Adult Faith Formation

What is Adult Faith Formation?
The United States Catholic Church is currently in a state of transition from making catechesis of children a priority in our parishes to making adult faith formation a priority. The former intense focus on children’s formation has led to a culture of complacency among adults in the Church with respect to their own faith formation. As we bring the focus back onto adult faith formation consider the three goals of adult faith formation as articulated by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life.
Promote and support active membership in the Christian community.
Call and prepare adults to act as disciples in mission to the world.

Faith formation includes formal process such as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and Sacramental Catechesis (Baptism Class, Pre-Cana, etc.) as well as Small Group Learning such as Small Christian Communities (Secular Franciscans), Faith-sharing Groups (Why Catholic? and Martha and Marys), and Study Groups. Other resources that are available for faith formation include video-assisted learning, Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation through the University of Dayton (http://vlc.udayton.edu/), and special speakers or events such as Parish Missions. Many more opportunities are available in the wider community at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Snows in Belleville, Illinois (http://snows.org/), Kings’ House Retreat and Renewal Center, Belleville, Illinois (http://www.kingsretreatcenter.org/), and the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri (http://www.ai.edu/).

Adult Faith Formation Team
The AFF Team has developed a 5-Year Pastoral Plan for St. Boniface Catholic Church. Click here for the Parish Pastoral Plan.

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

Why Catholic? ~ Parishioners are currently participating in small faith-sharing groups of 8-12 people. We are learning more about the Catechism through a Renew International program called Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. Small groups meet for six weeks in the fall and for an additional six weeks during Lent. Groups are available several times during the week. There is a $10 fee to purchase the participant workbook. Contact Ann Sheppard at asheppard@st-boniface.com to register to participate.

Martha and Marys ~ Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse facilitates a small group on Tuesday morning immediately following Mass in the Oak Room. Contact Sister Kathleen Ann at srkathleen@st-boniface.com for additional information.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ~ All RCIA classes are open to all parishioners. Parishioners are always welcome to attend and renew and deepen their understanding of the teaching and Traditions of the Catholic Church. Check the bulletin for current topics and meeting information. RCIA meets on Monday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Acorn Room in the Lower Level of the Church. Contact Sister Kathleen Ann Mourisse at
srkathleen@st-boniface.com for more information.