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Welcome! This course is designed for adult faith formation leaders. Introduce yourself and reflect on the road to Emmaus story. Engage in prayer and explore key catechetical documents.
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Bienvenue! Welcome!Bienvenido! Herzlich willkommen Adult Faith Formation • Chào mừng bạn! Желанный! 欢迎 ! 환영 Karibu • zhelannyyHuānyínghwan-yeong CPM course 2019
Please introduce yourself by telling us some things about you… • Your name • Your parish • Your role with adults now or in the future in your parish • Why you are attending this course • One thing that you want/need from attending this course Who Are You?
Let’s take a few calming breaths • Take a long, slow breath in through your nose, first filling your lower lungs, then your upper lungs. • Hold your breath to the count of "three." • Exhale slowly through pursed lips, while you relax the muscles in your face, jaw, shoulders, and stomach. • Repeat 4 times
Road to Emmaus Reflection Questions What is Jesus teaching us about how to invite adults to form faith? How is the story of the “road to Emmaus” continuing to happen in your parish today? What thoughts keep running through your mind about your own faith journey? How has your perspective changed, as an adult having encountered Christ Jesus?
Leader: Let us pray for those who walk with adults in each of the four seasons of adulthood. All: That their hearts may burn within them. Leader: Let us pray for those who walk with families by word, witness, and action. All: That their hearts may burn within them. Leader: Let us pray for those who walk with adults who suffer mentally, physically, or spiritually. All: That their hearts may burn within them. Leader: Let us pray for those who walk with adults who are poor and those who live at the margins of life. All: That their hearts may burn within them. Leader: Let us pray for those who build bridges between people and cultures. All: That their hearts may burn within them. Prayer Intentions
As an adult, what makes your heart burn? What gets you up in the morning excited about a new day? What moves you to empathy? To love? To allow yourself to be loved? What is the “pearl of great price” in your life?
Key Catechetical Documents since Vatican II Renewal of catechesis called for by Vatican II, 1962-1965 • Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1987 • General Directory for Catechesis, 1998 • Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States, 1999 • U.S. National Directory for Catechesis, 2005
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. MT 28:19-20a A Document for Our Times
Discipleship: The Goal of Catechesis Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him. NDC 1.19A
Authentic Presentation of the Faith • Trinitarian, yet centered on Christ • Presented as Good News of salvation and liberation • Comes from and leads to the Church • Presents the message within the context of its relationship to salvation history • Offers the comprehensive message of the Gospel, and respects its inherent hierarchy of truths • Inculturates while preserving the integrity of the message • Communicates the dignity of the human person • Provides learners with a common language of faith
Trinitarian, yet centered on Christ At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth, the only Son from the Father…..To catechize is to reveal in the Person of Christ, the whole of God’s design reaching fulfillment in that Person….Catechesis aims at putting people… in communion with Jesus Christ. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, CCC#426)
Comes from and leads to the Church • Although the community of disciples of Jesus Christ is spread throughout the world, the Gospel message that binds them together is one; it is the same faith that is transmitted in many different languages through many cultures. The Church has constantly and consistently confessed this: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (NDC pg 80, Ephesians 4:5-6) • In presenting catechesis, dioceses and parishes should ensure that catechesis: • Transmits the one faith to all peoples • Introduces catechumens and those to be catechized to the unity of the profession of faith • Nourishes the unity of the Body of Christ
Historical Character of the Christian Message : context is salvation • Jesus Christ is a historical figure who preached the Good News of the coming of the Kingdom of God in time. • The Incarnation, passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ are real historical events. • Jesus Christ poured out his Holy Spirit and established the Church on Pentecost thereby ushering in a new era of salvation history. • Christ reveals the work of salvation in the life of the Church “until he comes” again. (NDC pg 81, 1 Cor 11:26)
Offers the comprehensive message of the Gospel, and respects its inherent hierarchy of truths • the mystery of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit • The Incarnation of Jesus • Born of the Virgin Mary • Jesus lived, suffered, died and rose for our salvation • The Church – Christ’s Mystical Body (Mary holds the preeminent place) • Baptism as the foundational sacrament of Christian life • The history of salvation, organized in reference to Jesus Christ • The Apostles’ Creed as “a synthesis of and a key to reading all of the Church’s doctrine • The sacraments as “an organic whole in which each particular sacrament has its own vital place. • The Eucharist as the “Sacrament of sacraments,” to which all the other sacraments are ordered as to their end. • Double commandment of love of God and neighbor as the centerpiece of Jesus’ moral teaching summed up in the Decalogue and lived in the spirit of the Beatitudes • The Our Father as the synthesis of prayer contained in Scripture and in the life of the Church
Inculturates while preserving the integrity of the Christian message • The Good News is intended for people of all cultures. • Not a superficial adaptation • A process that brings the transforming power of the Gospel to touch persons in their hearts and cultures at their deepest levels.
Dioceses and Parishes are responsible for Inculturation and authenticity of the Christian message • Present the same Gospel message that was given by Jesus Christ avoiding division/distortion. • Involve persons of various cultures in planning • Gather information on the diverse cultural makeup of the community. • Develop and use culturally appropriate catechetical tools, texts, and resources. • Cultivate catechetical leaderships that reflects diversity of your community.
Dioceses and Parishes are responsible for Inculturation and authenticity of the Christian message • Prepare catechists in their native language and cultural situations. • Rely on catechists social conscience rooted in their cultural environment. • Ensure catechesis is grounded in the cultural environment in which it is presented. • Employ popular devotions and distinctive symbols of faith common to various cultural groups. • Enable those being catechized to become more able to explain their faith to others in their culture and to be able to give “reason for their hope.”
Christian message must convey a profoundly meaningful message for the human person • Christ has united himself to every human being. • Christ reveals to all human beings their own true nature and their eternal destiny in communion with God. • Catechesis not only reveals God’s identity but, in doing so, reveals the deepest truths about human beings (made in God’s image/desire for God is written on our hearts/God draws us to God’s self) • Catechesis is concerned with the ultimate meaning of life and its deepest questions.
Christian message must convey a profoundly meaningful message for the human person • Catechesis examines the more significant experiences of life in light of the Gospel. • The initial proclamation of the Gospel is done with an awareness of human nature. • Biblical catechesis interprets human experiences in light of the experiences of the people of Israel and of Jesus Christ and his Church. • Doctrinal catechesis (based on the Creed) shows how the great themes of faith are sources of life and enlightenment for human beings.
Christian message must convey a profoundly meaningful message for the human person • Moral catechesis is a “catechesis of the beatitudes.” • Liturgical catechesis explains the signs and symbols of the sacred rites corresponding to human experiences. • Ecumenical catechesis helps all of the faithful who are called upon to make a personal commitment toward promoting communion with other Christians. • Catechesis seeks to dispose people “to hope in the future life that is the consummation of the whole history of salvation.
Catechism of the Catholic Church A catechism is a text which contains the fundamental Christian truths formulated in a way that facilitates their understanding. There are two categories of catechism: major and minor. A major catechism is a resource or a point of reference for the development of minor catechisms. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an example of a major catechism. The Baltimore Catechism is an example of a minor catechism.
Catechism is universal A "universal catechism" is a major catechism which is intended to be a resource or point of reference for the development of national or local catechisms and catechetical materials throughout the world. Such a catechism can be termed "universal" in that its primary audience is the universal Church. The Catechism is in need of what its Prologue terms "the indispensable mediation" of particular culture, age, spiritual life and social and ecclesial conditions.
Purpose of theCatechism of the Catholic Church • The Catechism serves several important functions: • It conveys the essential and fundamental content of Catholic faith and morals in a complete and summary way. • It is a point of reference for national and diocesan catechisms. • It is a positive, objective and declarative exposition of Catholic doctrine. • It is intended to assist those who have the duty to catechize, namely promoters and teachers of catechesis.
Relationship of theCatechism of the Catholic Church to other key catechetical documents • The Catechism, CCC, provides the content for catechesis. • The GDC guides catechetical instruction of the Christian people around the world. Two main aims: place catechetical work in the context of evangelization, and to ensure that the content of the faith (CCC)is fully treated in catechetical work. • The National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) focuses on the context, meaning, and methodologies for catechesis. • The NDCalso provides a concise summary of the catechesis of the Catechism. • Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, OHWB, provides the pastoral plan for adult faith formation in the United States which is highlighted in the NDC.
Our Hearts Were Burning Within UsUSCCB, 1999 In the document, the bishops emphasized the importance of Adult Faith Formation by saying that it must be: • At the heartof catechetical vision and practice (#6) • The chief formof catechesis (#13) • A priority (#13) The Bishops had no intention of neglecting catechesis for children and youth, but they were serious about putting adult catechesis at the center of all catechesis – not as an after-thought -- and they have pledged their support for this.
What the general directory for catechesis says . . . Characteristics of mature adult faith in those who respond generously to God’s call Living Faith – faith is both a gift of God and an authentically human response OHWB, #50 Explicit Faith – faith is rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus lived in the Christian community. OHWB, #55 Fruitful faith – the adult disciple enjoys the fruits of the Spirit which are “love, joy, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
What the Bishops say . . . “…adults ‘have the greatest responsibilities and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form.’ Their formation in faith is essential for the Church to carry out its mandate to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to the world.” Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, #38
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us Goals of Adult Faith Formation • Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life. • Promote and Support active Membership in the Christian Community. • Call and Prepare Adults to Act as Disciples in Mission in the World.
Why do formation? Encounter Jesus: To put people in relationship with God in Christ Discipleship: To help people understand our relationship with Christ and each other. Holiness: To help people grow and deepen our relationship with Christ as we serve the poor and those at the margins with joy.
What is it that we pass on? The General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) states “the maturation of the Christian life requires that it be cultivated in all its dimensions: • Knowledge of the faith • Liturgical life • Moral formation • Prayer • Belonging to community • Missionary spirit -When catechesis omits one of these elements, the Christian faith does not attain full development
Culture can be more impactful than programsThe parish is an adult faith formation program • The quality of the liturgies • The extent of shared decision making • The priorities of the parish budget • The degree of commitment to social justice • The quality of catechetical programs
For Discussion What are cultural issues or influences in your parish or school? What effect do these issues have on how you catechize?
Encounter firstThe first task of adult faith is conversion to Jesus Christ “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” (Mt 4:19) “And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him.” (Jn: 9:36)
Joy of the Gospel On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: “Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen and free you.” -Joy of the Gospel 164
Wat is The Good News? • God is with us – here – now! The very ground of our being. • There’s nothing to be afraid of. There is enough for everyone. • God is expansive, loving, inclusive. • Jesus went to the margins to embrace people who were hurting, excluded, broken and calls us to actually be the body of Christ in the world today. • Discipleship is about recognizing and acting like we are children of God and every person is our brother and sister. • Our kinship extends to all of creation. • The “original program” is about living the gospel with joy and always being mindful of the poor, standing at the margins so as to erase them. • “Live on the edge of eternity at the corner of kinship and mutuality!”
Accompaniment Accompaniment is essential for evangelization. Listening is essential for accompaniment. To be effective ministers of adult faith formation we will first, like Jesus, join people in their daily concerns and walk side by side with them on the pathway of life. We will ask them questions and listen attentively as they speak of their joys, hopes, griefs, and anxieties.” OHWB # 8
Some Signs of Conversion • A more comfortable sense of self • More flexibility with others • Growing sense of generosity • More patience with others • Stronger sense of hospitality towards others • A heart for the materially poor • Greater awareness of personal failures and sin • Growth in prayer, presence of God • Deep love for the Eucharist • Desire for more faith formation
Connection drives effective Adult Formation • Prayer • Retreats (both encounter and deepening experiences) • Spiritual direction • Small faith communities • A robust, integrated RCIA process • The homily • Digital/Online connections • Rituals and milestones • Caring relationships • Adult life issues • Service, justice, creation • Bible
Adult Formation Provide opportunities for: Encounter •To put people in relationship with God in Christ Catechesis •To help people understand that relationship Deepening relationship •To help people grow and deepen that relationship Any one program will likely not facilitate all three opportunities!
For Discussion Name one or two of your best experiences of faith formation as an adult What are insights that you can glean from these positive adult faith formation experiences that connect with what we have been talking about in this session?
Principles for Planning Give adult faith formation the best of pastoral resources and energies. Make adult faith formation essential and integral to the pastoral plan of the parish. Design adult faith formation opportunities to serve the needs and interests of the entire faith community. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Adult Faith Formation “In fact, every aspect and event in parish life can be intentionally fashioned as an occasion for adult faith formation.” OHWB #112 Think outside of the box!
What about the youth’s and children’s faith? When it comes to faith, most young people: Pretty much follow the faith of their parents.
Family Role in forming faith • Families have “jobbed out” faith formation to the parish and school • Parish has “jobbed out” faith formation to the catechetical ministry program • Children experience “faith” on foreign territory, the parish plant • Children do not experience faith in the home, or as an integral and integrated part of their everyday lives
Families and Parents Design ways to bring families into the evangelization and catechizing process Design ways for parents to renew their faith and (re)experience conversion Develop ways to help parents see that the principle onus of evangelization is on THEM
