Adult Faith Formation
“Catechesis for adults, since it deals with persons who are capable of an adherence that is fully responsible, must be considered the chief form of catechesis.”
#59 General Directory for Catechesis
If you or your parish wishes to study the vision of adult faith formation, please consider one of these two resources:
- Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us -- This 1999 U.S. Bishop’s document on the priority of adult faith formation was written to promote the development of adult faith formation in our parishes. It is a very easy-to-read document and I highly recommend for any person wanting to better understand the Churches vision of adult faith formation.
- Nurturing Adult Faith: A Manual for Parish Leaders -- This practical resource provides theoretical models, practical help, and lots of good information to help a parish engage in adult faith formation. This resource can be purchased through the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, www.ncccl.org.
Diocesan Audio/Visual Resources for Adult Faith Faith Formation
The attached PDF document includes all the resources the diocesan audio/visual center owns to assist you with adult faith formation. This document includes a brief description of each program.
Six Dimensions of Adult Faith Formation
These six dimensions are taken directly from Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us and can be valuable instrument to help parishes review the variety of offerings for adults in the parish, and serve to challenge parish leaders by highlighting the areas that perhaps need to be offered more often or at all. Working grid.
Adult Faith Formation Newsletter… Connections
This quarterly newsletter is sent to parish leaders who have expressed an interest in adult faith formation. The previous two back issues are attached for your convenience.
Faith Formation Endowment of Seeds of Faith
The Faith Formation Endowment created through the successful Seeds of Faith Campaign provides assistance to parishes and parish ministers for on-going formation. There are three major arms of this endowment:
Continuing Education Assistance: This arm provides registration assistance so ministers can attend continuing education opportunities not sponsored by the Diocese of Winona.
Graduate Education Assistance: This arm assists ministers with up to $1,500 annually to seek graduate degrees in theology or pastoral ministry.
New Parish initiatives in Adult Faith Formation: This arm is intended to help parishes provide new opportunities for parishioners to deepen their faith formation.
Applications can be received by e-mailing Mark Nuehring at MNuehring@dow.org.
The next deadline is January 30, 2008
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
This resource, developed by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishop’s, is a complete adult faith formation resource in one book. It devotes a number of chapters to each of the four pillars of the U.S. Catholic Catechism in an easy-to-use-format. Each chapter begins with a saint or other holy person and then provides content, reflection questions, and a closing prayer. This book is a wonderful resource for RCIA groups, or any other group in the parish wanting to study, and discuss the tenets of our faith. This book may be purchase through the Office of Faith Formation at $16.50
Reader’s Journal for the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
The thirty six chapters in the reader’s journal parallel the 36 chapters of the adult catechism. For selected sections of each chapter you will find reflection questions and space to respond with your thoughts and insights. Each chapter ends with the challenge to identify how to put your faith in practice. This book may be purchased through the Office of Faith Formation for $5.50.
Links:
Virtual Learning Community, University of Dayton.
Website devoted to Adult Faith Formation.
A ministry of Creighton University providing ministers with an on-line retreat experience.
Generations of Faith website.
USCCB created website devoted to marriage enrichment.
A wonderful website called, “Sacred Space.”
A website devoted to life long faith formation.
Website devoted to understanding and implementing a ministry to senior adults.
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