Saturday, April 30 - Peter: Cornerstone of Catholicism Session 7 - Peter and Pentecost

This Saturday we will view the eighth episode of the Lectio Series - Peter.  Dr. Gray discusses the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in Peter’s life starting at Pentecost.  When Jesus ascends into heaven, he tells his Apostles that he will send the promise of the Father to them.  Peter and the others wait in Jerusalem until the Feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descends on them.  From this point onward we see a marked change in Peter.  Speaking in new languages is only one small, albeit attention-grabbing, part of the change.  No longer do we see fear or questioning in Peter; instead he leads the Apostles and preaches to the Jews with a remarkable boldness that will characterize the rest of his life and ministry.

“It can easily be shown from examples both in the Old Testament and the New that the Spirit changes those in whom he comes to dwell; he so transforms them that they begin to live a completely new kind of life.”  St. Cyril of Alexandria

 

Saturday, April 23 - Peter: Cornerstone of Catholicism Session 6 - Discipleship at a Distance

“What’s the difference between following Jesus closely and following from a distance?  In the session this week, we’ll see how Peter discovers the answer to that question in a terribly painful way.  The “rock,” the “prime minister,” the man to whom the future Church has been entrusted is tested-and we learn from his experience what it truly means to follow Christ and to seek forgiveness.”

The Band of Brothers is privileged to lead the Rosary at all Masses, except the 5 p.m. Mass on the weekend Sunday Mass of May 28 – 29.  Please discern if you are being called to lead the rosary at one of these Masses, a minimum of 4 guys are needed but if we team up for the Masses it will provide more guys the opportunity to participate in leading this devotion.  Please contact Sam Berning if interested. 

In addition, the Band of Bros. is responsible for cleaning the ovens in the Parish Center during the month of April and May.  I will be staying after group to clean them this weekend if anyone is interested in helping.

Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one  another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

IN CHRIST!

Sam Berning  

Saturday, April 16 - Peter: Cornerstone of Catholicism Session 5 - Peter's Rising Leadership - Part 1

Brothers in Christ,

The session this week discusses the Transfiguration. “Peter, along with John and James, goes with Jesus up a mountain to pray and receive a special revelation of Jesus’ glory.  Peter hears the voice to the Father speaking out of the cloud:  “this is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  (Luke 9:35).  This experience prepares the Apostles for the sufferings awaiting Jesus in Jerusalem-and the challenges and sufferings they will experience as a result of following him.”

In regard to the upcoming storm, (of which everyone seems to have a different opinion about), please check your email for a flock note notification that the session is cancelled. I highly doubt it will be necessary to cancel but just in case check Flock Note before traversing any storm.

“And when the priest came out of the holy place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” Kings 8:10-11

Saturday, April 9 - Peter: Cornerstone of Catholicism Session 4 - Peter and the Keys

Brothers in Christ,

Due to the short time we have left in this semester we will be skipping various sessions as this is a fairly long series.  This week we will skip session four and move on to session five “Peter and the Keys.”  “In the fifth session, we continue our look at a pivotal point in the life of Peter and in the life of the Church.  The “keys of the kingdom” provide the key to understanding Peter’s role in the Church founded upon him.”

If you wish to view the full study of the Lectio series “Peter” or if you wish to view other programs and movies on FORMED please use the link www.formed.org, register and use the parish pass code d9b220, this information to access FORMED is also on the church website. The session “Peter and the Keys is a 48 min. presentation so it will be necessary to start on time and split into groups in a timely manner.  There will only be one or two questions for discussion.

Group 4 will provide a bountiful breakfast this week.

And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will  give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19

Saturday, April 2 - Peter: Cornerstone of Catholicism Session 3 - Faith, Not Fear: Walking in Trust

I hope all had a great Resurrection Sunday and pray you continue to enjoy the Easter season to its fullest.  This Saturday we will continue with “Peter” and the timing couldn’t be better.  In the third session, Dr. Gray looks at four passages recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.  In each of these incidents Jesus upbraids and challenges Peter, and the Apostles, with the words, “O men of little faith!” pushing them to grow in faith and deeper trust of him and of their heavenly Father.  These passages include: the sermon on the mount, the storm at sea, the walking on water, and the worry of the disciples and what they are to eat when they forget the bread.

This is also the first Saturday of the month so we will say the Rosary afterwards as well.  I look forward to getting together again on Saturday.

“For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:6