Provide the adult members of our parish an opportunity to continue growing in their faith. Foster active participation in various workshops, days of reflection, retreats, lectures and other activities.

RCIA - The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Do you want to join the Catholic Church?  Do you wish to complete your Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation)?  Would you like to grow and learn more about the Christian faith?

The RCIA is a community of faith in Jesus Christ that journeys together towards a sharing of the gifts of faith, hope and love.  Our next session begins on september 23rd, but there is still time to join us.

Contact Greg Gresik, our Pastoral Associate for details at 630-759-7588, ext. 106.

Friday Morning Scripture Discussion

After the 7;30 A.M. Mass each Friday, there is an informal Sunday Scripture discussion. We read and discuss the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday. Coffee and juice are provided. Join us and start your Friday with the Word of God.

Faith and Reason Study Group

This small group meets weekly to explore diverse topics of our Catholic faith. Church documents and teachings are read and discussed, from the early Church fathers through the current documents of the Vatican, including the writings of recent popes. Topic and events of current interest are also studied and discussed.

Currently, the group is reading Pope Benedict XVI's first Encyclical Letter, "Deus Caritas Est" (God is Love), in which he discusses the love of God in creation and in salvation history. He includes a discussion of the practice of love within our church, with an emphasis on charitable activities. Quoting from the introduction of the document: “I wish in my first Encyclical to speak of the love which God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others.�

Some previous topics that have been studied include:

Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Faith and Reason"
St. Thomas Aquinas on the soul
Eucharist, including Pope John Paul II's recent encyclical "Ecclesia de Eucharistia"
Baptism, including teaching from the Catechism and “On the Mysteries� by St. Ambrose (A.D. 387)
Pope Leo XII's encyclical "Aeterni Patris" - on the restoration of Christian Philosophy
Original Sin, including teaching from the Catechism, early Church councils, and Pope John Paul II
Marian apparitions, including the third secret of Fatima
Pope John Paul II's encyclical "Mother of the Redeemer"
Salvation, including the Catechism teaching, and a brief comparative study of other churches' beliefs

There are no prerequisites to join the group other than a desire to deepen one's faith. Meetings are every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the parish center.

Small Christian Communities

Small Christian Communities were established in our parish to help us get to know each other outside of our Sunday Mass attendance. Small groups of adult parishioners (6 to 10) meet on a regular basis in each other's homes to learn more about their faith and share their personal experiences.

Groups are made up of members of different ages and genders. Each group selects their own materials and the day and time they meet. A selection of materials is available for them to review, including scripture studies, videos, and other materials on Christian topics. Each new group begins with an 8 to 10 week orientation period, using a text entitled "One Anothering". The purpose of this initial period is to allow the members to form closer relationships with each other. At the end of this time, individuals make a commitment to be a part of the group for an extended period.

Individuals wishing to become part of a Small Christian Community can either form a new community or join an already established one.