Parishes link to study Gospel

Now, the two-year program has led to another kind of gathering: "Gathered in His Name," a faith-sharing program being co-sponsored by six parishes in the city of Albany: Holy Cross, St. Catherine of Siena, St. James, St. Margaret Mary, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Vincent de Paul.

Rev. Leo O'Brien, a retired priest who serves as sacramental minister for both St. Vincent's and St. James (as well as resident chaplain at the Avila Retirement Community in Albany), came up with the idea and will facilitate the program.

Adult learning

In "Called to be Church" meetings, the priest said, adult faith formation has been mentioned over and over again as a pressing need.

He believes it's "very important for the people -- and it shows their children and grandchildren that parents and grandparents are continuing to learn."

But if just one parish announced it would hold a Bible study group, he said, "we wouldn't get people from other parishes." In the new program, ten parishioners from each parish will attend and be split up into groups so that each table has participants from all six parishes.

Gospel talk

For six weeks, the groups will discuss the Gospel of Matthew, using "Gathered in His Name" booklets published by St. Anthony Messenger Press.

In the process, said Father O'Brien, the Catholics from different parishes will get to know one another and connect through learning about their faith.

"I think people would like to know the Bible better," he explained; if, by doing so, the parishes also provide an example to others in the Diocese, "that's good, too!"

More to come

Father O'Brien is already anticipating the success of this effort -- and the creation of future programs. He expects that, when "Called to be Church" meetings begin to discuss serving senior citizens, faith formation for that group will surface as a need.

Already, he said, several Albany parishes are "beginning to cooperate with RCIA [for people joining the Church], youth ministry and faith formation for children. That shows some promise."

"Gathered in His Name," in addition to providing an overview of Matthew's Gospel, will get participants talking about their own life experiences and questions.

To Father O'Brien, a program like this "is appropriate to 'Called to be Church': It's not just each parish getting together, but the parishes getting together. It's good when people share their faith."

(St. Anthony Messenger Press says this about "Gathered in His Name: For Small Faith Communities -- The Gospel of Matthew": "The Gospel of Matthew focuses on the reign of God...and God's call to reform our lives. The Gospel of Matthew is known for its clear and organized explanations of Jesus' life and teachings....Here, more than any other place in the Bible, the words of Jesus Christ appear in clear and understandable language." To order "Gathered in His Name" booklets, go to www.americancatholic.org.)

(9/6/07)