General Structure

for Faith Formation

This year we are offering a new way of formation for our parishioners. The idea is that we are more likely to be formed when they chose to be involved rather than feeling compelled. It begins with the basic premise that following Jesus if attractive when it is authentic.

Each month from September to the beginning of April, there will three Wednesdays for formation, each with a unique focus.

This is an experiment, and will take time to work all the kinks out. The hope is that by giving more freedom, people will choose be involved and that creative new ways will evolve of living our faith together. By creating more space in the monthly schedule, families can choose what works for them.

Since we won’t require students to come to Encounter and Group nights, we will likely have less people involved. However, we are hoping people will choose to be involved, and we will see true discipleship and more organic lived faith opportunities developing in our community.

Sacramental Prep for First Communion and Confirmation will take place as part of Wednesdays with additional meetings and retreats.

Let’s look at September as an example:

Wednesday Sept. 3 — Open… no events

Wednesday Sept. 10 — Formation Night (class) 

• 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. - Dinner served in the SJ social hall.

• 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. - 1st-6th graders meet in class room and 7th-10th graders meet together in large group in social hall for a lesson and small group discussion. 11th graders will do their sacramental prep for confirmation on these Formation nights. The focus is to help our young people learn the basics of our faith.

Wednesday Sept. 17 — Encounter Night (adoration)

• 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. - All parishioners of any age are welcomed to the SJ church for adoration, confessions, praise and worship music, testimony, and prayer. The focus is to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist, and together as a community.

Wednesday Sept. 24 — Group Night (groups)

• 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. - (or perhaps other times depending on the group) Different groups will gather at the parish or possibly at another location to do something together. Each group will have a different purpose. The focus for Group Night is to share and grow together as people following Jesus.

October will be similar

Wednesday Oct. 1 — Formation Night 

• 5:30 p.m. — Dinner

• 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. — Cass

Wednesday Oct 8 and 15 — Open… no events

Wednesday Oct 22 — Encounter Night 

• 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. — Adoration

Wednesday Oct 2 — Group Night

• 6:15 - 7:30 p.m. — Groups meet

Share with us the information of a group you plan to start.

We need to answer the following: 

1. Who is the group for? 

2. What is the focus of the group? 

3. How many people can be in the group? 

4. How do people sign up? 

5. Who is leading the group? 

Contact

Tammy Ringhand in the parish office