St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

How do we account for the blessings of God? How do we use the gifts received? How do we take care of these gifts, managing them with tender love and care? How do we show gratefulness, to the Giver of all gifts?

Lots of us were formed on the virtues of the American Revolution: industry, self-reliance, personal accountability, freedom. And these are all virtues that have stood the test of time. But we understand these virtues through the lens of God's revealed plan for us. The earth we occupy, the breath of life we possess, the capacity to reason and learn that we enjoy, the ability to be co-creators with God, in the work of building up the world... all of these are gifts from beyond ourselves, gifts that are beyond the parents that gave us human birth.

Beginning on the 9th of September, I will begin another book club and study group experience. We will begin to read the works of the great St. Teresa of Avila (+1582), the extraordinary Carmelite nun who with the assistance of St. John of the Cross (+1591), brought reform and renewal to the ancient Order.

The study group will meet (about) every other Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 PM. A nursery is provided for this period of study. We will meet in the lower level of the Church, in rooms 4 & 5. It is very important that all who will participate in the book club and study group read from the same edition of the saint’s work, so that we can share insights and questions using the same text & pagination. We will read The Book of Her Life, found in The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, Volume One (ICS, second edition, 1987). I should be able to purchase copies of this text at a reduced rate ($13). If you would like me to order a book for you, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 678-892-6800 (leaving me your name and contact data).

We will meet together on the following dates: 9 and 23 September; 7 and 21 October; 4 November; 2, 16 and 30 December; and in the second semester (maybe another book) 13 and 27 January 2011; 10 and 24 February; 10 and 24 March; 7 April; 5 May; 2 June (last). Come and join us as we seek to learn from the saints of God.

-- Msgr. David