Adult Formation
“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.”
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
Learn
Alpha
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Alpha is a series of 11 sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each session includes food, a short video that is designed to spark a thought-provoking conversation, and group discussion. There is no pressure, no follow up and no charge. Since 1990, Alpha has been experienced by 29 million people of many Christian denominations from 169 countries in 112 languages. It is fully endorsed by the Catholic Church as a great starting place for many people interested in the faith.
No matter who you are, nonbeliever, cradle Catholic, or anywhere in-between, you’ve got questions, and that’s what Alpha is all about. Alpha is for anyone who is curious. Alpha is a good pathway for those who want to return to church.
The talks are designed to encourage conversation and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. No question is out of bounds, and you are free to discuss as little or as much as you wish.
Alphas is offered in English and Spanish. New core team members are always welcome. Please consider serving as a table facilitator or become a prayer team member.
Natural Family Planning
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Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the all natural way of deciding how many children you will have and how far apart they will be spaced that is in keeping with the teaching of the Catholic Church. When done correctly, NFP can be as effective as artificial contraception. For many years, doctors and researchers have been studying a woman’s body to see how her hormones, temperature, and fluids respond to different stages of her monthly cycle. By knowing how a woman’s body works optimally, a couple use that information to determine their own fertility.
We usually have two sessions, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. All classes will be held from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM in Room 16.
The cost is $150 plus shipping, however this course is FREE for registered parishioners, contact the teaching couple for the promo code.
Free babysitting might be available. Please check with the teaching couple to confirm.
If you're interested in the Main Series, Perimenopause, or Postpartum NFP classes, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Dave and Jen at NFP@saint-max.org
NFP is required for all couples going through marriage preparation at St. Max.
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If you're interested in the Main Series, Perimenopause, or Postpartum NFP classes, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Dave and Jen at NFP@saint-max.org
Marriage Enrichment
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The St. Max Marriage Enrichment ministry meets on the first Friday of every month from 7-9PM in the St. Patrick’s Conference Room.
We will be using Banquet of Love by Jim and Maureen Otremba. Their course ‘examines the entire Mass as a model for married life. From the Introductory Rites all the way through to the Concluding Rites, couples will look at the elements of the Mass and see how, as a couple, they can be present to with each other in Marriage, a model given to us the Eucharistic Liturgy.’
Your ministry team members are: Ted and Marlene Doughman, Dan and Debby Kellner, Esau and Jeanne Borja, and Brian and Maribeth Gieseke.
We hope you can join us for a couples night out!
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St. Benedict Bible Study
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Saturdays, 9:30 - 11:00 AM
St. Benedict Bible Study is a faith sharing and bible study group that focuses primarily on preparing for the Sunday readings, to help each other more deeply understand scripture and how it can relate to personal faith journeys. The group is composed of adult men and women and open to all adults of the parish. For more information, contact Paul Groh at StBenedictBible@saint-max.org or 513-324-2937.
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Paul Groh
StBenedictBible@saint-max.org
Fall Book & Bible Studies
Presence
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Although the Eucharist appears to be simple bread and wine, it is actually the "source and summit" of the Christian life. Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beauty of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to its profound role in the life of the Church and her members. It is the crescendo of the entire story of salvation.
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Wednesdays, beginning Sept 4 - 7:30-8:30 PM
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Email Lamis at lalsaieg@hotmail.com to register
Suggested donation: $6
James Study:
Pearls for Wise Living
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Looking for an anchor to hold you steady through the storms of life? Want the secret to finding joy in the midst of trials? Interested in learning to recognize the source of discord and the way to peace? James, one of the most practical books of the Bible, is a collection of teachings on issues faced by ordinary Christians in everyday life.
In James: Pearls for Wise Living, Jeff Cavins shows how the teachings of James speak to those of us who feel torn between the competing demands of this world and our faith. Meant to help a fledgling Church live out its faith in the face of persecution and a worldview opposed to the gospel, the book of James will help you discover wisdom you can apply to the present.
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Tuesdays, beginning Sept 10 - 9:30-11 AM
Suggested donation: $28
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Email Lamis at lalsaieg@hotmail.com to register
Suggested Donation: $28
Luke: The Gospel of Mercy
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Join prolific author and speaker, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Doors of Mercy host Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, in exploring Luke as never before. See Luke brought to life with world-class video shot on location in Rome and Assisi, with all-new full-color study materials.
Intimately discover God’s heart for you with profound insights into the Prodigal Son and other parables. Go deeper with God than ever before with the new “Living It Out” segment that helps you hear what God is asking and draw closer to Him.
Each lesson includes a powerful Teaching Video with comprehensive written commentary, and a Life Application video for each of its 18 sessions. The Teaching Videos are approximately 10 minutes each, and the Life Application videos are approximately 5-6 minutes each.
We invite you to immerse yourself in the parables of Mercy found in Luke, to uncover God’s Mercy in His own words, and to see how His Mercy is still active in the world today. We invite you to discover Luke: The Gospel of Mercy. -
Thursdays, beginning Sept 26 - 9:30-11:30 AM
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Email Kathy at kathymcgill1964@gmail.com to register.
Suggested donation: $40
1st Corinthians
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1st Corinthians is one of the most beautiful and heart-wrenching epistles Paul ever wrote. It reveals that Paul’s life, and the life of every Christian, is never easy. As you will discover, however, he never stopped fighting for unity and charity to his last breath.
In the first letter, his concerns are very practical, as he helps the Corinthians confront and overcome their constant spiritual struggles. By the time the second letter is finished, much has changed, and Paul is a victim of slander.
Steve Ray and Fr. Patrick Winslow return to guide you through this intimate, heartbreaking letter.
In 16 lessons and 650+ verses combined in these two letters, you will learn:
What it really means to be a temple of the Holy Spirit
How knowledge affects us vs. how love affects us
What to do when you feel tempted beyond your strength
Both of these letters were penned in hardship, but St. Paul’s immense kindness and virtues flow through each one.
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Tuesdays, beginning Sept 10 - 9:30-11:30 AM
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Email Maureen at mtsavage002@gmail.com to register.
Suggested donation: $30
Faith Lessons for Women
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With humour and simple illustrations, theology professor John Bergsma focuses on Matthew, Luke, Paul, and John, whose writings comprise about 90 percent of the New Testament. The gospel of Matthew, written for Jewish Christians, illuminates the life and teachings of Christ as the long-promised Messiah. In Luke's gospel, readers will delve into the infancy and Triduum narratives, as well as the Acts of the Apostles and the life of the early Church. This leads the reader to discover St. Paul and his first and arguably greatest theological treatise: Romans. Finally, "the beloved apostle" St. John draws us in to the unsurpassed beauty of the fourth gospel, as well as the most mysterious book of the New Testament: the book of Revelation. A concluding chapter offers suggestions for further study. This description may be from another edition of this product.
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Wednesdays 9:30 AM-11:30 AM, beginning Wednesday September 11
Location: Rooms 9 & 11
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Email Mary at marygraf@fuse.net to register
Suggested donation: $15
Mens
Exodus 90
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Exodus 90 is a difficult 90 day exercise for men. Designed to shift your spiritual life into 5th gear, the exercise embraces three fundamental components of the Christian life for men: prayer, asceticism, and fraternity. Beginning January 1, 2024 (90 days prior to Easter) and culminating with the conclusion of the Easter Vigil, you will do the following:
PRAYER: Pray one hour each day.
ASCETICISMS: No eating between meals, fast with the Church on Wednesdays & Fridays, no sweets or sweet drinks, black coffee or tea only, no alcohol, no phone or internet use unless required for home/work, no gaming, no TV, movies or youtubes, no unnecessary material purchases, take cold showers, attend at least one daily Mass weekly, listen to only spiritually uplifting music, engage in intense exercise at least three times weekly.
FRATERNITY: Meet weekly for encouragement & accountability, check in daily with your anchor (another man in your fraternity.)
Learn more about Exodus 90 at www.Exodus90.com.
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Rick Brandell
Exodus90@saint-max.org
Men in Tents
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Men 21+ are invited to join us for an outdoor camping event from Friday, October 4 until Sunday, October 6 at Camp River Ridge. Thorughout the weekend, there will be bonfires, BB guns, a cannon, s’mores, cigars, beer along with physical, spiritual, and fellowship activities. We will have Mass on Saturday and Sunday mornings, a Eucharistic Benediction, Adoration, and opportunity for Reconciliation. All meals are provided.
Must be 21 or over
Fee: $60
Space is limited -
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We need volunteers to help make this weekend a success! If you are willing to help out, please email MenInTents@saint-max.org.
Womens
Womens Retreat
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All women of the parish are invited to join us! We offer various retreats throughout the year.
In the past, our retreats have included Mass, Exposition with Benediction, Confession, a special devotion, quiet reflection time, breakfast and lunch.
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Lessons in Faith
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A gathering for women in all stages of life, this group meets for study, discussion, and faith sharing over coffee. The group meets Wednesday mornings during the school year from 9:30-11:30AM in the youth room.
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Mary Graf
(513) 894-8096
AffWomen@saint-max.org
Pray
St. Monica Society
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We are an intercessory prayer group that meets to pray for the return of loved ones who have left the faith. We meet every Monday, from 2:30-3:30 PM. We gather in the St. Patrick’s conference room at 2:30PM for mutual support and fellowship. Then, we move into the church to pray at 3:00 PM. Each loved one is lifted up, individually, by only first name. Come join us to pray for all or part of the hour, or contact us with names of loved ones if you are unable to attend, but share in this burden.
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Cathy Nichols (513) 675-1570 StMonicaSociety@saint-max.org
Living Waters
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Living Waters hosts and supports adoration nights, healing and intercessory prayer opportunities, rosary services, and other events with the goal of helping others to encounter Christ, and recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit acting in our lives daily. The events take place throughout the year and are advertised in the parish bulletin. All are welcome!
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Elizabeth Conner 513-288-5531 rain@saint-max.org
Steve Conner 513-737-2605 LivingWaters@saint-max.org
Hearts Afire
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The Hearts Afire Parish-based Programs are a bold and fresh approach to small group, adult faith formation at Catholic parishes. Structured around the bestselling books and videos by popular author and retreat master Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, these simple programs are setting hearts on fire in thousands of parishes across the globe. Gaitley offers a Do-It-Yourself Retreat, 33 Days to Morning Glory, a journey toward total consecration to Jesus through the Blessed Mother (aka, Marian Consecration). Every week for four weeks one reads about a well-known saint of Marian consecration, including St. Maximilian Kolbe! Stop by the parish office for your free hard copy of his book. Then, for the fullest experience, access Fr. Gaitley's weekly videos (6 total) and workbook on FORMED. Whether you want to do this as a self-guided spiritual journey or host a small group, it is easy for you to follow for 33 days and plan for your consecration on a Marian feast day. Interested? Please contact Jane Rowland with any questions about materials, FORMED, or Marian Consecration.
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Rosary Rally
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Coming Soon
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Coming Soon
Faith Formation Resource
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