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Generations in Faith Formation Together: Helping Families and Individuals Grow in Faith
A new model of faith formation is coming soon to All Saints! Families, along with individuals of all ages, are welcome to join us this fall for the implementation of our new, exciting program.
The program, called Generations in Faith Formation Together (GIFFT), will bring together families to form solid communities and have families of all walks of life learning more about the faith. For this year, GIFFT is lectionary-based, meaning that it will focus primarily on the Scripture readings for Sunday Mass, following along with the liturgical calendar.
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“We’re trying to build community, as well as form parents so they feel more comfortable teaching their children in the faith,” says Kathy McDermott, Director of Faith Formation.
GIFFT will take place on Sundays after Mass. Families are encouraged to attend Mass, then stay to participate in the session. There will be four sessions per month, with the idea that families will attend one session per month. Following Mass, everyone will meet in Fellowship Hall for prayer and snacks, then a family activity such as music or story, then break into small groups for age-appropriate activities led by our catechists. Finally, everyone gathers again and receives an assignment to complete before the next session in their small groups.
The key difference between this new model and our previous faith formation programs is that the teaching happens all at the same time, and provides enough catechists and resources for the whole family. The idea is everyone will be learning the same things — parents, grandparents, kids and teens — in order to encourage discussion and learning throughout the family unit.
“When they leave, they can have a discussion about what they just learned,” Kathy says.
The assignment or activity to be completed in small groups between sessions is also helpful for forming community between parishioners, as well as giving practical ways to help foster growth in certain areas of the faith.
“To take what they’re learning and put it into action, it’ll be a practical assignment to decide how to go into the world and actually practice what you learned,” Kathy says. “Whether it’s a service project, or an act of kindness, the families will decide for themselves.”
Gathering together with all ages is a unique opportunity to help communities form throughout generations. But all are welcome to attend.
“We’re just trying to help the families out, coming up with the resources for them,” Kathy says. “I think this is a gift, Generations of Faith Formation Together — we’re hoping that other people besides families will join us. We’re open to newcomers, meeting people and sharing — we’re just trying to open faith formation to more welcoming and practical sessions. We know that faith formation is lifelong
catechesis, it’s not a certain age group, so we want all these generations together.”
Kathy and her team welcome anyone who would like to help out, especially in the area of hospitality.
