A Creative Approach to Religious Education
Our Generations of Faith program was recently outlined by our Pastor, Fr Jim Field, in a letter to parishioners published in our bulletin. Excerpts are reproduced below:
There’s a lot of buzz in the rectory getting ready for
Generations of Faith. I do want to make a few reminders.
The fees are modest compared to other parishes,
but they do not come near covering our costs.
The funding of the faith formation office and staff
comes from the general offertory fund. The GOF fees
underwrite, but do not fully cover, books, supplies,
stipends, materials. The fees give a boost to our
faith formation budget. We’ll set up a payment plan
for you, or in a case of great need we will waive the
fee. But I do think it is important to underscore that
this program is for an entire family, not children
alone, and indeed it is for everyone, including single
adults and households without children. It has several
weighted components.
The first priority is participation
in Sunday Mass -an obligation of the Christian
life in Catholic practice. Secondly, the Faith Festivals
are the key to life-long learning on a given
year’s topic. Thirdly, for families with children,
home-based catechesis is guided by a curriculum for
learning and supported by monthly peer-level meetings
with Ann Lahiff and the children. These meetings
are to support the ongoing catechesis at home,
but are no substitute for Sunday Mass, which is always
the top priority. In addition, the parish is committed
to offer adult faith formation opportunities
throughout the year as part of GOF, such as the Friday
morning scripture study, and the October 5 event
with Father Michael Joncas of Eagle’s Wings fame. In
Advent and Lent we bring in speakers on a variety of
topics, and this is all part of our parish mission statement’s
value for “Life-long Learning.” The bulletin
is part of this GOF effort too, and if you are reading
the bulletin regularly you are getting some solid
catechesis, and a constant encouragement to read and
reflect on faith. It’s a new model, and it takes some
getting used to for those raised in the old abandoned
“CCD” classroom model. Sometimes we get calls
from people who think that we have a light and airy
approach to these matters, and who inquire about this
once a month program for children. They are under
the mistaken impression that this is less demanding
than a parish with weekly classes. Not so -remember
the priorities are Mass and community life, Faith Festivals,
home-based catechesis for children, and lifelong
learning for all. The monthly meetings serve
this wider model and do not substitute for any element.
We will have an orientation weekend soon to help newcomers to GOF explore some of these questions.
The title “Generations of Faith” is both about learning
across the generations, but also creating a climate
where adult faith is engaged and, if you will, “generated.”
This year’s topic of morality is especially
timely. The design team is working on the catechesis
for the October festivals, and I think it will provide a
compelling kick-off to a year of solid reflection on the
moral and ethical issues abounding in our very complex
society. I’m excited about it! Please sign up for
GOF now. Registration forms are at the back of the
church.
We are beginning our sixth year of GOF. Our theme for this year is "Christian Morality". Our Learning Festivals will be held in October, December, February and April.
Christian Morality
Session One
Thurs 10/22 6:00 pm…or Sat 10/24 9:30 am
Session Two
Thurs 12/10 6:00 pm...or Sat 12/11 9:30 am
Session Three
Thurs 2/4 6:00 pm…or Sat 2/6 9:30 am
Session Four
Thurs 4/8 6:00 pm…or Sat 4/10 9:30