Directors of religious education and other parish staff gathered at Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling Aug. 18 to gear up for another year of teaching the Catholic faith and evangelization. The day started with a meet and greet for the participants gathered from around the diocese, who exchanged ideas and shared support and fellowship. The programming concluded with a training session for new directors of religious education.
The diocesan Office of Faith Formation coordinated the annual day of preparation to provide social and training opportunities for leaders throughout parish ministry, according to Ana Lisa Piñon, director of faith formation and evangelization programs. She said that, centered around the Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, parish catechetical leaders were “strengthened in their ministry and mission to support the teaching office of the church.”
“They have been working for months to register students, plan classes, recruit and train catechists, update policies and get ready to welcome students and families for a new year of faith formation.”
New this year was training and an introduction to Franciscan University’s Catechetical Institute. The Franciscan at Home online platform provides video, writing and reflection opportunities and with the possibility of being mentored to share the Catholic faith, demonstrate evangelization and encourage spiritual development of both individuals and groups. The Office of Faith Formation has provided a free account to every parish and parishioner throughout the diocese with the intention of supporting local programs, nurturing faith development, providing tools for evangelization and ways of making disciples in parish communities.
“Through the family, each parent is the primary witness to the beauties and treasures of the Catholic faith,” Piñon said.
Parents accept this sacred responsibility of sharing their faith when they chose to bring their child to the baptismal font, she said.
“We want to partner with the parents to provide a foundation to form each child to know, love and serve Christ and deepen their children’s relationship with the Lord through the sacraments.” To support that work at the parish level, religious educators teach students how to value the dignity of each person and to develop a moral compass to become intentional disciples who then witness to their families, peers and the next generation, Piñon said.
A page on the Arlington diocese website highlights Franciscan at Home resources on Catholic parenting, evangelization and the first proclamation of the Gospel, pastoral accompaniment, Eucharistic renewal and catechumenal ministry. These resources were chosen by the Office of Faith Formation to welcome Catholics back to the church, support families in living and loving Catholic faith, and provide parishes with tools for the New Evangelization.
She recommends adults continue learning about the Catholic faith by entering a small group, Bible study or adult faith formation class, or signing up for the Franciscan at Home platform to find opportunities “to get to know the living God and reflect on what it means to be His disciple.”
Find out more
Explore offerings from the Franciscan at Home program on the diocesan website: https://www.arlingtondiocese.org/evangelization/franciscan-at-home-catechetical-institute-(formation)/
For more questions or to find a group session, contact Ana Lisa Piñon at [email protected].
