Ongoing Faith Formation - Adults

Because we believe that the hunger for ongoing Faith Formation does not end with High School Graduation we are committed to the belief that we must also do for adults what we are doing for children and teens. We believe that every adult deserves the opportunity to experience a personal relationship with God. To help them to grow in this relationship we offer a variety of opportunities for adults to reflect on and respond in love to God's presence and wisdom in our daily lives.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ("RCIA") is an ongoing process whereby unbaptized adults, adults who have been Baptized Catholic but have not received Confirmation or Eucharist, and adults who have been Baptized in another Christian Tradition and now wish to come into Full Communion with the Catholic Church are prepared for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, usually at the Easter Vigil.

Parents bringing their children for Baptism participate in a two-tier program. The first session explains the Sacrament itself and is offered when a first child is brought for Baptism while the second session, offered to parents who have already participated in the first session, explores more deeply what it means to be a "'Domestic Church".

Catholic teachings, prayer and spirituality and their connection to current events and the lived experience of adults are explored through Bulletin articles and inserts. Bible Study Groups and Small Christian Communities gather, either at the parish or in the homes of participants, to share faith, discuss the Sunday Readings or look more deeply at a particular Book of the Bible and how we are called to respond to God's word. The Parish Social Concerns Committee educates and involves the parish in the study of Catholic Social Teachings and provides opportunities for parishioners to participate in building a just society.

And so our journey of "Faith Formation" continues until, having come full circle, we gather again around the Baptismal Font to say farewell to our departed loved one. We enter into the Worship Space for the Mass of Resurrection. The body is greeted for the last time. It is here that our journey of faith first began and it is here, reminded that in death we are born again into eternal life, that our journey of "Faith Formation" comes, at last, to an end.