One of our spouses returned to the church. He received an annulment and the couple’s marriage was validated before our entire ARISE group.

I felt the humanity of Christ was highlighted.

I have learned so much from others in my group about the Catholic faith and the Bible.

Session 6 “Sharing Newness” - the birth of a grandchild – never be the same again.

Action response - reaching out to a parishioner who left the church.

Touched by session 5 – This session reflected on forgiveness. Forgiveness frees one of anger and guilt and helps one to move positively on with life. Focus my time on my relationship with God.

Helping several people in financial need who had lost jobs recently.

Our members volunteer for the Pine Street Inn on Thursday.

Gave me Tuesday evenings to quiet my life and share my faith with others “new friends”.

We have a wonderful group of people that are spiritual, kind, compassionate and open.

We participated in a gift wrapping fund-raiser for a HIV group founded and run by a member.

I’m glad this tough issue was addressed this season. I found that the issue of forgiveness is so necessary for healing. It was appropriate that we could reflect our call to do forgiveness work during Lent.

It inspired me to be more forgiving and less judgmental of others in my personal relationships. Also, I have prayed and fasted more for healing in the church.

Be more open to ‘listening to God’ in my daily life.

Provoked a serious examination of conscience about anger, injury and the need of reconciliation.

Seriously considering receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Session 4- the account of how the Sacrament of Reconciliation provided peace and pardon from years of anger and unforgiveness toward a father moved me.

Helped me forgive someone.

I will pray more and go to confession.

Reconciliation was my favorite. It really stressed how important it is not only to ask for forgiveness but to also forgive myself and move on.

The program has deepened my faith in the Christian Community.

All the sessions touched me but reconciliation made me think.

I have not been to confession for 2 years and as an elder, I did not feel the need to go but know I am not perfect. After a couple of days of examination of conscience I gathered the courage to go!

I am going to Reconciliation!

We unbind the wounds of the other.

Beyond grief there is hope.

The invitation to act suggestion was good. I’ve been trying to go to confession more often and I went to the Triduum.

The ARISE group invited me to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

My faith sharing group invited me to go to confession.

As Lent approached I explored the possibility of adapting the ARISE program to build community among residents of both the nursing home and the retirement community.

Watching how the Holy Spirit is moving among us and helping us grow continues to amaze and delight me.

Many thanks for letting me take part in the program ARISE.

Do what God does every day: forgive us of our sins.

This season we were challenged to listen to the message and change our lives, confront our issues and faults and become better persons.