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The Well: Faith Formation and Community Building a Deeper Relationship with Christ
Participants in The Well, an adults’ faith formation program here at Cathedral of Christ the King enjoy camaraderie and the joys of stewardship as they devote time to study, prayer, and community. But most of all, they grow in a deeper relationship with Christ, no matter the subject or topic for a particular week of study.
COVID-19 restrictions prevented the group from meeting last year, but they are looking forward to resuming their weekly meetings when they can, on Mondays from 6:30-8 p.m. in Parish Life Center Room A. Their schedule has been from September and to May with a long break between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Adults of all ages are welcome.
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During the meetings, the group follows a schedule of six-to-eight weeks of studies on an array of topics.
“We have studied a variety of topics,” says Michele Ferguson, who coordinates The Well. “Many of the studies, like the Lectio series, are offered on the FORMED.org website offered free to parishioners. We’ve also done several DVD series offered by great Catholic theologians such as Bishop Robert Barron, Dr. Tim Gray, Scott Hahn, Brant Pitre, and others. We have done studies on Jesus, Mary, Catholicism, the Mass, and saints. We’ve also done topics like conversion and Divine Mercy, and completed a 30-day consecration to Mary one summer.”
The format involves watching a video series and then answering questions in a study guide. When the group meets each week, it meets in small groups to discuss the questions related to the previous week’s video. Then, the group watches the next video.
If someone must miss a week, many programs are on FORMED.org and are available for viewing the video on one’s own, and answering the questions. The study guides can also be downloaded for many of the programs if a participant doesn’t want to purchase one. The study guides are usually $20-25.
Throughout the weeks of the program, the participants can deepen their understanding of our Catholic faith, as well as grow in understanding of the Mass.
“Those have both been big topics in our studies,” Michele says. “We’ve done several studies on the Mass, and yet, we always learn something new. And each speaker’s program looked at the Mass from a different angle. Whether we were connecting each part of the Mass to Scripture or viewing it through saints’ eyes or focusing specifically on the Eucharist, there was always more to know and appreciate about how we worship as Catholics. And when you learn why we do what we do, it has even more meaning when we see it in the Mass. We don’t just attend Mass, we participate in Mass.”
The ultimate benefit of the program, however, is that the participants grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
“Everything we study leads us to a deeper relationship with Jesus because it’s all about Him — how we know Him, worship Him, learn from Him, serve Him, and love Him,” Michele says. “And our Mary studies drew me closer to her and her Son, which, of course, is what Mary always does. What a gift! The theologians we have learned from have such deep faiths and genuine relationships with Jesus, and you can’t listen to them and not grow closer to Jesus, too.”
The atmosphere of the group is casual, and if someone hasn’t had the opportunity to complete the study questions, their input during the group discussions is welcomed. During the last night of a study, the members enjoy a potluck supper.
“We have some great cooks in our group!” Michele says. “No one misses the last night of a study!”
