Formation In Faith
Why is formation in faith important?
When we meet someone for the first time, we want to get to know them. The more we know about their background, history, beliefs and values, the deeper our relationship with them is likely to be. Where there is little knowledge of another person or when it is based on superficial impressions, we know from experience that the relationship is unlikely to be deep rooted and mature.
Our faith journey is no different because it also is about deepening our relationship with a person – Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When we grow in our faith and gain a deeper understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, this draws our lives into His divine life in a way that sustains and nourishes us on our faith journey. We slowly begin to appreciate the difference it makes having a loving relationship with Jesus and this enables us to be caught up in the life of the Holy Spirit and come to know the love of the Father, empowering us for service and ministry in the Church.
Questions we ask:
We all have questions about this: How does this happen? What does this friendship with God look like? What bearing will it have on my earthly and eternal life? Can the promises of Christ be true?
To begin to answer these questions we need to be prepared to take the next step in our faith by deepening our knowledge of Jesus, the Son of God. As we come to know Him better, we can see more clearly His desire for us to be in friendship and fellowship with Him and to share in His divine life.
Where might formation in faith begin?
There are many resources available to help us all deepen our knowledge of the Catholic Faith. In the resources section we have listed some of these.
One resource that is recommended is Bishop Robert Barron’s Catholicism course. The video below will give you a feel of the content and the testimonies of those who have used it. The course makes no claims to be comprehensive or to deal with every matter of the Catholic faith but what it successfully achieves is the laying of some important foundations upon which adults can explore their relationship with God and become more receptive to His gift of faith.
In this first stage of formation in faith you may also consider the following discipleship pathways:
Catholicism - word on fireThis link will give you a feel of the Catholicism course and the testimonies of those who have used it. The course makes no claims to be comprehensive or to deal with every matter of the Catholic faith but what it successfully achieves is the laying of some important foundations upon which adults can explore their relationship with God and become more receptive to HIs gift of faith.
If you are not currently attending Mass:
-“Come and See” – If you know a Catholic who is practising, consider asking to accompany them to one of the Masses that they attend where you will be able to experience at first-hand a Eucharistic celebration and be welcomed by a living faith community.
Find out about the evangelisation courses that are running in your parish.
A list of these can be found in the resources section on this website.
