"...By giving witness to the Gospel, living communal charity, and actively celebrating the mysteries of Christ, the Christian community is an excellent school of Christian and liturgical formation for the children who live in it."
The Director for Masses with Children, 11.
Through the ministry of Family Catechesis and Faith Formation the Church seeks to facilitate the process of ongoing faith development that happens formally and informally within the family system by drawing upon the gifts and faith experiences of all family members. The Catholic Faith Community walks together, family to family, as they explore the Catholic Faith, experience ongoing conversion of heart, celebrate faith through the liturgical and sacramental life, and live daily a life of peace, charity and justice.
Monthly Intergenerational Family Formation Sessions or Family Enrichment Days -- provide a forum for families to learn with each other and from each other. A monthly session or Enrichment Day may consist of several of the following elements:
- Cooperative Learning-Experiences
- Family Learning Stations
- Age Appropriate Breakout Sessions
- Liturgical and Devotional Celebrations
- Field Trips
- Family Justice and Service Projects
- A Family Movie Night
- Small Faith Communities of adults, youth and children
- Family Prayer Experiences
- Social Events
Family Home Resources -- Between monthly meetings, provide families with resources that will nurture the domestic Church. Some ideas:
- monthly calendar of parish liturgical, social, educational and outreach opportunities
- meal time, morning and night time prayers
- Lectionary materials that help families to reflect upon the Sunday scriptures
- Parenting resources
- Adult spirituality resources
Web Links
For more information about Intergeneration Catechesis contact Carol Augustine, caugustine@archbalt.org or call the Division for Evangelization and Catechesis at 410-547-5403.
