In Chapter 9 of the Acts of the Apostles we learn about the important role Ananias played in St. Paul's life. In response to God's call, Ananias went to Paul in Damascus to heal his blindness. Through Ananias's "spiritual accompaniment" and restoring Paul's sight (both literally and figuratively) Paul became a follower of Christ - forever changing his life and the life of the Church.

Ananias listened to God and helped reveal Christ's light to Paul. Like Ananias, we too are called by God to reveal Christ's light to others by accompanying them in their spiritual journeys. Do you walk in the shoes of Ananias for anyone in your own life? Have you considered filling these shoes but don't know where to start? Starting in November, St. Louis will be offering Ananias Training for all parishioners. The goal of this training is to equip parishioners to walk with others in their journey to Christ, just as Ananias did for St. Paul.

Learn more by watching the first video segment of the Ananias Training.

St. Louis is launching the Ananias Training, a process designed to form all of us in "the art of spiritual accompaniment." Have you ever wanted to be more confident in walking a journey of faith with another? Maybe you are part of a ministry that works with young people, you are a teacher or you visit with community members who are ill or in need of our support? Or maybe you are simply a parent, sibling, child, or friend who wants to know how to journey with someone close to you! This training is designed to help us fulfill our parish and individual missions, as it will help our parish, but also our homes and apostolates, become places where we are ready to meet someone where they are and journey with them in a life with Christ. Registration will be open soon. Please contact Marie Cehovin if you are interested in signing up.

Inspired by the important role Ananias played in St. Paul's journey to Christ, our Ananias Training will help parishes, homes, and apostolates become places where we can:

• recognize the stages of another's spiritual journey through compassionate listening.

• listen lovingly to their real questions and opinions about God in order to guide the discovery of how God is present and active in a person's life.

• talk about our relationship with God.

• share how we came to be a disciple of Jesus.

• share Jesus' own story in response to the spiritual hunger of another.

Ananias Training is a 17-hour process structured in five sessions, designed to form parishioners with no previous training in "the art of spiritual accompaniment." The training will use Scripture reflections, video, and facilitated discussions to form "Ananiases."

The goal of Ananias Training is to form a people equipped to be Ananias to one another within the Church as well as to those in the world, within the context of one's own charisms and personal vocation.

Intended Audience

This training is especially helpful for:

• Pastors and pastoral leaders who desire to move a parish culture toward mission by raising up individuals who can journey with others toward intentional discipleship.

• RCIA team members.

• Small group and table leaders of all types.

• Called & Gifted interviewers and small group leaders.

• Ministers to the sick and homebound.

• Parishioners who desire the confidence and skills to share their faith with family, friends, co-workers, etc.

All sections listed below make up the full Ananias Training. The upcoming schedules are below: