Union Cluster offers intergenerational faith formation

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
March 17, 2005

People of all ages had the opportunity to learn more about their religion at intergenerational faith formation sessions held at two of four cluster parishes of Hartley, Primghar, Sanborn and Sutherland that make up the Union Faith Community.

Father Paul McKane, pastor at the four parishes, explained that the cluster kicked off the intergenerational sessions in January with an educational piece about baptism presented by a lay team in Hartley. The focus turned to the Mass in February and will continue for monthly sessions through April.

The pastor mentioned that the same program is offered in two locations - Hartley and Primghar - the two largest parishes of the cluster. People of the Union Faith Community may opt to attend at either location.

In February he spoke on the theology of the Eucharist taking a look at the Mass as a whole. They examined how Christ is present in the Mass, what is the right attitude for people to have at the liturgy, what or who is being transformed there and what is the work of the Holy Spirit in the liturgy.The structure of the Mass was addressed in March and it will also be the focus of the April session.

"I am going over all of the parts - the structure of Mass - what we do and why from the moment you walk in the door of the church to the moment you leave," said Father McKane. "Why you do what you do, its meaning and how to get more meaning out of it. What is the people's role as things are going on and so on."

He acknowledged that for the people and priests alike everyone must work at attentiveness at Mass. Attention is necessary for all prayer.

"We must not be like TV-watchers, but active participants paying attention, listening, singing, really praying and understanding what is happening," said Father McKane.

Father McKane and Nancy Williams, DRE at the parishes in Hartley and Sanborn, explained that the parishes do continue to offer the weekly religious education classes for students, however, when the intergenerational sessions are offered on a monthly basis, that one night this format replaces the regular classes.

"It's been very nice and we have had good response," said Williams.

The DRE pointed out that the combination of the intergenerational sessions along with traditional classes for the students appears to work well. She likes the fact that faith formation is available to the adults.

"Our hope is that the adults will take that faith formation home and will be able to share it in the family situation because we send home materials that they can use at home," said Williams.

It is often said that parents are the number one educators when it comes to passing on the faith to children and she noted that with these classes parents are better equipped to do so.

Father McKane mentioned that they originally referred to the sessions as family nights, but in using that title many of the older people from the parishes didn't attend.

"We are trying to get the word out that we want to include all people," he said. "We are still not attracting a high proportion of seniors yet, they are still thinking this is intended mainly for children."

Father McKane hopes this trend changes as he is well aware that faith formation is a lifetime task and they sometimes need to be updated in their knowledge. He acknowledged that most people who are over 60 have a good understanding of their faith, but through attending the intergenerational sessions they can set a good example for the younger people.

"They are part of our parish and we want to share in their wisdom," he said.

Williams added that the children often see the older parishioners at church but do not always have the chance to get to know them. The intergenerational nights can help the younger and older generations build relationships.

The evening kicks off with a simple meal from 6 to 6:30 p.m. A short opening prayer service starts the formation process before the younger students go to their respective classrooms for age appropriate lessons as eighth graders through senior citizens participate in a 45-minute lesson presented by Father McKane. The intergenerational sessions conclude with prayer and/or a skit that involves the children along with a closing hymn.

Next year, the cluster plans to offer three intergenerational faith formation sessions in the fall that will center on prayer and three in the spring.