetical enterprise," becoming "the axis around which revolves the catechesis of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age." This can be done specifically through developing in adults a better understanding of and participation in the full sacramental life of the Church”  (see Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us #5, USCCB).  

To this end, St. Lawrence the Martyr offers a variety of opportunities for ongoing conversion, deeper understanding of the Scriptures, growth in the life of prayer, renewed commitment to the liturgy and sacraments, and an array of opportunities for more active participation in the life of the parish--all with the purpose of belonging more deeply to Jesus Christ.

Formed.org

Many of us are very familiar with Netflix, and FORMED is sometimes described as a "Catholic" version of Netflix.  FORMED is a superb Catholic website we have at our disposal 24/7.  The parish has a subscription to this treasure trove of presentations, videos, daily meditations, talks, full-length movies, e-books, inspirational seminars, Bible studies, and so much more--all of it designed to to enrich our understanding of the faith, and enliven our friendship with Christ. It's one of the most amazing spiritual and catechetical resources to be developed in years, and it's FREE to all our parishioners. 

Get immediate access to this wealth of informative and inspirational material by registering on the website, www.FORMED.org.  It’s free to all our parishioners, and it’s waiting for you to enjoy!

Catholics Returning Home (CRH)

An Invitation to Belong More Deeply

"Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by.  There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD--but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake--but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake there was a fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound"  (1 Kings 19:11-12).                                

Catholics Returning Home

The Catholics Returning Home Program helps Catholics who have left the practice of their faith return to the Church. Many have attended our sessions over the past several years.  They are people of all ages who have been away from the Church for varying lengths of time, and for various reasons.  As the evaluations we have received from recent participants indicate, it is truly an educational and rewarding experience.  Here is what a few of our participants had to say about the program:

• “It was a great experience and very enlightening.”
• “I felt I learned many different things about the Church I never knew and it has cleared things up.”
• “It was very informative. The explanation of the Mass and tour of the Church were especially enlightening.”
• When asked, “What did you like about the series," one participant responded, “The openness and honesty of [the staff] and the thoroughness of the subjects covered.”

Topics discussed in these sessions include the Creed, a Walk-Through-the-Mass, and the sacrament of Reconciliation.  Our next 4-week session of Catholics Returning Home begins Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:30 PM in the Bethany Center (the building adjacent to the church).

Please call (631) 589-3160 for more information.  We would be happy to hear from you! 

Related Links:

•  "Catholics Come Home" website  -   https://www.catholicscomehome.org/
•  “How To Make A Good Confession”  -  https://www.catholic.org/prayers/confession.php
•   Excerpt From Remaining Catholic:  Six Good Reasons for Staying in an Imperfect Church by Rev. Martin Pable  -   Remaining Catholic.pdf

Parish Mission

The concept of hosting a "Parish Mission" has been around for decades, and continues to be popular in many parishes.  A Parish Mission, or Parish Retreat, is a special opportunity extended to the whole parish to come together over the course of a few consecutive days (or perhaps once a week for a few weeks) to be renewed in spirit and inwardly refreshed.  Often the Mission takes place during a special season of the Church year, when parishioners are already disposed to looking at their interior life and making an extra effort to enter more deeply into prayer and reflection.  The seasons of Lent and Advent are especially appropriate.  Here at St. Lawrence, we've used different formats for the Mission over recent years, and have been gifted with the insight, prayerfulness, and creativity of some very accomplished facilitators.  We hope to host Passionist Brother Michael Moran, CP, for a mission in the fall of 2023.

A Mission doesn't require much time . . . perhaps one hour for each of 3 or 4 evenings.  But it can produce rich fruit in those who make attending a priority.   

Other formation opportunities

We offer a number of other faith formation opportunities on a more occasional basis.  These allow us to gather as fellow parishioners to share our faith, and work toward becoming better disciples of Christ. We value the closeness of the St. Lawrence community, and we strive to build deeper relationships among our parishioners. In doing so, our baptismal calling to minister to one another and to share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone is actualized.  Examples of this occasional programming include the following:

Small Group Studies

Small groups of parishioners come together to view and discuss web-based programming, often from FORMED.  In order to enter more deeply into the preparation for the great feasts of Christmas and Easter, these study sessions generally take place during the seasons of Advent and Lent.  Study sessions are hosted in parishioners’ homes, and/or a location at the parish on various days/evenings throughout the week. All groups view and discuss the same online program. 

3-5 Week Bible Studies

A short course on a particular biblical book or Scriptural theme, or another faith-oriented topic might be offered at various times of the year.  Some studies are more straightforward presentations; others include prayer, video viewing, and discussion.  Recent topics have included:  The Women of Holy Week and Easter, a "Guided Tour" of the Afterlife, the Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation and Forgiveness, a Walk-Through of the Mass, and the Bible and the Virgin Mary.  

Film Discussions

Parishioners gather in the Bethany Center to view a film with a distinctly faith-oriented theme, or a connection to the current liturgical season.  Discussion often follows. 

Upcoming studies & film offerings are advertised in the parish bulletin, the weekend announcements, and on our website.