Adult Faith Formation Committee
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Mission Statement
The Adult Faith Formation Committee of The Church of Saint Ann works to foster a parish community that is vitally alive in faith. We hope to create and sustain a community of adult learners. We support parish activities, ministries, and parish committees or groups that help adults more fully and continuously live out their faith as a Roman Catholic among the challenges of today’s world. We seek to help adults actively cultivate a lively baptismal and eucharistic spirituality with a meaningful sense of parish and ministry involvement. We encourage and support all parish evangelization efforts to this end.
Goals
- To provide for ongoing adult enrichment opportunities throughout the year, guided by the “six dimensions” and “five concrete approaches” established by the United States Catholic Bishops in their pastoral letter, Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us, 2000. The six dimensions include: (1) Knowledge of Faith, (2) Liturgical Life, (3) Moral Formation, (4) Prayer, (5) Communal Life, and (6) Missionary Spirit. The five concrete approaches are: (1) Liturgy, (2) Family-or-Home Centered Activities, (3) Small Groups, (4) Large Groups, and (5) Individual Activities.
- To provide, through our parish library, and bulletin inserts, information aimed at updating adults on church teaching and timely issues related to faith and Christian living.
- To create a unique space and a language that fosters a Christian community of adult learners in dialogue with one another about things that matter.
- To evangelize all adult members of the parish, helping adults keep their baptismal promise at the forefront of their Christian faith, and deepening one’s identity as a Roman Catholic.
Membership
Members are willing (“whose hearts are burning”), and registered parishioners of The Church of Saint Ann who want to grow in their relationship with Christ and the Church. Service on the Adult Faith Formation Committee shall be for as long as a member desires to serve. It is strongly recommended that the committee regularly seek out and invite new members who support the mission.
Meetings
The Adult Faith Formation Committee usually meets on the third Thursday of the month (see schedule for exact times days and times). The parish leader, with input from the committee will set the agenda and specific date for each meeting, facilitate the meeting, and keep all members informed and updated. The recorder is responsible to send out minutes to all members following each meeting.
Resource Links
www.catholic-resources.org
For more information, contact Gary Maccaroni at the parish office, 359-9966.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION COMMITTEE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The parish AFF Committee was born in the spring of 2002
- Developed a mission statement that furthers the parish mission of “we educate across the lifespan.” Emphasis on strengthening faith and overall goal of making adult faith formation central to parish life.
- Set direction for the development of a parish library.
- Regularly host Diocesan Catechist Certification Offerings in both the spring and fall season.
- Created the “QuestionBox,” a response to questions about the Church and Christian faith.
- Provided an adult faith formation survey for the parish in June of 2003.
- Organized adult faith enrichment opportunities with a fall and spring menu, balancing theological issues with the everyday needs (and requests from AFF Survey) of the parishioners.
- The work of the AFF committee was recognized by the Diocese of Trenton who issued a $500 box of AFF resources, along with a grant of $2000 to the parish.
- Created several bulletin inserts/informational pieces about adult faith formation and its importance in the parish.
- Provide an active presence (and objective look/focus) in the parish so to keep adult faith formation central to parish life.
Adult Faith Formation Committee Seeks New Members!The Saint Ann Adult Faith Formation Committee is seeking new adult (and especially young adult 18 to 35 years of age) members to assist with its work and mission.The Adult Faith Formation Committee works within parish life to help adults deepen their faith in God, and active participation in the life of the parish, as we live out our faith as Roman Catholics in today's world. Some of things we do are plan faith enrichment evenings for adults, update the parish library, make recommendations to the parish, and develop new and creative ways to engage adults in dialogue on matters of Christian. If you are interested in becoming a member or have questions, call Gary at the parish office, 359-9966. |