“I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me, and I in them, bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5
VALPARAISO – Seeking to grow closer to God and strengthen their faith community, women at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center meet twice a month for Vine & Branches, a Bible study group that feeds their needs.
“Our goal is to help women grow closer to Jesus through prayer, reflection and community,” said co-leader Debbie Revor, who leads the group at meetings twice a month along with her co-leader Linda Phillips. “If we stay close to Him, it is good fruit.”
After the local chapter of Kingdom Builders, an international Christian ministry, dissolved, said Cara Benjamin, pastoral associate, chaplain Father Jacob McDaniel sought to establish a new women’s ministry at St. Teresa of Avila.
“Father McDaniel asked me to start a new group, and along with Linda (Phillips) and a couple of other women, we named it Vine & Branches after the Bible verse,” explained Revor. A brunch was held in February 2025 to launch the ministry, which began by using the “Walking with Purpose” Catholic Bible study program, added Benjamin.
After finishing the initial series at meetings from 6:30-8 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, the group moved on to the “Beholding His Glory” series, and recently began studying the “Beholding Your King” workbook of nine lessons and videos.
Up to 20 women meet together in the Antioch Room, furnished like a comfortable living room with couches and table lamps, after spending five days preparing a series of readings that include a reflection on a specific Old Testament passage, followed by questions. At the end of each weekly lesson is a conclusion, space to add “My Reflection,” a list of Catechism Clips for reference, and a Verse Study page to complete.
“We always open with prayer, and then go right into the lesson, which includes reading aloud Bible passages, the reflections and questions on each topic,” said Revor. The women take turns reading the Scripture and workbook text, as well as answering the questions posed. “There are answers to all the questions in the back of the workbook, and we review those, too,” said Revor, prompting the participants to offer their own responses.
At the April 7 meeting, a dozen women studied the first Book of Samuel, including King David’s relationship with God, as well as with his predecessor King Saul and Saul’s son, Jonathan. Topics included pride, friendship, forgiveness and keeping promises.
Reflecting on the close friendship of David and Jonathan that continued despite the rage of King Saul when God passed over Jonathan to choose David as the next king, one of the questions asked the participants: “Have you experienced the rare gift of a true friendship, one in which each of you truly wants the best and is willing to make sacrifices for the other? Describe that friendship and what makes it so special.”
Several of the women responded with examples of such a relationship in their lives.
Discussing the difficulty sometimes experienced in forgiving another person, Joyce Keough said, “It’s okay to still feel hurt, while you still can forgive and no longer want revenge,” while Sheila Murray added: “You can forgive, but that doesn’t mean you forget.”
The Walking with Purpose lessons, said Jennine Tomasic, who has been attending the Bible study with her mother, Joann Tomasic, since Vine & Branches was founded, “get you into the Bible more, to know more about it, and in the discussions with others, you meet others in the parish. It’s nice to grow in faith with others.”
Joann Tomasic said that completing a Cursillo weekend “sparked my interest in doing more with my faith,” leading her to join the Vine & Branches ministry. “You are growing your faith and getting to know people in your community, which makes it friendlier when you go to church.”
Marion Phillips, a retired widow, admits she doesn’t always do the homework in advance of the meetings, but still enjoys the lessons and, especially, the fellowship. “I enjoy meeting with all these women, all the different personalities,” she said. “Everyone responds to what goes on, and it’s nice to sit and visit. I would encourage others to come and just enjoy being yourself.”
Revor said Vine & Branches welcomes all ages of women, and benefits from the perspective of different generations. “I really like Bible study, learning more about God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and sometimes at the end of the lesson there is a story about a saint, so you learn about them, too,” she said, adding that she also finds it rewarding to watch others learn more about the Bible.
For information about joining the Vine & Branches ministry, call St. Teresa of Avila at 464-4042.
Caption: Vine & Branches women’s ministry members listen to co-leader Debbie Revor pose a discussion question about King David’s relationship with God during the April 7 meeting at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso. To the left of Revor is Linda Phillips, the other co-leader of the group. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
