MINISTRIES OF INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
HEEDING CHRIST’S GREAT COMMISSION FOR ALL , AT SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH
WHERE ARE YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY?
Join us in creating a culture of disciple-making at our parish. How can we help you grow?
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Faith is a gift from God, received at Baptism, that requires our cooperation to take root and bear fruit in our life. Christ gives us the freedom to accept or reject this gift. When we receive and respond to it, we proclaim our faith in Him, and embrace all he shares about himself and the world around us.
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In the Catholic Church, a disciple is someone who chooses to follow Jesus and spread his Good News. Our goal at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish is to “meet you where you’re at” on your personal journey of faith and walk with you. As you follow Christ’s way, your own pathway will unfold.
This guide is meant to help you examine where you are on your own journey of discipleship, and how to respond to Jesus’ call. In the Bible, he commands his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations.” We take the first step by becoming intentional disciples (take decisive action to deepen one’s beliefs and heed God’s call). These pages detail the support available to you on your journey in intentional discipleship. Our ultimate goal is that all members of our parish will be so deeply formed as intentional disciples that we become missionary disciples (one who lives in obedience to God and has been formed to lead others to faith), thus fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission (see below).
It is normal for faith life to ebb and flow over time, and there is no definitive endpoint until we meet the Lord face to face, nor is our personal journey perfectly linear, but we are here to accompany you!
We hope this resource begins to answer your questions and points you to the support you need. It should serve to empower you to become involved and serve the community with the gifts God has given you. No matter where you are, God has a place for you!
The ministries outlined on this Intentional Discipleship page focus on personal spiritual development. This focus is not meant to diminish the myriad critical ministries that allow our parishioners to use their gifts in other ways, such as through outreach to the poor, Catholic fellowship, or through serving to support the Liturgy of the Mass where the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.
For a full list of all ministries available at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, see our Ministry Handbook or visit our Ministries page HERE.
OUR MANY MARVELOUS MINISTRIES
CLICK ON THE BUTTONS BELOW FOR DETAILS AND TESTIMONIALS ABOUT EACH AVENUE OF PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
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GROWING YOUR PERSONAL PRAYER LIFE
Perhaps you are brand new to prayer and unsure what it means to have a personal prayer life, or maybe you have well-established personal habits of prayer but desire inspiration to deepen the experience and meaning behind it. We can help!
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ONE-ON-ONE SPIRITUAL ACCOMPANIMENT
Take a step forward on your journey in good company. We will match you with a well-formed “Spiritual Companion” from our parish who will walk in faith with you, pray with you, answer your questions, and provide friendship with confidentiality and flexible scheduling options.
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ALPHA
Explore the basics of the Christian faith and come to know God’s love for you. Through open and friendly group meetings including videos, learning materials, and discussion, you will gain a better understanding of Christ’s compassion and his desire to know you.
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OCIA
OCIA stands for Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Whether you join as someone who wants to become Catholic, to complete the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, & Confirmation), or to help the leadership team guide others into the faith, this is a vital and beautiful formation and initiation ministry.
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EMPOWERING PARENTS TO DISCIPLE THEIR CHILDREN
Parents are the primary catechists of their children. Learn about our Family-Centered Catechesis through this small-group “Faith Journeys” framework. Walk with other parents in support and friendship as you navigate this world as families of faith.
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FINDING GOD AWAY FROM THE GRIND
Life is busy, and sometimes the noise of daily life seems impossible to escape. Creating time and space to find stillness and focus on God is a healthy and important effort to make in your faith life! We offer retreats, pilgrimages, and conferences throughout each year. Seek that profound peace.
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REACH MORE
Are you feeling called to a deeper understanding of how to put your God-given gifts to use in serving his people? This 12-week formation will inspire, form, and send you forth to grow Christ’s mission in the world.
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CALLED & GIFTED
The Called & Gifted™ Discernment Process is designed to help Christians discern the presence of charisms in their lives. Charisms, or spiritual gifts, are special abilities given to all Christians by the Holy Spirit to give them power both to represent Christ and to be a channel of God's goodness for others.
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SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Join or form a small group to grow in faith, deepen your relationship with Jesus, and find true Christ-like friendship as you journey with others who seek the same.
