Adult Studies

Do you desire to find purpose and meaning in your adult spiritual life?  Whether one is taking new steps from adolescence into adulthood, building family or vocational milestones in the daily walk of midlife, or reflecting upon life experiences within the later years, what remains constant in our Catholic faith Tradition is the loving and merciful invitation from God to follow Jesus Christ.

Adult studies at St. Luke’s aims to provide learning, reflection, and sharing opportunities in both large and small group gatherings to help adults grow in relationship with Christ. Such opportunities range from Bible Studies that enrich your understanding of Sacred Scripture, to Catholic teachings that help us better appreciate essential and mystical components of our rich Catholic Tradition, to casual small group gatherings that allow participants to gain practical life application from the mass readings, classic and modern Christian literature, and all sorts of spiritual topics related growing in Christ.

Meeting together in this way not only builds our knowledge of God but strengthens our faith, brings transformation to our spiritual lives, imparts a sense of community among participants, and ultimately enables us to be close to God and an encouragement to those around us.
Please consider joining no matter what adult stage of life you are at. While the amount of offerings vary throughout the year, new ideas for adult studies at St. Luke’s are ever growing.
For further questions or information email:

Tony Joseph - Adult Studies Leader at 
anthonyjoseph@stlukes-parish.org

• Embracing, engaging, and reflecting upon our FAITH as Christ's Church expressed through our beautiful Holy Catholic Tradition  
• Rising in HOPE by the contemplation and guidance of God's Word in the Sacred Scriptures
• Growing in our LOVE for and SERVICE to God and to our neighbor

EVENING SMALL GROUPS ~ FALL 2021...

Living in the Father's Love - Women's Small Group Bible Study
FORMAT: Short video talks. Bible passages, and discussion

Discover your true worth and purpose while growing in ability to see your life from God’s perspective. In a world where women are measured by their beauty, achievements and possessions, wouldn’t it be nice to find a place where you could just be valued for who you are? Living in the Father’s Love—a Walking with Purpose Bible study—will lead you to that safe place where you are unconditionally loved, baggage and all. This brief but powerful six-lesson Bible study is the ideal way to revive and refresh yourself. Discover just how much God loves us and how the Gospels are deeply relevant to our relationship with God and with those we love. Living in the Father’s Love is ideal if you are: Doubting whether God really loves you; Wondering how to improve your relationship with God and others; Searching for purpose; Only have time for a short study that has the power to transform your life. Living in the Father’s Love is a short but powerful Bible study this season.

WHEN: SUNDAYS starting September 26th to November 21st (7 sessions) - no meeting on 10/3 or 10/10
TIME: 8:00 - 9:00 PM
WHERE: REMOTELY over ZOOM
FACILITATOR: Bridget Kenney
MATERIALS:  Please order resource book HERE prior to the start date.

The Kingdom of Happiness by Father Jeffrey Kirby
FORMAT: Short videos with discussion

In this encouraging, 8 session video series, Father Jeffrey Kirby offers hope to the tired, overburdened, and unhappy. He reminds us that we are made for happiness. But he goes beyond that, showing us the path to achieving happiness. It’s not a new path. In fact, Jesus showed us the way in the Beatitudes, but Kingdom of Happiness reveals how these aren’t merely nice sayings, they are powerful ways of living.

WHEN: MONDAYS starting September 27th to November 22nd (8 sessions)
TIME: 7:00 - 8:30 PM
WHERE: REMOTELY over ZOOM
FACILITATOR: Peter Flynn
MATERIAL: Please order workbook HERE prior to the start date (NOTE: Order study guide option)

He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Czycek
FORMAT: Book Group - Read, Reflect, and Discuss

He Leadeth Me is a deeply personal story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith which enables him to survive the ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse. Captured by a Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a "Vatican spy," Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. It was there, despite the harsh conditions, loneliness, and pain, that he discovered an inner serenity and the ability to dedicate his life to God in a way few discover.

WHEN: TUESDAYS starting September 28th to November 23rd (9 sessions)
TIME: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: St. Luke's Parish Center Room 25
FACILITATOR: Andrew Biancheri
MATERIALS:  Please order HE LEADTH ME book HERE prior to the start date.

The Mass
FORMAT: Short talks via video by Bishop Robert Barron

Walk through the Liturgy with Bishop Barron and be transformed though insights on
this most privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord, Jesus Christ. See how the Mass
brings us out of the fallen world and into the heavenly realm, how it revolves around a call from
God and a response from his people, the Church, and most importantly, how we are intimately
joined with the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus through the Holy Eucharist

WHEN: WEDNESDAYS starting September 29th to November 1st  (6 sessions)
TIME: 6:30 - 7:30 PM
WHERE: St. Luke's Parish Center Room 25
FACILITATOR: Kathleen Gorczyka
MATERIAL: Reflection questions will be provided.

In the Beginning - A Practical Exploration of the Book of Genesis 
FORMAT: Short PODCASTS presented by Father Mike Schmitz

Have you ever wanted to get to know the Bible but too overwhelmed to think of how or where to start? Using Fr. Mike Schmit's most recent podcast series called "THE BIBLE in a YEAR", this study takes small steps and an exploratory approach by gradually walking through the BOOK of GENESIS in a way that is both informational and practical.  The experience involves listening to two short podcasts per week and having discussion on what we discover and learn. The last small group session is positioned so that you can continue your study of the Bible by joining the "BIBLE in a YEAR" program with Father Mike Schmitz that starts up on January 1, 2022.

WHEN: THURSDAYS starting September 30th to January 20th (14 sessions)
TIME: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: St. Luke's Parish Center Room 23
FACILITATOR: Tony Joseph
MATERIAL: Reflection questions will be provided.

In the Beginning - A Practical Exploration of the Book of Genesis for YOUNG ADULTS (ages 18 - 30)
FORMAT: Short PODCASTS presented by Father Mike Schmitz

Why stop faith formation after confirmation? Keep your faith in God alive and growing as a young adult.  With the same approach as described in the "In the Beginning" study above, we will learn about the events of Genesis that unfold our salvation history and discover timeless life lessons to help us maneuver through today's culture.  Join us for this convenient way to meet others and to be encouraged in your faith! 

WHEN: TUESDAYS starting September 28th to January 18th (14 sessions) 
TIME: 7:00 - 8:00 PM
WHERE: REMOTELY over St. LUKE's ZOOM ACCOUNT
FACILITATOR: Olivia Young
MATERIAL: Reflection questions will be provided.

DAYTIME SMALL GROUPS ~ FALL 2021

FELLOWSHIP and FAITH - Faith-based Playgroup for Moms of Young Children
FORMAT: Playgroup and Book Discussion

"Fellowship and Faith" is a group devoted to supporting each other in our roles as mothers of young children.  Using the book, Everyday Sacrament: The Messy Grace of Parenting by Laura Fanucci, we will explore the Catholic sacraments through the smudged and sticky lens of life with little ones. From dinnertime chaos to bath-time giggles to never-ending loads of laundry, Laura stumbles into the surprising truth of what the seven sacraments really mean: that God is present always, even in the messes of motherhood

WHEN:  WEDNESDAYS starting September 29th to November 10th (7 sessions)
TIME: 9-11am (rolling arrival and departure, discussion between 9:30-10:15)
WHERE: St. Luke's Parish Center Room 11
FACILITATOR: Bridget Kenney
MATERIALS:  Please order resource book HERE prior to the start date.

Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues
FORMAT: Short talks via video by Bishop Robert Barron

Join Bishop Robert Barron for this engaging presentation concerning the seven deadly sins, those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our flourishing in relationship with God and one another. Based on Dante’s writings, the seven deadly sins correspond to the seven stories of Dante’s Mt. Purgatory. Pride, envy, anger, sloth, gluttony, avarice and lust are all presented as patterns of dysfunction within us that lead to unhappiness.

However, Bishop Barron shows us how to counteract these seven sinful patterns through a conscious process of opposition, which are the “seven lively virtues." The seven lively virtues offer antidotes to each sin and help set us on the right path to healing and happiness

WHEN: SUNDAYS starting September 26th to November 21st (8 sessions, no meeting 10/10)
TIME: 10:00 - 11:00 AM
WHERE: St. Luke's Parish Center Room 23
FACILITATOR: Ellen Gualtieri
MATERIAL: Reflection questions will be provided.

The Mass
FORMAT: Short talks via video by Bishop Robert Barron

Walk through the Liturgy with Bishop Barron and be transformed though insights on
this most privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord, Jesus Christ. See how the Mass
brings us out of the fallen world and into the heavenly realm, how it revolves around a call from
God and a response from his people, the Church, and most importantly, how we are intimately
joined with the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus through the Holy Eucharist.

WHEN:  TUESDAYS starting September 28th to November 2nd (6 sessions)
TIME: 10:00 - 11:00 AM
WHERE: St. Luke's Parish Center Room 23
FACILITATOR: Bob Thompson
MATERIAL: Reflection questions will be provided.

He Leadeth Me by Father Walter Czycek
FORMAT: Book Group - Read, Reflect, and Discuss

He Leadeth Me is a deeply personal story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith which enables him to survive the ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse. Captured by a Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a "Vatican spy," Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. It was there, despite the harsh conditions, loneliness, and pain, that he discovered an inner serenity and the ability to dedicate his life to God in a way few discover.

WHEN:  THURSDAYS starting September 30th to December 2nd (9 sessions)
TIME: 10:00 - 11:00 AM
WHERE: St. Luke's Rectory
FACILITATOR: Maria Gasser
MATERIALS:  Please order HE LEADTH ME book HERE prior to the start date.

The Book of Acts ~ Spreading the Kingdom
FORMAT: Video teachings by Jeff Cavens, Reflection Questions, and Discussion

Twenty lessons take you through the book of Acts verse by verse, drawing on pertinent passages from the Bible and Catechism of the Catholic Church to help you understand what you are reading and how to apply it to your life. Group discussion of the questions reinforces the lesson, while the suggested responses provide additional insights and explanations. Each lesson contains expert commentary presented by Jeff Cavins.

WHEN:  WEDNESDAYS starting September 29th to March 2nd (20 sessions)
TIME: 9:30 -11:30 AM
WHERE: REMOTELY over St. LUKE's ZOOM ACCOUNT
FACILITATOR: Rosemarie Kellett
MATERIAL: Please order workbook HERE prior to the start date.

• You will receive a confirmation email after you submit your registration.
   
• If you would like to register for more than one study, please complete a separate registration.

• If your course is remote, Zoom information will be sent to you over email.