WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "RELIGIOUS EDUCATION" AND FAITH FORMATION?
Potentially, everything.
When faith is reduced to a subject (as in a classroom at school), the power of the Holy Spirit is stifled. Catholicism is not a subject; it is a way of life. In other words, faith is about culture. Our goal for faith formation here at St. Andre Bessette is to transcend the status quo and bring the living spirit of faith into the lives of our parishioners. Our faith is not an idea about truth, God, heaven, etc. It is an encounter with a person, the living and glorified, Resurrected Christ.
In order to stress this living encounter, we are intentionally steering our language away from "religious education," and especially "CCD." Faith is caught not taught. When we do teach it, the goal of our catechectical leaders is to bring their own living and vital relationship with Christ into every teaching opportunity. We don't teach the faith, we share it. We prefer the word formation over education, since mere knowledge is never enough.
First, we must personally be formed in the Catholic way of life. By living our faith (making it the animating principal of our culture), our religious knowledge is given a face, and our relationship with Christ grows. Only then can we effectively pass it on.
Potentially, everything.
When faith is reduced to a subject (as in a classroom at school), the power of the Holy Spirit is stifled. Catholicism is not a subject; it is a way of life. In other words, faith is about culture. Our goal for faith formation here at St. Andre Bessette is to transcend the status quo and bring the living spirit of faith into the lives of our parishioners. Our faith is not an idea about truth, God, heaven, etc. It is an encounter with a person, the living and glorified, Resurrected Christ.
In order to stress this living encounter, we are intentionally steering our language away from "religious education," and especially "CCD." Faith is caught not taught. When we do teach it, the goal of our catechectical leaders is to bring their own living and vital relationship with Christ into every teaching opportunity. We don't teach the faith, we share it. We prefer the word formation over education, since mere knowledge is never enough.
First, we must personally be formed in the Catholic way of life. By living our faith (making it the animating principal of our culture), our religious knowledge is given a face, and our relationship with Christ grows. Only then can we effectively pass it on.
Formation means lifelong transformation as a disciple.
If our formation stops at confirmation, we're stifling the movements of the Spirit when they're only beginning to flourish. If ever we stop growing in prayer and in wisdom, we underestimate the marvelous work God is doing in us.
Formation is for the very young:
K-5 G.I.F.T.
those who've reached the age of reason and are preparing to enter more deeply into the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist:
Sacramental Prep
those now beginning to live out a weekly communion with Christ and enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church's Sacramental life and liturgy:
K-8 G.I.F.T.
those preparing to receive the strengthening of Confirmation and enter the living mission of the Church through a life of mercy and self-gift:
High School Confirmation Prep
those looking to enter the life and mission of the Church as adults:
R.C.I.A.
those preparing to leave home and enter into the struggles and joys of adulthood:
High School Youth Nights
those preparing for marriage, those bringing their children to the waters of BAPTISM,
those looking to more effectively pass the faith on to their children and teens,
those looking for purpose and direction, those discerning their vocation,
those preparing for death, and everyone in between:
Ongoing Adult Faith Formation
Faith formation is lifelong, and it is for everyone.
In some way, all of our parishioners should be actively growing in their faith and - through as many avenues as we can - we are dedicated to providing passionate, orthodox, spirit-filled and age-appropriate formation in the Catholic way of life.
Formation is for the very young:
K-5 G.I.F.T.
those who've reached the age of reason and are preparing to enter more deeply into the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist:
Sacramental Prep
those now beginning to live out a weekly communion with Christ and enter more deeply into the mystery of the Church's Sacramental life and liturgy:
K-8 G.I.F.T.
those preparing to receive the strengthening of Confirmation and enter the living mission of the Church through a life of mercy and self-gift:
High School Confirmation Prep
those looking to enter the life and mission of the Church as adults:
R.C.I.A.
those preparing to leave home and enter into the struggles and joys of adulthood:
High School Youth Nights
those preparing for marriage, those bringing their children to the waters of BAPTISM,
those looking to more effectively pass the faith on to their children and teens,
those looking for purpose and direction, those discerning their vocation,
those preparing for death, and everyone in between:
Ongoing Adult Faith Formation
Faith formation is lifelong, and it is for everyone.
In some way, all of our parishioners should be actively growing in their faith and - through as many avenues as we can - we are dedicated to providing passionate, orthodox, spirit-filled and age-appropriate formation in the Catholic way of life.