Vision of Lifelong Faith Formation

Vision of Lifelong Faith FormationVision of Lifelong Faith Formation

Models for Parish ProgrammingModels for Parish Programming

Diocese of BuffaloDiocese of Buffalo


. . . encourage a living, explicit and . . . encourage a living, explicit and fruitful profession of faithfruitful profession of faith

. . . put people not only in touch, but . . . put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with also in communion and intimacy, with

Jesus Christ (Jesus Christ (GDC)GDC)The object of catechesis is communion The object of catechesis is communion

with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads people to enter the mystery of Christ, people to enter the mystery of Christ,

to encounter him, and to discover to encounter him, and to discover themselves and the meaning of their themselves and the meaning of their

lives in him. lives in him. (NDC)(NDC)


Faith is a gift destined to grow in Faith is a gift destined to grow in the hearts of believers. Adhering the hearts of believers. Adhering

to Jesus Christ, in fact, sets in to Jesus Christ, in fact, sets in motion a process of continuing motion a process of continuing conversion, which lasts for the conversion, which lasts for the

whole of life. whole of life.

(GDC)(GDC)

. . . the main task of handing on . . . the main task of handing on the faith is the whole community’s the faith is the whole community’s

task, carried out as members of task, carried out as members of the community gather together to the community gather together to

sustain each other, go out and sustain each other, go out and witness to, and even work to witness to, and even work to

transform (when appropriate) the transform (when appropriate) the world in the name of Jesus, the world in the name of Jesus, the

Christ. Christ. (Terrence Tilley, “Communication in Handing on the Faith”)(Terrence Tilley, “Communication in Handing on the Faith”)


Part 1Part 1Vision of Lifelong Faith FormationVision of Lifelong Faith Formation

How can we provide faith formation How can we provide faith formation across the whole lifespan?across the whole lifespan? Age groups (young children—older adults)Age groups (young children—older adults) FamiliesFamilies IntergenerationalIntergenerational At the parishAt the parish At home At home


Integrated & Comprehensive Integrated & Comprehensive Formation through participation in the life of Formation through participation in the life of

the faith communitythe faith community Education in Scripture and the Catholic Education in Scripture and the Catholic

traditiontradition Apprenticeship in the Christian lifeApprenticeship in the Christian life Intimate connection with the liturgy and rituals Intimate connection with the liturgy and rituals

of the Churchof the Church Development of a life of prayerDevelopment of a life of prayer Engagement in actions of justice and serviceEngagement in actions of justice and service

((General Directory for CatechesisGeneral Directory for Catechesis 90) 90)

Engaging Learning ExperiencesEngaging Learning Experiences• ExperientialExperiential• Image-richImage-rich• Multi-sensoryMulti-sensory• Interactive and Participatory Interactive and Participatory • Appropriate for All Learning StylesAppropriate for All Learning Styles• Applicable to Real LifeApplicable to Real Life• Project-CenteredProject-Centered


Connected Faith FormationConnected Faith FormationChurch Life & Faith PracticesChurch Life & Faith Practices

Faith Formation Faith Formation Home/Family Home/Family


Connected Faith FormationConnected Faith Formation Prepare people for participation in Prepare people for participation in

church life—worship, prayer, service, church life—worship, prayer, service, liturgical year, leadership—through liturgical year, leadership—through faith formation programming. faith formation programming.

Engage people in church events and Engage people in church events and incorporate a learning-reflection incorporate a learning-reflection component.component.



Diversity of Learning FormatsDiversity of Learning Formats

1.1. Independent learningIndependent learning

2.2. Small group learningSmall group learning

3.3. Large group learningLarge group learning

4.4. Study action projects / serviceStudy action projects / service

5.5. Spiritual developmentSpiritual development

6.6. Online presence Online presence

Approaches & ModelsApproaches & Models

1.1. Life-Span Faith Formation Life-Span Faith Formation a)a) thematic faith formation for all ages thematic faith formation for all ages b)b) milestones faith formationmilestones faith formationc)c) events-centered intergenerational faith events-centered intergenerational faith

formationformationd)d) faith formation in Christian practicesfaith formation in Christian practices

2.2. Family and Intergenerational Models Family and Intergenerational Models 3.3. Age Group Program ModelsAge Group Program Models4.4. Internet & Communication Media Internet & Communication Media

Lifelong: ThematicLifelong: Thematic

Align Faith Themes across All Align Faith Themes across All

Age GroupsAge Groups• Four Pillars of CatechismFour Pillars of Catechism

1. Creed1. Creed 2. Sacraments2. Sacraments

3. Morality3. Morality 4. Prayer4. Prayer

• Lectionary Cycle of ReadingsLectionary Cycle of Readings• Children’s Textbook ThemesChildren’s Textbook Themes


• Weekly age-appropriate, learning materials Weekly age-appropriate, learning materials on the Lectionary readings on the Lectionary readings • Ages: 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-18, AdultAges: 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-18, Adult

• Weekly Worship Material: prayers, sermon Weekly Worship Material: prayers, sermon ideasideas

• Weekly Service Materials: faith in action Weekly Service Materials: faith in action projects projects


Learning GroupLearning Group Learning ModelLearning Model

FamilyFamily 3-hour family-centered 3-hour family-centered programprogram

ChildrenChildren 4-session unit (weekly)4-session unit (weekly)

Middle SchoolMiddle School 4-week mini-course4-week mini-course

TeensTeens 2 youth meetings2 youth meetings

Young Adults & AdultsYoung Adults & Adults 4-week faith sharing4-week faith sharing

AdultsAdults presentationpresentation

Theme eg.: We Believe (Creed) Month: October

Lifelong: MilestonesLifelong: Milestones

1.1. Birth / Baptism Birth / Baptism Becoming a Parent/ GrandparentBecoming a Parent/ Grandparent

2.2. Anniversary of BaptismAnniversary of Baptism3.3. Welcoming Young Children to WorshipWelcoming Young Children to Worship4.4. Entering “Sunday School” Entering “Sunday School” 5.5. Starting SchoolStarting School6.6. Kids and Money Kids and Money 7.7. Blessing of the Backpacks Blessing of the Backpacks 8.8. First CommunionFirst Communion9.9. Receiving a first BibleReceiving a first Bible


10.10. ConfirmationConfirmation11.11. Graduation (HS, College)Graduation (HS, College)12.12. A New Home / ApartmentA New Home / Apartment13.13. Career / First JobCareer / First Job14.14. Engagement Engagement 15.15. WeddingWedding16.16. Retirement or AARP CardRetirement or AARP Card17.17. TransitionsTransitions18.18. Death / FuneralDeath / Funeral


Family ComponentsFamily Components• Faith Conversations Faith Conversations

• Devotions and PrayerDevotions and Prayer

• ServiceService

• Rituals and Traditions Rituals and Traditions

• Family MealFamily Meal

Lifelong: Whole ParishLifelong: Whole Parish

Adults

Young Adults

Older Adults

Whole Families

All Ages Intergenerational Approach


CharacteristicsCharacteristics Involvement of all ages in faith Involvement of all ages in faith

formation togetherformation together Curriculum centered in the life of the Curriculum centered in the life of the

church: events-centeredchurch: events-centered Preparation of all generations for Preparation of all generations for

participation in Catholic community participation in Catholic community life, especially Sunday Masslife, especially Sunday Mass


Intergenerational learning: all of the Intergenerational learning: all of the generations learning togethergenerations learning together

Formation of the whole family, and Formation of the whole family, and especially parents, to create a especially parents, to create a pattern of family faith sharing and a pattern of family faith sharing and a Catholic way of life at homeCatholic way of life at home


Core Curriculum for the whole Core Curriculum for the whole community with intergenerational community with intergenerational learning for all ages learning for all ages

1.1. Church Year & ScriptureChurch Year & Scripture2.2. Creed Creed 3.3. SacramentsSacraments4.4. MoralityMorality5.5. JusticeJustice6.6. PrayerPrayer

OtherParish

Learning

SacramentPrep Young

Adults

Youth

Children

Core Lifelong

Curriculumfor Parish

Community

Adults


AdventAdvent Jesus the MessiahJesus the Messiah

Christmas – EpiphanyChristmas – Epiphany Divinity of JesusDivinity of Jesus

LentLent Journey with JesusJourney with Jesus

Good FridayGood Friday Death of JesusDeath of Jesus

Easter SeasonEaster Season ResurrectionResurrection

PentecostPentecost Mission of the ChristianMission of the Christian

Sunday ReadingsSunday Readings Ministry of JesusMinistry of Jesus

Sunday ReadingsSunday Readings Identity of Christ Identity of Christ


BaptismBaptism Celebrations of Baptism, Baptism of the Celebrations of Baptism, Baptism of the Lord, Easter SeasonLord, Easter Season

ConfirmationConfirmation Celebration of Confirmation, PentecostCelebration of Confirmation, Pentecost

EucharistEucharist Sunday, First Eucharist, Holy Thursday, Sunday, First Eucharist, Holy Thursday, Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi

ReconciliationReconciliation Lent, Reconciliation Services Lent, Reconciliation Services

Anointing of the Anointing of the SickSick

Celebration of Sacrament, February Celebration of Sacrament, February Lectionary Readings (Cycle B)Lectionary Readings (Cycle B)

MarriageMarriage World Marriage Day, Holy Family SundayWorld Marriage Day, Holy Family Sunday

OrdersOrders Vocations DayVocations Day


Connecting Faith, Worship, and Life

Based upon the Gospel and the call of Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessors for a new evangelization and stronger catechetical effort, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish uses a liturgy-centered, lifelong, and intergenerational approach to Catholic faith formation.

The goal is to help and support everyone who wishes to become a better disciple by integrating faith, worship, and life in light of the Gospel. Since this is an ongoing, lifelong task, we invite EVERYONE in the parish to participate. All are welcome!


Connecting Faith, Worship, and Life

• September: Mass for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time• October: Mass for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time• November: Mass for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time• December: Mass for the 2nd Sunday of Advent• January: Mass for the Baptism of the Lord• February: Mass for the 1st Sunday of Lent• March: Mass for Palm Sunday• April: Mass for the 4th Sunday of Easter• May: Mass for Holy Trinity Sunday

Family Faith FormationFamily Faith Formation

““. . . in every Christian family the different . . . in every Christian family the different aspects and functions of the life of the entire aspects and functions of the life of the entire Church may be reflected: mission; catechesis; Church may be reflected: mission; catechesis; witness; prayer etc. Indeed in the same way as witness; prayer etc. Indeed in the same way as the Church, the family ‘is a place in which the the Church, the family ‘is a place in which the

Gospel is transmitted and from which it Gospel is transmitted and from which it extends.’ The family as a locus of catechesis extends.’ The family as a locus of catechesis

has a unique privilege: transmitting the Gospel has a unique privilege: transmitting the Gospel by rooting it in the context of profound human by rooting it in the context of profound human values. values. …It is, indeed, a Christian education …It is, indeed, a Christian education

more witnessed to than taught, more more witnessed to than taught, more occasional than systematic, more ongoing and occasional than systematic, more ongoing and

daily than structured into periodsdaily than structured into periods.” .” (General Directory for Catechesis, 1997)(General Directory for Catechesis, 1997)

Family Faith Formation Family Faith Formation

For the good of families and the whole For the good of families and the whole Christian community, the church must Christian community, the church must provide opportunities to equip homes provide opportunities to equip homes as centers of faith formation at every as centers of faith formation at every stage of life, and this needs to be a stage of life, and this needs to be a

primary goal for congregational primary goal for congregational ministryministry. .

Congregations need to make family Congregations need to make family faith formation one focus of everything faith formation one focus of everything

they do as a church community.they do as a church community.

Family Faith Formation Family Faith Formation

• The evidence clearly shows that The evidence clearly shows that the single most important social the single most important social influence on the religious and influence on the religious and spiritual lives of children and spiritual lives of children and adolescents is their parents. adolescents is their parents.


• ““We’ll get what we are.” Most parents We’ll get what we are.” Most parents most likely will end up getting most likely will end up getting religiously of their children what they religiously of their children what they themselves themselves areare..

• The best way to get most youth The best way to get most youth involved in and serious about their involved in and serious about their faith communities is to get their faith communities is to get their parents more involved in and serious parents more involved in and serious about their faith communities.about their faith communities.

(Christian Smith, (Christian Smith, Soul SearchingSoul Searching))

Our Goal

FamilyFaith

PracticeService

Rituals and Traditions

Devotions and Prayer

CaringConversations

Family Meal



1.1. Utilize church ministries and Utilize church ministries and programming to teach, model, and programming to teach, model, and demonstrate family faith practices, and demonstrate family faith practices, and then provide the resources for families then provide the resources for families to live the practice at home, e.g., to live the practice at home, e.g., Sunday Worship.Sunday Worship.


2.2. Involve the whole family in Involve the whole family in congregational life, programs, and congregational life, programs, and leadership roles.leadership roles.

Redesign programs to incorporate Redesign programs to incorporate family learning.family learning.

Involve the whole family in worship Involve the whole family in worship and leadership roles.and leadership roles.


3.3. Offer family learning programs:Offer family learning programs: monthly large group family sessionsmonthly large group family sessions family workshops on family faith practices, family workshops on family faith practices,

church year seasons, and/or family topicschurch year seasons, and/or family topics family cluster or small group learning family cluster or small group learning

programsprograms family-centered lectionary-based programfamily-centered lectionary-based program family-centered vacation Bible schoolfamily-centered vacation Bible school family retreats and campsfamily retreats and camps family Bible studyfamily Bible study family-centered sacramental preparationfamily-centered sacramental preparation

4.4. Develop family faith formation around Develop family faith formation around lifecycle milestones.lifecycle milestones.

Life cycle specific faith formation around Life cycle specific faith formation around life span milestones at home and in the life span milestones at home and in the congregation, utilizing daily, seasonal, congregation, utilizing daily, seasonal, and yearly practices and traditions. and yearly practices and traditions.

The life span approach creates a The life span approach creates a partnership between home and parish. partnership between home and parish.


5.5. Offer family service programs & Offer family service programs & projects. projects.

6.6. Provide at-home resources for the Provide at-home resources for the family faith practices. family faith practices.

7.7. Use the Internet to resource and Use the Internet to resource and connect families.connect families.



8.8. Provide parent education, resources, Provide parent education, resources, support, and encouragement.support, and encouragement.

Classes, workshops, retreats, and/or support Classes, workshops, retreats, and/or support groups to nurture parental faith; to teach groups to nurture parental faith; to teach parenting skills, ways to share faith at home, parenting skills, ways to share faith at home, etc. etc.

Parent-child/teen programmingParent-child/teen programming Parent information and resources: print, Parent information and resources: print,

audio, video, and/or web-based.audio, video, and/or web-based. Parallel parent program to the children and Parallel parent program to the children and

adolescent program. adolescent program.

Intergenerational Faith FormationIntergenerational Faith Formation

Elements of Intergenerational LearningElements of Intergenerational Learning 1.1. an all-ages learning experience for the an all-ages learning experience for the

whole assemblywhole assembly2.2. age-appropriate in-depth learning age-appropriate in-depth learning

experiences for families with children, experiences for families with children, adolescents, young adults, and adultsadolescents, young adults, and adults

3.3. an all-ages contributive learning an all-ages contributive learning experience in which each generation experience in which each generation teaches the other generationsteaches the other generations

4.4. reflection on the learning experience reflection on the learning experience and interactive group sharingand interactive group sharing

Meal and Community Building Meal and Community Building (30 minutes)(30 minutes)

Part 1. Gathering and Prayer Part 1. Gathering and Prayer (10-15)(10-15)

Part 2. All Ages Learning ExperiencePart 2. All Ages Learning Experience (20-30) (20-30)

Part 3. In-Depth Learning Experience Part 3. In-Depth Learning Experience (75-90)(75-90)

Option 1. Whole GroupOption 1. Whole Group Option 2. Age GroupOption 2. Age Group Option 3. Activity CenterOption 3. Activity Center

Part 4. Sharing Learning Experiences and Part 4. Sharing Learning Experiences and Home Application Home Application (15-20)(15-20)

Part 5. Closing Prayer Part 5. Closing Prayer (5-10)(5-10)



1.1. Offer intergenerational learning Offer intergenerational learning programs:programs:

monthly learning programsmonthly learning programs weekly or bi-weekly small groupsweekly or bi-weekly small groups intergenerational summer camp programsintergenerational summer camp programs intergenerational vacation Bible schoolintergenerational vacation Bible school intergenerational Bible studyintergenerational Bible study intergenerational retreatsintergenerational retreats Intergenerational workshopsIntergenerational workshops


2.2. Develop a faith formation curriculum for the Develop a faith formation curriculum for the whole community using intergenerational whole community using intergenerational faith formation as the primary learning faith formation as the primary learning model. model.

3.3. Extend a topic or theme being featured in Extend a topic or theme being featured in the faith formation program for children or the faith formation program for children or adolescents, to the whole community adolescents, to the whole community through intergenerational learning. through intergenerational learning.

4.4. Replace a topic in the children or Replace a topic in the children or adolescent program with intergenerational adolescent program with intergenerational learning on the same theme. learning on the same theme.


5.5. Add intergenerational learning to Add intergenerational learning to sacramental preparation and celebrations. sacramental preparation and celebrations.

6.6. Conduct intergenerational faith formation Conduct intergenerational faith formation before major church year feasts and before major church year feasts and seasons, as well as church events. seasons, as well as church events.

7.7. Add intergenerational learning to a vacation Add intergenerational learning to a vacation Bible school or summer program.Bible school or summer program.

8.8. Conduct intergenerational learning around Conduct intergenerational learning around justice issues, events, and action projects. justice issues, events, and action projects.

9.9. Sponsor an intergenerational retreat for the Sponsor an intergenerational retreat for the whole community. whole community.

Age Group Learning ModelsAge Group Learning Models

Models of learning for age groups:Models of learning for age groups: 1.1. Independent learningIndependent learning

2.2. Small group learningSmall group learning

3.3. Large group learningLarge group learning

4.4. Study action projectsStudy action projects

5.5. Spiritual developmentSpiritual development

6.6. Online presence Online presence

Independent LearningIndependent Learning

1. Independent Learning1. Independent Learning

• podcasts and audio learningpodcasts and audio learning

• video podcasts and video-based video podcasts and video-based learninglearning

• online courses & online learning online courses & online learning centerscenters

• parish web siteparish web site

Small Group LearningSmall Group Learning

2. Small Group Learning2. Small Group Learning

• discipleship or faith sharing groupsdiscipleship or faith sharing groups

• Bible study groupsBible study groups

• topical study groupstopical study groups

• practice-focused groupspractice-focused groups

• special interest groupsspecial interest groups

• ministry groupsministry groups

Large Group LearningLarge Group Learning

3. Large Group Learning3. Large Group Learning • multi-session coursesmulti-session courses• speaker seriesspeaker series• one-session programone-session program• round table discussions round table discussions • parent parallel learningparent parallel learning• field tripsfield trips• workshopsworkshops• film festivalsfilm festivals

Study-ActionStudy-Action

4. Study-Action Projects: combine 4. Study-Action Projects: combine study, action, and reflectionstudy, action, and reflection

• Justice and service projects: local, Justice and service projects: local, national, globalnational, global

• Age groupsAge groups

• FamiliesFamilies

• Multi-generational Multi-generational

• Church ministry/leadership groups Church ministry/leadership groups

Engage People in a Variety of Engage People in a Variety of Study-Action ProjectsStudy-Action Projects

• Local, national, global projectsLocal, national, global projects• Age groupsAge groups• FamiliesFamilies• Multi-generational Multi-generational

• ProcessProcess• Study Study Action Action Reflection Reflection• Action Action Reflection Reflection Study Study


Add an Action Project to a Learning Add an Action Project to a Learning Program: for Participants, Families or Program: for Participants, Families or for the Whole Churchfor the Whole Church

ProgramProgram ActionAction ReflectionReflection

Option for PoorOption for Poor

Creation/EnvironmentCreation/Environment

Dignity of Human LifeDignity of Human Life

Rights and ResponsibilitiesRights and Responsibilities

PeacePeace


Spiritual DevelopmentSpiritual Development

1.1. OfferOffer retreat experiences for age retreat experiences for age groups, families, & intergenerationalgroups, families, & intergenerational

2.2. InfuseInfuse spiritual practices into all spiritual practices into all program: classes, youth programs, program: classes, youth programs, adult programs, meetings, leadership adult programs, meetings, leadership groupsgroups


3.3. TeachTeach spiritual practices and spiritual practices and disciplines (variety of prayer forms and disciplines (variety of prayer forms and techniques)techniques)

• silence and silent prayer silence and silent prayer • centering prayercentering prayer• meditative prayermeditative prayer• praying with poetry, art, or musicpraying with poetry, art, or music• reading and meditating on Bible reading and meditating on Bible

storiesstories• prayers of praise, confession, petition, prayers of praise, confession, petition,

intercession, and thanksgivingintercession, and thanksgiving

When youth leaders practice the presence When youth leaders practice the presence of God within their ministries, lives are of God within their ministries, lives are changed (adult and youth).changed (adult and youth).

When youth ministries pray and attend to When youth ministries pray and attend to God, there is greater patience, generosity, God, there is greater patience, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, hope, joy, and kindness, self-discipline, hope, joy, and love, as well as other fruits of the Spirit.love, as well as other fruits of the Spirit.

With regular exposure to spiritual exercises With regular exposure to spiritual exercises youth began to notice their youth programs youth began to notice their youth programs felt more centered on God and the spiritual felt more centered on God and the spiritual life, and less focused on social and life, and less focused on social and recreational activities.recreational activities.


In evaluating the young people’s experience In evaluating the young people’s experience of silence, solitude, and contemplative of silence, solitude, and contemplative prayer, a majority of students within the prayer, a majority of students within the project expressed a desire for continual project expressed a desire for continual growth in prayer and spiritual practice.growth in prayer and spiritual practice.

Young people remarked about the lack of Young people remarked about the lack of open time and space in their lives and were open time and space in their lives and were surprised by the “holy leisure” they surprised by the “holy leisure” they encountered in the project’s contemplative encountered in the project’s contemplative retreats and in their youth groups.retreats and in their youth groups.


Other young people felt affirmed by the Other young people felt affirmed by the diversity of prayer within the Christian diversity of prayer within the Christian tradition and found the different forms of tradition and found the different forms of prayer encouraging to their own spiritual prayer encouraging to their own spiritual growth.growth.

There was a widespread desire among There was a widespread desire among youth in our participating churches to youth in our participating churches to integrate spiritual practices into daily life, integrate spiritual practices into daily life, such as using workout times as times for such as using workout times as times for prayer and meditation, journaling, and prayer and meditation, journaling, and setting aside time in the early morning or setting aside time in the early morning or before bed to practice silent prayer. before bed to practice silent prayer.


Internet & CommunicationInternet & Communication

1.1. online learning courses and activities online learning courses and activities 2.2. online small groups, courses, and reading online small groups, courses, and reading

groupsgroups3.3. faith formation resources for individuals faith formation resources for individuals

and families and families 4.4. social networkingsocial networking5.5. daily Bible study / prayer-of-the-daydaily Bible study / prayer-of-the-day6.6. audio and video podcasts of sermons and audio and video podcasts of sermons and

guest speakers, and links to other sources guest speakers, and links to other sources (iTunes)(iTunes)

7.7. e-newslettere-newsletter

• The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton• The American Catholic Experience• Biblical Literary Forms• The Gospel of John: The Book Of Glory• Jesus Christ: Yesterday and Today • Liturgy: A Guide for the Perplexed• The Papacy• The Letters of St. Paul• Catholic Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary,

and the Doxology• The Creed: We Believe• Core Course: An Introduction to Theology

Sacred SpaceSacred Space

www.SacredSpace.ie

We invite you to make a 'Sacred Space' in your day, and spend ten minutes, praying here and now, as you sit at your computer, with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day

Online MagazineOnline Magazine

ConclusionConclusion

For more information about any of the models described in the power point, please contact:

Mary Beth Coates, director

Department of Lifelong Faith Formation

Diocese of Buffalo

[email protected]

716-847-5505Acknowledgement: Adventures Project, January 2007; author: John Roberto, Lifelong Faith Associates.

FamilyFamily

Vision of Lifelong Faith Formation

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