Our Lady of Victory / St-Malachy

Our Lady of Victory / St. Malachy

Faith Formation

Until recently the focus of this area of church life was on the teaching of catechism and preparation for sacraments. That also meant that its primary target was children and youth. The school was a much-appreciated ally in the religious education of children.

Our times ask for a broader approach. It is reflected in the re-emergence of a rather ancient notion: catechesis, understood as an initiation and apprenticeship or formation in the entire Christian life. Its aim is communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ, discipleship or following of Jesus Christ, finding life in abundance in Jesus Christ. While children and youth are not to be excluded from this, its primary targets are the adults who are called to live the Christian faith in its fully developed form. That makes catechesis into a life-long process from which we only “graduate” when we finally come home for good in the communion of Father, Son, and Spirit.

To accomplish that task the faith community, the local parish, is to become what our bishop calls a school of catechesis. It is in the four areas of parish life (proclamation, liturgy, fellowship, transformation of society) that the faith community transmits the Good News of Jesus Christ and forms disciples of Jesus.

It is in the area of proclamation of the Word that a wide range of activities is possible and called for. They all have their source in the Word of God and are intended to promote an ever-developing knowledge of the treasure of faith we hold. The Sunday homily is one such activity, but so are the faith sharing that occurs at home or in small groups, the reflecting in faith on our social responsibilities or on significant events in our personal life or in the world that is ours. It can happen informally or in more formal settings.

In other words, we face here an exciting challenge where with the help of the Spirit promised by Jesus we can creatively demonstrate that the Christian faith is not a relic of the past, but a living treasure that enables us to live hope-filled lives anchored in Jesus Christ who is the way to true human living.
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