Community
Sharing life together is vital to our growth as disciples. At Saint Patrick's, we invite people into our parish life through common meals, retreats, and all kinds of informal gatherings. However, the core of our life together is community groups.
why Community groups?
One of the easiest errors to make about growing as a disciple is that it is essentially about learning more and more content. As important as content is, what’s more important is Christ-centered relationships. There are two key reasons why Christ-centered relationships are central. First, in disciple-making more is caught than is taught. We learn as we grow in friendship and model for one another how to live as disciples. We all need a place where we can practice imitating Christ as we imitate each other(1 Corinthians 11:1). Over the long haul, who we relate to has more influence on our ability to live as fully devoted disciples than the amount of doctrine we have memorized.
The other reason Christ-centered relationships are central is because growing as a disciple is not a linear process. There is no cookie-cutter pattern the Holy Spirit follows as He works with each of us. Each journey is unique and personal. Yet no one can make the journey alone. Everyone needs a place of love, support, connection and even accountability to grow as a disciple. We need a group of other disciples who come alongside and walk with us through the challenging seasons of spiritual growth. This is why we have community groups.
Community groups typically meet twice a month and have 8-12 members, and they are always open to newcomers. There is no single pattern for groups; some groups may be coed with kids while other groups may be for men or women only. The group hosts are responsible for leading, organizing, and shepherding the community group. In our community groups, we do three things: eat, pray, and discuss scripture.
more opportunities to connect
Common Meals
Common Meals
Common Meals
Common meals bring together our entire parish for food and fellowship. Whether it's our Fat Tuesday pancake dinner or a summer picnic at a local park, these meals are a great way to meet new people and connect with old friends.
Retreats
Common Meals
Common Meals
Getting away for a weekend of rest and renewal together is an annual tradition for the women in our parish. These retreats provide an opportunity to go deeper in our walk with Christ while building lasting friendships with one another.
Dinner Dates
Common Meals
Men's Breakfasts
Dinner dates are an easy way for households to be matched with other households from the church to get together for dinner. It can be meeting at a restaurant or hosting a home-cooked meal; the idea is simply to connect with someone new.
Men's Breakfasts
Men's Breakfasts
Men's Breakfasts
Men's breakfasts are an opportunity for the men of the parish to get together on a Saturday morning, share a meal, and go deeper in their walk with the Lord together. It a great time for mutual support and encouragement.
Ladies' Nights
Men's Breakfasts
Ladies' Nights
Ladies' Nights are a time for the women of the parish to get together in each others' homes, eat, drink, share stories, and have fun. Sometimes, we bring crafts; sometimes, we just sit and chat. Regardless, it's always a good time.
Special Events
Men's Breakfasts
Ladies' Nights
Whether it's Christmas caroling in the neighborhood around the parish, marching in Lexington's Saint Patrick's Day Parade, or serving together at a local mission, our one-day events are an easy way to have fun and meet new people.