COLLEEN SATHRE

Faith formation: what we are learning

Faith formation and related activities—especially for youth—are very much a concern for many in our diocese. At the vicariate meetings, 45 parishes identified faith formation as one of their top three priorities as they work to implement our diocesan strategic plan, “Diocesan Road Map for Pastoral, Program, and Facility Needs 2008-2013.”

The coordinating task force for faith formation is gathering and assessing information about faith formation programs. They find that Catholics are looking for transformative experiences that help them to make faith connections in their lives and allow them to ask questions without feeling uncomfortable. In addition to church and school activities, parishioners enjoy faith formation that is centered in small parish-based groups, known as small Christian communities, which connect sacred Scripture, faith sharing and discipleship.

At vicariate meetings, parishioners spoke of activities and actions planned, needed, hoped for, or already under way. What follows are some of the ideas shared. These comments overlap and could be grouped in a variety of ways. It is hoped that sharing this summary of the phrases we heard from parishioners encourages and stimulates ongoing faith formation actions within our parishes.

Liturgy

n    Youth-oriented Masses

n    Saturday night liturgy organized by youth

n    Monthly youth Mass

n    Youth Mass planned and run by youth

Family-oriented faith formation

n    Family prayer growth activity

n    Strengthen families

n    Total family catechesis

n    Redesign religious education to be family catechesis

n    Parish support for family growth activity

n    More parish family gatherings/activities

n    Get parents more involved with children’s lives

n    Family activities — retreats, social events, and outings

Prayer — individual and group experiences

n    Parish prayer growth activity

n    Prayer

n    Scripture sharing

n    Abundance of prayer for youth and young adults

n    Retreats for youth

n    Faith enrichment

n    Spiritual formation

n    Retreats and missions

n    Bible study and faith sharing

n    Emphasis on the Pauline year

n    Bible study

n    Days of recollection

Programs, actions and activities designed to strengthen faith formation

n    Youth outings

n    Activity ideas that make youth feel more welcome and connected

n    Annual youth day for the whole island

n    Recruit and sustain youth in ministries

n    Increase religious education attendance by means of recruitment

n    Identify the kinds of faith formation programs needed

n    Youth meetings to identify, develop and implement programs

n    Survey youth about what they would like

n    Have a post-confirmation program

n    Youth community service

n    Safe environment for youth

n    Catechetical development and seminars

n    Have a combined choir

n    A faith formation committee with youth and representatives from two parish sites

n    Plan faith formation classes

n    Create marketing tools to attract parishioners

n    Baptismal preparation

n    RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and religious education

n    Confirmation program for adults

n    Expand the RCIA program with special outreach to ethnic communities

n    Open house for evening students

n    Reach out to college populations

n    Annual enrichment day

n    Get ideas for outreach from campus ministry groups

It is rewarding to realize that so many view faith formation as central to our Catholic identity. Our diocesan Office of Religious Education works tirelessly to bring faith formation opportunities to our community. Nearly every edition of our diocesan e-news provides information on available faith formation activities taking place in our diocese. Go to the diocesan web site http://www.catholichawaii.org/ and click on the e-news link. Faith is a gift. When we nourish our faith, we “witness to Jesus” and say thank you to God for this special gift.