Scripture is the Word of God and is a source for our faith and journeys of faith. It is an important way to know and discover who we are in the Imago Dei. Each community offers different Bible Studies over the course of a year.

• St. Marguerite Bourgeoys:
  Old and New Testaments studies are offered in Fall and Spring. All are welcome.
• St. Joseph:
  Various video sessions on the Bible, sacraments, discipleship, and church doctrine are presented each year.
• St. Andrew’s School of Evangelization

Become a Catholic – this process for adults is referred to as the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). It is considered a “process” rather than a “program”. The process is usually facilitated by a team from the parish. After advertising/invitation in the bulletin for a number of weeks, if there are adults who have identified themselves as being interested in investigating our Catholic faith, a team is assembled in the fall of the year to provide support and instruction.

The parish priest is always a member of the team, but his level of involvement with the regular schedule of meetings depends on his availability. The priest is the primary source of dogmatic and doctrinal teaching for the interested adults. In the St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, we have had the benefit of the involvement and leadership of our Parochial Administrator, Maryn Anderson, throughout the past several years.

The composition of the team is on a voluntary basis, and it varies from year to year with some individuals in our faith communities having been very committed to this process for a number of years. Typically, meetings are held with the interested individuals every 2-4 weeks. In addition, team meetings for planning are held as required.

Individuals fall into two main categories:

• Candidates are persons who have been baptized in another faith (whose baptismal rite is recognized by the Catholic church) – records which prove such baptism need to be provided; Catechumens are individuals who have never been baptized. The period from September/October up to Christmas is considered a period of Inquiry when the team provides some instruction, but the interested individuals are very much encouraged to ask their questions about the Catholic faith. The period between Christmas and Lent is a more intense period of instruction, with a bit more commitment from the interested individuals and still with the intention to answer questions about the faith. The Lenten Season is the period of final preparation with more intense and in-depth instruction, and a firm commitment by the individuals to receive the Easter Sacraments. The individuals are introduced to the parish community and a number of rituals are performed with them at parish Masses during Lent. The individuals are also introduced to the Archbishop during Lent, along with Candidates and Catechumens from the entire Archdiocese. The Easter Sacraments – Baptism for Catachumens, and Eucharist and Confirmation for both Candidates and Catechumens are typically conferred at the Easter Vigil Mass.
• The RCIA process is a very insightful and rewarding process for all of the participants – team members as well as Candidates and Catechumens. It is a unique opportunity to share faith with inquirers, and it inevitably leads to learning by all involved and often to deepening of the faith of the participants.

Devotion is love and religious observance. There are numerous ways to express devotion and listed are just a few ways that are seen in our parish.

• St. Marguerite Bourgeoys:
  • Mother’s Prayer: gathering as parents to pray to Mary for their children and grandchildren
  • Ignatian Prayer: small groups that pray and discern the Word of God in the Ignatian tradition.
  • Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: taking time to pray before the Sacrament
  • Rosary before Mass

• St. Joseph:

  • Rosary Group Information – 18th Year October 2024 – September 2025
    Holy Apostles Parish currently has 4 Rosary Groups:
    1st – Our Lady of Sorrows Rosary Group began on October 13, 2007
    2nd – Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Group began on October 13, 2007
    3rd – St. Joseph’s Rosary Group began on March 15, 2008
    4th – Our Lady Queen of Peace Rosary Group began on October 6, 2009

    Thank you Rosary Groups!

    As we begin our 18th Year of Rosary Prayer, a special “THANK YOU” to all our
    faithful Rosary Group Members for committing to another year of Rosary Prayer
    and “WELCOME” to our several newest Members! To see the new schedules, click on the appropriate group name above.

  • As our 4 complete Groups continue, we invite new members to join a 5 th Group.
    We will always have room for more members!

  • To briefly explain what is required of our members – each member is assigned
    one decade of the rosary to pray daily (wherever and whatever time is
    convenient for you) for one month; then on the 1st Sunday of the following
    month, members rotate to their next assigned decade – a yearly schedule is
    provided. As each Rosary Group is made up of 20 members, this means that an
    entire rosary (20 decades) is prayed daily by each Group for the intentions of our
    Parish. Members may also add their own special intentions as well. Members
    commit for one year.

  • The Rosary Groups do not have meetings. This is a great way to donate 5
    minutes each day for the needs of our Faith Community as well as strengthening
    your own personal relationship with Jesus through Mary.

  • If you are interested in participating in our Rosary Groups, please contact the
    Rosary Group Coordinator, Marguerite Harvey c/o the Parish Office.

• St. Augustine and Missions:
  • Small prayer group called “Journey in Faith” which meets every second week during the year
  • Mother’s Prayer group