What is Family Faith Formation?
The Church proclaims the Gospel to the family. The Christian community is a family of families and is itself the family of God.” (Directory of Catechesis, no. 229) In turn, it is the mission of the family to proclaim the Gospel to the world. “The family proclaims the Gospel … and is therefore an agent of catechesis” (DC, no. 231).
Family faith formation empowers families to, together, deepen their relationship with God, live and learn their faith, share their faith stories, and strengthen their relationships within their families. It is an evangelizing vision for catechesis that can be implemented through a variety of ways.
OED offers parishes Families Forming Disciples, an adaptable, bilingual tool that can be utilized by parishes to advance family catechesis. (For more information about FFD or other family catechesis resources, please contact Patrice Spirou, Family Catechesis and Curriculum.)
Why does the Catholic Church support Family Faith Formation?
By virtue of their ministry of educating, parents are, through the witness of their lives, the first heralds of the Gospel for their children. Furthermore, by praying with their children, by reading the word of God with them and by introducing them deeply through Christian initiation into the Body of Christ-both the Eucharistic and the ecclesial Body-they become fully parents, in that they are begetters not only of bodily life but also of the life that through the Spirit’s renewal flows from the Cross and Resurrection of Christ.
In order that Christian parents may worthily carry out their ministry of educating, the Synod Fathers expressed the hope that a suitable catechism for families would be prepared, one that would be clear, brief and easily assimilated by all. The Episcopal Conferences were warmly invited to contribute to producing this catechism. Familiaris Consortio, 39
What is the role of the Parish Catechetical Leader?
Parish Catechetical Leaders accompany, support and resource families in their faith formation efforts. Parish leaders walk with catechists and families as they pray together, deepen their understanding and practice Catholic traditions, foster faith conversations, receive instruction, and engage in service to others by providing access to family faith formation on a regular basis.
Family Formation Models
There are various models for family faith formation. Please contact Patrice Spirou for more information and check back soon for updated resources!
