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Cherished Belonging: A Book Study
Tuesdays from 4/29/25 - 5/27/25; 12PM-1PM (in-person at St. Thomas More) and 5:30PM-6:30PM (Virtual)
Sponsored by the St. Thomas More and UNC-Newman Center Spiritual Direction Ministry
Register here -
Parishioners of STM and the UNC Newman Center are invited to participate in a guided book study of Gregory Boyle, S.J.’s new book, Cherished Belonging. This program will be led by Spiritual Direction Ministry member Jerry McMahon.
When: There will be two small group options; both meet on Tuesdays, 4/29/25-5/27/25. The noon-1pm group will meet face to face at St. Thomas More's South Campus in the Saint Juan Diego room. The 5:30-6:30pm group will meet by Zoom. The Zoom link will be distributed by Jerry McMahon when registration is complete.
As we struggle to find hope in these divided times, Father Boyle suggests a way of seeing and being, rooted in fostering communities of cherished belonging, that can help us face difficult situations with courage, compassion, and curiosity. In over 40 years of working with gangs in East Los Angeles, Boyle has found several things to be true: Unshakable goodness is who God knows us to be (no need to be perfect); God is found in the loving; We belong to each other (separation is an illusion); Love your neighbor as you love your child; and a community of cherished belonging is God’s dream come true. The Rev. Justin Coleman (University UMC in Chapel Hill) suggests that the moment where forces of division seem to be growing stronger is precisely the moment when we need to hear, ponder, and act on Boyle’s call to cherish the preciousness of one other, the sacredness of every person, and the truth that we are only whole when we belong to one another.
How: There is no charge for this study. See below to register. Please indicate the session you prefer and provide your name, phone number, and email address. There will be a maximum of 15 people in each group. Participants are expected to purchase their own copy of the book and have read the Introduction and Chapter 1 before the first meeting.
Registration deadline: April 22, 2025