This year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have set the theme: Living as Missionary Disciples. In referencing the National Directory for Catechesis, a person’s faith is formed in different dimensions and requires distinct yet complementary tasks. “Faith must be known, celebrated, lived and expressed in prayer.” (NDC 60) Our diocesan curriculum uses the six tasks of catechesis as the basis of formation: knowledge of the faith, liturgical education, moral formation, teaching to pray, education for community life, missionary initiation.
Faith formation is a process of apprenticeship, unlike classroom education, in that formation is more than measureable information, it is a lifelong process, happens within a faith community and is a matter of the heart. “Receiving the formulations of the faith, professing and internalizing them, and in turn, sharing them with the community encourage the individual’s participation in the received truth.” (NDC 102-103)
The change that we have made for the coming year is one in which we will be implementing a discipleship process of faith formation involving the family and the parish community. We will be using diocesan approved catechetical materials as well as meeting all guidelines. Adding to the importance of the monthly catechetical gathering is the Children’s Liturgy of the Word at three of our Masses. “All the Church's sacraments and ministries are oriented to the Eucharist, ‘the source and summit of Christian life’. In the Eucharist, the whole spiritual good of the Church (Christ himself) is contained.” (CCC #1324) Providing children the Word of God using the Lectionary for Children with a catechist involving them in a process of understanding, the children will be enriched and nourished as well as our community that gathers with their presence and participation. We look forward to an exciting year of growing in faith and sharing the Good News of Jesus with others.
Janet Hastings, Director of Faith Formation for Children and Families
Liza Alvarado-Mutchler, Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults
Debra Traum, Parish School Principal
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