GENEATIONS OF FAITH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this program all about?
This intergenerational model of catechesis
provides a forum for all ages to learn together through a common
experience with age specific learning and interactive sharing.
This does not replace our sacramental preparation programs for
First Eucharist, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation.
What is Generations of Faith?<
• Generations of Faith is an innovative
approach to parish wide faith formation. It offers singles,
couples, and families the opportunity to work on faith formation
together.
• Generations of Faith is a life-long process, centered
in the events of church life. The rich curriculum for faith
formation is its events and liturgies.
Why are we doing Generations of Faith?
With Generations of Faith, we hope to
meet several needs in our parish:
• It will provide a more experiential approach to learning
for our children and teens.
• There is an interest in more on-going faith formation
opportunities for adults.
• There will be more resources for individuals and families
to integrate their faith formation into their daily lives at
home.
• There will be more flexibility in scheduling.
• There will be more opportunities to get to know more
people in the parish.
• It will provide preparation for understanding and participating
in Church life and parish events.
What are the goals of Generations of
Faith?
• To transform catechesis as a
separate “program” to a more collaborative and integrative
approach that involves all of the parish’s ministries
in faith formation.
• To shift the focus of the curriculum from the textbook
to the events of church life in the parish.
• To nurture family faith at home as integral to the faith
formation process.
• To enable parents to approach the task of being the
primary teachers for their children with confidence and knowledge.
Who is Generations of Faith for?
The short answer is “for everyone.”
Generations of Faith is for:
• Adults, singles, couples, parents, grandma, grandpa,
retired folks, college students.
• Children, teenagers, those who attend private, public
or Catholic schools.
• Children and teens who are currently enrolled in our
faith formation program.
• Pre-school children.
• All families
• All parishioners, EVERYONE!
Does Generations of Faith include toddlers
(children 1-3)? What about preschoolers?
They are welcome to attend with the family
if their parent feels it is appropriate; unfortunately, at this
time, we are not able to offer services for this age group,
due to space limitations. Each meeting room will be used during
preparation sessions.
How is Generations of Faith structured?
Generations of Faith has two parts: the
“Preparation” and the “Event”.
The Preparation format includes:
1. An Opening Experience-an introduction to the
theme for all the participants.
2. A simple shared meal.
3. Learning Sessions-everyone will move into age-appropriate
or family groups, which will allow everyone to receive instruction
to prepare for the upcoming Event in a developmentally appropriate
way.
4. Whole Group-different age groups will come back together
to share what they have learned. A “take home bag”
will be distributed to each household to reflect and apply
the learning to daily life. We conclude by reconvening for
an intergenerational experience and prayer.
The Event is the celebration itself
in the life of the parish:
We all come together as Church to celebrate and experience the
Event in a more meaningful way.
What is the difference between a Generations
of Faith Preparation and an Event?
We have planned eight Events in the upcoming
program year. Each Event will be an opportunity for the whole
parish to experience some aspect of their Catholic tradition.
Before each Event, there will be an opportunity
to participate in one of five Preparation sessions. These Preparation
sessions will last 2-2 ½ hours. A simple meal is included
in the parish hall. Folks can choose which Preparation best
fits their schedules. They will be held on Sunday 12:30-3:00
pm, Monday 9:30-noon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 5:45-8:15
pm. Following the meal at each Preparation session, we will
break up into age appropriate groups and later re-convene to
share our experiences, pick up a “take home bag”
and end with a group prayer. Sharing a meal with our brothers
and sisters in Christ is an essential element in our faith journey.
Why a Shared Meal?
We read in the Gospels that Jesus loved
to eat. Most of the time when we encounter Jesus with others
it is at a meal. He is either invited to a meal or he invites
himself. He ate with sinners, outcasts, and religious leaders,
at weddings, and religious feasts (Passover). Jesus revealed
himself after the Resurrection by breaking bread with the disciples
on the road to Emmaus, and cooked a meal on the beach for his
apostles. Jesus shows us that coming together for a meal connects
us. At a meal is where Jesus did much of his teaching. We come
together to build community by meeting new people and connecting
with those we know. We experience growth through interaction
with each other. When we share a meal we are sharing in the
Body of Christ.
What is a Take Home Bag?
The “take home bag” will include
a variety of resources and activities related to the event’s
theme to be used at home. Examples of items may be prayers,
reflection or discussion questions, listings of related Biblical
readings, listings of web sites and books, family activities
for children and teens of varying ages.
What about the content? Will the children
be getting all the information they need to learn about our
faith? Will the Preparation sessions and Events be the same
every year?
The theme and focus of the events will
change each year over a six-year cycle. This year we will focus
on some events in the Church Year. Through the six-year cycle,
we will have covered the full content of our Catholic Faith.
What about registration and cost?
Registrations will be taken during the
months of July and August either by mail or in person in the
Faith Formation Office. Summer Office hours are 9-2, Monday
through Thursday.
The cost is:
$60 for a family for the whole program
year.
$35 for a couple for the whole program year.
$25 for individual for the whole program year.
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