Lay students, seminarians, faculty and guests join together in praise at the monthly Fellowship of St. Paul spiritual gathering.

The Fellowship of St. Paul spiritual gathering grew from an initiative by Dr. Peter Williamson in January 2004. Several students in Dr. Williamson's Johannine Literature class, including myself, inquired about whether the Holy Spirit operates as powerfully today as at the time of the early Christians.

Class time did not allow for in-depth development on the subject, so Dr. Williamson hosted a series of monthly mini-retreats with the goal to seek the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives in the same variety described in the New Testament.

The last retreat in June 2004 left us thirsting for more—more time to pray and seek a deeper relationship with the Lord together. A bond of fellowship developed within the growing group of seminarians and lay students and gave birth to the more formal Fellowship of St. Paul. In the fall of 2004, Rector Fr. Steven Boguslawski graciously permitted the monthly Fellowship gathering to proceed, discerning that the group would support further the emerging focus at Sacred Heart on the New Evangelization.

A Friday evening Fellowship gathering begins with a praise and worship session accompanied by guitar. There is a presentation by a guest speaker, a break with refreshments, then small group discussion. The gathering concludes with an opportunity for intercessory prayer. Some presentation topics covered this past spring were "The Holy Spirit and Evangelization" by Peter Herbeck, and "The Discernment of Spirits" by Sacred Heart professor Fr. Earl Muller, S.J.

The Fellowship continues to swell in enthusiasm and numbers—about forty people attended the April gathering. The gatherings are open to seminarians, lay students, faculty and staff, alumni, and friends and family of all of these groups. Seminarian David Gryniewicz welcomes the opportunity to be prayed over in a small group, calling it "a powerful experience." Seminarian Sama Muma enjoys the sense of belonging. "When you see people praying together from different backgrounds and races," he says, "there is a sense of spiritual oneness."

Father Muller believes the decision to establish the Fellowship is "an important one and deserves encouragement." Dr. Williamson sees the gathering as a complement to the existing programs of formation. "We want to equip students with skills in prayer ministry," he says.

One thing has been consistent for me: I never leave a Fellowship of St. Paul gathering the same as when I came. No matter how tired I am from a long week, I leave filled with refreshment and joy. It is in the experience of koinonia—fellowship with other Christians—that my faith grows.

Your Invited! Upcoming Gathering Dates