The Brooklyn Oratory Small Groups continue to explore our Catholic faith and spirituality as the main mechanism for adult faith formation at Assumption and St. Boniface parishes. This year you will have a choice to participate in more than one small group program, depending on your interest and availability, to explore different approaches to scripture reflection, meditation, and discussion. Small groups are a proven way to deepen our relationship with God and with one another in the spirit of St. Philip Neri, our patron saint.

Please read this entire message to learn about the various programs being offered, including dates and frequency of meetings. Most are weekly and will meet for six consecutive weeks, one is in Spanish, and one will meet on a monthly basis. Some groups may choose to continue to meet at the end of the six weeks, but meeting for six weeks is a great way to begin to make connections and build community. Groups are scheduled to meet on Zoom, but in-person gatherings may be planned, if possible and desired. The Spanish group will meet in-person.

All are truly welcome and encouraged to join a small group to share your faith journey, whether it's your first time, it's been a while, or you regularly attend a group meeting. If you are unable to participate in a group, but would like information on the resources being used, please email your request.

Any questions or requests for information? Please contact Virginia Navarro at affc@oratorychurch.org. 

Ponder: Contemplative Bible Study

We will pray with and ponder the Sunday readings through a rich experience of lectio divina, Ignatian contemplation, informative commentary, and engaging reflections. We will meet for six consecutive weeks, beginning the week of October 2.

I Am With You Always

We will learn to place ourselves in Scripture stories so that we might experience Jesus' teachings anew and bring them into our own day. We will consider powerful reflections and questions to help strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ and deepen our understanding of sacred Scripture. We will meet for six consecutive weeks, beginning the week of October 2.

Awakening Faith

We will reconnect with our Catholic faith. Catholics who may have drifted away from the Church are especially invited to be reacquainted with our Catholic faith through reflection, discussion, participant interaction, and prayer. We will accompany each other in the renewal of faith through sharing in a free and open way. This group is open to anyone interested in spiritual renewal and connection to fellow Catholics. Invite your family and friends who are not engaged with the Church because of divorce, lifestyle, or lacking in catechesis since their youth. This group is ideal for people in all stages of life who desire community and connection based on God's love and mercy. We will meet for six consecutive weeks, beginning on October 4. Individuals may attend one or all sessions.

Reanima Tu Fe - Para hablantes nativos de español 

Nos reconectaremos con nuestra fe católica. Los católicos que pueden haberse alejado de la Iglesia están especialmente invitados a reencontrarse con nuestra fe católica a través de reflexión, la discusión, la interacción de los participantes y la oración. Nos acompañaremos unos a otros en la renovación de la fe compartiendo de manera libre y abierta. Este grupo está abierto a cualquier persona interesada en la renovación espiritual y la conexión con otros católicos. Invita a tus familiares y amigos que no participan en la iglesia debido al divorcio, estilo de vida o falta de catequesis desde su juventud. Este group es ideal para personas en todas las etapas de la vida que desean una comunidad y una conexión basadas en el amor y la misericordia de Dios. Nos reuniremos durante seis semanas consecutivas, comenzando el 2 de octubre. Pueden asistir a una o todas las sesiones.

Confronting Antisemitism 

Is it possible to be Christian without being anti-Jewish? Do Christian texts lead us into anti-Judaism? Who are the Jews of the New Testament? What do we even mean by the term Jew? Explore these questions and more with Msgr. Guy Massie, an expert on Catholic-Jewish relations. This discussion group will meet once a month on Zoom to wrestle with the difficult history of Christians and Jews, examine its impact on ourselves and our faith today, and forge a path for the future. Join us for a thought-provoking experience! Msgr. Guy Massie is the pastor of Sacred Hearts & St Stephen Church in Carroll Gardens and has a master’s in Jewish Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. We will meet on a monthly basis beginning November 1.

Register here: https://forms.gle/tCFajpSRxycU6UcY6