Lessons Eleven & Twelve

As long as I haven't had much energy for physical exertion, I decided I should at least exercise my mind, so I prepped the study guide for our next lessons a little earlier than usual. This way, when I get my spunk back, I'll be ready to get moving.

The next two lessons are great. There's lots to cover, but it's such an affirming and upbeat message that it's a pleasure to read and consider the questions. We should have a good discussion.

I will mention this at our next meeting as well, but after this lesson, I'm going to start a new policy for printing out our study guides. As I said in the last post, rather than save paper and ink, I think we've generated more waste because we're both printing out copies. This time we'll keep things the same, but after that, on the Wednesday before we meet, I am going to print out two copies of the guide--one for me and one for Pat "The Internet-less"--unless you let me know by then that you want one. Otherwise, you're on your own. Sound good?

I am still encouraging you to leave a comment whenever you use this site. It takes quite a bit of time to maintain, and I gauge whether or not it's worth continuing to do so by your comments. For instance, I have consistently taken the time to upload my notes after our meetings, but no one has ever left me a message that they have used those notes, so unless that changes, I probably won't bother to do that in the future. The only way I can tell what's useful is when you show me some love! I don't mind doing this, but I want to know that the effort is well spent.

See you on Febrary 7!
Study Guide for Lessons Eleven & Twelve

Lesson Ten Update

I'm sorry that I couldn't make it for our meeting, but trust me, you don't want to be around me today. I've been fighting some crud all week, and while I'm not in terrible shape, I don't have much of a voice and I just didn't want to risk infecting everyone else. Actually, it's been an okay week. I've gotten around to some projects at home that have been on my list for awhile, and I've sucked down an ocean of tea with lemon and honey (with an additional kick after the dinner hour).

Here's the deal--I will post my notes for this lesson, and if you have any questions about Lesson 10, jot them down or make a mental note, and we'll try and work those out at our next meeting before we move on. Our next session is on February 7. We are going to do Lessons 11 & 12 together since they cover just one chapter--Romans 8. I was planning to do an extra catechism lesson today about Dogma, Doctrine, and Canon Law. I have copies printed for everyone, and I will save those for another time. So, we'll have to plod along and do our best to squeeze everything in when we can.

I will try and get the next lessons posted ASAP. We're going to have to try and get a better system for printing out the lessons. Rather than saving paper, I think we're using twice as much in printing duplicate study guides. We'll talk about it next time.

Once again, sorry about today. I'm sure you all did a great job.
Lesson Ten Notes

P.S. I just received your call as I was typing this up. You guys are sweet. Thanks for the well wishes.

Lesson Ten

We are at the halfway point in our study of Romans. In the section of his letter that we are studying for Lesson Ten, Paul has some very interesting things to say about God's law, and why we can't seem to keep it even when we really want to and have been given the help of God's grace through baptism. This passage contains the well known verse when Paul admits, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do I want, but I do the very thing I hate." No kidding. What's that all about?

Since this lesson focuses the Law, I thought this would be a good time to cover a catechism lesson that I have prepared that explains the difference between dogma, doctrine, and Canon Law. We'll also learn a little history about how it all came to be, and maybe a few tips on how to use it to become better Catholics.

Once again--here comes the broken record part--please save a tree by printing out your own study guide and leaving a message in the comments section that you have done so by the end of the day on Tuesday, January 22. It only takes a moment of your day and saves my printer.
Study Guide for Lesson Ten

Lesson Eight & Nine Update

So, this family took their new baby to church to be baptized and as soon as they got in the car to go home, their oldest son started crying and could not be consoled. "My goodness, what's the matter?" asked his mother. The little boy replied, "Father said that Jesus wants us to grow up in a good Christian family." "That's right, honey," said his mother. "Yeah," the little boy whimpered, "but I want to stay with you guys!"

This lesson was all about baptism and the grace we receive that begins to bring us home to God long before we make the choice on our own to live a good Christian life. Jesus does want us all to grow up in a good Christian family--the one we're born into and the one we have in the Church. Paul wants us to think about what kind of family members we are. Are we slaves to sin, or servants to God? In our group today, we decided that we need a new word. Maybe "slavents"?

In case you're interested, you are welcome to print a copy of my personal notes for these two lessons.
Click here for Lesson Eight & Nine Notes.

By the way, if you are interested in visiting the new website I have made for St. Patrick's Seasons of Reading book club, click on the title and check out what's going on with that ministry. Many of you are readers, so I would encourage you to give one (or all) of the books a try. I love the whole idea of a ministry that you can tailor to your own needs and personality--read the books and study on your own, or join other readers for a discussion group. Do what feels comfortable to you.

Lesson Eight & Nine

Happy New Year!

We are going to cover two lessons at our first meeting of 2008 on January 10. I just finished my first time through the lessons, and I didn't think it was overly difficult. I will mention that I thought the second lesson was a little more involved than the first, so you might want to plan accordingly if time is tight.

Hopefully, by now you have received my email about the heating situation in good old Room 111 at St. Pat's. We should be in good shape--even if it is freezing outside.

Don't forget to leave me a comment when you print out the study guide, and if you would like to save some paper and ink, make sure you print it by the end of the day on Tuesday, January 8.
Click here for the study guide for Lesson Eight & Nine.