Our Vision
In the formation of the laity, we accompany people to conversion and sanctification through the tasks of Catechesis. Lay Formation is always offered with intention and through a kerygmatic lens.
To form believers to live a Christian life, catechesis pursues all the following tasks. A strong formation program will balance all of these.
Knowledge of the Faith
“…[Helps] the believer to know the truths of the Christian faith, introduces him to the knowledge of Sacred Scripture and of the Church’s Living Tradition, fosters knowledge of the Creed and the creation of a coherent doctrinal vision that can be used as a reference for life.” (DFC, 80)
Examples:
- Knowledge of Sacred Scripture, truths of the faith, the Creed, Church History, Saints, etc.
- Philosophical and theological exploration
- Teachings of Church Fathers
- Church’s living tradition
- Understanding of the coherence of the faith
Celebration of the Mystery
“…[Assists] in the comprehension and experience of liturgical celebrations.” (DFC, 81)
Examples:
- Importance of the liturgy in the Church’s life
- Knowledge of the sacraments and participation in sacramental life
- Eucharist as source and summit
- Conscious and active participation in liturgy
- The liturgical year
- Significance of Sunday
- Popular piety
Life in Christ
“This task consists in showing that the response to the lofty vocation of holiness is a filial way of life that is capable of bringing every situation back to the way of truth and happiness that is Christ.” (DFC, para. 83)
Examples:
- To live in accordance with the dignity of Baptism
- Universal call to holiness
- The Beatitudes
- Moral conscience
- Ten Commandments
- The virtues
- Living out your vocation
Prayer
“…[Educates] the believer for prayer and in prayer, [develops] the contemplative dimension of the Christian experience.” (DFC, para. 86)
Examples:
- Personal prayer and liturgical prayer
- Our Father
- Contemplation
- Forms of prayer: blessing and adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, praise
- Liturgy of the Hours
- Lectio Divina
- The Rosary and other Marian devotions
Community Life
“…[Develops] the sense of belonging to the Church, teaching the sense of ecclesial communion, promoting acceptance of the Magisterium, communion with pastors, fraternal dialogue.” (DFC, para. 89)
Examples:
- Spirituality of Communion
- Acceptance of Magisterium, pastors, fraternal dialogue
- Ecclesial Co-Responsibility
- Service to others, cherish the other as a gift
- True friendship
- Sense of belonging
- Fraternal dialogue
- Active participation in building the community
- Missionary discipleship
Accompaniment acknowledges where the other is on a journey towards communion with Christ. In this model, we use areas of the church to picture this journey. In each area are people who need accompanying to the next.
Church Steps
Events, open to all, which may draw those away from the Church, to the Church steps.
- No familiarity with Jesus
- Open to the public
- Purpose: to introduce non-Christians, or reintroduce nonpracticing Christians, to the Catholic community
Narthex
Narthex events go deeper than Church steps and invite the faithful to the doors where there are initial stages of growth and formation.
- Some familiarity with Jesus
- Open to the public, but will likely attract those who are curious
- Purpose: to begin growth in the spiritual life and parish life
Pews
Those who sit in the pews know Jesus and are in the beginnings of a relationship with Him.
- Familiarity with with Jesus
- Events particularly for those who are seeking a deeper relationship with Christ and the Church
- Purpose: further maturation in formation
Sanctuary
Sanctuary events go much further into formation; they aim at communion with our Lord.
- Close familiarity with Jesus and each other
- Open to all, but will likely attract only those who are devout
- Purpose: to nourish and strengthen to go out and witness