Faith Formation Article
Called to be Disciples, not just Members
By Sr. Janet Schaeffler, O.P.
Published May 12, 2006 
In our Church, we don't need members. We need disciples. What's essential for discipleship is conversion.
Our children and youth will be formed in faith if we, as adults are formed, converted … but everyone will stagnate if adults are not continually open to conversion.
Some basic Catholic beliefs are:
God reveals himself to us. We call this Revelation.
Once we come to know God, it is natural for us to turn our hearts to God. We call this Conversion.
We share our faith with one another, inviting each other into deeper belief and great love. This is Evangelization.
Once we meet God and turn our hearts to God, the need for deeper understanding arises within us. We call this Catechesis.
Once we come to know Christ and turn our hearts to him, we desire to live according to his way of life. We call this Justice.
For Catholics, conversion is never private, but it is very personal. It occurs in a communal setting; it leads us to the community. It is on-going throughout life. Christ makes a proposal to us, an intimate offer, an offer of love, to which we are invited to respond. It is the experience of entering into the death of the Lord, by dying to ourselves, which leads, always, to new life. The experience of the Paschal Mystery. The experience, and living out – constantly - of our baptismal promises.
Signs of conversion
Conversion is not a static reality; it is easy to see the "symptoms" of conversion, to tell whether we are in this relationship process with our God and God's family. A few of them are:
- Do I live in the present moment – which is where God is – and live joyously, able to cope with life's events?
- Am I generous with my time, my money, my empathy when people need care?
- Am I willing to forgive rather than hold grudges?
- Does my very spirit create an atmosphere of welcome and hospitality for others?
- Do I have a heart for the materially poor? (It was the criteria for Jesus – Mt 25, Lk 2)
- Do I have an honest awareness of my failings and sin?
- Do I live a life of prayer, of grateful prayer, of prayer that is turned into action?
- Can I see the everyday happenings at home, at work, in all my relationships through the lens of the Gospel?
- Am I aware of the gift of grace which empowers me?
- Do I have a strong sense of the presence of God with me, with others and throughout creation?
- Am I an active part of the community of God, trusting the Church and sharing my ideas with my parish?
Ways parishes can foster adult conversion
There are multiple ways parishes throughout the country, and especially so vibrantly in our archdiocese, are continually fostering and calling forth disciples (not just members) all the time.
Let's look at two techniques (one for all ages; one for adults) that deepen conversion, touch the core of our faith, and strengthen our relationship with God, as well as encourage sharing our faith with others.
Each week the parish poses a question, flowing from the Sunday readings, which takes those readings into our daily lives. The question can be in the bulletin, the announcements, on the website, on meeting agendas, in all parish communications and newsletters during the week. It might be part of the homily. All parish groups and meetings use it during prayer; all households are encouraged to use it at home. See the archdiocesan website (under adult faith formation) for more information.
There are many ways to schedule and plan parish retreats. The book, Handbook for Success in Whole Community Catechesis (Bill Huebsch, Twenty-Third Publications, 2004)) describes one method – a simple one, but an exciting endeavor which allows almost 600 parishioners each year to deepen their faith commitment. See the book for plans, schedules and all you will need. If you would like the plans in Spanish, call me at 313-237-5936.
|
