Sunday Morning Series: The Wild Goose — A Valuable Opportunity for Formation

Many Catholics would agree that, through their faith formation, they have come to know the first two persons of the Trinity, the Father and the Son, more intimately than the Holy Spirit. The Wild Goose — Developing a Deeper Relationship With the Holy Spirit aims to change these preconceptions or lack of knowledge about the Third Person of the Trinity. It is through series like The Wild Goose that the Sunday Morning Series offers opportunities for Sunday morning formation.

“I approached Fr. Kastl last year about offering an additional Sunday morning formation opportunity,” says Paul Louderback, facilitator of the Sunday Morning Series. “We began with the Symbolon series and went through parts one and two. Last fall, we began The Wild Goose series and that ran for 14 weeks. We try, if possible, to frame the series around the liturgical season and will begin the Catholicism series from Bishop Barron this Ordinary Time.”

For those that have not seen it, The Wild Goose is a series featuring Fr. Dave Pivonka. The series follows Fr. Dave, now President of Franciscan University of Steubenville, through various interviews and invites each viewer into a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. The program’s name, The Wild Goose, refers to the name the ancient Celts gave to the Holy Spirit.

“The Wild Goose is one of my favorite names for a series we have covered through this formation opportunity,” Paul says. “The term is so ‘out there’ for something in the Catholic world, so it piques the interest of the viewers and draws them into learning more about the Holy Spirit. Oftentimes, our content does not coincide with the readings of the weekend, but that makes the opportunity to encounter our faith on a Sunday morning even greater. Parishioners that attend the Sunday Morning Series can delve deeper into the faith and their Sunday mornings are more well-rounded with faith enrichment.”

The Sunday Morning Series is hosted in the Halpine Room on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. All gatherings include an opening prayer and a closing prayer as well as a video. If time allows, those gathered will participate in a discussion. The group meets at a time that allows 8 a.m. Mass-goers to participate after Mass and parishioners that typically attend the 10 a.m. Mass can come early for formation before Mass. Since the nursery is offered on Sunday mornings, this is a wonderful opportunity for parishioners of all ages to participate.

“There is so much more to our faith than attending Mass on Sunday mornings,” Paul says. “Engaging in Symbolon, The Wild Goose, and particular Lenten studies is only the beginning of what we are called to know about our faith. I am looking forward to our next series and seeing the fruits that will come of it. Engaging in this formation as a community allows participants to learn from others who are also on the same journey. As we learn more about Catholicism, The Wild Goose inspires us to delve into a deeper relationship with our Lord.”

Holy Family Cathedral invites you to participate in the Sunday Morning Series. Parishioners are welcome to drop in any week, even without prior knowledge of the series, and join in this formation offering.