Adults Growing in Faith

[BobbyP]

Please continue to help us extend the invitation to our parishioners and even non-parishioners.

As you know, we have our Religious Education Program, so-called "CCD classes", here at St. Catherine of Siena every Monday afternoon and evening from grades 1 to 12 including preparation for Confirmation.

We have been trying to find ways to interest adults and help them also grow in their faith… Actually the Church is doing away with the term "CCD classes" because people tend to think that faith formation are only for kids…. The truth is faith formation is and must be life-long faith formation…conversion…

That is why we introduced the concept of Whole Community Catechesis… for the whole family - particularly the parents/adults - to continue to grow in their faith.

That is why we are inviting everyone to join us every Monday night here in the Church from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – just one hour.

For those who drive their kids to the evening sessions (also 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.), instead of driving back home or going shopping while waiting, why don’t you join us.

For men particularly, I know we have a big competition – Monday Night Football… and you are probably not willing to give it up… but let this be a challenge…..reflecting on what is more important.

The Church’s General Directory for Catechesis states: “Catechesis for adults must be considered the chief form of catechesis…. All other forms, which are indeed always necessary, are in some way oriented to it.”

Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation "Catechesi Tradendae" (Catechesis in Our Time) said that the sad fact is that within parish communities, many if not most adults have not turned their hearts to Christ and this lack of conversion produces a lack of real heart for the faith… a lack of enthusiasm… even a lackluster presence in the Sunday Assembly or no presence there at all…

In our efforts to help our parishioners – we are offering this Monday night instructions in our faith…using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as our textbook so to speak… exploring one important dimension of our faith every Monday.

For the October 16 session, we will start with Articles 26-49 of the Catechism “What does your heart desire?”……Hope to see you!
God bless…..
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"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.".... St. Francis of Assissi