Reaping a Rich Harvest: Developing “Formed” and “Transformed” Catholics

Reaping a Rich Harvest: Developing “Formed” and “Transformed”Catholics Presented by Brian Lemoi Director of Evangelization & Lifelong Faith Formation Diocese of St. Petersburg

Productive Thinking • Define/Describe what you consider to be a “well formed Catholic” • Circle all the words/phrases that focus on action and behaviors/ practices • Underline all the words/phrases that focus on knowledge or understanding

Reaping a Rich Harvest: Developing “Formed” and “Transformed”Catholics • The story of the Road to Emmaus is the paradigm for moving from catechesis focused on information to catechesis that leads to transformation, thus fostering the development of faith-filled disciples of Jesus. This session will investigate Shared Christian Praxis and other models of formation that are holistic and multidimensional so that the “head, heart and hands” of the catechumens and candidates are engaged in the RCIA process.

Paradigm Thinking • Listen with fresh ears this very familiar Gospel story: The Appearance on The Road to Emmaus Luke 24: 13-35

Framework for Consideration • What outcomes do we intend? • Holistic Formation • Mature Discipleship • Lifelong Learners/Participants • What vision and direction is available from our Church Documents? • Primary Source: RCIA Document • General Directory for Catechesis & Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. • What method will lead to these desired outcomes? • Shared Christian Praxis • Apprenticeship in the Faith/Life of Catholicism • Planning with the Six Tasks of Catechesis in mind

Working Definitions • Formation: the process by which something comes into existence or begins to have a particular order or shape. • “so, whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away2Corinthians 5:17 • Education: the action or process of educating or of being educated; the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process • “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body” Ecclesiastes 12:12

RCIA Document : Paragraph 75 • The catechumenate is an extended period during which the candidates are given suitable pastoral formation and guidance, aimed at training them in the Christian life. In this way, the dispositions manifested at their acceptance into the catechumenate are brought to maturity. This is achieved in four ways.

Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the U.S. • The baptismal catechumenate provides for an apprenticeship in Christian living and believing. It "seems the most appropriate model" for adult faith formation and, though it cannot be considered the exclusive model, should be encouraged everywhere. Whatever model is used, adult faith formation should always actively challenge participants to get involved with their own faith journey—passive listening is never enough; the goal is always conversion. Paragraph 81

Summary of RCIA # 75 by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP,GEMS Newsletter #33, 9/2013 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (#75) reminds us that a complete catechesis includes not only the doctrines of the Church but also an apprenticeship in prayer, participation in the liturgical life of the Church, and extraordinary love and care for our neighbor. These are the pillars of catechesis which can lead us to an intimate encounter with Jesus Christ.  Information (head) about our faith is certainly crucial, yet catechesis always needs to go deeper and further.  Formation (heart) calls for the cementing of a relationship with Jesus, whom we have learned about.  Transformation (hands) calls for a change of the heart and a commitment to now live that which we have intellectually learned.

Let’s Get to the Practical Implementation!

Shared Christian Praxis MethodDr. Thomas Groome-Boston College • Connecting faith with life & life with faith! • Four Interrelated Movements (not steps) • Human Experience: The individual is asked to connect their prior experience on a topic focused by the “session theme or aim” • Christian Message: The action of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God’s Church and her teachings are presented • Discovery: Opportunity to reinterpret human experience in light of the Christian Message • Response: Connection to prayer, action, participation with the community…

Lectionary-Driven Catechesis • A suitable catechesis is …planned to be gradual and complete in its coverage, accommodated to the liturgical year, and solidly supported by celebrations of the word. This catechesis leads the catechumens not only to an appropriate acquaintance with dogmas and precepts but also to a profound sense of the mystery of salvation in which they desire to participate. RCIA # 75-1

Connect Faith With Life & Foster Apostolic Action • As they become familiar with the Christian way of life …the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to the faith, in all things to keep their hopes set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds, and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self renunciation. RCIA # 75-2

Liturgical Catechesis • The Church helps the catechumens on their journey by means of suitable liturgical rites, which purify the catechumens little by little and strengthen them with God’s blessing. RCIA # 75-3 (Grace)

Apostolic/Service Learning • Since the Church’s life is apostolic, catechumens should also learn how to work actively with others to spread the Gospel and build up the Church by the witness of their lives and by professing their faith. RCIA # 75-3

Utilizing the Six Tasks of Catechesis • Knowledge of the Faith • Formation for Liturgy/Sacraments • Moral Formation • Formation in Prayer/Spirituality • Formation for Community Life • Formation for Missionary Initiation • See yellow page in packet for explanation • Plan Using the Six Tasks Grid • Examples in the following section

So, What about the Practical Suggestions? • Use a lectionary driven cycle of topics. Lectionary tool available at: http://dosp.org/faithformation/r-c-i-a/ • Let go of the “curriculum” that came with your books or videos—use these as tools—not to be slavishly followed • Weekly readings are the “common curriculum” of the whole Church • Teachable moments/just in time learning • Echo the Faith = Root Meaning of Catechesis

So, What about the Practical Suggestions? • Action/Service/Experiential Learning: • Be bold enough to prepare a calendar that schedules opportunities to: • Feed the poor • Clothe/shelter the homeless • Visit the sick and infirm • Participate in a faith-based justice initiative • Partner with a community service program • Teach enough in advance for meaningful participation • Engage in theological reflection/prayer after the experience How did you meet Christ today?

So, What about the Practical Suggestions? • Schedule with a parish-wide special event and participate as a group: (look at the Parish Calendar) • Whole community/intergenerational faith formation event • Patronal prayer/celebration • Vespers • Feast Day Mass without dismissal (e.g. December 8/November 1)—engage in the desire that is building to participate in Eucharist—attach catechesis that week to this experience • Local “Pilgrimage” e.g. St. Leo Abby—liturgy of the hours, consecrated life, prayer forms…

So, What about the Practical Suggestions • Don’t add to the “silos” in the parish • Always apply “both/and” thinking • Consider pointing the catechumens and candidates toward follow-up activities, authentically Catholic literature, websites etc. for their own individual exploration—21st Century Learners • Implicit/Explicit “teaching” • Art & environment, music, video (segments)

So, What about the Practical Suggestions? • Don’t wait until Mystagogy to begin the parish connections: • Bring in the leadership of a group that relates to a theme that you are presenting and ask them to speak from their hearts about why they commit to their area of ministry • Guest leaders for breaking open the word or catechumenate session. e.g. Bible Study Coordinator

So, What about the Practical Suggestions?

In Summary • Look over your year-long plan • Consider the Periods of the Catechumenate and Allow the Guidance in the Rite to Nuance Your Topics and Formational Style • Look for the Teachable Moments and Opportunities Available at Your Parish • Consider the Balance in The Formation of Head—Heart—Hands and use the tools mentioned to assist in blending all of these • Remember, you are establishing a foundation for a lifetime of full, conscious and active participation in the life, liturgy and spirituality of the Catholic Church. Let them meet Jesus in the Breaking of the Bread—He is there for them for all their days!

Questions/Conclusions/Contact • Questions? • Any Conclusions That You May Want to Jot Down Now to Remind Yourself Later? • If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact me at: BAL@DOSP.org • Thank You for Companioning Those to Whom You are Called as They Journey to Their Emmaus Encounter!

Reaping a Rich Harvest: Developing “Formed” and “Transformed” Catholics