Sts Peter, Mary and Joseph at 1 Main, Hokah, MN 55971 US - Generations of Faith

(For all parishioners)

GOF--where we've been and where we're going!

Father Pete held two informal "Growing your Faith discussions for interested adults last summer. Both were relaxed discussions of issues that were on the minds of those in attendance. The GOF leadership team planned two events for fall which focused on the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and on the meaning of Advent, and a third event in Lent on the sacrament of Penance. Members of all three parishes supported these events through good attendance as well as food and faith sharing. All of the events yielded positive feedback and we were encouraged to continue with this generational approach to faith formation in our three parishes. This summer Father Pete will hold informal "Growing your Faith" discussions on July 19 and August 9 at 6:30pm at St. Mary's in Houston. He will announce the topics in advance. The GOF leadership team will be meeting on August 3 at St. Mary's to plan events for the coming school year. Current thinking is that we will have two potluck style events--one in fall, the other in spring--focusing on the sacraments of Matrimony and the Eucharist. If you would like to be a member of the leadership team, please contact David (paradm@acegroup.cc <mailto:paradm@acegroup.cc> mailto:paradm@acegroup.cc> or 864-2257 or 458-2544) . If you want to give input or suggestions, also contact David or members of the leadership team in your parish. Another activity that the leadership team is considering for this coming year is a Bible study program. Please be watching your bulletin and this website http://home.catholicweb.com/stspetermaryjoseph/index.cfm) for further details.

What is Generations of Faith?

• Would you like to spend some time strengthening your own knowledge of the faith as an adult member of the Catholic Church?

• Would you like to feel more connected to your church?

• Do you wish you had more time to spend with your family learning about the Catholic faith?

• Is your family over-burdened by hectic schedules and frantic driving to get children from one activity to another?

• Could you use some support in helping to get you and your family to Mass more regularly?

• Are you struggling with how to keep your teenagers involved with the Church?

• Would you like us to serve you dinner, so that you can spend some quality time with your friends and family, and so that you can get to know other parishioners?

If you said YES to any of the above,
have we got a program for you!

Generations of Faith (GOF) is an innovative approach to parish wide faith formation. It offers singles, couples, and families the opportunity to work on faith formation together. Parishioners gather in intergenerational groups or sessions. The goal of these sessions is to provide a context for participation in and reflection about the event that highlights a particular theme. Direct instruction, learning materials, reflection opportunities, and home kits will be designed to help everyone better understand events in the life of the Church.

Why Generations of Faith?

Adult faith formation, by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study, must be the central task in catechetical enterprise,” becoming the “axis around which revolves the catechesis of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age.” (Our Hearts Were Burning within Us, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 2000)

What are the goals of Generations of Faith?

• To transform catechesis from a separate “program” into a more collaborative and integrative approach that involves all of the parish’s ministries in faith formation

• To end age segregation in catechesis

• To shift the focus of the curriculum from the textbook to the events of Church life

• To nurture family faith at home as integral to the faith formation process

• To enable parents to approach the task of being the primary catechists for their children with confidence and knowledge

What is our vision?

Embracing the vision of faith formation in Generations of Faith requires moving away from a school model only to a community or “whole church” model of faith formation.

The first important aspect of this vision is locating religious education not only in the “classroom” but rather or also in the lived experience of communal parish life and in its families and households. Some of us are old enough to remember a time when such a dynamic needed no programming at all – it simply was the way Catholics lived, shared and handed on their faith to each other and to the next generation. The revolution in church and culture that came with the 1960’s turned many things upside down. It’s not unusual to hear older folks complain, “kids just aren’t learning the faith the way they used to” and younger parents ask, “just what are my children supposed to be learning in CCD?” And we all wonder and ask, “Is the current religious education model working, or is there a better way?”

The second familiar dynamic that GOF brings to mind is the critical importance of parents and extended families in the work of their children’s religious education. Catholic children learn more about their faith at home (by example or default) than in the classroom. Faith is one of those things that is more easily “caught” than “taught.”

We believe that Generations of Faith will help parishioners to engage in more meaningful participation in church liturgies and events. We hope to encourage everyone to reflect on the significance of these events and to apply Catholic teachings to daily life. We envision strengthened Catholic individuals, families, and community as the outcome of this program.

How is it structured?

Each session will include:

1. A prepared meal—to alleviate the stress of food preparation, the parish will provide a meal so that families can relax, eat together, and socialize with other parishioners.

2. Opening Experience—an introduction to the theme presented in an intergenerational setting. This may include prayer, a speaker, activities, or discussion.

3. Learning Sessions—breakout sessions will allow different ages to receive instruction geared towards preparing for the monthly event in a developmentally appropriate way.

4. Whole Group sharing—different age groups will come back together to share what they have learned. Home kits will be distributed with instructions.

What might be the curriculum?

It is greatly possible that the following topics will be the curriculum for parish-wide catechesis centered around the feasts and seasons of the Church Year.

September Introduction to Generations of Faith

October Called to be Saints

November Understanding the Kingship of Christ

December Witnesses of faith

January Vocations/Discipleship

February Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving

March Lent and Triduum of Easter

April People as Church

May The Holy Spirit

What about First Communion and Confirmation?

Candidates for sacramental preparation will participate in the regally scheduled Generations of Faith program. They will also attend grade level meetings and/or retreats to focus on specific sacramental preparation. Opportunities for reflection, prayer, and service will be offered.

Is there anything else?

Additional activities will be planned for specific age groups throughout the year as part of the complete program.

When and how will GOF be implemented in our Parishes?

We have had three GOF events this year, and all were well attended.  Next year we are hoping to have four events.  Each parish in the cluster has a committee to help plan these events by getting together with Father and working out the details.  The details are then carried out by the committee members of each parish.  If you would like to join this effort in your parish,  please call David at 507-864-2257 or 507-458-2544.  

How can I find out more?

We are excited about the possibilities that Generations of Faith offers. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about GOF, and/or ways to become involved, please contact David U'Ren (864-2257 or paradm@acegroup.cc) or Barb Swensen (8964139) or Lyn Bissen (894-4905).