By Jennifer Mauro | Associate Editor
Holy Week may be coming to a close this weekend, but the spiritual and artistic discussion series that began as a Lenten study in St. David the King Parish is far from over.
Since March 6, the young adult ministry in this West Windsor parish has been studying “Catholicism,” Bishop Robert Barron’s 10-part video series that gives viewers an around-the-world lesson in faith. Filmed on 50 locations in countries such as Rome, Israel, Germany and Spain, the video explores the rich traditions, culture, art and beliefs of the Catholic faith. Bishop Barron, known for his Word on Fire ministry, is bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
“We chose this series because our Catholic faith is simultaneously the most important relationship we have in our lives and the most explicitly professed statement of faith we make, and yet is so often misunderstood or misinterpreted by Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” said Brandon Dolly, a St. David the King parishioner and one of the young adult ministry’s coordinators. “I think Bishop Barron’s series is especially important for young adults who are often questioning their faith, or seeing friends and family struggle with their relationship with God, as he gives relatable and thought-provoking testimony about many different aspects of faith and life in general.”
The group meets Mondays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. for prayer and an hour-long episode of the series, which is followed by group discussion. The series will continue every Monday through May 15 in the church’s Spiritual Reading Room. The next installment of the series will be shown April 24, as the group will not be meeting the Monday after Easter Sunday.
The parish’s young adult ministry is a fairly new one, Dolly said, and tends to draw young adults from parishes within its cohort and beyond. For example, Dolly said young adults have visited from parishes including St. Anthony of Padua, Hightstown; St. Paul, Princeton; and Sacred Heart and St. Hedwig, both Trenton. Its coordinators include Dolly and his wife, Kate, as well as St. Hedwig parishioner Jeffrey Pinyan.
Bishop Barron’s “Catholicism” is the third topic of study the young adult group has undertaken.
“It has been rewarding to see newcomers to the group begin to feel more comfortable and open up,” Dolly said. “I see firsthand that our time together helps build relationships and deepen people’s understanding of their faith.”
For more information, contact Brandon Dolly at brandon.m.dolly@gmail.com.