A quote from the U.S. Bishops

This passage (Lk 24:13-35) offers us a model for our ministry and shows the need we all have for ongoing formation in faith. For in it we see two adult disciples who, encountering the risen Lord, grow stronger in love, knowledge, commitment, and zeal. As then, today, "Those who are already disciples of Jesus Christ. ..[need] to be constantly nourished by the word of God so that they may grow in their Christian life. Such lifelong formation is always needed and must be a priority in the Church's catechetical ministry; moreover, it must "be considered the chief form of catechesis. All the other forms, which are indeed always necessary, are in some way oriented to it." (Our Hearts Were Burning Within us - par. 12-13)

Faith Formation

The Office of Faith Formation is in its third year of implementing Whole Community Catechesis. Whole Community Catechesis is a vision of faith formation that is rooted in the documents of Vatican II, the General Directory for Catechesis, and other catechetical documents. It promotes faith formation as an ongoing and lifelong process that can be greatly supported by intergenerational learning and interaction.

This vision, the idea, behind this concept is that Catechesis (Religious Education) is for everyone. No matter what our age or state in life, we can always grow in our faith, there is always something more to learn and there is always something we can share with others.

A new textbook series from Harcourt Publishing was purchased in 2006 for use in grades K-6 in both Faith Formation Sessions and St. John’s Academy. This series has components that lend themselves to intergenerational gatherings and has resources for adult education.

Adult Education

For Adults Only… These sessions are offered once a month and correlate with the units of study in the elementary Faith Formation sessions.

RCIA... These sessions are for those interested in joining the Catholic faith community or completing initiation into the church (Confirmation and/or Eucharist). Parishioners are invited to participate in these sessions as team or simply to join in the conversation. "...the people of God, as represented by the local church, should understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptized. Therefore the community must always be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ. "(RCIA #9)

An adult bible study meets at 10:30 am on Wednesdays in the Adult Faith Formation/Shirley's Office in the Zebedee Center. This is a lectionary based study. Each week we study the readings for the upcoming Sunday. We are using the publications Sunday by Sunday and Exploring the Sunday Readings.

Mach 1 (Mothers and Children) One group meets Monday mornings at the Zebedee Center and another meets on Monday evenings. (Check parish calendar for time and place)

Sacrament Preparation

Baptism preparation sessions... for parents who are preparing to have a child baptized.

Preparation for Confirmation, First Eucharist and Reconciliation includes adult education for parents and assistance in preparing their children. Confirmation and First Eucharist are celebrated in the third grade. Preparation for First Reconciliation takes place in second grade.

Elementary Grades K-6 This Program includes sessions:

• Called to... for families (adults and children) once a month, September through May.
• Sessions... for children are held twice a month.
• Other... offerings throughout the year.

Service

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me."

The Basilica of St. James tries to live out this scripture verse in many different ways. Some of the ways we assist our community are by participating in activities at local nursing homes and resident centers, delivering Meals on Wheels, prepare and serve meals for parent sessions, assisting with the Salvation Army's Christmas kettle drive, yard maintenance for shut-ins, and having a caring tree for different agencies in our community and world wide.