"Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that goes forth from the mouth of God." Mt 4:4
As we read the Scriptures, we, like the disciples who met the risen Christ on the Road to Emmaus, encounter God Himself, listen to Him, and let Him open our eyes. Through His Word, He nourishes and guides us. In addition to reading Scripture, engaging with spiritual classics and other books on prayer immerses us in the Church's living Tradition. We gain much from reading works written by our brothers and sisters in Christ, both modern and ancient. Discussing what we read in a small group further enriches our understanding of the faith and forms holy friendships, building up the Body of Christ one member at a time.
Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio
Do you want to connect with a small Bible study or book group? Our parish offers a variety of groups. Some are offered parish-wide through our Fall and Lenten Small Group program. Sign ups for these groups open several weeks before the sessions begin. Others are run independently by parishioners, meeting at our Memorare Center, at local coffeeshops, or at parishioners' homes. To connect with a group, reach out to the group leader or contact the parish office at 330-644-2225 or cwilson@stfparish.com. Groups that meet in cafes or personal homes are not listed here, but our parish staff can help you connect with them.
- Fall and Lenten Parish Small Group Studies, a variety of days and times are offered. These times will be announced when sign-ups are available.
- Tuesday Morning Women's Study Group, meets at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday mornings in the Memorare Center from September through May
- Thursday Women's Scripture Group, meets at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the Memorare Center from September through May
- Men's Group, meets weekly year-round at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings in the Memorare Center
Curious about past small group studies? Here are some examples of past parish-wide Fall and Lenten Small Group studies at St. Francis de Sales.
2025 Lenten Book Study
The 2025 Lenten study explored Bishop Edward Malesic's pastoral letter to all Catholics in the Diocese of Cleveland, A Flourishing Apostolic Church. In the letter, our bishop presented his vision for the Church in Northeast Ohio, emphasizing the importance of forming a relationship with God in prayer, sharing our faith in worship and small groups, and living our faith in service. He summarized his desire for our local church in the words worship, evangelize, and serve. Groups met weekly for five weeks to discuss the letter. You can access the bishop's letter on the Diocese's website here.
2025 Fall Book Study
The 2025 Fall Study used Bishop Robert Barron's multimedia program Eucharist. The series included a study guide and videos presenting the mystery of the Eucharist as Sacred Meal, Sacrifice, and Real Presence. View the series resources on the Word on Fire website.
2022 Fall Bible Study
The Fall 2022 Bible study was based on the program, Hebrews: The New and Eternal Covenant from Ascension Press. This was an 8-week Bible study that led Catholics on a guided tour of what is considered the "Holy of Holies" of Biblical theology.
You can purchase the program directly from Ascension Press here.
2018 Fall Book Study
Are you seeking to know God more fully...and love Him more deeply?
The 2018 Fall Book Study was built around 10 meditations from the book, Lift Up Your Heart by Fr. John Burns. Learn More...
