Welcome to the Reclaim Challenge at SJB!
I think for many, we chase after joy but through the wrong means. If you can relate to this, let me tell you about our Reclaim Challenge. As a parish, we will be walking through the book Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy by Matthew Kelly this January through early February. This book was given away at the Christmas liturgies and extra copies are available at the Welcome Desk as supplies last. This year SJB is dedicated to the theme of Reclaim which was chosen for us to ponder what things in our lives we need to intentionally make a priority and bring about. It mirrors our Archdiocesan theme of Reclaiming the Lord’s Day; the central focus of our worship of God on Sunday, a day of rest and rejuvenation.
Our book study will take us through four sections:
In Part One: Beyond the Joyless Urgency, we’ll look at our current busy, rushed culture.
In Part Two: Human Flourishing, we’ll explore God’s intent and desire for our identity and response to Him.
In Part Three: The One Thing, we’ll look at concepts like leisure, rest and making the most of our Sundays.
In Part Four: The Secret of Life, the author will propose ways for the Holy Spirit to bring about joy in our lives.
Matthew Kelly states, “Life isn’t just about what we do. The speed at which we do things matters. Joy erupts within us when we allow an experience to touch the very depths of our souls. That cannot be rushed. It’s time to slow down to the speed of joy”. Prologue page ix
We invite you to enter the Reclaim Challenge. How can you participate?
Read or listen to a chapter a day of the book. Staff members will be reciting the chapter daily at our 3:00 pm Prayer time. Join us live on Facebook or listen later to the recording.
Dialogue with others (your family or pick a challenge buddy) on the daily chapter question or incorporate with your weekly small group to process together.
Pray as we ponder these main points, are challenged by what we personally need to Reclaim and ask the Holy Spirit for a greater outpouring of joy to erupt in our lives individually and as a parish community.
As we accept this Reclaim Challenge, we welcome your own reflections and prayer on our facebook page.
Daily Discussion Questions
Weekly Small Group Questions
Don’t have the book? Click here to read the first 35 pages online. Check the Welcome Desk to inquire about extra copies. Order your copy here.
Books donated by Friends of St. John’s