Grow in Faith

Growing in Faith is a life long adventure! We can all deepen our knowledge and love of the Lord through study (group or personal), small groups, or prayer. Please read on to see some of the opportunities available through our parish. 
 

For Youth

For information on Totus Tuus or Our Lady's Good Helpers preschool co-op, please check out those webpages. 

Youth Group grades six through 12: On Wednesday evenings when family formation nights are not being held, Pastorate 19 Youth Group will be offered for all teens in grades six through12 from 7-8:30 p.m., at St. Francis Xavier. There will be different programming for middle school students (grades 6-8) and high school students (grades 9-12).
Our goal for each group is to help teens develop lasting, life-giving Christian friendships with their peers and grow in their relationship with Jesus. We strive to cultivate a community that is rooted in the Catholic Faith, where your teen will be equipped to flourish as a human being and as a disciple of Christ.
It is a great supplement to family faith formation, as it gives your kids the opportunity to socialize with likeminded people who are their age, and experience the faith in a fun and vibrant community.
This is completely optional, but highly recommended for all middle school and high school youth. We recommend registering your teen (there is no mandatory fee, but optional donations are welcome!).
Registration is recommended so that we can ensure you are a part of the email communications (via Flocknote), even if your child cannot attend every single week. For more, contact Geno.Finn@pastorate19.org.

Fr. Pat Scholarship - Fr. Pat Higgins was pastor of St. Bernard Parish from 1981 until his retirement in 2002. After his retirement, he was still very much a presence here as he continued to help out at weekend and weekday Masses. As a priest and pastor, Fr. Pat exemplified a true servant of Christ.
This scholarship hopes to support young men and women who give witness to their faith, particularly in acts of charity and service to the community. A link to the application is available here. If you have questions, please contact the parish office at 608-831-6531.

FORMED.org

Known as "Netflix for Catholic content," our parish has purchased a FORMED subscription, which is available to any parishioner for free! 
Go to signup.FORMED.org to create your own login by searching for our pastorate (zip code 53562) under the "sign up" feature. Make sure to bookmark the login page! You will now have access to all FORMED has to offer.
Movies, studies, e-books, and talks will all be accessible on any device you use. FORMED now has an Apple iOS and Android app that you may download on your tablet or cell phone and use to learn and grow in faith.
 

Small Groups of Faith

These are some well-established groups, which meet six times in the fall and six times during Lent. New groups are always forming and some of the groups are accepting new members. Groups generally consist of six to 12 members. Facilitators lead discussions and each group chooses its own material. Contact Laura Angle for more information or to sign up.
 

Training Group

The Training Group serves as a sort of school of formation for folks who have some established habits of discipleship and want to be equipped to live the mission of Jesus Christ! Oftentimes, training group members begin their mission experience as small group Bible study leaders. For more information on these Bible study groups or the training group process, please connect with Laura Angle, the parish coordinator of Evangelization.
 

Book or DVD studies

Throughout the year, we typically offer book or DVD studies to anyone interested. Check the "Events" page for information about upcoming studies. The parish Faith Formation Commission plans these studies.
 

Parish Library

The parish library, located up one flight of stairs in the Religious Education building, is open daily with the same hours as the parish office and during weekend liturgies. Anyone may borrow books, movies or music on a wide range of theological and general topics, including the saints, our faith, the liturgy, marriage and family and prayer. Contact Kevin Laufenberg with questions.
 

Prayer

To grow in prayer, we recommend a commitment to attending Adoration.
Also, if you have some habits of prayer established, the Living Rosary group may be for you! Click here for more information on this great group!