Adult Formation
“The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers.”
- St. Maximilian Kolbe
Learn
Alpha
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Alpha is a series of 11 sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each session includes food, a short video that is designed to spark a thought-provoking conversation, and group discussion. There is no pressure, no follow up and no charge. Since 1990, Alpha has been experienced by 29 million people of many Christian denominations from 169 countries in 112 languages. It is fully endorsed by the Catholic Church as a great starting place for many people interested in the faith.
No matter who you are, nonbeliever, cradle Catholic, or anywhere in-between, you’ve got questions, and that’s what Alpha is all about. Alpha is for anyone who is curious. Alpha is a good pathway for those who want to return to church.
The talks are designed to encourage conversation and explore the basics of the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. No question is out of bounds, and you are free to discuss as little or as much as you wish.
Alphas is offered in English and Spanish. New core team members are always welcome. Please consider serving as a table facilitator or become a prayer team member.
Natural Family Planning
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Natural Family Planning (NFP) is the all natural way of deciding how many children you will have and how far apart they will be spaced that is in keeping with the teaching of the Catholic Church. When done correctly, NFP can be as effective as artificial contraception. For many years, doctors and researchers have been studying a woman’s body to see how her hormones, temperature, and fluids respond to different stages of her monthly cycle. By knowing how a woman’s body works optimally, a couple use that information to determine their own fertility.
We usually have two sessions, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. All classes will be held from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM in Room 16.
The cost is $160 plus shipping, however this course is FREE for registered parishioners, contact the teaching couple for the promo code.
Free babysitting might be available. Please check with the teaching couple to confirm.
If you're interested in the Main Series, Perimenopause, or Postpartum NFP classes, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Dave and Jen at NFP@saint-max.org
NFP is required for all couples going through marriage preparation at St. Max.
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If you're interested in the Main Series, Perimenopause, or Postpartum NFP classes, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Dave and Jen at NFP@saint-max.org
Date Nights for Married Couples
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Careers, our kids’ school, sports, and activities, our hobbies, and other family commitments while all important aspects of our lives can often distract us from our most important relationships—God and our spouse. On the first Friday of the month we take time as couples to focus on and deepen these most important relationships in our lives. We begin with mass together at 7:30 in the church. Then enriched by the prayer of the mass and the nourishment of the Eucharist, we enjoy social time with other couples. Themed formation each month helps us continue to grow together toward our God Who created us and blessed us with our spouses and families. We also hope to provide the space and the opportunity to grow in community with other couples who are also interested in growing in their relationships with each other and with Jesus.
View our upcoming events on the Events Page
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Bible & Book Studies
Men
Exodus 90
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Exodus 90 is a difficult 90 day exercise for men. Designed to shift your spiritual life into 5th gear, the exercise embraces three fundamental components of the Christian life for men: prayer, asceticism, and fraternity. Beginning January 1, 2024 (90 days prior to Easter) and culminating with the conclusion of the Easter Vigil, you will do the following:
PRAYER: Pray one hour each day.
ASCETICISMS: No eating between meals, fast with the Church on Wednesdays & Fridays, no sweets or sweet drinks, black coffee or tea only, no alcohol, no phone or internet use unless required for home/work, no gaming, no TV, movies or youtubes, no unnecessary material purchases, take cold showers, attend at least one daily Mass weekly, listen to only spiritually uplifting music, engage in intense exercise at least three times weekly.
FRATERNITY: Meet weekly for encouragement & accountability, check in daily with your anchor (another man in your fraternity.)
Learn more about Exodus 90 at www.Exodus90.com.
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Rick Brandell
Exodus90@saint-max.org
Men in Tents
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Men 21+ are invited to join us for an outdoor camping event from Friday, October 4 until Sunday, October 6 at Camp River Ridge. Thorughout the weekend, there will be bonfires, BB guns, a cannon, s’mores, cigars, beer along with physical, spiritual, and fellowship activities. We will have Mass on Saturday and Sunday mornings, a Eucharistic Benediction, Adoration, and opportunity for Reconciliation. All meals are provided.
Must be 21 or over
Fee: $60
Space is limited -
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We need volunteers to help make this weekend a success! If you are willing to help out, please email MenInTents@saint-max.org.
Women
Faith Lessons for Women
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A gathering for women in all stages of life, this group meets for study, discussion, and faith sharing over coffee. The group meets Wednesday mornings during the school year from 9:30-11:30AM in the youth room.
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Mary Graf
(513) 894-8096
AffWomen@saint-max.org
Women of Virtue Ninety
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Join us for a 90-day journey of growing in virtue, deepening our friendship with Christ, and supporting one another along the way! Together, we’ll explore the guidelines from Magnify 90 and prayerfully discern the asceticism(s), or spiritual practices and sacrifices, we feel called to embrace during this season.
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2026-27 Dates:
Choose the meeting time that works best for you each week:
Tuesdays: 8:00–8:45 PM | Begins December 29
Saturdays: 9:45–10:30 AM | Begins January 2
Attend whichever meeting works best for your schedule each week. You do not need to attend both!
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Two resources are available to support and guide you on your journey.
Magnify 90 Workbook
About: Especially relevant for younger women and those raising young children or teens. If you already have a workbook from last year, there is no need to purchase another.
Pricing: $25 at the parish office while supplies last! Once supplies are gone, you may purchase a book here.
The Fourth Quarter of Your Life
About: A resource for women in a different season of life.
Pricing: $20 at the parish office while supplies last! Once supplies are gone, you may purchase a book here.
Books will also be available to preview and purchase at Advent by Candlelight.
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You may register online here or contact:
Cathy Casto: m.cathy.casto@gmail.com
Karen Stephens: karentheot@gmail.com.
Moms of St. Max
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Our purpose is to foster faith formation, build community, and equip moms to help their children and families grow as disciples of Christ.
We will be meeting approximately every other week, usually alternating between Sunday evenings 7-9 PM to Wednesday mornings from 9-11 AM.
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Kate Zink
Womens Retreat
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All women of the parish are invited to join us! We offer various retreats throughout the year.
In the past, our retreats have included Mass, Exposition with Benediction, Confession, a special devotion, quiet reflection time, breakfast and lunch.
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Pray
St. Monica Society
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Come pray with us! Join us for either holy hour or part of a holy hour. We offer 2 holy hours each week.
The St. Monica’s Prayer Group prays holy hours twice a week for:
1) The return of loved ones who have left the faith.
2) Conversions of family members to the Catholic Faith.
3) The reunification of our families.
We pray a holy hour twice a week and read each loved one’s first name aloud in front of the tabernacle.
During Advent and Lent, in addition to the twice weekly holy hours, our members offer daily prayers using our list of names.
We renew the list of names each year during a Sunday holy hour at 3pm before the feast of St. Monica which is August 27th. Please come to the annual holy hour to pray with us and give us the name of your loved one who you pray for daily by name to return to the church and/or your family.
We also accept names any time during the year through our email. Please only give us the first name of a loved one whom you also pray for by name daily.
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Mondays, 3:00-4:00 in the Church
We gather in the St. Patrick's Conference Room from 2:30-3 for discussion, announcements, formation and to prepare for the holy hour. We move into the church just before 3 to begin our holy hour.
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00pm
in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel
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Contact: Marlene Doughman & Karen Stephens at StMonicaSociety@saint-max.org or call the parish office at 513.777.4322.
Living Waters
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Living Waters hosts and supports adoration nights, healing and intercessory prayer opportunities, rosary services, and other events with the goal of helping others to encounter Christ, and recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit acting in our lives daily. The events take place throughout the year and are advertised in the parish bulletin. All are welcome!
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Elizabeth Conner 513-288-5531 rain@saint-max.org
Steve Conner 513-737-2605 LivingWaters@saint-max.org
Hearts Afire
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The Hearts Afire Parish-based Programs are a bold and fresh approach to small group, adult faith formation at Catholic parishes. Structured around the bestselling books and videos by popular author and retreat master Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, these simple programs are setting hearts on fire in thousands of parishes across the globe. Gaitley offers a Do-It-Yourself Retreat, 33 Days to Morning Glory, a journey toward total consecration to Jesus through the Blessed Mother (aka, Marian Consecration). Every week for four weeks one reads about a well-known saint of Marian consecration, including St. Maximilian Kolbe! Stop by the parish office for your free hard copy of his book. Then, for the fullest experience, access Fr. Gaitley's weekly videos (6 total) and workbook on FORMED. Whether you want to do this as a self-guided spiritual journey or host a small group, it is easy for you to follow for 33 days and plan for your consecration on a Marian feast day. Interested? Please contact Jane Rowland with any questions about materials, FORMED, or Marian Consecration.
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Rosary Rally
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The purpose of this ministry is to invoke the protection and intercession of Our Blessed Mother and it serves all who participate, the parish, the community, the country, and the Catholic Church. We hold an annual Rosary Rally at the Clock Tower at Union Centre for the parish and community to pray the rosary for America and give a public witness to our faith. It is intended to be close to the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7) or the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima (October 13). There may be additional feast days to offer the rosary as a time of prayer, public witness, and evangelization efforts. We have included Eucharistic Processions as part of the Rosary Rally.
Please consider this as a volunteer opportunity. If you would like to help out, all are welcome.
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Steve Feldman or Kim Collins
Harvest of Prayer
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Needing prayer? Harvest of Prayer Ministry meets after our 9 AM Mass every second Sunday of the month in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. We offer individual prayer for anyone in need of support. All are welcome!
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Susan Giuliano
Lectio Divina Resources
Do you desire to read the Scripture daily but feel overwhelmed by it? Does it feel like the Bible can be dense and hard to understand? Discover our collection of resources on not only how to pray Lectio Divina, but options for both free & paid subscriptions to help you get started.
Faith Formation Resource
We are pleased to give you a free subscription to formed.org. Entertaining movies, enlightening programs, inspiring talks, and a great selection of popular ebooks—all just a click away!
To create your FREE account, just follow these four easy steps:
Visit www.formed.org/signup.
Enter your parish name or zip code.
Fill in your name and email.
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