"The Church's catechetical mission aims to help the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity, enriching the whole of life with the leaven of the Gospel."
There are three major points to keep in mind:
1. Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life
In response to God's call to holiness, our faith and life as adult disciples are grounded in developing a personal relationship with Jesus, "the Holy One of God" (Jn 6:69, Mk 1:24). Accordingly, "at the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth..." Catechesis aims at putting 'people...in communion...with Jesus Christ,' "As its first goal, faith formation helps adults "to acquire an attitude of conversion to the Lord."
2. Promote and Support Active Membership in the Christian Community
Adult Faith Formation helps adults make "a conscious and firm decision to live the gift and choice of faith through membership in the Christian community," accepting "co-responsibility for the community's mission and internal life." Adults not only receive the ministries of the Christian community, they also contribute to its life and mission through the generous stewardship of their gifts.
3. Call and Prepare Adults to Act as Disciples in Mission to the World
The Church and its adult faithful have a mission in and to the world: to share the message of Christ to renew and to transform the social and temporal order. This dual calling to evangelization and justice is integral to the identity of the lay faithful; all are called to it in baptism. Accordingly, faith formation seeks to help each adult believer become "more willing and able to be a Christian disciple in the world." As salt of the earth and light for the world (cf. Mt 5:13-16), adult disciples give witness to God's love and caring will so that, in the power of the Spirit, they renew the face of the earth.
(excerpted from Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States)
We invite you to come and join us for a deeper look at Catholicism, our rich history and our love of Jesus Christ. Please take a moment to fill out our Adult Faith Formation contact form below or contact the church office.