September 2025 Newsletter

September arrives like a fresh page. New rhythms, fresh energy, and here at RENEW, two brand new resources we’re very excited to share.

Both debut this month, and yes… I had the joy of writing them!

First, for the Advent season, What Are We Waiting For? (Cycle A) invites us to journey from longing to joyful witness. Across the four Sundays of Advent and into the Christmas season with its companion section, Now That He’s Here…, you will discover reflections that connect Old Testament and Gospel readings, faith-sharing prompts for groups and families, and meaningful actions to carry the season’s hope into daily life.

Second, we’re launching In the Light of Justice: Catholic Social Teaching for a New Era, a six-season resource (spanning three years) designed to help small groups, parishes, and individuals dive deeply into the Church’s social teaching. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s call to meet the challenges of our “second industrial revolution,” this series explores themes like the common good, the dignity of work in the age of AI, solidarity, and care for our common home. It’s faith-sharing that doesn’t stop at conversation. It moves us toward Gospel action.

As the seasons change, so does the rhythm of our lives, but our mission stays the same: helping communities grow deeper in faith and live that faith in the world. These resources are part of that mission and they are here because of the ongoing support and encouragement we receive from friends like you.

Wishing you a joyful start to fall!

Meredith

Saint(s) of the Month

I Couldn’t Choose… So You are Getting Two!

September is full of incredible saints, and honestly… I couldn’t pick just one. I mean, how could I choose between the saint who reminded us to “do small things with great love” and the saint whose preaching was so powerful they called him “Chrysostom,” meaning “golden-mouthed”? So, this month, you are getting a double feature: St. Teresa of Calcutta (Feast Day: September 5) and St. John Chrysostom (Feast Day: September 13).

Mother Teresa’s life was a masterclass in mercy, showing us that holiness isn’t about doing big, flashy things. It is about loving deeply in the ordinary moments. A smile. A meal. A listening ear. She poured herself out for the poorest of the poor and never wavered in her belief that each person is a beloved child of God.

St. John Chrysostom, on the other hand, wielded words like a spiritual artist. His sermons and writings, rich with wisdom and fire, still challenge us to live authentically, to let our actions match our faith, and to treat each person with dignity. He spoke truth to power, never shying away from calling the Church and its people to deeper holiness.

Two very different saints, one shared goal: to love God and neighbor with everything they had. Maybe that’s our September challenge: to speak truth boldly like John, and to live love daily like Teresa.

After all, our world needs both the golden mouth and the loving hands.

A Tip for Small Christian Communities to Thrive

Lean into the season!

September naturally feels like a “new year” moment. School is back, routines are settling in, and the air is full of fresh starts. Use this energy to breathe new life into your Small Christian Community.

• Revisit Your Why: Take the first few minutes of your next gathering to ask, “What do we most hope to give and receive in this group this season?”
• Welcome New Faces: September is a great time to invite someone who’s been “thinking about joining” but hasn’t made the leap yet. A personal invitation goes further than any bulletin announcement.
• Set a Seasonal Goal: Choose one small, tangible way your group will bring faith into action before Advent: a food drive, a prayer service, or a visit to a homebound parishioner.

Remember: SCCs thrive when they balance deep reflection with concrete action. Fall is the perfect time to plant seeds that will bear fruit in the seasons ahead.

Follow us on social media for more advice from our Tuesday Tips posts!

Resource Highlights

Views from the Pews

"What a return on investment! These beautiful people I was privileged to host/lead for six weeks impacted both my reluctance and doubt. The outcome for me was a renewed spirit of hope and love plus the realization of how isolated I had become in my faith – my lesson in faith sharing was the experience of community—until now only a word.

At the end of the second season, I saw one parishioner volunteering as an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and another participant moving to a new city and volunteering in her new parish. Summarizing the past five seasons reminds me that reading Scripture, especially as a community, is a powerful grace of the Holy Spirit. I believe this pursuit has made Catholics less locked into their faith and more confident about sharing it with others; my daily prayer life has deepened."

St. Patrick Parish

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