“It was he who appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers, as a service for all God’s people to build up the body of Christ. So we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith, and in our knowledge of the Son of God, we shall become mature people, reaching to Christ’s full statute. Let us, therefore, no longer be children, carried by waves and blown around by all winds of teaching that comes out of human trickery to lead others astray. Instead, let us speak truth in love and grow up to maturity in Christ the head. Through him the whole body grows and all the members fit together. When each member works as it should, the whole body builds itself up through love.” Ephesians 4:11-16
It is the responsibility of each generation to take ownership of their faith as mature adults and as they continue to grow in their faith throughout their lives, to pass that faith on to the generation which follows them. The Church states in the blessing of parents after children have been baptized, that “parents are the first and best teachers of their children.” With this in mind, we strive to provide opportunities for ongoing formation for adults, as well as resources for parents as they live out their baptismal promises. Direct inquires to the Director of Religious Education.
Christian Formation Committee ~ This committee meets once a month to plan, promote and implement Faith Formation in the parish. The committee seeks to understand and implement principles from “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation,” written and published by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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Talent:
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Interest in fostering adult faith formation by helping to plan, publicize, and implement programs already in place, and help develop new formats, topics and programs.
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Time:
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Two hours a month for meeting. Additional time as determined by you in selected activities. Not everyone is expected to participate in all of the activities every time.
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Opportunities for Adult Faith Formation currently include:
In Parish:
¨ Generations of Faith – monthly inter-generational faith formation gatherings with age-appropriate break-out sessions.
¨ Little Rock Scripture Study groups – weekly 2 hour scripture sharing meetings (small faith community study groups). Each unit is independent and can last 6 – 16 weeks. Materials provided at cost.
¨ Non-Gathering Adult information is available on the Faith Formation bulletin board, (Catholic Updates, Vatican II Today, Faith Connection in weekly bulletin), and other publications.
Local and Diocesan:
¨ Bishop Russell Institute offers a choice of four-week courses, with a fall and spring semester on various topics.
¨ Pastoral Ministry Leadership Formation: three year ministry formation program for those who are, or seek to be, involved in significant leadership positions in ministry and have not had the opportunity for theological, spiritual or leadership formation.
¨ Online Theology: wide variety of five-week theology courses offered by Universities of Notre Dame and Dayton, available in six cycles per year.
¨ Loyola University (New Orleans): Master’s Degree or certificate in Religious Education of Pastoral Studies, 36 graduate hours over four year period.
Generations of Faith ~ is an innovative approach to parish-wide faith formation. It offers singles, couples, and families the opportunity to work on faith formation together. Parishioners will gather monthly in intergenerational groups for one 3-hour session. The goal of these sessions is to provide a context for participation in and reflection about the event that highlights each month’s theme. Direct instruction, learning materials, reflection opportunities, and home kits will be designed to help everyone better understand events in the life of the Church. Generations of Faith requires the support of everyone to provide a variety of services. Offer your talents:
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Prayer:
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Planning, Music, Prayer, Greeters, Environment
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Formation:
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Activity Planning, Home Kit Preparation, Activity Leadership, Small Group Facilitators, Catechist, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Service Projects, Classroom preparation
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Hospitality:
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Meal Planning, Decorating, Set Up, Greeters, Meal Serving,
Clean Up
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Ladies' Scripture Sharing Group ~ For women desiring to study, discuss and discern God’s Word in scripture and to implement it into their daily lives. Meets Wednesday morning, 9:30-11:00 a.m.. Led by a facilitator. Come prepared to learn and share.
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Talent:
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Women interested in deepening their understanding of scripture, as well as developing friendships with other Christian women.
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Time:
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1 ½ hours per week September -May.
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Sacramental Preparation
Baptism
¨ Coordinators ~ Individuals who assist presenting families with preparation for the Baptism of their children. Coordinators assist at the liturgy celebrating the baptism.
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Talent:
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Attention to detail, comfort working with young families, ability to give directions.
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Time:
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Baptism Coordinators attend parent preparation sessions, usually two 90 minute parent sessions 2 or 3 times per year & 1 Mass on Baptism weekends.
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First Eucharist
¨ Workshop Team ~ Help children preparing for their First Eucharist Celebration to bake bread, make banners, and assist with a video presentation one Saturday in spring.
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Talent:
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basic cooking, ability to give instruction, comfort with children.
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Time:
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3 hours one Saturday in the spring and a 2 hour prep meeting
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¨ Mass Captains ~ Meet with parents to help coordinate a specific Mass, lead a rehearsal session and assist children during actual celebration
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Talent:
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Attention to detail and ability to give instructions
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Time:
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1 parent meeting, and 1 Mass total: 5 hours
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Confirmation ~ Formation for this sacrament may begin in the 10th grade. Please contact the Formation Office for more information.
¨ Sponsor ~ walks the journey with young people who are completing the initiation process through celebration of confirmation.
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Talent:
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Adults willing to share their faith story with young people and to journey with them and support them in the confirmation process. Must be a practicing adult Catholic, who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
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Time:
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Varies
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¨ Confirmation Team ~ meets to plan and implement the Confirmation process in collaboration with the Christian Formation Office.
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Talent:
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Loves young people and wants to share their faith story and journey with young people seeking full initiation.
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Time:
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Monthly meetings; assignments as determined.
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¨ Adult Chaperones ~ work with other adults to provide opportunities for youth to gather and/or provide service opportunities for the youth.
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Talent:
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Loves to spend time with young people. Respects and appreciates their gifts. Willing to gently lead the young people in their journey of faith. Outgoing and enjoys having fun.
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Time:
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Varies depending on activity.
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) ~ Welcome and walk the journey of faith with those who seek full membership in the Roman Catholic Church through the Church of St. Thérèse parish. We offer answers to their inquiries, presentations on Catholic beliefs, reflections on scripture and prayer. We ritualize each stage of the faith journey with rites, mornings and/or afternoons of reflection, celebrations of the scrutinies, and an overnight retreat. Any adults or parents of children over the age of 7 seeking any of the initiation rites—baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, are welcome.
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Talent:
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Outgoing, comfort in interacting with others; willingness to prepare and present predetermined topics; ability to speak well in group situations. A person who is willing and eager to share their faith story, and to listen to others share their experiences of faith.
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Time:
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Meets as needed (monthly, following regular RCIA meetings) to plan and implement RCIA process, approximately a half hour per month, in addition to the regular RCIA meetings. Some team members give presentations a couple of times a year, so there would need to be time for study and preparation on particular topic. There are also various celebrations: a gathering with the Bishop, dismissal rites, celebration of welcoming for those renewing their Catholic faith, and the celebration of the Rites of initiation and welcome at the Easter vigil.
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Talent:
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Friendly, comfort in interacting with others; must be a practicing adult Catholic, who has celebrated the sacraments of initiation-baptism, Eucharist and confirmation. Should exhibit a degree of commitment to the parish mission and ministry.
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Time:
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Training sessions - approximately two hours and attendance at the weekly meetings. Participation in the days of reflection, overnight retreat, regional meeting with the Bishop, celebrations of rites throughout the year, and the Easter vigil.
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Marriage ~ Formation for marriage is offered several times a year, as needed. The Marriage Team offers preparation for marriage through the internationally known program of FOCCUS, which helps couples identify areas of their lives which show a need for communication. This is done by a trained FOCCUS couple, who meets with the prospective bride and groom to help build communication skills. We are in the process of developing a Couple Mentoring system, to help newlyweds in many ways, especially to integrate them into the life of the parish. Preparation is also done through the Marriage Preparation offered through Catholic Charities. Information and preparation for the actual ceremony is provided in the parish and involves the principles which shape a Catholic wedding, as well as the practical ways of planning for a wedding at Church of St. Thérèse.
§ FOCCUS Couples ~ Train at a day long session at Catholic Charities.
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Talent:
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An interest in building strong and faith-filled marriages, a willingness to open your home and offer your friendship to a young couple.
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Time:
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As much as you wish to give. Most couples meet several times for a couple of hours each time with the couple with whom they are working. We have one general session every few months which lasts about 1 ½ hours, depending on number of couples who come forward.
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§ Mentor couples
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Talent:
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Become friends and spiritual companions to newly married couples. Couples of any age are needed and welcomed.
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Time:
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As much time as you are able to give. An average of two gatherings a month, several hours each, when you might cookout or go out to dinner, play cards or games together, while sharing together about what makes a marriage work.
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Youth Ministry
¨ Scouting
§ Boy Scouts ~ troops meet at the church, and are an important presence at many activities. Scouts teach boys life and leadership skills and values.
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Talent:
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Boys who want to work with a group of peers and participate in a variety of activities. Scouts also encourage active involvement of parents as well.
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Time:
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Weekly meetings (approximately 2 hours), other activities as scheduled.
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§ Girl Scouts ~ troops meet at the church, and are an important presence at many activities. Scouts teach girls life and leadership skills and values.
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Talent:
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Girls who want to work with a group of peers and participate in a variety of activities. Scouts also encourage active involvement of parents as well.
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Time:
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Weekly meetings (approximately 2 hours), other activities as scheduled.
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¨ Youth Night ~ Monthly gathering of youth in Middle and High School for planned activities or for fellowship
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Talent:
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Love to work and share your faith with tweens and teens. VIRTUS training Session and Background checks required.
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Time:
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Varies depending on planning and preparation for gatherings. Some months may need more than others, but generally one meeting per month as well as the Youth Night itself.
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