From "Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us" -- A Pastoral Plan
for Adult Faith Formation
in the United States
We are convinced that the energy and resources we devote to adult faith formation will strengthen and invigorate all the charisms that adults receive and the activities they undertake, in the Church and in society, to serve the Gospel of Christ and the people of today. Every Church ministry will be energized through a dynamic ministry of adult catechesis.
Adult faith formation also benefits children and youth. An adult community whose faith is well-formed and lively will more effectively pass that faith on to the next generation. Moreover, the witness of adults actively continuing their own formation shows children and youth that growth in faith is lifelong and does not end upon reaching adulthood.
In addition, adult faith formation should serve as the point of reference for catechesis for other age groups. It ought to be "the organizing principle, which gives coherence to the various catechetical programs offered by a particular Church." Maturity of faith is the intent of all catechesis from the earliest years. Thus, all catechesis is geared to a lifelong deepening of faith in Christ. How necessary, then, that the catechetical ministry with adults set an example of the highest quality and vitality.
For such reasons as these, the Church wisely and repeatedly insists that adult faith formation is "essential to who we are and what we do as Church" and must be "situated not at the periphery of the Church's educational mission but at its center."
Adult Faith Formation
St. Anne's offers many opportunities to expand one's understanding of the Catholic faith whether it is through direct service or continuing educational opportunties. In addition, the Archdiocese offers poeriodic formation classes which are offered throughout the Archdiocese. Go to the Archdiocesan Ministry Formation Progam.
We agree and adopt the three goals the bishops set out for adult faith formation in their doument, "Our Hearts Were Buring Within Us." These are:
• 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 to the World
We strive to meet people where they are, recognizing their different learning styles as well as the life situations in which they find themselves. As such, we strive to walk with them in their journey of faith, encouraging them to grow and seek Jesus as their source and goal of life.
Specific programs that we have offered include Disciples in Mission, guest speakers on various topics, Bible studies, small church faith sharing groups, Legion of Mary, various prayer groups, Over 55 Club, and many more.
IF you would like to seek out opportunities for continuing faith formation, contact our Religious Education Office: 541-479-4848 or 541-479-4866 or email Terry Knouff, the Coordinator of Faith Formation. See the Contacts link for her e-mail address.