Classes

This session explores St. Paul’s approach to the question of how our inevitable moments of suffering connect with the divine. Discover the patterns and methods in Paul’s spirituality, and learn how his mindset can be applied to your life today – especially during difficult times.

Our spiritual life is often compared to a person walking a path toward a destination of happiness and peace with Our Lord. After a brief introduction to the meaning and purpose of the pilgrims walk, participants will be given time to walk the newly-built labyrinth in front of Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, located at 147 N Brent St., Ventura, 93003. Parking is available in the Ocean Tower parking structure adjacent to the labyrinth. This is an outdoor venue – weather may be a factor. Care should be taken for those who may have issues with the sun or wind. Dress accordingly. Check the website on the morning of Feb. 28 for any updates. Free will offering.

The Celtic Christian motivation to find Divine in all created nature speaks with uncanny relevance to many of the concerns of our present time. The ancient wisdom, visual images, poetry, and prayers of Celtic Christian spirituality can re-ignite your imagination, restoring what you have neglected or forgotten. The stories and legends surrounding Sts. Patrick and Brigid of Kildare and their tireless evangelization can help you become a better friend to yourself and others. Come learn more about the Celtic tradition.

We have battles in life, whether family disputes, addictions, anxiety issues, illnesses, legal issues, break ups, divorce, loss, or toxic relationships. The Israelites brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them and crushed their enemies. Mary is our Ark of the Covenant. Really? Can she really help? Where is that in the Bible? Come find out. Mary’s all over the Bible.

What can we learn about faith from a former martial arts champion? A lot. Hear Bas Rutten’s conversion story and his Catholic training techniques. His inspirational journey reveals what people hunger for today. Come find out how his Lenten Boot Camp can transform your life.

How do we as Catholics deal and cope with anxiety? Find out how to invite God into your daily anxieties and struggles. This session will reveal the tools God puts before us to manage anxiety and live life to its fullest.

Jesus is the model of forgiveness and asks you to forgive; this is not always easy! Learn about the link between unresolved anger and forgiveness. Find out how God designed your brain to understand, process, and benefit from forgiveness. Leave with powerful new tools to be able to finally forgive.

The Jesus Prayer is almost as old as the Church itself. The Desert Fathers prayed this powerful prayer exercise to elevate their spirit to powerful heights. The theology of this simple prayer contains the spirit of the entire Gospel. Praying this prayer authentically, dramatically changes the power of our ordinary prayers.

Why do Catholics make such a big deal about it? Some doubt and many misunderstand our belief in the Real Presence. Let’s look at why we are the “Church of the Eucharist” from the Old Testament to now and until the end of time. Why does the Eucharist matter so much to our faith?

Bill Moran and former “Baywatch” star, Donna D’Errico, each share their ups and downs of social media dating. Why does most social media behavior keep you locked in a never-ending search? What are the 3 biggest reasons most people can’t find the right partner today? Discover why a Catholic perspective offers some practical solutions and hope in finding true and lasting love.

During Holy Week we hear the Passion Narratives and some of us even see a passion play. This might make us form our own judgement toward some of the most famous characters who are part of this week, but sometimes we forget about their context, their fears, their brokenness and their spirituality. Let’s take a look at Judas, Peter, Pontius Pilate, and the women in the passion. Let’s walk with them and see their journey through the most Holy Week.

In prayer, God gives you a new heart and puts in you a new spirit (Cf. Ez 36:26). “Christian tradition” has retained three major expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, and contemplative, with one basic trait in common: composure of heart” (CCC 2699). This talk will focus on the inter-relatedness of these three expressions, along with the role of the Holy Spirit in prayer, in order to set hearts on fire for prayer.

Pope Francis inserted the name of St. Joseph in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Eucharistic Prayers. Why did he do this and who is this man? Joseph does not speak in the Gospels. Yet his ‘words’ and actions are powerful that can give you a deeper understanding of who Jesus is, his relationship to Mary, his role in the Church today, and especially your life.

How do we pray to a God whose love for us cannot be more intense? How do we pray to a God whose singular intention is our happiness for all eternity? How do we pray to a God who knows more about us than we do? Struggling with these questions leads us to a journey to embrace deep personal prayer as the real gift that awaits us. Fr. Tracy will answer all these questions and more with a preview of his new book, “What Should We Really Pray For?” (23rd Publishers, Summer 2020).

It has been said that grief ends when a thousand stories are told. Because this life is filled with loss, grief is an essential part of healing and growing, and a virtue everyone needs to understand. Dr. Porter will address the “why” and the “how” of good grief.

Many Saints achieved great things, beyond what they imagined they ever could. They accomplished this not with natural abilities, but by faith, trust and a willingness to dare and act. This interactive workshop will explore the psychological and spiritual principles that will enable you to live boldly and achieve your dreams!

Prayer is a communal encounter with God who presides, guides, and abides. Come learn about the many styles of prayer: liturgical, contemplative, and devotional, as Padre Benjamin offers answers to two questions: Is prayer just ‘a conversation between friends’? (St. Teresa of Jesus), and just what is the difference between worshipping and adoring God?

Some young people are leaving the Church and even faith in God, and they are leaving younger and younger. Pope Francis proposes a clear message to them in his new letter Christus Vivit: “Christ is alive, and he wants you to be alive!” Come learn the big questions of young people today and how you can better connect them with the risen Jesus, who offers them life to the full now and forever.

So much grace from our Lord — how can it be? After all, do we not make so many mistakes? We fall so often, but He can make us new. His grace is reaching out for each of us and it never ends. Let’s explore what God has to say about his boundless free gift — his grace pouring over us. Then let’s learn to finally and freely live it through our daily Catholic lives.

There is a correlation between Biblical stories and natural theology, or the way God speaks in nature. Fr. Tim will explain the unique way that he experiences God in nature, just as Jesus did, and so can you in a way you can use the very next day.

Several years ago, award-winning Catholic author Maureen Pratt began praying the Liturgy of the Hours each day. Encouraged by the many ways the practice helped her center and grow her faith, she is delighted to share what she has learned about the development and process of the Liturgy of the Hours, as well as how today’s Catholic families and individuals can bring this wonderful tradition of prayer to their lives in exciting and meaningful ways.

Durante la Semana Santa escuchamos las narraciones de la pasión y algunos de nosotros incluso vemos representaciones de la pasión. Esto podría hacernos formar nuestro propio juicio hacia algunos de los personajes más famosos que forman parte de esta semana, pero a veces nos olvidamos de su contexto, sus miedos, sus debilidades y su espiritualidad. Echemos un vistazo a Judas, Peter, Poncio Pilato y las mujeres en la pasión. Caminemos con ellos y veamos su viaje a través de la semana más sagrada.