Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation

What's Happening

eNews - Diocese of Manchester Email Newsletter
Who Says Faith is Blind?  Christian Apologetics and Contemporary Challenges
In celebration of the Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena, Dominican mystic and Doctor of the Church
a lecture by Peter Kreeft
Sunday, May 18, 2008
2:00 P.M.
Free and open to the public
For more information visit the Aquinas House Website www.dartmouth.edu/~aquinas
Peter Kreeft
Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Boston College.   He is an alumnus of Calvin College (AB 1959) and Fordham University (MA 1961, Ph.D., 1965). He taught at Villanova University from 1962-1965, and has been at Boston College since 1965.

He is the author of over 45 books including:  Handbook of Christian Apologetics, C.S. Lewis for the Third Millennium, Fundamentals of the Faith, Catholic Christianity, and Back to Virtue.  In addition, he is regular contributor to several Christian publications.  
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena, a Dominican mystic and Doctor of the Church, lived during the 14th Century. The Dominican Order was established in the 13th Century with a special mission of preaching. This lecture is held in observance of the feast of St. Catherine on April 29.
Resource and Idea Book: Adults with Cognitive Disabilities/Mental Retardation: Approaches to Adult Faith Formation

Developed by the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, this resource and idea book addresses the need to better help people to integrate their faith with their daily lives and focuses on one adult Catholic population, adults with cognitive disabilities. Read more
Series on The Holy Spirit
This program will explore the existence and role of the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments as well as provide an understanding of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Many of us "know" of the Holy Spirit but fail to understand how accessible His gifts are to us on a daily basis. Participants will not only gain more knowledge, they will begin to explore an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit, the Presence of Christ's abiding love. Participants will need the New American Bible and the book, John Paul II and the New Evangelization.

Date: May 20 and 27, June 3 and 10
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: St. Margaret Mary Church Hall, Keene
Contact: Anita Plourde, (603) 352-7662, cffc-keene@verizon.net
How to Create a Vibrant Parish Ministry for Maturing Adults

This symposium sponsored by the New England Conference for Diocesan Directors for Religious Education features Richard P. Johnson, Ph.D. Dr. Johnson is nationally recognized for his pioneering work in maturing adult faith formation. His latest book, Parish Ministry for Maturing Adults: Principles, Plans and Bold Proposals, charts a refreshing and compelling new course for faith formation for maturing adults.

Date: August 13-14, 2008
Location: Springfield Marriott
Download Brochure
Contact: LaVerne Bertin, (508) 929-4303, lbertin@worcesterdiocese.org

About Adult Faith Formation

The Diocese of Manchester invites adult Catholics to consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study. In their document, Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us , A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States, the Bishops encourage parishes and dioceses to make this adult faith formation central to their mission.

Ongoing faith formation flows from liturgy, family and home centered activities, large group experiences or retreats, and individual activities. Watch your parish bulletin, Parable , and Public Policy and Social Teachings for a variety of additional opportunities. The following list is not exhaustive.

Possibilities for Courses

  • The Laconia Christian Life Center and the Catholic Faith Formation Center in Keene offer a variety of courses, experiences and retreats. Visit www.catholicfaithformationcenter.org for offerings at the Catholic Faith Formation Center in Keene or download a brochure of course listings through the Laconia Christian Life Center.
  • C21Online stands for Church in the 21st Century Online, a Boston College initiative offering online, non-credit courses that provide stimulating opportunities for spirituality and renewal. View course offerings and find out more at www.bc.edu/c21online .
  • STEP, an effort of the University of Notre Dame Institute for Church Life, is open to any adult Catholic looking to deepen his/her faith or any minister who seeks continuing education. Because the Diocese of Manchester partners with the University in this effort, any individual from the Diocese receives a 20 percent discount per course. For a complete list of courses visit http://step.nd.edu .
  • Rivier College offers an institute for seniors, Rivier Institute for Senior Education (RISE) on campus in Nashua. Please visit http://www.rivier.edu/rise/default.aspx for further information.

Retreat Houses

Online Retreat Opportunity

Please visit Creighton University for an online retreat opportunity http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html .

Resources

If you are planning opportunities for adults in your parish, school or community, there are many resources on adult learning in the Diocesan Administration Building. View a list of those resources . The resources are located in the Curriculum Library. Please contact Pat Gabree or Jo-Ann Ellison before dropping by.

Evaluating Internet Sources

Find a tool for evaluating internet sources at http://libguides.bc.edu/content.php?pid=1049 .