Adult Formation
The Christian life is a call to ever deepening conversion of heart. “According to Scripture, it is the heart that prays,” and it is the heart that is the “dwelling-place where I am, where I live... It is the place of encounter.” (CCC 2562 - 2563)
A Life of Ever-deepening Conversion
At Divine Mercy Parish, we desire for people to come into contact with the beauty, grace, and love of God in Christ and his Church. We hope that no matter where you are on your spiritual journey, you can encounter the goodness of the Lord, the truth of the Faith, and the mercy of God to uphold you.
From our first conversion in Baptism, to what the Catechism calls our “second conversion…an uninterrupted task,” we are invited into a life of constant growth in God:
Christ’s call to conversion continues to resound in the lives of Christians. This second conversion is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, “clasping sinners to her bosom, [is] at once holy and always in need of purification, [and] follows constantly the path of penance and renewal.” This endeavor of conversion is not just a human work. It is the movement of a “contrite heart,” drawn and moved by grace to respond to the merciful love of God who loved us first. (CCC 1428)
Growing into Christ is a lifelong task in which we are growing in greater intimacy with Christ. We become like him because it is Him living his life in and through us as we consent to let Him lead. Again, St. Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:19-20). The old man, the old Adam — the ego — dies and is raised with Christ. “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17; see also Romans 5)
How do I take the next step in deepening my faith and relationship with God?
One of the most important things a person can do is begin by going to Mass, the Sacred Liturgy of the Church. You can also reach out to a parishioner, a parish priest, or by exploring our website. You can tell us more about yourself and how you desire to learn more by contacting us here.
Tell us what you need or are seekingWhat is the Mass or the Sacred Liturgy?
“The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the font from which all her power flows.” (CCC 1074) We see the basic shape of the liturgy of the Mass already in Christ’s mysterious walk on the road to Emmaus — the Word and Sacrament. In Luke 24 the disciples recount how their hearts had been burning within them when Christ opened the Scriptures to them. Yet, they still hadn’t recognized him until he broke the bread. Christ gave to the Church, his Mystical Body, his Heart so that our hearts would be inflamed with love in and for Him.
How does the Mass help me in faith formation?
The “celebration” is the Mass, in which “the Holy Spirit is teacher of the faith of the People of God and artisan of ‘God’s masterpieces,’ the sacraments of the New Covenant. The desire and work of the Spirit in the heart of the Church is that we may live from the life of the risen Christ. When the Spirit encounters in us the response of faith which he has aroused in us, he brings about genuine cooperation. Through it, the liturgy becomes the common work of the Holy Spirit and the Church.” (CCC 1091)
The Catechism teaches us that the liturgy is “the privileged place for catechizing the People of God,” and that, “Catechesis is intrinsically linked with the whole liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist, that Christ Jesus works in fullness for the transformation of men.” (CCC 1074) Catechesis is a fancy word for teaching or discipleship. If we are attentive and fully participate in the Mass to the best of our knowledge and ability, we derive much fruit from it!
What are the Sacraments?
The Sacraments are “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.” (CCC 1131). In other words, more than merely symbols, sacraments receive their power and ability to change us from Christ Himself. In them, Christ invites us to be hidden in His very Heart from which flows all the graces of divine life and love (see John 19:34; John 1:18; Colossians 3:3). It is the sacraments that flow from Christ to us, and empower us to share in his divine nature as we receive all things from his Heart of Divine Mercy (see 1 Corinthians 10:14-17; see CCC 1118-1119).
Eavesdrop on a Rich conversation about the Sacraments here!What about the Word of God or the Holy Scriptures?
St. Jerome famously said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” It is also the Sacred Scriptures, the Word of God written, that bear witness to Christ the Living Word of God (John 5:39). It is in meditation on them that the Holy Spirit speaks heart to heart with us (CCC 112, 116-118). The Mass occasions an opportunity to hear from God’s holy prophets, apostles, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself. By a living encounter with the Word of God, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue to live out God’s unfolding Story of Salvation and Abundant Life in our lives personally.
A Catholic Introduction to the Story of the BibleWhat resources are there to help me go deeper in the Mass?
Be sure to check out our Welcome & Hospitality in the lobby of St. Maria Goretti Church, talk with a parishioner, or check out our parish library. You can also reach out to one of our parish priests, parishioners, or staff.
You can also tell us more here!Are there parish resources for developing my personal faith formation?
Yes, please scroll below for Staff-Led Parish Programming and Personal Apostolate Parish Groups.
Our Summer Book Club Tradition Continues!
Throughout the ages, human beings across all cultures and religions have pondered the topic of the end of the world, offering perplexing answers to make sense of existence and cosmic destiny. How have Christians imagined the end of the world, and in particular Catholic Christians? And how might this relate to how non-religious might imagine it?
Continuing our annual summer book club series, “Literature & Catholic Imagination,” Divine Mercy Parish invites any and all persons – Catholic and non-Catholic! – to a book study where we read, explore, and discuss these and related topics.
This summer, with the help of our able guides, we’ll explore the theme of utopia and dystopia by reading three modern classics:
- The Giver (1993), Lois Lowry
- That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown Ups (1945), C.S. Lewis
- The Road (2006), Cormac McCarthy
Readers can choose to read all or some of the books and journey with us as we open up the texts’ timeless and timely themes.
Staff-Led Parish Programming
Personal Apostolate Parish Groups
Staff-led parish programming offers opportunities for parishioners to grow in faith through guided studies, seasonal formation events, and structured learning experiences that deepen understanding of Scripture, Church teaching, and the spiritual life.
Learn More About All-Parish StudiesPersonal Apostolate Parish Groups provide parishioners with lay-led formational group opportunities to grow in faith and holiness through peer-led prayer, discussion, and service, fostering spiritual growth and discipleship within a supportive community.
Learn More About Parish Groups