Goals of Adult Faith Formation

 

1) Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus through 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.”

2) Promote and Support Active Membership in the Catholic Community.

As adult believers, we learn and live our faith as active members of the Church. Our response to God's call to community "cannot remain abstract and un-incarnated," but rather, "reveals itself concretely by a visible entry into a community of believers . . . a community which itself is a sign of transformation, a sign of newness of life: it is the Church, the visible sacrament of salvation.” People find this community of faith in the parish and diocese, as well as in their families, small church communities, personal relationships, faith-based associations, and in the communion of saints of all times and places.

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 in order 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.

“The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.  Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?"  He said to them,” Come, and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day.”

This passage of Scripture from (John 1:35-39) invites not only those first two disciples, but all of us to “Come, and ... see.”   The beauty of our God is that always before us is the gentle invitation into relationship and discipleship.  God’s desire for us is rooted in eternal and unconditional love.  Jesus, the son of God, shows us the way to walk in this love.  Through this Scripture, Jesus invites us to come to Him...to come after Him...to follow Him ...so that we will have life in abundance.

As we begin another year of Faith Formation, the invitation (and challenge) of Jesus echoes in our hearts.  Through the many Adult Faith Formation Offerings, the invitation is given - “Come, and you will see.”