In April, Dr. Joe Bound, Diocese of Green Bay Director of Education, offered insight into the importance of adult faith formation. In this article he outlines the six-step process that is currently being implemented in this critical area of catechesis:
"We recently completed an extensive three-year rolling strategic plan for adult faith formation. The result of literally hundreds of hours of research, study, collaboration, and prayer, the document maps out the vision and direction for this ministry. There are six key points outlined in the implementation plan.
First, it’s important to recognize that there are many, many valuable programs currently underway throughout our Diocese. “New” isn’t always better. Thus, we continue to encourage those parishes that have adult faith formation programs to continue in this ministry.
Second, I realize not all parishes are providing adult faith formation programs for one reason or the other. Thus, there are neighborhoods or whole areas of the Diocese that lack any type of adult faith formation opportunities. There is a tremendous need to reach out and provide adult faith formation opportunities to these areas. Collaboration is key.
Third, many existing programs are not widely promoted or marketed. It is critical for us to “take the basket off our light” and spread the good news about the numerous adult faith formation opportunities that are available to all throughout the Diocese. We will use a variety of media to implement this objective, including the internet.
Fourth, it is important to improve the consistency of the programs that are being offered. We will develop a standard curriculum that includes the Creed, the sacraments, Catholic ethics and morality, and the importance of prayer so that gaps in adults’ understanding of the faith are filled. Our programs will emphasize the four main sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and include courses on stewardship, dogma and doctrine, sacred art and music, social justice, scripture, Church history and ecclesiology, eschatology and end of life issues.
Fifth, it is extremely important that our methodology conforms to the unique ways adults learn. Auditory, visual, and kinesthetic methods of learning will be taken into account. Active, rather than passive, learning will be encouraged. We believe that adults must be given the opportunity to apply what they learn and to share their experiences.
Sixth, we also have to go where adults are today to ensure that adult faith formation will be available in various locations to the elderly, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans, those with disabilities, and those recent converts to the Catholic faith.
In conclusion, our entire department, spearheaded by our adult faith formation director, will work with the diocesan catechesis committee to develop the curriculum, select texts, schedule courses, secure presenters, and prepare budgets for the Diocesan initiatives. We are committed to visiting existing parish programs and conducting in-services for those involved in adult faith formation. Our objective is to ensure that all annual goals and objectives of the adult faith formation strategic plan are achieved. "
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
In Christ We Radiate Love
In her monthly update, Julianne Donlon, the diocesan adult faith formation director offers some thoughts on the meaning of this essential ministry:
“The name Jesus means “God Saves”. There is no other name under heaven given tot the human race by which we are to be saved”. (Acts 4:12)
Adult faith formation is geared to a lifelong deepening of faith in Christ thus serving as the point of reference for catechesis in other age groups. It is the goal of adult catechesis to create a lived faith in adult learners; faith lived in discipleship to Jesus Christ. Teaching was central to the ministry of Jesus. One of my favorite pieces of scripture is the lesson of the fig tree (Luke 21:29-33). In this short lesson Jesus asks the disciples to consider the fig tree which bursts into bloom as it anticipates the coming of summer.
Through the use of this simple analogy the disciples are asked to consider that by signs, words and by His very presence they can be sure that the Kingdom of God is at hand. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”.
Take a moment to consider a teacher who impacted your life in a positive way. As a rather serious and anxious child my second grade teacher called me aside one day. She told me to smile more often because when I smiled “the light in my heart lit up my whole face”. I never forgot those words.
Jesus is the model teacher and, as John tells us in his Gospel, "the way, the truth and the life”. In Christ, it is revealed how we are to live our lives. All adult faith formation efforts should be Christocentric (placing Christ at the center) as we are called to walk side by side with the adults of our parishes as they speak of their joys, hopes, sufferings and doubts. We are called to a life that fully reflects the love of God revealed to us through Jesus Christ. Discipleship costs us personally and dearly; the Gospel demands love and total self-surrender.
In Our Hearts Were Burning, the U.S. bishops reflect that “in Jesus the disciples caught a glimpse into the heart of God." For those who bear responsibility for adult faith formation we too are called to bring adults into the heart of God. As Church we are called to nuture one another in our faith journeys by worshipping together, learning together, serving together in love and life within a community of faith. Faith formation of adults always begins and ends with Christ-- the Alpha and the Omega. It is to and through Christ that we will renew our commitment to each other and to the Church.
Let the light of Christ in our hearts radiate love to our community of adults!
“The name Jesus means “God Saves”. There is no other name under heaven given tot the human race by which we are to be saved”. (Acts 4:12)
Adult faith formation is geared to a lifelong deepening of faith in Christ thus serving as the point of reference for catechesis in other age groups. It is the goal of adult catechesis to create a lived faith in adult learners; faith lived in discipleship to Jesus Christ. Teaching was central to the ministry of Jesus. One of my favorite pieces of scripture is the lesson of the fig tree (Luke 21:29-33). In this short lesson Jesus asks the disciples to consider the fig tree which bursts into bloom as it anticipates the coming of summer.
Through the use of this simple analogy the disciples are asked to consider that by signs, words and by His very presence they can be sure that the Kingdom of God is at hand. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”.
Take a moment to consider a teacher who impacted your life in a positive way. As a rather serious and anxious child my second grade teacher called me aside one day. She told me to smile more often because when I smiled “the light in my heart lit up my whole face”. I never forgot those words.
Jesus is the model teacher and, as John tells us in his Gospel, "the way, the truth and the life”. In Christ, it is revealed how we are to live our lives. All adult faith formation efforts should be Christocentric (placing Christ at the center) as we are called to walk side by side with the adults of our parishes as they speak of their joys, hopes, sufferings and doubts. We are called to a life that fully reflects the love of God revealed to us through Jesus Christ. Discipleship costs us personally and dearly; the Gospel demands love and total self-surrender.
In Our Hearts Were Burning, the U.S. bishops reflect that “in Jesus the disciples caught a glimpse into the heart of God." For those who bear responsibility for adult faith formation we too are called to bring adults into the heart of God. As Church we are called to nuture one another in our faith journeys by worshipping together, learning together, serving together in love and life within a community of faith. Faith formation of adults always begins and ends with Christ-- the Alpha and the Omega. It is to and through Christ that we will renew our commitment to each other and to the Church.
Let the light of Christ in our hearts radiate love to our community of adults!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Rest, Relax, and Rejuvenate for Renewal
Summer is upon us! Diocesan curriculum & instruction director Diane Walters stresses the importance of relaxing!
“Leadership demands making the impossible happen, being prepared for the unexpected, and learning from the lessons of history. It is the human spirit that makes the difference.” - Lady Margaret Thatcher
Educational leaders are faced with a variety of challenges in their work with academia, implementing curriculum, the daily operations of school business, strategic plans and the many other facets of the job. The drive to set high standards and goals is a natural phenomenon and mediocrity is not an option. A desire to perform proficiently to better schools, employees, and the community lives in the heart of every educational leader.
Having such passion for the job and realizing how influential this type of work is often tempts educational leaders to work many additional hours. Extra time is spent taking work home each day. Weekends are cut short to “catch up” or to prepare for the upcoming week. Many educational leaders stay in their offices long after the building has been locked for the night. New initiatives become priorities that are added to the workload and it becomes a struggle to accomplish the surge of tasks. Too often, educational leaders forget to fuel themselves for sustained energy and strength.
We all need time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate to give us inspiration.
Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are familiar concepts to athletes and other workers who recover after an extreme physical effort. However, this concept is often overlooked after an extreme mental effort. The answer is to design opportunities for renewal. Participating in uplifting seminars is one way to accomplish this challenge. This year Tom Kidd, the keynote speaker at a diocesan sponsored in-service modeled ways in which educators could rejuvenate themselves and others through positive attitudes and laughter. Each participant received a card listing the fundamentals of rejuvenation. Reading positive material can inspire and encourage people.
Fundamentals of Rejuvenation:
Pray
Be excited about life
Count your blessings daily
Laugh often
Don’t make excuses
Expect the best from yourself
Care about others
Respect yourself
Set goals
Use positive self-talk
Hang with positive people
Tell those you love you do
Keep a positive attitude
The most significant resource available to enhance rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation exists within our inner core. It is our deep faith in the Lord that will give us strength, energy, and guidance. It is vital to build a component of rejuvenation into the manner in which you work each day. This will stimulate creativity and clarify your role as an educational leader. Rejuvenation provides freedom to embrace difficult circumstances, reduce stress, and make better, more conscious decisions. Challenges will always remain constant in life, but responding to challenges defines our inner strength.
Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are the keys to future success!
“Leadership demands making the impossible happen, being prepared for the unexpected, and learning from the lessons of history. It is the human spirit that makes the difference.” - Lady Margaret Thatcher
Educational leaders are faced with a variety of challenges in their work with academia, implementing curriculum, the daily operations of school business, strategic plans and the many other facets of the job. The drive to set high standards and goals is a natural phenomenon and mediocrity is not an option. A desire to perform proficiently to better schools, employees, and the community lives in the heart of every educational leader.
Having such passion for the job and realizing how influential this type of work is often tempts educational leaders to work many additional hours. Extra time is spent taking work home each day. Weekends are cut short to “catch up” or to prepare for the upcoming week. Many educational leaders stay in their offices long after the building has been locked for the night. New initiatives become priorities that are added to the workload and it becomes a struggle to accomplish the surge of tasks. Too often, educational leaders forget to fuel themselves for sustained energy and strength.
We all need time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate to give us inspiration.
Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are familiar concepts to athletes and other workers who recover after an extreme physical effort. However, this concept is often overlooked after an extreme mental effort. The answer is to design opportunities for renewal. Participating in uplifting seminars is one way to accomplish this challenge. This year Tom Kidd, the keynote speaker at a diocesan sponsored in-service modeled ways in which educators could rejuvenate themselves and others through positive attitudes and laughter. Each participant received a card listing the fundamentals of rejuvenation. Reading positive material can inspire and encourage people.
Fundamentals of Rejuvenation:
Pray
Be excited about life
Count your blessings daily
Laugh often
Don’t make excuses
Expect the best from yourself
Care about others
Respect yourself
Set goals
Use positive self-talk
Hang with positive people
Tell those you love you do
Keep a positive attitude
The most significant resource available to enhance rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation exists within our inner core. It is our deep faith in the Lord that will give us strength, energy, and guidance. It is vital to build a component of rejuvenation into the manner in which you work each day. This will stimulate creativity and clarify your role as an educational leader. Rejuvenation provides freedom to embrace difficult circumstances, reduce stress, and make better, more conscious decisions. Challenges will always remain constant in life, but responding to challenges defines our inner strength.
Rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation are the keys to future success!
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