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You are Invited to a Friendship Group
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In imitation of the revolutionary Friendship Groups formed at the turn of the 18th century and promoted by Venerable Bruno Lanteri
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This online spiritual development opportunity will provide you with life-changing spiritual reading and personalized formation to grow in holiness. You will learn how to:
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Rekindle your relationship with God through meditation and contemplation
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Discern God’s will, according to St. Ignatius
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Develop a practical plan for daily prayer and spiritual reading
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Share your faith through the power of great books
Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV said the world needs small, “fervent cells” of well-formed Catholics through authentic spiritual reading.
This is what the Friendship Group aims to do.
The Friendship Group meeting takes place monthly via Zoom for about an hour. It is led by one of the Oblate priests who offers teachings on themes related to the book and their charism. There is also time for group discussion and questions.
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View upcoming meeting dates and information below.
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For more information or to sign-up, contact paradisepaysforeverything@gmail.com
Upcoming Meetings
Presenter:
Fr. Jonas Verdeflor, OMV
Fr. Jonas Verdeflor, OMV is the youngest of three children from Queens in New York City. In 2002, he earned his B.S. in Journalism and Technical Writing from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and worked for 12 years as a copy editor and page designer at various newspapers across the country. Fr. Jonas first learned about the Oblates of the Virgin Mary from watching the appearances of Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV on TV and was recommended to the Oblates by his spiritual director. He began his first year of postulancy at Our Lady of GraceSeminary in September 2014 and professed his first vows on August 5, 2017. Fr. Jonas finished his theology studies at St. John Seminary with a master’s thesis on St. Maximilian Kolbe in May2021. He professed his final vows on January 28, 2022, and was ordained a deacon by Bishop Mark O’Connell on January 29, 2022, both at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine in Boston. He served as a transitional deacon at the St. Joseph Retreat House in Milton, MA and at St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, CA. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn on June 16, 2023, at St. Teresa of Avila in South Ozone Park, NY. He is studying for his doctorate in Mariology in Rome, Italy.
Book:
Imitation of Mary
Thursday, December 18
Themes: Love of God, Union of God, Gratitude
Thursday, January 29
Themes: Joy, Docility to the Holy Spirit, Love of Neighbor
February 26
Themes: Abandonment to Divine Providence, Mortification, Desire and Efforts in Holiness, Reception of the Sacraments
About the Oblates of the Virgin Mary:
The Oblates of the Virgin Mary, in the footsteps of their founder Venerable Bruno Lanteri (1759-1830), work toward a rebirth of authentic spirituality by means of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the formation of the clergy, the refutation of current errors and defense of sound doctrine, the propagation of good books and media, the formation of the laity, and the missionary apostolate. Venerable Lanteri was a priest who lived in troubled times. He tirelessly encouraged men and women to approach God with confidence in his mercy. Great numbers who approached him found new strength, confidence, and spiritual freedom through his message.