Revitalize

Do you sense that God has something more planned for you, but you don't know what it is—or how to find it?
Do you feel “stuck” or like you are not making progress in your spiritual life?
Are you afraid of God's will for you?
Do you know God is calling you to lead others to Christ, but you’re afraid?

These can be paralyzing thoughts and feelings—at times, the Twelve Apostles probably felt the same way. But that didn’t stop them from courageously answering the call to follow Jesus and allowing him to change their lives. Yes, the Twelve had the luxury of physically walking with and learning from Jesus, but the reality is, you have experienced his presence, too.

In your Baptism, Jesus encountered you and gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit. You don’t need the latest book, more money, the biggest house, or the newest whatever to get unstuck or discover your mission. You need to revitalize your relationship with Christ—that personal relationship that was established in Baptism.

Revitalize is an adult formation program that will invite the Holy Spirit to remind you of your Baptism, encourage you to renew your baptismal promises, and invite you to give God permission to change your life.

This invigorating seven-week program will:

provide you with the time, space, community, and enrichment to deepen your friendship with God and to profoundly open your life to God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the soul of missionary discipleship
help you cultivate a more intentional life of prayer and teach you to pray with others
proclaim the Gospel afresh into your life and help you to discern your role in God’s life-saving mission
give you the opportunity to grow with other participants as a budding Christian community that prays together, discerns together, and discusses meaningful topics together

Program Details

Revitalize will meet in the Parish Center Lobby from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the following Thursdays in October and November:

October 14, 2021 – In His Image: The Human Person in Light of Christ
October 21, 2021 – The Wages of Sin: On the Problem of Sin and Death
October 28, 2021 – Christ Crucified: Salvation and Redemption in Jesus Christ
November 4, 2021 – The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail: The Mission of the Church and Our Mission
November 11, 2021 – You Will Receive Power: A New Pentecost
November 18, 2021 – Test the Spirits: Rules for Discernment of Spirits
December 2, 2021 – The Body of Christ: Receiving Charisms for Mission

Registration

You can register for Revitalize at MyStGertrude. The cost is $20/person (which includes all program materials), and space is limited to 25 adults (anyone 18 and older and who has graduated from high school). Please note, you will receive your materials at the first session.

Revitalize Team

Fr. George Schommer, O.P., is pastor of St. Gertrude Church. He was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and attended Franciscan University of Steubenville where he definitively discerned his vocation to the priesthood and the Dominican Order. Ordained in 1994, Father George has served as parochial vicar at St. Gertrude twice, worked in the advancement office for the Dominican Province of St. Joseph, traveled extensively as an itinerant preacher of parish missions, and served as pastor of St. Dominic Church in Washington, DC, and St. Patrick Church in Philadelphia, PA. He returned to St. Gertrude Church as pastor in July 2020.

Martha Hanna is retired from the University of Cincinnati where she worked for twenty-three years. She
left the business world in 2018 to pursue ministry through healing prayer, volunteering and being a
member of various other spiritual groups. She and her husband, Todd, have been attending St.
Gertrude’s parish since 2010. Martha has enjoyed being a RCIA sponsor, cooking for the Soup Kitchen
and serving on Finance Council. She looks forward to growing closer to the Lord through Revitalize and
being a part of the team.

Brad Bursa is the director of evangelization at St. Gertrude Church. Brad earned his PhD in theology from The University of Notre Dame Australia and has been engaged in ministry since 2009 in various school, parish, and diocesan settings. He and his wife, Katie, live in Loveland, where they try to keep up with their six children.

Marybeth Kenny is a program manager of Pediatric Surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. She is finishing a master's degree in organizational leadership this year. St. Gertrude's is a second home for her, with years of involvement in youth ministry, catechetical programs, perpetual adoration, and more. By inviting the power of the Holy Spirit, she is excited to participate in a revitalization of our hearts, minds, and community.