Adult Faith Formation

“Christ's love remains as the true and only commandment of the new life, which the Christian, with the help of the Holy Spirit, makes his or her own day by day in a journey that never stops.” ~ Pope Francis

A robust Adult Faith Formation attends to our heart, our mind, our soul, and our body. It is an integrated understanding of who we are as beloved children of God, who are continually urged to know, love, and serve God more fully. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes adult faith formation as an essential process inviting Catholic Christians to integrate their own life experiences with knowledge of the faith, love of God, and love of neighbor. It is a complete initiation into the life of the Church as a way of forming a Christian conscience and a desire to act as Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states that, “The Church’s catechetical mission aims to help the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity, enriching the world of life with the leaven of the Gospel.”

The Bishops outline three key goals of Adult Faith Formation (OHWB #67-73):

Inviting and enabling ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life:

• helping adults acquire an attitude of conversion to the Lord
• leading adults to repentance of sin, reconciliation through the sacraments and deepening faith in Jesus

Promoting and supporting active membership in the Christian community:

• helping adults make a conscious and firm decision to live the faith through membership in the Christian community
• inviting and supporting baptized adults in their co-responsibility for the Church's mission and life

Calling and preparing adults to act as disciples in mission to the world:

• inviting baptized adults to evangelization and justice in the world