Week One - The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic - Discussion Questions - Set 2

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.) Rate yourself in the 4 Signs of Being a Dynamic Catholic (1-low, 10-high): Prayer, Study, Generosity, Evangelization.

2.) Which of the four signs is strongest in your life today and why?

3.) Which of the four signs is weakest in your life today and why?




PS - This week we are reading Chapter 2: Are you Spiritually Healthy? - pages 41 - 71. :-)

Week One - The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic - Discussion Questions, Set 1

Hi All,

Welcome to our first week of discussion on our current book The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly. The questions this week are related to the Prologue and Chapter One: Incredible Possibilities.

I'm using most of the questions from the study guide that accompanies the book that I found HERE. I figured instead of transposing the Opening and Closing prayers that we would use if we were meeting in person, that I would let you click over and read it if you were interested. That way I can keep these posts short and sweet.

Like our last book discussion, I'll post a few discussion questions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and you can go ahead and just comment with your responses. If those of you reading along would like me to post questions on less days/more days, let me know. I didn't want to bombard everybody with 6-8 questions at once! Feedback is always welcome and appreciated!

Looking forward to becoming more dynamic Catholics with you all! :-)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.) Do you know a Dynamic Catholic? What characteristics do you see in them?

2.) How do you sense God is calling you to grow at this time in your life?

Mercy in the City on the Jennifer Fulwiler Show Podcast

Hi All!

Quick Friday post from me to all of you who have read Mercy in the City, are reading it, plan to read it, or are even just interested in being merciful!

I came across this short podcast where Jennifer Fulwiler interviewed Kerry Weber, the author of Mercy in the City. I found it interesting, so I thought I would pass it along!

Happy listening!

http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/show/jenniferfulwiler/id/3505058

~ Jen

The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic - Reading Schedule

Hi Book Clubbers!

Are you all ready to become a Dynamic Catholic??


Below is the reading schedule for this selection. Following the Dynamic Catholic Study guide, I'll be posting an opening prayer, some reflection questions and a closing prayer associated with each week, throughout the following week (i.e. questions for this week's reading will be posted on the blog next week.)

 April 20 - April 26

THE PROLOGUE &

CHAPTER 1: INCREDIBLE POSSIBILITIES

Read pages 5–37

April 27 - May 3

CHAPTER 2: ARE YOU SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY?

Read pages 41–71

May 4 - May 10

CHAPTER 3: THE GENIUS OF CATHOLICISM

Read pages 75–106

May 11 - May 17

CHAPTER 4: THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE I KNOW

Read pages 109–140

May 18 - May 24

CHAPTER 5: CHANGING THE WORLD

Read pages 143–187

May 25 - May 31

CHAPTER 6: A NEW LEVEL OF THINKING

& THE EPILOGUE

Read pages 189–216

As always, let me know know if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. 

Also, if you have any ideas for future book club selections let me know. I'd like to try to pick the next book soon, so that I might be able to get a bit of a head start before the baby comes!

The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly - NEXT BOOK CLUB SELECTION!

Hi All,

Hope those of you who read Mercy in the City enjoyed it! Also, if you haven't had a chance to read it yet, feel free to catch up whenever you want to. The blog posts will be there and available for the discussion to continue when you are ready! If you are interested in putting what you learned into action, I know that there are some service opportunities coming up in the near future where you can do this. Stayed tuned to the ASYAM Newsletter for more information!

Our next book club selection is The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic by Matthew Kelly. I chose this book because it seems to be one lots of people have OR a book that some of us have multiple copies that we can share with others. Also, I think that it would be great to learn more about the signs of being a Dynamic Catholic especially as we are working as a group to create and grow more leaders within our very own All Saints Hayward Young Adults Ministry!

I'm going to use the study guide created by Matthew Kelly as a guide for our discussion here on the blog (and may throw in a few other questions that better apply to us if I think of some). The reading schedule will begin next Monday, which will give those who want to participate a chance to get the book. If you don't have the book and would like a copy, let me know and I'll try to connect you with someone who has one (I personally have 1 extra copy.). Those of you who do have extra copies, if you could bring them to either The Call or The Haven this week to share with those who are interested that would be awesome.

As always, if you have any questions, let me know!

Looking forward to reading with you!

~ Jen

Week 3 - Mercy in the City - Discussion Questions Chapters 25 and Epilogue

Last set of Mercy in the City discussion questions!

Ch 25 - It is easy to become complacent with our faith especially if we have been a Catholic our whole lives. How can you respond to the call of your faith everyday and show pride in being Catholic?

Epilogue - How can you sign your own personal covenant to begin a journey of mercy?

Now its time to pick our next book...

I picked up The Church of Mercy by Pope Francis at the library since I saw it and thought it complemented the fact that I am reading the Joy of the Gospel and taking an online course applying it to youth ministry. I haven't looked at it yet, but it is an option. I also requested the Seven Levels of Intimacy by Matthew Kelly, but probably won't get that one for a week or so...

I'm totally open to other ideas though, so if someone's got one, shout it out (or post it in the comments below...)

Week 3 - Mercy in the City - Discussion Questions Chapters 22 - 24

Hi!

More questions to get you thinking...

Ch 22 - How are your doing what you are called by God to do? (i.e. How are you loving and serving in your everyday life?)

Ch 23 - How is your faith (or current "cross") helping you to be a new person?

Ch 24 - Have you ever just wandered through a cemetery? What was the experience like? How can we help "bury the dead"?

Week 3 - Mercy in the City - Discussion Questions Chapters 19 - 21

Hi!

I just finished reading Mercy in the City yesterday and it was a great book. Most challenging part of reading it though is figuring out how to put what I read about into action in a way that fits in to my life. Need to find time to answer all of the discussion questions that I wrote up though, which should help!

Hope everyone else who is reading along is enjoying the book!

Without further ado...some discussion questions:

Ch 19 - What are some practical ways of "visiting the imprisoned"?

Ch 20 - We may not be in a physical prison, but is there something that is keeping you in a figurative "prison"? Is there something you need to forgive yourself for that will help you break out of that "prison"?

Ch 21 - How can you act less like a robot and instead go out and share your faith with others?

Week 2 - Mercy in the City Discussion of Chapters 16 through 18

Hello!

He is almost Risen! Let's all keep the RCIA candidates in our prayers since they will be fully received into the Church this evening during the Easter Vigil this evening!

Here's are last set of Week 2 questions:

Ch 16 - What do you think of when you hear the word "water"? Where do I need this water and for what?

Ch 17 - "This is part of the beauty of faith, that God's waters are offered, they're ready for us, ready to fill our thirst, but never forced on us." pg 92; What does this statement mean to you or how has it applied to your life?

Ch 18 - "Sometimes hope comes in the form of a million faces you have yet to meet." pg 100 What are some ways that you can imagine hope coming to you in the form of a face you have yet to meet?

Happy day before Easter!

Week 2 - Mercy in the City Discussion Questions for Chapters 13 through 15

Hola!

Our next set of Week 2 questions based on Chapters 13 - 15.

Ch 13 - When has being hospitable made more of an impact on you than you imagined it would or made you recognize the walls of your heart expanding in love?

Ch 14 - Have you ever had a thought provoking conversation with someone who is homeless or down on their luck and been changed?

Ch 15 - What is your favorite Station of the Cross and why?

Hope you are all having a blessed Holy Week so far!

"I Thirst"

Allo!

So, first of all, thanks to everyone who came! We've been averaging about 12 people per night these days- this is exciting!

Tonight Monica led the night by sharing her personal reflection on Jesus's last words, "I thirst." Hers is one of 7 reflections that will be shared by parishioners this Friday at 1:30pm in the Church.

Two quotes/ references from the night:
+ "Our hearts are restless until they rest in you."
+ Mother Teresa's "I Thirst."

After Monica shared her story and we asked/ discussed her story and the quotes/ words above, Monica prompted us to reflect on a few questions:
1. Describe a deep thirst in your life. What did or do you long for? Why do you thirst for this?
2. Has God and Jesus quenched your thirst, your longing? How so? If not, do you desire to? Why do you desire to?
3. Describe a/ the moment you decided to actively pursue your faith, or string of moments that led you to following Christ. What brought you closer to God/ Jesus/ the faith? How did it bring you closer?

What followed was a very deep and personal conversation that didn't end until about 11pm! (This is why we used to meet on Fridays!). Thank you to everyone who shared and allowed themselves to be vulnerable tonight. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough in the group to do so (in my mind, that's one of the main reasons why we exist!).

May you have a blessed Holy Week.