Living Stones Small Groups Ministry

Are you seeking community
 and friendship with others
who are walking with Christ?

Do you desire to continue growing in your faith?

Living Stones small groups provide a warm, welcoming environment in which 6 to 12 adults gather in members’ homes to:
 

• Pray with and for each other
• Read and reflect on God’s Word and other spiritual material of interest
• Grow closer in relationship with Jesus Christ
• Share life and grow closer in relationship with each other and our community

Please read the testimonials below from current small group leaders and participants to hear how their small group experiences have impacted their lives.

If you have an interest in participating in or facilitating a small group or have any questions about Living Stones small groups, please contact the Faith Formation office at or 281-358-1959. 

For I long to see you, that I may share with you some spiritual gift
 so that you may be strengthened, that is,
that you and I may be mutually encouraged
by one another’s faith, yours and mine. 
Romans 1:11-12

We invite you to join us on the journey!

The six-week format works well for pursuing meaningful spiritual relationships while maintaining a busy family life. I like the flexibility of this program, and I especially enjoyed when we were discussing each week’s Gospel using the Living Stones materials. – Small Group Member

This small group has been such a blessing to my life. It’s a beautiful weekly “reality check” for me, reminding me what is and should be important in my life. It’s my time during the week to just slow down from all the running around and focus on my faith. I’ve met some incredible women who have lifted me up, prayed with me and for me, have offered incredible insights and guidance, and so much more. I feel God’s love, Grace, and His presence every time we meet. – Katelyn Laughlin, Small Group Member

Livings Stones gives me a greater sense of community which is so important in a parish as large as
St. Martha. – Sarah Clark, Small Group Member

The discussion in the group is outstanding, breaking open the scriptures and digging into details that I had never thought of before. But equally important is just being around like-minded men who are genuinely passionate about the faith. This gives encouragement to everyone to spend more time in the Word and to spread the Gospel. This was a prophetic initiative by Fr. TJ: Living Stones has really filled a gap in the sense of community that COVID robbed us of, but it began before the pandemic!
– Chad Williams, Small Group Member

We enjoy everything about our group: its rich seasonal focus for Advent & Lent, the variety of participants who have become friends, the relaxed atmosphere for sharing, and the preparation for Sunday liturgy.
Rick & Sarah Meyer, Small Group Members

The friendships forged are as valuable as the lessons learned. – Bernie Jacoby, Small Group Member

Living Stones has been a positive experience for our group. We have prayed and supported each other in good and bad times. I enjoy seeking God with others as they bring a different perspective that guide and enlightens me to the glory and power of God. – Small Group Member

Gospel reflection for upcoming mass really gets you in tune for the homily. The different feedback from all the participants is so enlightening. – Chris Leake, Small Group Member

Our Living Stones group has consistently strengthened each other’s faith journey by shared prayer, the sharing of faith and materials. Our group is a great source of fellowship and support. 
– Dee Dee Himel, Small Group Member
I love leading my group! It had helped me to focus more on my relationship with Jesus while giving the community that is much needed these days.  – Samantha Leger, Group Leader

A great opportunity for men to gather with other men to have meaningful and sometimes challenging discussions about our faith and role as husbands and fathers. – Small Group Member

I enjoy hearing how other people live out their faith daily - their prayer life, family life, etc. These small groups give us a chance to share and learn and grow from other Catholics looking to deepen their relationship with God. – Small Group Member

These groups came around at just the right time for me. I had been away from the church for about a year and a half struggling with how the church viewed certain groups of people. I returned to the church June 2020 and was invited to join Larry’s group in advent of 2020. What an amazing experience it has been talking about real issues, God, and the readings, and Gospel with guys who are trying to do better, have real struggles, etc.It has helped deepen my faith. – Mark Gazzilli

Life giving community time spent sharing our hearts and joys and sorrows. We are better and our crosses lighter when we carry them together. – Chris Milbrandt, Small Group Member

I think small group study and sharing is so important in a large parish. – Small Group Member

Our small group has been phenomenal! It is literally something I look forward to each month! We have such an incredible group of men that helps me experience fellowship in the church and an understanding of scriptures in our faith like never before! – Steve Cyboran, Small Group Member

I believe the knowledge and support you get from others in the small group are invaluable. I’m very much a proponent for small groups. – Small Group Member

It has help deepen my faith and help me become a stronger Catholic. There is a wonderful closeness within our group. – John Burkett, Small Group Member

Our Living Stones study has provided valuable biblical insight for my daily life, allowed me to befriend other Catholic men wanting to grow in holiness and inspired me to be a better husband, father and citizen. Best of all, my wife asks me when the next one is and how each one goes. Obviously, she sees the benefit of the group as well. – Kirk Henrich, Small Group Member

It has kept me connected with our parish and growing my faith. – Small Group Member

Participating in the small group discussions gives me a deeper experience that just reading my Bible on my own. I hear alternative views and it brings new insights that I did not see on my own. This helps me grow in my faith. I recently had someone from our group comment on a reading and reflection I did last year. It made that kind of impact on them that they remembered it and made me feel that my contributions are as important to others as theirs is to me. – Tony Segura, Small Group Member

I am learning a lot while participating in the Living Stones small group. Discussing the upcoming readings and the Gospel help me to engage more while I’m in Mass and to reflect more on the homily.
– Small Group Member

I really enjoyed being with all of the ladies. They were very welcoming and were super inspirational. I am excited to be sharing this Advent season with them.
– Small Group Member

Reggie has been amazing with the group. His guidance and knowledge is exceptional. He is very welcoming and because of this, our group is engaging. This group and experience has brought a lot of peace to my life.
– Small Group Member

Living Stones has been a wonderful experience. The small group setting is conducive to sharing and learning in a comfortable setting.
– Small Group Member

Having a small group of friends in our home each week to share insights on the Advent readings has made Sunday Mass much more active in my life. I participate in the Mass at a deeper level thanks to Kevin’s faithful leadership and the faith of each member of our group. I love Living Stones!
– Small Group Member

Very good experience – it is great to share with other Catholics, and this deepens my faith.
  – Bill Jardine, Small Group Member
Both the Lenten and Advent study groups have help me prepare for a more meaningful holy day and created friendships and shared spiritual growth.
– Small Group Member

This is my second season joining this group and I love being part of it. Renee has been awesome in leading us in prayer and discussing great topics and scripture. This has been a way to grow closer in our faith and gain new friendships that have the same goal as I do, enriching our love for our Lord and the many ways we can reach out to our Blessed Mother and saints. It has helped to prepare ahead of Sunday’s mass and have my heart and mind ready for the message our family will get from our Lord through our priest.
  – Small Group Member

It helps me with my spiritual growth and keeping me on track with my prayer life. It also helps me feel connected with my church community.
– Small Group Member