Robust Adult Faith Formation attends to our heart, our mind, our soul, and our body. It is an integrated understanding of who we are as beloved children of God, who are continually urged to know, love, and serve God more fully. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes adult faith formation as an essential process inviting Catholic Christians to integrate their own life experiences with knowledge of the faith, love of God, and love of neighbor. It is a complete initiation into the life of the Church as a way of forming a Christian conscience and a desire to act as Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
At St. Mary's, we have several opportunities to learn more about and grow in your faith as a Catholic Christian. We have R.C.I.A. for those who are new to the Catholic Faith or are interested in becoming Catholic. We also have adult formation classes on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am and women's Bible study on Wednesday afternoons. Please feel free to look around our website for these opportunities or call the parish office at (254) 753-0146.
1. Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life.
"The Church's catechetical mission aims to help the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity, enriching the whole of life with the leaven of the Gospel. Consequently, appropriate goals and content will embrace all the faith dimensions of an adult life - for example, understanding and communicating th...e faith, skills needed for personal growth, the experience of family life, relationships, public service, and concern for the common good.
"Our adult faith formation ministry must engage the particular needs and interests of the adults in each local community. To be faithful and effective it will offer, over time, a comprehensive and systematic presentation and exploration of the core elements of Catholic faith and practice - a complete initiation into a Catholic way of life. It will do so in a way that is accessible to adults and relates to their life experiences, helping them to form a Christian conscience and to live their lives in the world as faithful disciples of Jesus.
"This integration of actual life experience, diverse adult learning needs, the study of Scripture, and the teaching of the Church's tradition will create a vibrant learning environment. It will also challenge the creativity of those who establish the direction, plan the content, and provide programs of adult faith formation. Meeting the challenge will be both demanding and rewarding. For guidance, we offer the following goals, principles, content, and approaches."
- Excerpted from Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States.