SPRING  2012 – FAITH  FORMATION AT 

ST. JOSEPH  THE  WORKER  SHRINE

To facilitate participation for busy, working people, we’ve adopted a “Soup and Substance” format.  The Shrine will provide a light meal consisting of hearty soups, chili, chowder and breads from the kitchen adjoining the presentation hall (anytime after 6:00 pm) to be followed at 7:00 pm by the 90 minute educational session in the presentation hall, ending at 8:30 pm.  People could arrive from home or work (at least without the need to worry about getting supper before arriving for the sessions), experience some common “down time,” and then participate in the evening’s class.

Want to come to a better understanding of why we Catholics believe what we believe?  Want to be able to explain the basis of our beliefs to your children or grandchildren? Want to deepen your understanding of Sacred Scripture?  Want to be able to defend your faith?  Want to better appreciate the uniqueness of Catholicism and its 2,000-year old apostolic tradition?  Then these sessions are for you.

The Spring 2012 session of classes will run on the 7 successive Wednesdays of Lent

(from Ash Wednesday thru to the Wednesday of Holy Week)

(February 22, 29; March 7, 14, 21, 28; April 4) 

(why not make participation in these classes part of your Lenten discipline?)

To cover our costs (food, supplies, hvac, electrical and staff expenses) we’re asking $15. per weekly session for the course –

** seniors and students automatically have a 50% discount!

The topic area for our Spring 2012 Adult Faith Formation series will be:

The Crisis of Faith (unbelief) in the Modern Western World

• how it came about that religious belief has become more & more looked upon with hostility or simply dismissed as irrelevant
• what Enlightenment philosophical shift laid the groundwork
• how Existentialism as a backlash refocused the issue (read: 2 World Wars) 
• the prime “post-Modern” battleground is “human nature” – its scope/boundaries
• how the Marian dogmas can provide guidance for Christians journeying in this relativistic “brave new world”

We would like to hear from you as to your interest and intention to take advantage of this opportunity to grow in the knowledge of your faith (we at least need a count for the opening session so as to prepare adequate space and provide for dining needs).  Please call St. Joe’s at (978) 458-6346 or e-mail us at ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or drop us a note at 37 Lee St. Lowell, MA  01852.  Let us hear from you.  Please mark your calendars now and contact us ASAP so that planning can go forward for this exciting new offering at St. Joe’s. Help us to make the best use of St. Joseph the Worker Shrine as a spiritual and faith education resource in our area.   It would be hard to beat the convenience and quality of the Adult Faith Education Program conducted here every Spring and Fall – there were some 40 participants at last Fall’s sessions on The Nature of Belief! Think about it, pray about it and let us hear from you in the coming days.

For more information visit www.stjosephshrine.org

Fr. Gene Tremblay, OMI, S.T.L.