Faith Formation
Adults - click here for a listing of adult opportunities
Children - click here for a listing of opportunities for children
The sharing of our catholic faith is critical to the religious education and spiritual formation of St. Mary's Parish. Through formal catechesis as well as by example, we will acquire and pass on a faith that is living, conscious, and active.
The commission's responsibility is to oversee the policies and programs related to ALL religious education and spiritual formation within the parish. We are committed to provide a variety of opportunities for knowledge, shared life experiences and spiritual growth and development.
Philosophy Statement - Faith Formation Commission
We believe faith becomes living, conscious, and active through the light of instruction.
That it is a lifelong process and requires that we keep growing in our Catholic faith through education and spiritual formation; thereby enabling us to grow in unity, love and peace as individuals, as a parish, and as a worldwide community.
That adult catechesis is our primary concern, as adults are capable of mature faith, of sustaining and helping one another to grow to maturity, and of providing a model of service to our young and for each other.
That parents are the primary educators of their children, and all programs should be designed to support such a role.
That faith development evolves through Scripture and Tradition, Eucharistic Liturgy, Sacraments, theology, morality, and the Church's teaching authority and presence.
Given that God meets people "where they are" in their faith journey, there is no one methodology that meets the needs of all. Therefore, we believe that those involved in education and spiritual formation are responsible for choosing and creating conditions which will encourage people to seek and accept the Gospel message and integrate it more fully in living out their faith.
Policies - Faith Formation Commission
1. The National Catechetical Directory will provide the general guidelines for understanding and implementing all catechetical programs within the parish.
2. The catechetical guidelines established by the Archdiocese of San Antonio will be followed.
3. All programs for children will be supportive of the role of the parents as the primary educators and not a substitute for them.
4. The staff will be subject to the personnel policies established by the parish.
5. The Faith Formation Commission will function as a Planning and Policy Body for the overall education and spiritual formation programs of the parish.
6. Opportunities will be provided for all members of the parish to receive catechetical instruction and/or to participate in the catechetical ministry of the parish.