Maturing in Faith

- Faith Formation

Fall in love with God and set your heart on fire!
Maturing in Faith - Faith Formation for Adults

So that we are all on the same page about what we mean when we say Faith Formation, and who it is for, these are the three goals of Faith Formation as outlined by the US Bishops in their document: “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us”:
1. Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life
2. Promote and support active membership in the Christian community
3. Call and prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world
Life-long Faith Formation reminds us that it is never too late to deepen our faith, and to take the next step in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Faith is formed in many ways; in a gathered setting and in a virtual setting, too! We form faith by:
- Gathering weekly to worship together at Mass
- Participating in the life of the parish through ministry and outreach activities
- Celebrating the sacramental life of our Church
- Being a part of a small group
- Serving together for the common good
We are excited to share a plan that has been developed to address these goals, understanding that people are at different places on their faith journeys BUT also
- Value experiences that make faith relevant
- Help them put faith in action
- Connect them to a community
Whole Community or Intergenerational Learning

Teaching Masses - this year’s theme: An Overview of Being Catholic
Once a month, at the end of Mass there will be a 10-15 minute teaching on a different topic from our Catholic tradition. Everyone is invited to then gather in the parish center for an opportunity to build community with one another, discuss and briefly share on the topic, and enjoy a beverage and breakfast treat.

Sept 10 - 11       Oct 11 - 12        Nov 5 - 6           Dec 3 - 4           Jan 7 - 8
Feb 4 - 5 Mar 4 - 5           Apr 9 - 17          May 5 - 6

Service Sundays
Together as a whole community, we will explore what it means to put our faith into action. On four weekends over the course of this year, we will have a short presentation during Mass. After Mass, everyone can choose how to engage in the service/mission topic: by discussing as an individual household/family, sharing after Mass during “Coffee And” in the parish center, or joining in a parish Zoom group during the week. Each Service Sunday will have a focus and questions to reflect on, an activity to do together, and a list of opportunities to serve that people may choose from.

Oct 22 - 23                    Nov 20 - 21                    Jan 21 - 22                    Mar 18 - 19

Family Learning Events
Everything we do together as a parish community is an opportunity to form faith. Parish events such as the yard sale, Christmas Fair, Fill a Ford, Seder Supper, or Walk the Walk can be things to participate in as a family. Celebrating the different liturgical feasts of the year or being part of blessings such as “back to school/backpacks”, “getting one’s license”, “mothers or fathers day” all provide teaching moments.

There are many parish activities on the calendar this year, but we are especially excited to offer these family community building activities:

Sept 25 - Circle of Grace Brunch               Oct 29/30 - Treats with the Saints
Dec 4 - Breakfast w/ St. Nick Mar 26 - Lenten Retreat
Advent Prayer Stations                                Lenten Prayer Stations
May 13 - Family Game Night

Age Group Centered Learning Opportunities
Each stage of faith has different learning experiences designed for an age range.
- Born to Belong - ages birth to 3 years
- Intro to Church - ages 3 - 7 years
- Formed Around the Tables - ages 7 - 12
- Becoming Disciples - ages 12 - 15
- Confirming Faith - ages 15>
- Maturing in Faith - post Confirmation through adulthood
The following groups are for adults to continue to nurture their faith by sharing with others so they can be equipped to bring faith out into the world.

Men of Hope - Men’s Zoom group that meets on Saturdays from 7:30-8:00 AM

Book Club - What Makes us Catholc (by Tom Groome)
Mondays (Sept 12 - Nov 7, 2022) - virtual on Zoom
Wednesdays (Sept 14 - Nov 9) - in person

Just Faith Group
Mondays (Nov 21 - Feb 6) - virtual on Zoom
Wednesdays (Nov 23 - Feb 8) - in person

Women’s Bible Study and faith sharing
Saturday mornings 7:30-9am (starting September 10th) - on Zoom

Thursday Eve Bible Study - Meets at 7pm in the Day Chapel

Communities of Practice
When adults become involved in their faith community, they grow and deepen their faith. Connection with a community is vital to sustaining faith. This plan cannot happen without YOU. Becoming an Engaged Parish, we all must share our time, talent, and treasure to ensure that we are a dynamic faith community.

So How Can you help? - We are in need of people to facilitate, organize, schedule, assemble, drive, etc! See something that makes you think “I could help with that”? Talk with Pam to learn more!
- Kids Chapel leaders
- Come to the Tables leaders
- Mass Kits prep people
- Just Faith class facilitators (for Gr 6-8) (for Gr 9-10) (for Adults in person or Zoom)
- Just Faith Immersion experience assistance (for Gr 6-8) (for Gr 9-10) (for Adults)
- Book Club in person facilitator
- Book Club Zoom facilitator
- Book Club Zoom co-host
- Teaching Mass Planning Team (create questions for discussion, create a kid’s activity)
- Teaching Mass Discussion facilitators
- Service Sunday Planning Team
- Family Events Planning Team
- Mass Helpers and Liturgical Apprentices Scheduler
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Catholic Community of

Sacred Heart

Maturing in Faith

Fall in love with God and set your heart on fire!

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