We are working on a complete review of our Faith Formation programs
Please contact the office at 231-943-4633 for more information.
FROM THE DESK OF DEACON JOHN ASHMORE PASTORAL ASSOCIATE…..
As we enter into Holy Week, I am in the process of beginning to ask questions. Questions that will lay the foundation for a formal review of the Faith Formation process at St. Patrick. Holy Week is traditionally a time when I look back at the previous year and reflect on what God is calling me to in the coming year. I know for some of you this is an odd time of year to begin this type of reflection; however, with the rhythm of life for the liturgical year Lent is a time of preparation for the Easter Season. The Easter Season is a call to new life after hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ , especially in light of His resurrection.
Our first step in the review process was meeting with parents that have children in the Sacramental Preparation Process who will be confirmed and will receive the Eucharist. Our second step, through this article, is announcing to the parish as a whole that a review is taking place. I know from personal experience and from talking with many members of the parish there are a number of good things happening. The question for me is, “What are those good things and how do we encourage and allow them to grow?”
This review process will involve the creation of an advisory committee that will begin studying how the Catholic Church is calling our community in educating our members about the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are in the process of writing job descriptions and will begin an appeal to members of the parish to join this process. Our first priority is recognizing the needs of the parish and then taking those needs and see how they align with our regional partners in Faith Formation, St. Francis and Immaculate Conception.
In a recent article in Lifelong Faith, John Roberto wrote the following, “Most Christian churches have similar goals for faith formation. Churches want faith formation for their faith tradition, relate the Christian faith to life today, participate in the life and ministries of the faith community, and live as disciples of Jesus Christ in their daily life at home, in the workplace, in the community and the world. Churches want faith formation that touches the head, the heart, and actions of its members. They want faith formation that informs, forms and transforms.”
We realize that a “one size fits all program” will not work. We desire a Faith Formation process that helps participants know where God is in their life and then helps participants go deeper by getting to know God in a more intimate way. In that deeper reality there is a dialog that encourages participants to listen to what God is calling them to in their own lives within the context of the Christian community.
In the Rite of Christian Initiation this process is called conversion. Conversion is a life-long process. Faith Formation does not stop with the reception of the sacraments. Conversion is a life-long. To be successful, Faith Formation needs to be dynamic and responsive to those we serve.
John Roberto further states, “The question today is not what do we want to accomplish, but rather how can we accomplish these goals for every member in our faith communities. It’s about delivery systems. How can we utilize the life in our church community; the variety of excellent print, audio, and visual resources; the variety of learning models; and the new digital and online technologies to develop a faith formation plan that addresses the wide diversity of interests, religious and spiritual needs, and life tasks and situations of parish members.”
In our review process we are asking ourselves about what we are doing well and what can we do more of in the process of passing faith from one generation to the next. Watch the bulletin for more details. If you are interested in the taking part in the review process, please contact me at the parish office. I would also encourage you to visit the parish web site at www.stpatrick.org. I will be using the web site to communicate to the parish at large the details of the review process. The details will include a description of the review process, a job description for those of you interested in formally taking part and finally you will find a way to communicate with those entrusted to this process.
-Deacon John Ashmore, Pastoral Associate St. Patrick Catholic Church