Families Learning Together - Parish Family Catechesis - Part 1

Holy Family Parish & St. Joseph Church
Parish Family Catechesis
Begins: Sunday, September 17th
Holy Family Mass
—3 p.m.—
Holy Family Parish Gym
—4 p.m. to 6 p.m.—

More details to come!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Long before athletes step out onto the field for the first game, they must spend countless hours on the practice field. They must make sacrifices, listen to the coach, and learn from the all-stars. They must know how to play offense as well as defense. Without proper preparation defeat is inevitable.

When it comes to the Faith, we no longer know how to play the game. Our young people do not know the Faith, nor how to defend it. Our older people are discouraged, confounded— asking why no one comes to church. The rules of the game have changed and we have not adapted.

They must spend countless hours on the practice field. They must make sacrifices, listen to the coach, and learn from the all-stars. They must know how to play offense as well as defense. Without proper preparation defeat is inevitable.

When it comes to the Faith, we no longer know how to play the game. Our young people do not know the Faith, nor how to defend it. Our older people are discouraged, confounded— asking why no one comes to church. The rules of the game have changed and we have not adapted.

It is time we change our approach and create a program rooted in the liturgy and aimed, not at a particular age group, but at the entire parish family. Understanding that the Church upholds the dignity and beauty of the family.

The Church is in a time of great transition where people are leaving due at least in part to an outdated implementation of faith formation rooted in programs or modeled after classroom education. No longer can we rely on programs for retention, or use the sacraments as mere ‘gateways.’ The numbers show that the classroom-based model is no longer effective at transmitting the Faith.

For this reason, Holy Family and St. Joseph are changing our strategy.  The weekly religious instruction program for children held on Sunday mornings will be no more. Starting in September, families, parishioners—young and old­—will be invited to gather in the gym Sunday evenings from 4 p.m. to  6 p.m. once a month. Mass will be offered at 3 p.m.

The evening will begin with fellowship over a potluck meal. I, or another qualified speaker will offer a presentation on a relevant topic. The writings of saints will inspire us and there will be time for enrichment activities and small group discussions to help us articulate what we believe. The goal is to (1) form us in the Catholic worldview; (2) give us the skills needed to combat the secular arguments; and (3) have the tools to evangelize. Christ has conquered the world and He will lead us to victory!

More details are coming in next week’s bulletin. Be sure to make your calendars for the first session on September 17th.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Brian Slezak