Living In Faith Together
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LIFT is where life and faith
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LIFT 2024 Fall Season Summary and a Look Ahead
We are incredibly excited to launch more new groups for Lent 2025. For those who might be on the fence about whether LIFT is for you or not (it IS), Fr. Jeff and I will be offering a three week LIFT “sampler” in February. You can contact me at toms@avcatholic.org if you have any questions. May God continue to bless our LIFT program and participants!
LIFT Small Group Sampler
Postponed due to weather. New dates:
Feb 16, 23, Mar 2
Fr. Jeff and LIFT Director Tom Spataro will co-lead three Sunday "mini-LIFT" sessions to give folks a taste of the LIFT experience. Using three different videos as conversation starters and our typical LIFT meeting structure, participants will get a feel for what it’s like to participate in a LIFT Session.
We hope you'll join us - space is limited to register today!
Session 1: The Lord is My Shepherd
Session 2: The Holy Spirit
Session 3: Jesus Calms the Storm
Sign up for the February LIFT SamplerOur LIFT Small Groups for Adults continue to grow and thrive. Whenever I write about LIFT, I’m always aware that numbers don’t tell the story or achieve our goal, but as a still new(ish) program at AVCC, it’s important to mention our numbers to show how much LIFT has grown since we launched. Just two years ago when we started in the Fall of 2022, , we had 3 pilot groups. This last Fall Season, we had twelve LIFT groups serving over 100 people!
Many of our currently active groups can trace their lineage back to one of those 3 pilot groups from 2022. A couple seasons ago, Kelley Christie from my pilot group joined Jim LeSuer to start another “Parents of Young Children” group, and this Fall, Jim Pietras and Odeviz Soto said goodbye to our group to start a LIFT group for men. Mike and Susan Bleecker, who were part of Sheila and Fr. Jeff’s pilot group, started a group that has not only thrived in their connection and ministry to one another, but has become a cornerstone of St. Isidore’s social events this year, including hosting an Italian dinner this Fall and the Winter Potluck on January 11 at St. Isidore. One of our other pilot groups, Barbara and Wendy’s group, recently hosted a Christmas party at Robbins Brook for the residents, where they delivered hand made cards from the children in our St. Isidore CARES program.
In addition to Odeviz and Jim’s new group, we launched two other new groups this Fall: Bernice Higdon started our first ever LIFT Book Review, exploring “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Henri J.M. Nouwen. And choir members Rachelle Vogel and Maria Warren started a group who most recently explored their Advent journey together, coming to a deeper understanding of the personal meaning behind the incarnation.
As you can see, the numbers are far less important than the stories and journeys of each of our LIFT groups. Every group is different, every group is special, and every group continues on their own journey of bringing their lives and their faith together and building relationships with each other and with Christ. Thank you to all of our participants for bringing your authentic selves to your LIFT groups, and of course, thank you to our volunteer LIFT leaders, who open their hearts and occasionally even their homes for this program.
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Click on "Current Session" below to see what groups are open and to sign up today!
Like each one of us, each LIFT group is unique. The topics covered, the targeted participants, even the frequency of meeting and duration of the season. Take some time to read about each one and reflect on which one speaks to you before you sign up. If you don't see a group that's for you, please Email Tom and we can see about creating one for the next season that might meet your needs.
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What is LIFT?
LIFT (Living in Faith Together) is where life and faith come together.
In LIFT, we create community through small fellowship groups to share our faith and to care for each other as one family in Christ.
LIFT offers a chance for everyone in the communities we serve to share their lives with one another through a small group model that will allow them to get to know one another more fully. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we have the opportunity to discover Christ walking in our midst along the way. This is not a one time program; it is a core part of who we want to be at AVCC. We believe that by providing individuals and families with consistent opportunities to live their lives (and their faith) together outside of weekly liturgy, we will continue to foster a joyful and faith filled community committed to bringing people to Jesus and transforming the world around them.
LIFT runs for two Seasons per year, one beginning around the start of Lent, and one beginning each Fall, continuing into Advent.
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LIFT Mission
Our Mission echoes the Mission of the Apple Valley Catholic Collaborative.
We are called to be a joyful and faith filled community that is rooted in:Nurturing a personal relationship with Jesus
Serving and caring for one another
Sharing our faith and lives together
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Coming Up Next
The next LIFT Season will be March - June of 2025.
Use this form to sign up to be notified early when groups are open for registration.
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Current LIFT Session(s)
Winter/Spring 2025 Season
Enrollment for our 2025 LIFT groups will open soon. Please feel free to browse the below groups to see if there is one that feels right to you. If the group does not have dates listed, that means we are still waiting for 2025 dates. If you see dates listed and would like to register, please go ahead!
Like each one of us, each LIFT group is unique. The topics covered, the targeted participants, even the frequency of meeting and duration of the season. Take some time to read about each one and reflect on which one speaks to you before you sign up. If you don't see a group that's for you, please Email Tom and we can see about creating one for the next season that might meet your needs.
Please note: all groups have a limited number of spaces and will be marked as FULL once they reach capacity.
Bernice's book review for adults
ALPHA leader Bernice Higdon will facilitate reflections and discussions based on the acclaimed book by Henri Nouwen "The Wounded Healer." Exploring the idea of service to both church and community, this LIFT group is for adults of all ages and walks of life. NOTE: Most LIFT groups meet every other week, but this group will meet for 7 consecutive weeks from March 3 - April 14.
“The Wounded Healer” by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Time: Mondays, 9:45AM-11:15AM
Dates: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
NOTE: Most LIFT groups meet every other week, but this group will meet every week.
Location: St. Elizabeth Parish Center
GROUP FULL - Email Tom to be added to a wait listMaria and Rachelle's LIFT Group
Choir Members Maria and Rachelle co-host this group that is NOT limited to just members of the choir! All are welcome for spirited discussion and fellowship. This Season, the group will reflect on the meaning of Lent, consider the lives of some contemporary saints in the context of Lent, and read and discuss some of the Acts of the Apostles, as well as any other themes the group may suggest.
Time: Sundays, 12PM-1:30PM
3/2, 3/16, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, and 6/1
Meeting Location Saint Elizabeth Parish Center
The Screwtape Letters Book Group
Hosted by Sheila
Meets every Thursday during Lent
12-1:30PM
Join us for a thought-provoking journey through The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, a satirical and humorous work that explores spiritual warfare and the subtle tactics of temptation.
***NOTE: Most LIFT groups meet every other week, but this group will meet every week during lent
Time: Thursdays, 12PM - 1-:30PM
Dates: 3/6 - 5/8
Location: St. Elizabeth Parish CenterPrayer; a pillar of Lent
Hosted by Jane and Tim
Meets every other Tuesday
7-8:30PM
Our focus during Lent will be Prayer (one of the 3 pillars of Lent). We will share how we pray, what we should or should not do in prayer, group and individual prayer, the benefits of praying regularly, and of course, we will pray together.
This group is open to all.
***Most LIFT groups meet every other week. This group will meet every week for 8 consecutive weeks
Time: Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30PM
Dates: 3/4, 11, 18, 25, 4/1, 8, 15, 22
Location: Alternates between Tim and Jane’s houseOdeviz and Jim's LIFT Group for Men
This group will focus on gathering men of all different stages in their lives to grow in friendship with Christ together. We will meet monthly for prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship as we explore the different ways we continue becoming the men God has called us to be through our different relationships and in our communities.
Time: Thursdays, 7:30PM-9PM
Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 14, Dec 12,Jan 16, Feb 27, March 27, April 10, May 8, June 5
Meeting Location Saint Elizabeth Parish CenterMothers Group
Hosted by Hayley and Erica
This group will focus on exploring the unique vocation of motherhood. We will seek wisdom from the many examples of motherhood present in Scripture. We will pray on timeless themes such as infertility, friendship, sibling strife, instilling faith in our children, anxiety, and hope. No pre-work will be assigned to this group, but tasty treats will be provided!
Time: Thursdays, 7:30PM - 9PM
Dates: TBD
Location: St. Elizabeth Parish CenterFor Parents of People with Disabilities
Hosted by Judi and Carrie
This group is for caregivers of people (of any age) with disabilities. Led by Judi and Carrie, both parents of special needs children, this group will use various materials to provide a starting point for participants to share the successes and struggles of their daily lives as caregivers.
Time: Mondays, 7PM - 830PM
Dates: 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/14, 4/28
Location: St. Elizabeth Parish Center
Living Faith - For singles and couples aged 60+
Hosted by Susan and Mike
Using the popular "Living Faith" mini booklets available in our churches, married couple Susan and Mike will choose a reflection each week to spark conversation about the way we bring our faith to life.
Time: Mondays, 7PM - 8:30PM
Dates: 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7
Location: St. Isidore ResidenceSharon and Marianne's Group - Faith and the Busy Life - For Women Only
This group will offer a chance for women to connect with one another and explore the little (and big!) ways we can make time for our faith in our daily lives.
***Most LIFT groups meet every other week. This group will meet once a month on the first Monday of each month at 7:30
Time: Mondays, 7:30PM - 9PM
Dates: 10/7 , 11/4, 12/2, 1/6, 2/3, 3/3, 4/6, 5/5.
Location: St. Elizabeth Parish CenterKelley and Jim's Group - For Parents of Young Children
This group uses the Psalms as conversation starters to explore timeless feelings of hope, frustration, comfort, sadness, and all the other emotions parents of young children experience in a 10 minute timespan.
Time: Thursdays, 6:30PM - 8PM
Dates:
Location: St. Isidore ResidenceMeditations at the foot of the Cross
Hosted by Paul and Michelle
Meets every Thursday during lent
7-8:30PM
Married couple Paul and Michelle take us on a Lenten journey to the foot of the Cross to encounter the suffering of Jesus in a new and more personal way. The group will be invited to meditate, pray, and comfort our Lord during His Passion..
***NOTE: Most LIFT groups meet every other week, but this group will meet every week during lent
Time: Thursdays, 12PM - 1-:30PM
Dates: 3/12 - 4/10 extra session tbd
Location: St. Elizabeth Parish CenterGROUP FULL; Please email Tom to be added to a waitlist
Ongoing Groups
The following groups are full, but continue to meet on a regular basis. We keep them published here so you can see the other style of groups we offer. If a waitlist for one of these groups gets long enough, we can create another!
Tom's Group - Hope in Hopeless Times - GROUP FULL - Email Tom to be added to the waitlist.
For parents of young children, this group uses the Psalms as conversation starters to explore timeless feelings of hope, frustration, comfort, sadness, and all the other emotions parents of young children experience in a 10 minute timespan.
Time: Thursdays from 7:30PM - 9
Location: Saint Elizabeth Parish Center Room 4
Barbara & Wendy’s LIFT Group - Women’s Group - GROUP FULL - Email Tom to be added to the waitlist.
This group is for mothers of older teens and young adults. This can be a time of especially challenging transitions for women. Utilizing prayer and Scripture, this group provides support and hope in friendship, as we discuss these issues together.
Time: Wednesdays from 10AM to 11:30AM
Location: Offsite (in homes - address will be given to participants in advance)
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LIFT LeadersLIFT is seeking group leaders for our Fall season. There are many different forms of leadership and there are many different types of leaders with a wide spectrum of gifts.
As we launch LIFT, our hope is to entrust, empower and invest in you as a leader and in all those that you invite to lead your group with you. We also want you to know that no one leads alone and that we lead together.
Part of the beauty of small groups is that they thrive when the responsibilities are shared. It gives everyone opportunities to be involved with the life of your group and discover gifts that bring joy and honor God.
Make no mistake, your gift is significant, and God-given. Avoid the mistake of thinking that you don’t have the “typical leader” gifts and find peace that God has blessed you with your own unique gifts. You will discover, develop, and share your gifts and as you grow as a leader, you will serve your group and beyond.
You have to be YOU to be a successful leader.
Qualities of a LIFT Leader include:
A desire to personally grow and see others grow in their faith in Jesus
A humble and teachable spirit
A desire for collaboration and shared leadership
Willingness to listen more than speak
Ability to put others at ease
You do NOT need to be:
A theology expert
“In charge” of the people in the group
A problem solver
We will provide the exact type of training you need to be a successful LIFT leader over two dates in September of 2023:
Sunday Septemebr 10 - 12PM
Sunday September 24 - 12PM
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LIFT History
When the coronavirus pandemic hit our community, everything changed. This is not unique to AVCC or the Catholic Church as a whole. In response, we shut down our traditional Faith Formation programs and scrambled to put together something that could work while the pandemic ran its course. While we struggled in some areas, we also had a lot of epiphanies about what worked with our new models. We (re)discovered that providing opportunities for children and/or adults to be together in a small group setting yielded great results: a feeling of closeness, of shared experiences, of walking challenging paths together with others in our community. A feeling of not being alone. We believe that the small group model was essential in providing these moments of clarity and togetherness and want to expand that opportunity to everyone in our community.
Under the guidance of Faither Jeff Archer, a worksgroup was formed to explore the idea of creating a cuture around a small group ministry at Apple Valley Catholic. Beginning in March of 2021, this group of staff members and community volunteers explored the concept. Research and analysis consisted of interviews with local and national communities of many faiths where small groups are an established part of their community.
In Fall of 2022 we launched LIFT Pilot 1.0, a trial version of LIFT with three groups, led by our workgroup members.
Fall 2022 LIFT Groups:
Group 1
Wendy and Barbara's LIFT Group - For mothers of teens and young adults
Group 2
Andrea and Tom's LIFT Group - For parents of young children - Hope in Hopeless times
Group 3
Sheila and Fr. Jeff's LIFT Group - Reflections on 'The Shack'
Spring 2024 Update
Our Living in Faith Together adventure continues! This past LIFT Season, we had 10 LIFT Small Groups in session, serving around 100 members of our community in their desire to get to know one another and grow closer to Christ.
We launched two new groups (a second group For Parents of Young Children & a group For Parents of Children With Disabilities), we’ve been “incubating” another new group, Sheila Bauer is running a special Summer Series for Young Adults, and our eight other groups were continuations of groups that we ran in the Fall Season or in previous Seasons.
Tim and Jane's Group took a field trip to see Cabrini in theaters, and as the weather warmed up this Spring, my own group and a few others took their sessions outside to the beautiful meditation station behind the Parish Center. Mike and Susan's group had a Season ending celebration dinner at the Moroney home, and Barbara and Wendy's group continue to be trailblazers experimenting with different ways to serve one another, pray for one another, and love one another. What we have achieved in the last two years with LIFT is amazing, and speaks not only to the desire of our community to find more connections with one another, but also the power of the Holy Spirit working in our midst.
As LIFT pauses for the Summer and we look to the future, I am looking forward to continuing to nurture this ministry and introduce as many people in our community to the LIFT model; where we foster connections with one another and connections with Christ in a small group session. We will start another LIFT Season in late September/early October, and our goal is to start 3-5 new groups this Fall. I am looking to start a LIFT group for divorced folks and/or single parents, a group for those in the medical community, and a group that meets during the daytime for folks aged 60+. If you would like to be a part of any of these three, OR have an idea for another LIFT group, please reach out to me at toms@avcatholic.orgI wish each of you a blessed and peaceful Summer and look forward to seeing you at Mass. Thank you for your support of LIFT as we continue to grow this amazing ministry.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this only for families?
No! This is for everyone. We will offer LIFT groups for folks from every walk of life. All are welcome and we hope to offer a group that will appeal to you. If you don’t see one you’re interested in, let us know!
Do I have to go to church?
Well, no, but as LIFT grows in prominence in our community, we imagine a greater impact in both liturgy and LIFT meetings when you are able to participate in both. But one does not rely on the other.
When will this start?
It's already started! In Fall of 2022 we launched a Pilot Program of three groups. We will be launching Pilot 2.0 in Lent 2023 and hope to have open enrollment for all who are interested in Summer of 2023 for a Fall session.
How do I sign up?
We'll let you know right here.
Is this just another word for a bible study group?
No. Although there may be some LIFT groups who are interested in a deeper connection with the bible, it is not a requirement. These are not academic groups (unless you want one!) - our goal is to bring people together outside of liturgy to share their lives with one another.
What will we be talking about?
Anything! We will provide conversation starters to every group, but the idea is not forced catechesis, rather to provide the opportunity to reflect and share with one another.
Why am I not allowed in a specific group?
We have some groups that are intentionally crafted to create safe spaces for people at a certain "age and stage" of life. It's not to keep you out--rather it's to make sure those who sign up for the group have shared needs. If you see a group description that you like, but it's not for you, email Tom and we can work to create a version for you and others.
Who will be leading these groups?
Your fellow parishioners. Are you interested in hosting a LIFT group? You do not need a degree in theology to be a LIFT host, we promise. Email us.
Where will we meet?
Anywhere and everywhere. We will make locations available on both of our “campuses” but the LIFT meetings will not be restricted to only at or around our church buildings. They can be in your homes, at local dining establishments, in the outdoors–wherever people want to meet.
Why this? Why now?
When the coronavirus pandemic hit our community, everything changed. This is not unique to AVCC or the Catholic Church as a whole. In response, we shut down our traditional Faith Formation programs and scrambled to put together something that could work while the pandemic ran its course. While we struggled in some areas, we also had a lot of epiphanies about what worked with our new models. We (re)discovered that providing opportunities for children and/or adults to be together in a small group setting yielded great results: a feeling of closeness, of shared experiences, of walking challenging paths together with others in our community. A feeling of not being alone. We believe that the small group model was essential in providing these moments of clarity and togetherness and want to expand that opportunity to everyone in our community.
What if I don’t like my group?
We purposely have expiration dates for each group season. The default setting is for the group to disband, rather than to re-up. This will give everyone that chance to assess their comfort with moving forward with the same group, or exploring other options.
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We concluded our Living in Faith Together Pilot Program in June of 2023. Below is a note from LIFT Director Tom Spataro
When we were first imagining our key objectives for LIFT, we realized that our greatest hopes were to see participants grow in their personal relationship with Jesus, to serve and care for one another, and to share their faith and lives together. This was what our LIFT vision was all about - Living in Faith Together.
It’s with joy and gratitude that I report that with the conclusion of our Pilot Test Program, we have seen that vision become a reality! We saw members of our community get introduced to one another, existing relationships deepen, and a greater understanding in challenging yet practical topics including parenting, trusting God with our children, what it means to be happy, and some weightier topics including processing grief, God’s vulnerability, the Holy Spirit, and understanding more what following Jesus looks like today.
Further, here are a few quick-hitting “Wins” we are celebrating this LIFT Season:
5 Groups (Three of them were new for “Pilot 2.0”)
46 participants from our community
6 new volunteer LIFT leaders trained this Winter who were the facilitators of 3 of our groups (Thank you Tim, Jane, Steve, Mary, Paul and Michelle!)
2 groups have already decided that they will continue this fall and beyond
And most importantly, we created safe spaces for people to share their lives and their faith with one another, and through that intimate sharing, to become closer to Christ–for and with one another.
We asked our Pilot participants a question. Their honest answers are more powerful than my words.
How did LIFT make you feel?
“…I felt very supported by others who share many of the same experiences in faith and life!”
“…a strong sense of community and support.”
“…part of a community of wonderful women who are navigating some really tough things in their lives.”
“…more connected to the parish and re-connected with people who I haven't seen as much due to COVID, schedules etc.”
Having seen the fruit of these Pilot Sessions, we are even more excited for how the vision for LIFT will grow this fall. With that is our hope to provide enough LIFT Groups for everyone who wants to participate. In order to make that happen, we are in search of open-hearted people from our community to help create space for relationships and guide the needed conversations of our day - perhaps you would prayerfully consider joining us. We’ll provide the training and resources you need to get you started and ongoing support along the way.
If you have any questions at all about LIFT, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at toms@avcatholic.org
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