Diocesan Guidelines for PARISH FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION

Transcription

1 Diocesan Guidelines for PARISH FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION Definition of Faith Formation Faith formation may be defined as the totality of the Church s effort to continue the teaching mission of Jesus Christ, whereby the Faith is presented in an organic and systematic way so as to lead people into a life of ever-deepening discipleship. Discipleship naturally leads to evangelization the sharing of the Good News with others. Faith formation involves both catechetical instruction and the forming of others in a life of prayer, worship, witness, and service (especially to the poorest among us). This essential task of faith formation is a shared mission both in parish life as well as in our Catholic schools and it is a mission also shared by Catholic families. Everyone is included in this universal endeavor of renewing our faith and rejuvenating our Christian ideals. Definition of Two Key Terms: Discipleship and Evangelization Discipleship is a lifelong, vital relationship with Jesus in faith, such that we grow each day in knowing, loving, and serving the Lord, and one another. Evangelization is sharing the Gospel of Jesus by our words, deeds and Christian joy, proposing to others a lifetime of discipleship within the Church, so that society is transformed in Christ. A Common Language When speaking of faith formation, it is helpful to arrive at a common language and have consistency in our use of terms. This allows us to be more unified. At the same time, striving for a common language is not meant to imply the need for a cookie cutter approach to faith formation. A diversity of circumstances exists from parish to parish, and since every parish has unique gifts, each is called to carry out faith formation in the way that best meets the needs of its people. Some terminology linked to faith formation is outdated. One such term is CCD (named after the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine). In its place, some parishes have adopted the term Parish Religious Education Program. However this term is also less than ideal. Faith formation has the advantage of emphasizing the goal of forming persons in a lifetime of Page 1 February 2013

2 discipleship. Discipleship necessarily entails a process, not just a class that starts and ends. When the term Religious Education is used, there is a risk that knowing the Lord is reduced to merely knowing information about him. But to know the Lord is also to come into an authentic and vital relationship with him. In this earthly life, there is no graduation date for a disciple of the Lord; there is never a point where a disciple of the Lord can say: I have arrived... I can no longer grow in loving, knowing and serving the Lord. Faith formation implies a movement from head to heart to hands to voice: that is, from catechetical instruction to meaningful prayer and worship, to service, and to evangelization. The process can appear to be linear, but it is not. There is always a need to return to, and keep growing in, each area of the Faith. Discipleship: To Connect To Grow To Worship To Serve Before Christ ascended to his Father after his resurrection, He gave the apostles a final command to make disciples of all nations... The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ. (Blessed John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 1, 5) Discipleship centers on daily encounters with Jesus Christ. In everything that happens in a parish from training lectors to service projects to commission meetings we should strive to include time for a meaningful Jesus encounter as a way of helping us to grow as disciples. For example, just a few minutes devoted to Lectio Divina or an Ignatian meditation at the start of a gathering or activity can bear much fruit. The four elements of the RCIA provide a rich model for fostering discipleship: 1. CONNECT... with others by forming community 2. GROW... in our knowledge of the Lord, of Scripture and Tradition, and of the teachings of the Church 3. WORSHIP... by understanding and taking part in the liturgical life of the Church 4. SERVE... by carrying out Christian service, especially to the needy, and by being good stewards of our time, talent and treasure When the goal of fostering discipleship is embraced, all areas of parish life are impacted. Evangelization: To Witness to the Joy within Us The Church "exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ's sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection. (Pope Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14) Discipleship should naturally blossom into evangelization, which means bringing Christ s Good News to others by our authentic Christian WITNESS. To witness means we not only continue in our own Page 2 February 2013

3 ongoing process of conversion, but we also seek to invite and attract others by words and actions to a lifelong journey of discipleship within the context of the faith community that is the Church. The evangelizing mission of the Church is meant to be carried out by all of the faithful not only by clergy, members of religious communities, or an evangelization committee. It is the responsibility of the pastor or pastoral administrator, as well as the Parish Pastoral Council, to ensure that all of the parish s commissions and activities fulfill this mission to evangelize. Purpose of the Parish Faith Formation Commission The Parish Faith Formation Commission serves as a standing commission of the Parish Pastoral Council. The commission receives its direction from the pastor or pastoral administrator, as well as from the Parish Pastoral Council. In addition to providing advice and consultation regarding the various aspects of faith formation, the Parish Faith Formation Commission is responsible for faith formation being carried out in a way that is in harmony with the vision and expectations of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Saginaw, and the pastor or pastoral administrator. In larger parishes, individual ministries such as Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, etc. sometimes have their own committees. In these cases, the committees are subsidiary to the Parish Faith Formation Commission. Responsibilities of the Parish Faith Formation Commission also include the assessment of current strengths and needs within the parish with regard to faith formation; research and planning; assistance with the formation of programs and services; assistance in coordination with parish mission, goals and priorities; and coordination with other parish commissions such as Worship and Christian Service. Especially in those places that have undergone or will be undergoing mergers, the Parish Faith Formation Commission can effectively model, in a positive and concrete way, the benefit of working together for the good of the parish. Typical Areas of Focus The work of the Parish Faith Formation Commission touches on many areas within the life of the parish. Leaders should carry out periodic assessments to identify priorities and focus on a manageable agenda. Areas that fall under this commission and its subsidiary structures could include: Sacramental Catechesis (in collaboration with the Worship Commission): Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance & Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony and Holy Orders. Children's Catechesis: Parish catechetical programs; in-home settings. Parish Youth Ministry: To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community; to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. (Renewing the Vision, USCCB) Page 3 February 2013

4 Young Adults: Outreach to college students, home or away, and young adults transitioning from school to an independent way of life. Adult Faith Formation: Parish programs; faith formation through existing parish organizations; small faith communities; Scripture study groups; faith study gatherings based on such resources as the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the YouCat, The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, the documents of Vatican II, and other Church documents. Family Formation: Whole family or whole community catechesis (examples include intergenerational experiences such as summer faith camps for the family); parent formation, since parents are the primary teachers of the Faith; family to family networks; family ritual, prayer and celebration. Formation in Prayer: Growth in our lives of prayer is a crucial aspect of discipleship: Lord, teach us to pray (Lk 11:1). Offering opportunities to learn various ways of praying, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina, Ignatian Meditation, etc. Vocations: Fostering openness to the priestly, religious, married, and generous single life, while helping people understand how each way of life complements and supports the others. Catechesis for the Developmentally Disabled: Examples include SPRED (Special Religious Development), a program which designs faith formation specifically to meet the spiritual needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities, or other types of inclusion ministries. RCIA: Offering support and consultation to the parish s RCIA leadership committee in their efforts to form disciples. Multi-Cultural Formation: As disciples of Christ, in whom, there is neither Jew nor Greek (Gal 3:28), we are called to value the gifts of people from all cultures and find ways to foster awareness of and celebrate cultural diversity within the Church. Ecumenical and interreligious collaboration: Working with the Christian Service Commission and the Worship Commission to carry out initiatives with members of other local Churches and ecclesial communities, as well as with non-christians. The pastor or pastoral administrator should be consulted from the outset to help ensure that ecumenical and interreligious collaboration is carried out in accord with the guidelines of the Church. The diocesan ecumenical and interreligious officer is also available to offer guidance and support. Membership Persons who are fully initiated Catholics and registered as parishioners are eligible for membership. Balanced representation from various segments of a parish's population is desirable: individuals of both genders and from different cultural backgrounds; both married and single persons; longstanding parishioners as well as newcomers (new parishioners can often offer fresh, valuable perspectives); individuals from a variety of age groups, with the minimum being those of high school age. In those parishes undergoing mergers, the Parish Faith Formation Commission should include members Page 4 February 2013

5 from the churches designated as the parish church, the additional use church, and the occasional use church. Important qualities of a commission member include: a lived discipleship; a solid understanding and sincere practice of the Catholic Faith; an enthusiasm to share the teachings of the Catholic Faith with others by word and deed; and an active engagement in, and concern about, the life of the parish. Members should be given terms of service no greater than three years (though they are renewable). The terms of service should be staggered. The parish s faith formation director (or the equivalent) and RCIA coordinator typically serve as liaisons to the Parish Faith Formation Commission. Where appropriate (such as at parishes that have a Catholic School attached, or whose children attend a nearby Catholic School), either the principal of that school or her/his delegate may also be invited to serve as a liaison to the Parish Faith Formation Commission, so that parishes and schools can find ways to foster a rich sense of unity and mutual support. Meetings The Parish Faith Formation Commission is well served by dedicating a portion of its meeting time for the purposes of shared learning and dialogue on things that pertain to faith formation. Agendas should begin with a meaningful encounter with the Lord in prayer, followed by an opportunity to grow in faith and understanding, such as meditatively reading the upcoming Sunday gospel along the lines of Lectio Divina, sharing on a point from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or studying a section from a Church document on faith formation or evangelization. After prayer and study, then the meeting should proceed with a reasonable list of topics to be addressed. The number of meetings held by the Parish Faith Formation Commission varies according to parish size and the matters that call for attention. Many commissions meet monthly or bimonthly. Roles and Relationships Like the Parish Pastoral Council itself, the Parish Faith Formation Commission has an advisory and consultative relationship with the pastor or pastoral administrator, as well as with the person designated by the pastor or pastoral administrator to directly oversee faith formation in the parish. The commission often may meet in the presence of one or more delegates from the parish staff, and various parish catechetical leaders (e.g., those who lead youth and young adult ministries). As needed, the Parish Faith Formation Commission likewise sends one or more representatives to the Parish Pastoral Council. The task for these persons is not only to report and represent the work of the commission, but to learn and convey back to the commission the issues, works and concerns of the Parish Pastoral Council and its other commissions. The Parish Faith Formation Commission carries out its responsibilities in a spirit of collaboration with the pastor or pastoral administrator, the parish s faith formation director (or the equivalent), the parish staff, the Parish Pastoral Council, and the wider parish community. The commission also has a Page 5 February 2013

6 collaborative relationship with other parish commissions. Finally, members of the Parish Faith Formation Commission are to be mindful of reaching out to parishioners and listening to their input, recognizing how much it means to parishioners when they have a sense that they can share their concerns and ideas, and that they are valued. Please note: the diocesan Formation offices are ready to assist you and your parish with any needs Dr. Dan Osborn Director of the Center for Ministry Tel dosborn@dioceseofsaginaw.org Mark Graveline Coordinator of Youth Ministry Tel mgravline@dioceseofsaginaw.org Page 6 February 2013