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Montelores Catholic Community Lifelong Faith Formation: An Overview The Governing Principles Three overall principles govern the Montelores Catholic Community’s program of lifelong faith formation. They were set in place by our pastor, Fr. Larrry Gallegos, at the program’s inception during August, 2007.
Five further principles, approved by Fr. Larry, have been established by the Core Team leadership during the course of the 2007-2008 year.
The Generations of Faith sessions that punctuate the year and the weekly Living In Faith Together (LIFT) sessions are lifelong faith formation constants for the Montelores Catholic Community. They are basic catechesis for everyone, and we urge all parishioners to participate. We require participation in them for everyone enrolled in basic catechesis and sacramental preparation. Generations of Faith The Generations of Faith sessions, based on a particular topical category each year and integrated with the events of the Church year and parish life, are the major lifelong learning milestone events that mark progress through each liturgical year. All other programs are thematically structured to flow into and flow out from the yearly Generations of Faith events. Basic Catechesis Living In Faith Together (LIFT) Adult Scripture Study Weekly reflection on the Sunday readings is basic ongoing catechesis for adults. The sessions are scheduled adjacent to Eucharist for approximately half of the Sundays of the year. Saturday, 5:30 P.M. Our Lady of Victory, Dolores (after 4:30 Mass)These adult sessions, done simultaneously with the young people’s catechetical program, begin with a light meal at Dolores and Cortez. Sunday, 9:00 A.M. St. Margaret Mary, Cortez (before 10:30 Mass) Sunday, 9:30 A.M. St. Jude, Dove Creek (after 8:30 Mass) Sunday, 9:30 A.M. St. Rita, Mancos (after 9:30 Mass) Living In Faith Together (LIFT) with Young People LIFT is our basic ongoing catechesis program for young people. It is scheduled adjacent to Eucharist for a minimum of 21 Sundays of the year. This basic program is structured to flow into and flow out from the Generations of Faith sessions, which are a required element of basic catechesis; the LIFT and the GOF sessions are coupled as one program. This basic catechetical program each year explores one of the six major topics of study required by the Catholic Church: creed, sacraments, liturgical year, prayer and spirituality, morality and justice. These young people’s sessions, done simultaneously with the adult Scripture study, begin with a light meal. Youth ages 11-17 Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Our Lady of Victory, Dolores (after 4:30 Mass) Children ages 5-10 Sunday, 9:00 a.m. St. Margaret Mary, Cortez (before 10:30 Mass) Sacramental Preparation Adult Initiation Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults We invite all adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist to participate in a preparation program that may last one or two years, depending upon the adult’s needs and previous catechesis. The program requires participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT Adult Scripture Study RCIA sessions shaped for the candidates each year Public rites marking passage from the precatechumentate into the catechumenate, through election and into mystagogical catechesis after initiation Rite of Full Reception into the Catholic Church We invite all baptized adults seeking Confirmation and Eucharist to participate in a preparation program of one year’s duration, depending upon the adult’s needs and previous catechesis. The program requires participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT Adult Scripture Study Sessions shaped for the candidates each year Various public rites marking passage from candidacy, through election, to mystagogical reflection after initiation Young People’s Initiation Rite of Christian Initiation for Children We require children of catechetical age (over 5 years) seeking Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist to participate in a preparation program that may last one or two years, depending upon the child’s needs and family catechesis. The program requires participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT with Young People RCIC sessions shaped for the candidates each year Various public rites marking passage from the precatechumenate into the catechumenate, through election and into mystagogical catechesis after initiation. Rite of First Eucharist We require children who have reached the age of reason (approximately 7 years of age) and who seek to join the assembly for the reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord in Eucharist – and their parents – to enroll in a preparation program of one year, depending upon the child’s needs. The program requires participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT with Young People/LIFT Adult Scripture Study Three catechetical sessions shaped for the candidates and their parents each year Rite of acceptance and welcome, and the rite of First Eucharist itself. Rite of Confirmation We require young people in high school who seek to be anointed by the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit – and their parents – to be enrolled in a preparation program of two years, depending upon the young person’s needs. The program requires participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT with Young People/LIFT Adult Scripture Study Three catechetical sessions shaped for the candidates and parents each year One deanery retreat Five community service events Rite of acceptance and welcome, the rite of sending and the rite of Confirmation itself. Rite of Infant Baptism We require parents seeking the baptism of their infant son or daughter, and the child’s godparents, to prepare for receiving the sacrament by participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT for Adults Catechetical session shaped for parent and godparent preparation Rite of Reconciliation and Penance We require those children who have reached the age of reason, who are preparing for First Eucharist and/or who are seeking to celebrate God’s merciful forgiveness of their sins – and their parents – to be enrolled in a preparation program of one year, depending on the child’s needs. The program requirements are participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT with Young People/LIFT Adult Scripture Study Five catechetical sessions shaped for the candidates and parents each year Rite of Matrimony We require those couples who seek to enter into a lifelong covenant relationship with God and one another in marriage to be enrolled in a preparation program of at least six months. The program requirements are participation in: Generations of Faith LIFT Adult Scripture Study Interview to complete diocesan forms Inventory sessions with a married couple from the parish Diocesan sponsored retreat Leadership Our lifelong faith formation program is led by the Lifelong Faith Formation Core Team, headed by the Coordinator for Lifelong Faith Formation. The Core Team comprises experienced educators and catechists. They are men and women from all the communities within the Montelores Catholic Community. Kevin Ketterer, Coordinator for Lifelong Faith Formation Judy Sturdevant, Coordinator for Adult Formation Martha Becker, Coordinator for Young People’s Formation Br. Jesus Herrera-Ruiz, C.R. Donna Mae Halsted Karen Hunsinger Kevin Ketterer Kate Ott Please feel free to contact any of the Core team members for information or to offer suggestions about our parish lifelong faith formation program. |
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