St Ann St Patrick delves into five-week book study

St. Anne and St. Patrick parish in Sturbridge is featuring a five-week study course on the book “Cherished Belonging” by Father Gregory Boyle. The course takes place on Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. beginning April 26 in the St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish Center. 

“Cherished Belonging,” which was released in 2024, explores Christianity's origins as a movement of equality, emancipation, and peace. Key themes include cultivating a new way of seeing through compassion and connection, embracing our shared humanity and belonging, and building a community dedicated to kindness and healing. 

Father Gregory Boyle is a Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program. He is also an acclaimed author, known for “Tattoos on the Heart” and “Barking to the Choir,” and has received numerous honors for his work, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024. 

Joseph Krans, who will moderate the course, is a Secular Franciscan and is trained in Spiritual Companionship (Direction). After 40 years working in the corporate world, he now serves as the executive director of the Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center in Westfield. 

Krans believes that “there is much we share and much we can learn from one another; by being fully present to each other in the moment, we can discover joy and freedom, even amidst pain and suffering.” He anticipates that this course will help attendees recognize the transformative power of love, compassion, and community in this divided world and see that everyone is inherently good, without exception, and that we all belong to each other, without exception.

These ideas challenge societal divisions and tribalism and advocate for radical kindness and inclusion as a way to heal individuals and communities. 

“My hope is that this study will help foster an environment of openness, honesty, authenticity and vulnerability, where we can collectively become more compassionate, ultimately embodying love,” said Krans. “We are invited to nurture connections, embrace shared humanity, and create communities where everyone feels seen and valued. We are encouraged to shift from ‘us vs. them’ thinking to a unified ‘we,’ where kindness becomes a radical act of defiance against division.” 

Krans added, “In today’s fractured and broken world, we need lessons that can bring hope and healing. Through stories from his work at Homeboy Industries, Father Greg illustrates how cherishing others can foster healing and connection. He asserts that compassion is the answer to every question, urging readers to view others through a lens of love rather than judgment.”

All are welcome to join this enriching journey of reflection and growth. The course is intended for adults but may also be appropriate for high school age students. There is no charge for the course, but registration in advance is requested. Please register by April 25 to secure your place. For more information and to register, contact Joe Krans at (508) 867-8881 or email joseph. krans.presencework@ gmail.com.