FORMING FAITH

4/27/08 update

For the last six weeks we have been looking at the input that over 500 parishioners provided to the white paper and “Forming Faith” survey issued by the parish staff.

Work teams have been formed to look at the input to look toward recommendations  to further strengthen the St. Mary’s - St. Bridget’s commitment to better know, love and serve God.

One of the areas of parish life which prompted the white paper and to which many have responded is the growth of faith among children and their families.

The concerns have ranged from:

              -fewer students enrolled in catechetical and sacramental programs

              -busyness of family life

              -lack of knowledge of the faith on the part of parents to share with their children

As we acknowledge all the above, we also cite important, long-standing principles of our faith tradition:

              -parents are the primary educators of their children

              -children’s patterns of faith practices mirror those of their parents

              -Catholic Christian teachings on morality, justice and sacramentality provide an                                       important social framework for a fruitful life

We are committed to providing the best formation we can for our faith community.  Based on the commitments made at Baptism we are called to continuing conversion; this growth is supported and nourished by our companions on the journey.  We need the wisdom, openness, love and encouragement of all to realize the service Jesus calls us to. 

To accomplish this, we need to draw the whole community together,

              -to be strengthened by the bread and cup,

              -to be deepened in an understanding of God’s Holy Word,

              -to be enriched by the Church’s tradition and teachings

We now continue the prayerful conversation with parents to hear from them:

              -how are we currently nurturing your family’s faith life?

              -where are we “missing the boat?”

              -how do we need to adjust / change to better meet your family’s needs?

              -what suggestions do you have?

Meetings are being held:

Sunday, April 27, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM in Dougherty Hall

Sunday, April 27, from 5:00 - 5:55 PM in Dougherty Hall

Sunday, May 4, from 10:30 - 11:30 AM in St. Bridget’s Hall

Please plan on attending whichever session best works in your calendar.  If you are unable to attend, please pray that the “FORMING FAITH” process will provide us with the best responses to the needs of the community we can make.

Members of the “FORMING FAITH” work teams will be present at each session to transcribe your input to take back to their work team to integrate into the action plan for the faith community.