Disciples In Mission
Lent 2003-2005
WHAT IS DISCIPLES IN MISSION (DM)?
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?
FAQs
UPCOMING DATES
ST. PETER'S PARISH TEAM
LINKS
A Prayer for Disciples in Mission
Disciples In Mission offers a way for people to experience spiritual renewal and engage in missionary activity. It brings an evangelizing perspective to everything the parish does. It provides a way for people to grow as dedicated disciples of Jesus.
Disciples In Mission will run for three years in our parish (2003-2005). It integrates prayer, the Sunday liturgies, faith-sharing groups, catechesis, family activities, planning, and other events into a coherent, parish-wide experience of evangelization. Parishioners become more committed disciples of Jesus. Equally important, the whole parish becomes truly missionary—key to its ongoing revitalization.
Each year follows the basic process presented below, and builds on the accomplishments of the previous year:
BEFORE LENT
§ Prayer campaign in the parish and the diocese.
§ Parish workshops for small group leaders.
LENT
§ Faith-sharing groups meet.
§ Family activities carried out.
§ Special homilies on evangelization given.
§ Bulletin inserts based on Go and Make Disciples distributed.
EASTER SEASON
§ Parish Reflection Day: After Easter, everyone in the parish will have a chance to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the parish as an evangelizing community, using the U.S. bishops’ plan Go and Make Disciples as a guide.
SUMMER/FALL/WINTER
§ Attentive to the life and mission of Christ, the parish plans and carries out evangelizing activities.
LATE FALL
§ Parish leaders reflect on their experience with Disciples in Mission and plan the next year.
How Can I Participate in Disciples In Mission?
- Make a commitment pray the Disciples In Mission Prayer every day to ask God's blessings on Disciples In Mission.
- Join A small group. The groups meet six times during Lent to discuss the Sunday Lectionary readings. You will learn more about Scripture and be able to relate it to your everyday life. You will meet wonderful people and take part in interesting discussions.
- Involve your family. Listen to the Word of God together, do activities, and have fun in the process.
- Read the bulletin inserts that present the teachings of the U.S. Bishops on evangelization. Listen to the homilies, which will help you reflect on the Sunday readings in light of the evangelizing mission of Jesus.
- Attend the Parish Reflection Day where you will have a chance to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of your parish as an evangelizing community.
- Live as a Disciple with a Mission.
- Watch the bulletin for details!
Participating in Disciples in Mission
is a great way to
enter fully into Lent and prepare for Easter
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Resources are Available for Small Faith-Sharing Groups that want to continue meeting throughout the year? Visit the Diocese of Charleston, Disciples In Mission website www.sc-disciplesinmission.org to see a comprehensive listing of resources. Note: Scroll down the page (close to the bottom) to see resource listing link.
When Will Small Lenten Groups Begin Meeting? The first week in Lent, all small groups and those using the family booklets will begin meeting. At the first meeting, groups will discuss, reflect and faith-share on the Sunday readings for the next weekend. Groups will meet weekly for six weeks.
Where Will Groups Meet? Most groups will meet in homes. If the leader of the group can not host the meeting in their own home, it will be held in another group member’s home.
How Long Do Meetings Last? Each meeting should last no more than 90 minutes.
Is Childcare Provided? You can make a notation on your Sign Up card that you are interested in joining a Small Group with other families that would need babysitting services, and possibly share babysitting expenses. We will try and accommodate your needs as much as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot provided childcare services for the meetings that will take place
during Lent. If you are unable to join a Small Lenten Group due to childcare needs, we encourage you to use the Family Booklet and participate with your family at home.
How Will I Prepare For the Meeting? Each small group member will receive a booklet. Please read the weekly material prior to each meeting, so you can be prepared to reflect and share on the Sunday scriptures.
Do I Need A Bible? You are not required to have a bible, but if you have one, bring with you to the meetings. The Small Group meetings are not “bible studies”. You will listen, reflect and share on what the scriptures means to you and how it impacts your daily life. The Holy Spirit will guide you through this process. You can access daily or future Sunday readings at
www.usccb.org/nab/index.htm
When Will I Know Where & When My Group Will Meet? Your group leader will contact you in mid February to give you all the details and materials, so that you will be prepared to meet the last week in February.
When Will I Receive My Materials for Small Groups and/or Family Activities? During the Signup weekends, leaders and participants will pickup envelopes after all Masses. Envelopes will contain information and booklet(s) that you requested for participation in DM. Envelopes not picked up will be mailed. Please read "Meeting 1" information in the Small Group Participant Booklet prior to attending your first meeting.
Upcoming Dates (2005)
- January 2 (Sun) - Prayer Campaign Begins and continues through Pentecost.
- January 15/16 - DM SignUp Weekend (at all Masses)
- January 22/23 - DM SignUp Weekend (at all Masses)
- February 2 (Wed) - DM Family KickOff Event Murphy Hall
- February 6 (Wk 1) Begin Small Group Meetings & Family Activity Booklet
- February 9 (Wed) - Ash Wednesday
- February 13(Wk 2) Small Group Meetings & Family Activity Booklet
- February 20 (Wk 3) Small Group Meetings & Family Activity Booklet
- February 27 (Wk 4) Small Group Meetings & Family Activity Booklet
- March 6 (Wk 5) Small Group Meetings & Family Activity Booklet
- March 13 (Wk 6) Small Group Meetings & Family Activity Booklet
- March 20 Holy Week - No meetings
- March 27 - Easter Sunday
- April 17 (Sun) Parish Reflection Day (Murphy Hall). Following the Noon Mass, includes lunch and concludes in time for the 5:30pm Mass.
- May 15 (Sun) Pentecost - DM Prayer Campaign Concludes
NEED MORE INFORMATION? Check out our DM bulletin board located at the back of the church or email Parish Coordinators, Joe & Tammy Simpson (jtsimpson@bellsouth.net)
ST. PETER'S DISCIPLES IN MISSION PARISH LEADERSHIP TEAM:
- Joe & Tammy Simpson (Parish Co-Coordinators) jtsimpson@bellsouth.net
- Deacon Charlie Easterling (Staff Representative) easterling@visitstpeters.org
- Sharon Niland (Communications Coordinator) sweettweet99@msn.com
- Stella Kebamke (Small Group Co-Coordinator)
- Cindy Woodrow (Small Group Co-Coordinator - Hispanic)
- CynthiaLynnWoodrow@att.net
- Doug & Kathy Pierce (Small Group Co-Coordinators) Cpncarolina@bellsouth.net
- Pam Stuyck (Prayer Coordinator)
- John Stetar (Teen Co-Coordinator) John.stetar@irs.gov
- Juanita Warthen (Teen Co-Coordinator) Juanita@visitstpeters.org
- Tom & Julie Jackman (Family Co-Coordinators) tjsajackman@yahoo.com
- Paul & Kimberly Brown (Evangelization Planning Co-Coordinators); PcBrown@reiautomation.com, shwoopie@reiautomation.com
- Maggie Malik (Parish Organizations Coordinator) memalik@bellsouth.net
- Dawn Ambruzs (Catholic School Coordinator) dambruzs@stpeters-catholic-school.org
- Bill & Karen Dietz (Diocesan Co-Coordinators) karend@visitstpeters.org
LINKS
Disciples In Mission (Diocese of Charleston) "RESOURCES FOR ONGOING SMALL
GROUPS" www.sc-disciplesinmission.org
Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Assn. www.disciplesinmission.org
Daily Readings (USCCB): www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
New American Bible: www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/index.htm
The Vatican www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm
Diocese of Charleston www.catholic-doc.org
"A Prayer for Disciples In Mission"
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit,
that my works, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit,
that I may love only what is holy.
Strenthen me, Holy Spirit,
that I may always be holy.
St. Augustine
Mary, Mother of the Church,
pray for us.
St. Paul the Apostle,
pray for us.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
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