The Chosen Discussion Group at St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish

At St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish, a small but faithful group gathers each Tuesday morning after the 8 AM Mass at the St. Cyprian site to watch The Chosen. This popular television series brings the Gospel to life through the eyes of Jesus' disciples. Navigating the world of streaming apps and digital downloads is a challenge for many of these parishioners, so Kim Hagerty, the parish’s Director of Evangelization, decided to bring the show to them in a way that fosters faith and community.

What began as an effort to make the series accessible has become a meaningful faith-sharing experience. “It’s a small group of six people—but it has had a big influence on us,” says Hagerty. The group consists mostly of older parishioners, many of whom have been part of the parish for their entire lives. “All the ladies in the group are widowed, and one is a nun. It’s a nice little community, and it’s been amazing to see friendships form between people who might not have otherwise known each other.”

While the current group is small, The Chosen has drawn in parishioners of all ages. When Season 4 was released in churches last year, St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish hosted an evening viewing group at its St. Celestine site, which attracted a younger and larger crowd. Though different in size and demographics, both groups have experienced firsthand how shared storytelling can bring people closer to Jesus and to one another.

A Show That Makes the Gospel Personal

What is it about The Chosen that resonates so deeply with viewers? According to Hagerty, it’s the way the series presents the disciples as real, relatable people. “It’s not just focused on Jesus—it’s about the people around Him and how they come to understand what’s going on. People can really relate to that,” she explains.

For many in the discussion group, the series has helped bring Scripture to life in a new way. “Some of the ladies really like seeing it because they can actually picture what people’s lives were like in the Bible. It brings it home for them,” Hagerty shares. Regular attendee Marie Lurito was mesmerized by her first viewing experience; she shares, “Jesus truly was a man; he got angry. The interactions with the apostles are fascinating to watch.”

Discussions following each episode often uncover personal reflections and shared experiences. “One of the episodes depicted a miscarriage, and one of the women shared that she had experienced one early in her marriage and still thinks about it. It was a powerful moment,” Hagerty recalls. “It’s wonderful to see people feel comfortable sharing something like that.”

Moments of Unexpected Grace

While participation in the discussion groups has fluctuated, Hagerty has learned to trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance. One evening, she planned a more structured devotional session based on The Chosen, only to have just one other person show up. “I was disappointed at first, but she said, ‘Let’s watch it anyway,’” Hagerty recalls. “A little after we started, a young family walked in—They stayed and watched with us.” The young family told Hagerty they had been thinking about reconnecting with their faith and learning more about the Bible. “I felt like the Holy Spirit had told us to watch the episode,” she says.

Hagerty often reminds herself of something that The Chosen creator Dallas Jenkins was once told: “It’s not your job to feed the 5,000. It’s only to provide the loaves and fish.” This mindset has shaped her approach to leading the group. “I’ve learned not to focus on numbers, but on the hearts that are changed,” she says. “Sometimes you start with a big group, and it dwindles to just a handful, but that handful can experience something truly life-changing.”

More Than a TV Show—A Path to Friendship and Faith

Beyond deepening participants’ faith, the group has also become a source of connection and support. “They ask each other to pray for one another and the people in their lives,” says Hagerty. The series also serves as a reminder of the importance of storytelling in faith formation. “Stories are everything,” Hagerty says. “Lectures can be boring, but a personal story makes a person more relatable. We all have stories, and there is a place for them.” Lurito says, “Watching it with this group of people who love the church, their religion, and their faith makes me a better person. It is wonderful to do something new at my age. It has gotten me to attend Mass almost daily; I rethink things before I do or say them; I have made a different expectation of myself, and I have grown a lot spiritually.”

Through coffee, conversation, and compelling storytelling, The Chosen discussion group at St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish is proving that faith is not just about what we believe—it’s about the people we share it with.