The Deacon's Table

The Deacon’s Table at The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is an adult Sunday School Class led by Deacon Tom and Brenda McConnell that (in non-coronavirus times) meets each Sunday between Masses in the Varallo Parish Hall from 10:15-11:15am.

Please come join us to FEAST UPON SPRITUALITY at the Deacon’s Table.  Pull up a 3-legged stool and join us to learn and discuss essential elements of Spirituality: 

• an active and spontaneous prayer life,
• a personal relationship with Christ, and
• a comfortable enthusiasm with Holy Scripture. 

The purpose of The Deacon’s Table is to equip members for discipleship.  We study apologetics, Sacred Scripture, Catholic doctrine and catechism, and general topics of current applicability and interest.  You will experience prominent Catholic personalities, scholars, and presenters in varying modes such as DVD, YouTube, guest speakers, and other video/audio media.

Ours is an excellent forum to socialize and meet other parishioners, to forge lasting friendships and mentorships.  Let the “Deacon’s Table” become your extended family.  We have socials quarterly and, in the summer, include a Kids’ Table meeting separately but at the same time as the Adult Table.

For more information, please speak with Dcn. Tom or contact us through the parish office. You may also join The Deacon's Table discussion group on the myParish app.
Contact Us

While the coronavirus measures are in place at the church, we are not able to meet between the morning Masses. However, The Deacon’s Table is now having a virtual meeting most every Sunday at 5pm.  (See our Events calendar below.) If you are not already signed up with Dcn. Tom McConnell, please contact him to receive the notifications.


Instructions for November 29 Session:
 Wow!  In session 4 this past Sunday, Dr. Bergsma blew us away with the literary similarities in style, subject matter, and word choice between the Gospel of St. John and the writings of the Community Rule of the Essenes of Qumran found in the Dead Sea Scrolls.  I am convinced that the Beloved Apostle, St. John, was not only familiar with the Essenes and their lifestyle, but also their teachings and writings.  We now have seen connections with and influence of the Essenes upon John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle.

I decided to continue the Deacon’s Table this Thanksgiving weekend when we will start DVD 3 and session 5 of “The Jewish Roots of Jesus and the Church in Light of the Dead Sea Scrolls”.  Hope you can join us as Dr. Bergsma explores the influence of the Essenes of Qumran on our present day Sacrament of Baptism.  We’ll follow that the 1st Sunday in December with session 6 on “The Eucharist at Qumran”.  Here’s wishing all a very blessed and happy Thanksgiving.  “See” ya virtually on WebEx Sunday at 5pm.  God bless….Deacon Tom