·         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 (The Thessalonians and the Galatians). 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 the upcoming Parish Mission, Renew, Reflect, Rejoice, on January 11-15, 2008, and the Stump the Staff question and answer program on Thursday, January 22. 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/).

 

The AFF Team is currently working on developing a 5-Year Pastoral Plan for St. Boniface Catholic Church. Any parishioners who are interested are welcome to join this effort. The team meets once a month for 90 minutes and is currently working in four small groups, one for each goal in the Parish Pastoral Plan. Check the church calendar or bulletin for meeting information. Click here for the Parish Pastoral Plan.

 

 

Currently 360 parishioners are participating in 35 small faith-sharing groups of 8-12 people. We are learning more about the Sacraments through a Renew International program called Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. Small groups met for six weeks in the fall and will begin again around February 22 for an additional six weeks during Lent. Groups are available every night of the week and several times during the day and after several of the weekend Masses. There is a $10 fee to purchase the participant workbook. Contact Christine Dunn at cdunn@stboniface.com to register to participate.

 

Sister Kathleen Ann facilitates a small group on Tuesday morning immediately following Mass in the Oak Room. The current resource is “The Little White Book” Easter Reflections. Contact Sister Kathleen Ann at srkathleen@st-boniface.com for additional information.

 

This group meets on Wednesday evening immediately following the 6:45 PM Mass from 7:15-8:15 PM in the Evergreen Media Center. We preview the Sunday readings using a resource titled, “Breaking Open the Lectionary: Cycle B” by Margaret Nutting Ralph. We read the scriptures, read the commentary, answer five bible study questions and discuss three faith-sharing questions. All parishioners are welcome to join us. There is a $15 fee for the commentary. Contact Christine Dunn at cdunn@stboniface.com to register to participate. Click here to see an example of the questions.

 

This group meets on Thursday morning immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass from 9:00-10:00 AM in the Acorn Room. This group begins with coffee, a morning snack and fellowship from around 8:40-9:00 AM. We preview the Sunday readings using a resource titled, “Breaking Open the Lectionary: Cycle B” by Margaret Nutting Ralph. We read the scriptures, read the commentary, answer five bible study questions and discuss three faith-sharing questions. All parishioners are welcome to join us. There is a $15 fee for the commentary. Contact Christine Dunn at cdunn@stgboniface.com to register to participate. Click here to see an example of the questions.

 

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 Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Oak Room in the Lower Level of the Church. Contact Sister Kathleen Ann at srkathleen@st-boniface.com for more information.