State conference addresses adult faith formation

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
May 20, 2004

Close to 30 people from parishes and the diocesan office in the Diocese of Sioux were among the 180 people who gathered in Newton on May 3 and 4 for a state catechetical conference sponsored by the dioceses of Iowa.

The title of the conference that was attended by people from all four Iowa dioceses was Adult Faith Formation: Inspired by Initiatory Catechesis. The idea behind this was to look at aspects of adult faith formation that are involved with the RCIA process because adults - whether they are participants or team members - overwhelmingly find it to be an enriching experience.

"There have been several documents in recent years from the U.S. bishops that address the need of adult formation in parish life," said Bev Hurni, diocesan director of family ministries. "In the past, there has been much greater emphasis on forming children. While there needs to be emphasis on forming children, faith formation is a life-long task. We need to help people realize that the journey continues after confirmation."

She added that people tend to find the RCIA process meaningful because it starts with people's stories and questions. It helps them connect their ordinary life to faith traditions.

Dr. Jane Regan, a member of the theology faculty at Boston College, was the keynote speaker. Her academic background that includes a Ph.D. in religious education from the Catholic University of America is complemented by her more than 20 years of pastoral work experience.

"She started off by talking about where we are in this time in history, offering the characteristics of post-modern times. She talked about how the adults that would come for adult faith formation, especially the younger adults, their starting place is different than what it would have been generations ago," noted Hurni.

Today's young adults like to gather and reflect upon various perspectives and see how it relates to their own experiences and faith stories.

Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese, said, "She asked, 'Where do we begin?' We begin with people's experiences and we do this not just to get their attention but because God reveals the divine in our everyday lives."

The speaker also stressed the importance of evangelization, stating that the point of evangelization "wasn't to make more Catholics, but was to transform the world." Ultimately, noted Anderson, the main purpose of adult faith formation is to help transform the world.

"Dr. Regan wasn't talking about adding programs at all, she spoke about enhancing current things we are already doing with adults," noted Hurni. For instance, when adults gather for a parent meeting when their children are preparing for the sacraments it would be beneficial to help the parents reflect on their own experience of forgiveness. From there, the parents can relay their experiences to the children.

The speaker stressed the fact that adults need space and time to have meaningful conversations with other adults about faith. Through those conversations, their faith is affirmed and enriched. This makes them more comfortable in sharing their faith with their children and helps them to transform the world.

Edna Miller, DRE at Sacred Heart in Early and St. Joseph in Schaller, said she went to the conference in order to learn ways to get the middle-aged adults more interested in going to church. She learned this is a need for churches across the country.

"I think the learning stations that we have for first Communion and reconciliation are a good way to tie in with the adults and I think we need expansion," she said.

Kerry Noethe, DRE and youth minister at the parishes in Fonda and Varina, described it as an excellent conference.

Through Regan's presentation, Noethe came away realizing that "our shared mission as Catholics is evangelization and we are to use that process to help make the world a better place for everyone."

She pointed out that adult faith formation is a process that continues through one's life as opposed to a program that ends at the age of 18.

"We are never really fully formed," Noethe added. "And just because we go to conferences or we are a DRE - we have just as much to learn as we have to give."

She said the speaker made the comment that it wasn't the number of programs, but the quality. The Fonda and Varina parishes are looking at incorporating more intergenerational faith formation activities and have decided to start a series of adult faith formation classes that will be held at the same time as parish religious education classes.

In Regan's former parish, they started monthly sessions where they offered an evening divided into three sections - prayer, information and conversation. The speaker's motto is, "Dessert is not optional" because it offers such worthwhile time for conversation and faith sharing.

This, in turn, helps them transform the world.

"We have to take our faith out into the world and in that sense, we are all evangelizers," said Anderson.

Noethe commended the fact that the four dioceses worked together to bring someone of Regan's caliber to Iowa for the presentation.

Along with Hurni and Anderson, Juan Garcia from the diocesan Hispanic ministry department attended. The following parishes had representatives at the conference: St. Patrick Akron, Sacred Heart Boone, Sacred Heart Early/St. Joseph Schaller, Our Lady of Good Counsel Fonda/St. Columbkille Varina, St. Joseph Jefferson, St. Patrick Sheldon, Sacred Heart and Blessed Sacrament Sioux City, St. Mary Spirit Lake, St. Mary Storm Lake and Webster County Team Parishes.