St. Patrick Parish Listening Sessions November 2021
Faith Formation
Youth Formation: Much hope and enthusiasm were expressed for activities for youth that will encourage their participation and interest in the Church. (18)
Adult Education: Opportunities to focus on Scripture studies and other aspects of Catholic theology are areas of interest for programming in the parish. (8)
Spiritual Growth: There is a need to renew our Catholic faith and invite the Holy Spirit in to rekindle our love for God. (3)
Even for those who regularly practice their Catholic faith, the work of continual formation is necessary so that an encounter with Jesus Christ and awareness of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives is recognized. To that end, many people at the Parish Listening Sessions this past November expressed interest in opportunities to study the Scriptures and other aspects of Catholic spirituality. This thirst for knowledge of our faith aligns perfectly well with countless Church teachings from popes and bishops over the centuries, including the recent Directory for Catechesis, published in 2020 by the Vatican:
Catechesis has the task of fostering the knowledge and exploration of the Christian message. In this way, it helps the believer to know the truths of the Christian faith, introduces him to the knowledge of Sacred Scripture and of the Church’s living Tradition, fosters knowledge of the Creed (Symbol of the faith) and the creation of a coherent doctrinal vision that can be used as a reference in life.
Serving as a reliable and hope-filled compass in life is one of the reasons that mature Catholics are eager to pass their faith on to future generations. Many, from young parents to older grandparents, desire to have their children and grandchildren experience the joy and peace of the Gospel message and the truths of our faith. Again, support for such earnest longings is also expressed in the Directory for Catechesis:
In helping young people to discover, develop, and live their life plan according to God, pastoral care of youth is to adopt new styles and strategies. It is necessary ‘to become more flexible: inviting young people to events or occasions that provide an opportunity not only for learning, but also for conversing, celebrating, singing, listening to real stories and experiencing a shared encounter with the living God.’ Catechesis with young people as well, therefore, is to be redefined by the features of this pastoral style. (includes quote from Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, 2018)
With this much enthusiasm for catechesis and formation for all age groups and the support provided for it by Church teachings, future parish planning will no doubt include the development of these types of programs.
Listed below are the various comments from the Listening Sessions on “faith formation.” Some comments will be repeated and appear under multiple themes.
More involvement from younger parishioners and young parents
There are families growing in this church
Because you have the power to include children
You are a young pastor. You could energize more of the younger people to get involved.
Activities for youth: Clean up of our cemetery and our church - A mission trip – even just to downtown - Sports for youth and parents
Can we get youth interested in having a youth choir?
Church need to be “fun” for our kids
More organized youth groups
Programs that help keep pre-teens/teens engaged in the faith and parish life
To see more children
Youth group
We need to offer families a place to worship - somehow bring teens back to the church
More community action for our kids of all ages: Teens working with/in food bank - Kids caroling at the nursing home - PSR on Sunday with activity in the community - Lunches in summer on the square
Youth group that takes action – doing things for others outside of mass
A scholarship for any child who would like to attend a Catholic school
For school to be affordable for our children (carpool for transportation)
Homeschool in basement of church
Youth involved in Mass! They should be able to lector, responsorial psalms, give out bulletins
Bible Studies with Fr. Scott – or his suggestion of someone
Bible study or study of CCC (there are many good programs available through Ascension Press, etc) that parishioner could lead if Fr. Scott or deacons aren’t available.
Bible study that focuses on Scripture
Bible study to be offered.
In a dream world, it would be nice to have a separate building for PSR
More adult faith formation – opportunities to learn about our faith for men and women
Our parish is full of potential to renew Catholicism. There is a whole generation just waiting to be shaped and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Programs focused on theology and Mary
We are eager to know more about Scripture – how to understand/comprehend
We need to rekindle our faith.
Want parish to grow: Participation - Vibrant – “plugged in” - Retreats that open more opportunity for “working outside the home” parishioners - Movie night