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FAITH FORMATION MINISTRIES

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I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20)

God’s life, the gift of faith, is indeed like a tiny mustard seed planted in one’s being and brought to life through the waters of Baptism. If that small seed is to grow and move in powerful ways, it must be nourished in the community of God’s people, the Church, through the sacraments, the Word of God in Scripture, works of charity, and an ever-deepening life of prayer. This process of growth and development is called Faith Formation.   

All ministries at our parish are involved in faith formation in varying ways. Reception of the sacraments helps form our faith. Classes, workshops, mini-courses and retreats, available through the parish for persons of all ages and interests, help form our faith.  Faith formation is at the core of all education in our parish school.  The Mass itself is the source and summit of all faith formation. There are three ministries, however, which focus almost exclusively on the faith formation process. They are listed below. To learn more about them, click on the links (underlined words).   

The School of Religious Education

The School of Religious Education is a faith formation process by which children attending public schools are instructed in their Catholic faith. Even more, it is a process by which children constantly internalize what they learn so they can manifest God’s love in their own lives.   

The Christian Initiation of Adults

Religious Education is not just for children.  Many adults also seek to learn more about the Catholic Faith, and if so willing, can enter into the formal faith formation process.  For Our Lady of Refuge, this is accomplished through the RCIA.  Within the RCIA there are the following distinct groups: 

bulletInquirers:  Those who are searching for a relationship with God and/or are looking to learn more about the Catholic Faith
bulletCatechumens and Candidates:  Those who have started on the path toward baptism or looking to become fully initiated into the Catholic Faith.
bulletElect and Candidates:  Those who are on their final Lenten journey to being baptized and being fully initiated into the Church during Easter
bulletNeophytes:  Those who have recently completed their initiation and are seeking to enrich their faith experience

All these groups gather together around the same table on a weekly basis to share their faith experience, learn more about the Catholic faith, and enrich their relationship with God.  Please click on the link for RCIA to learn more.

 

[School of Religious Education]      [RC(A - Christian Initiation of Adults]    

Links

For more information about Faith Formation, click on the links below.

Religion Teacher's Journal
Published seven times a year during the school year.  This journal offers varied resources to people involved in religious education ministries.
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Brief description of each of the sacraments of Christian Initiation, and links to additional articles.
The Emmaus Journal
A publication directed toward the interests of campus ministers, religion teachers and service directors in Catholic High Schools.
Office of Religious Education - Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Religious Education Congress - Archdiocese of Los Angeles

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MINISTRY GROUPS

Liturgical Community Building Education Outreach Spiritual Growth Youth

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FAITH FORMATION MINISTRIES

RCIA
Religious Education

EDUCATION MINISTRIES

Faith Formation
Parish School