Our Philosophy on Faith Formation

Our Philosophy

“ Catechesis is the transmission of God’s Word to invite people to personal faith.” The faith response should include faith in the person of Jesus and in His message. This faith should be living, conscious, and active. (The Mystery We Proclaim, Francis D. Kelly)

Every baptized Catholic has the privilege and responsibility to be actively engaged in becoming aware of Divine Revelation through Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. Church law obliges the pastor of a parish to provide for this instruction in the truths of the faith (Code of Cannon Law c.528.1). He does this with the assistance of our Faith Formation Secretary, Youth Ministry Team, and Catechists.

Our religious education programs have five goals: 1) to bring participants to individual and constant conversion to the Lord; 2) to build an Intentional Catholic Community; 3) to teach the content of God’s revelation clearly and fully; 4) to lead participants to contemplation in the presence of the Transcendent God; and 5) to foster commitment to living out the Gospel ideals in the practical circumstances of everyday life. We are committed to assisting people in becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of our age or educational background, we continue to seek a deeper and fuller understanding of what Christ has revealed to His Church through study and reflection of the daily readings from Sacred Scripture and spiritual works, keeping up with current teachings of the Church, attending religious education programs, participating in the Holy Mass and Confession and engaging in an active prayer life that includes Catholic devotions (e.g. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament).

Under the direction of their pastors the parents are the primary catechists of their children and youth. As models of practicing Catholics, parents show their children the importance of being engaged learners and practitioners of their faith. Parents then teach and support their children in learning about and practicing the Catholic faith, especially in the preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Confession, Eucharist, and Confirmation. They create a home church for their families in which prayer, Scripture reading, and seasonal religious rituals (e.g. Advent and Lenten devotions, mealtime prayers) are experienced as a family; and in which celebrating the Sacrament of Confession regularly and going to Mass each Sunday and on Holy Days of obligation are family priorities.

The parish of Saint Michael, according to the promise made to these parents at their children’s baptisms, supports the faith formation of our children and youth by providing formal religious education programs.