ADULT FAITH FORMATION
The Bishops of the United States of America have designated Adult Faith Formation as a priority for the entire Church. Coming to know and love Christ and His Church in a mature and life-changing way is not simply the work of children in a classroom. True formation in Faith is ongoing and lifelong. We are never "finished" with our education in the Catholic Faith. As Adult Catholics, we are all called to a life of prayer and service, inspired by the teachings of our Church. We are called to encounter Jesus Christ in the Sacraments and share His Love with others.
The Office of Faith Formation, in cooperation with parishes throughout our great Diocese, offers various opportunties for adults of all ages and situations to come to know and grow in their Faith.
We encourage you to be open to these possibilities to come to know more. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the Office of Faith Formation at 718-281-9544. Hablamos Espanol.
We are here for you!
Adult Faith Formation Ministry
The Adult Faith Formation Ministry of the Diocese of Brooklyn seeks to offer resources, support and training for Adult and Young Adult parish coordinators by:
- Workshops and ongoing formation for coordinators
- Network of coordinators
- On-site consultation
- Newsletter
To offer diocesan opportunities for growth in knowledge and expression of faith and to collaborate with the other members of the Vicariate of Evangelization and Pastoral Life especially in the areas of:
- Catholic Novel
- Douglaston Film Festival
- Theology on Tap (specially for young adults)
- Parenting and Family
- RCIA
- Adults in Special Situations
- Multi-cultural faith formation
- Spirituality
THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS:
BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
How did I get here? What is my life about? Am I really just a collection of meaningless cells? What should I do with my life? How can I be happy? Every one of us seeks answers to these and similar questions.
Each life is filled with these questions of meaning. Each of us, in one way or another, takes a stand regarding these questions whether we realize it or not. Where do you find meaning and purpose? Many people today seek meaning in different ways and through different avenues, some good and some very harmful. Contemporary culture offers many proposals that try to answer these questions as to what it really means to be a truly free, responsible person in the world today. But do all of these things truly fulfill us? Is there another way, a way that gives life and gives it abundantly? As Catholic Christians, we know the answer is God. We know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. There is much more to our earthly existence than material things and much more to the human person than just flesh and bones. Each human person has worth, a meaning and a purpose. We have an origin and a destination. We have someone who Loves us.
As Catholics, we believe that God has created us, redeemed us, and Loves us. We believe that God became one of us to save us and show us what it means to be a human person, so that we may know and Love Him.
We believe that each person is called by God into a relationship with Him, in and through Jesus Christ, who established the Catholic Church to be His Body in the world.
Have you ever considered exploring the questions of life through this knowledge? Have you considered coming to know God through His Catholic Church?
We invite you to learn more.
Adults who are not Christians, or adults who are Christians of a non-Catholic community, are always offered an ongoing invitation to seriously explore what it means to be Catholic and to come into full initiation into the Catholic Church.
The process through which an adult comes into full membership in the Catholic Church is known as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, commonly called the RCIA process. It is an ancient process of learning, discovery and prayer, through which a person freely chooses to embrace Christ and His Church, seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. After this journey, a person would normally receive Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion, beginning his or her life as a full member of the Body of Christ. This process is also for those who were Baptized Catholic as infants, but did not receive Confirmation or Holy Communion.
To learn more about this possibility, contact your local Catholic parish, or feel free to call the Office of Faith Formation. We will help you in any way we can.
718-281-9544
Hablamos Espanol.
Selected readings:
Our Hearts Were Burning
Sentiamos Arder Nuestro Corazon
Sons and Daughters of the Light