Adult Faith Formation
Robust adult faith formation attends to our heart, mind, soul, and body. It is an integrated understanding of who we are as beloved children of God, who are continually urged to know, love, and serve God more fully. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes adult faith formation as an essential process inviting Catholic Christians to integrate their own life experiences with knowledge of the faith, love of God, and love of neighbor. It is a complete initiation into the life of the Church as a way of forming a Christian conscience and a desire to act as Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
At Christ the King we offer experiences, communities, and opportunities for us all to grow in relationship with God, acknowledge our universal call to holiness, and act as disciples to the mission of the Church in the world. Please continue to look for these opportunities so that we may increase our knowledge of God and our faith, integrating this knowledge with the ways that we care for others while cultivating a life of prayer.
“It is commonly imagined that our formation is most extensive when we are beginners. But often our most radical formative experiences come upon us when we are well into adulthood. Indeed, we can better grasp and accept profound self-scrutiny, the questioning of our established assumptions and ambitions, and deepening initiation into Christ when we have walked the path of adult experience and responsibility. Programs of continuing renewal in the community are one very helpful way of sharing that lifelong formation.” —Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross (6.76)
As Catholics we are called to immerse ourselves in the gift of God’s divine Word and break open this Word through frequent readings and diligent study. It is through by delving into Scripture that we come to know, love, and serve God better as our faith is nourished and strengthened.
A weekly Bible study group meets following the 8:30 AM Mass on Wednesday mornings. Meetings are held in the Fr. Jones Room.
The Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office, is the prayer of the Church, the whole People of God united in Christ. During Advent and Lent, parishioners learn how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours together in church. Morning prayer is prayed at 8:00 AM prior to Mass on Tuesday mornings, and evening prayer is prayed at 6:00 PM following Mass on Tuesday evenings.
Lectio Divina is a Latin phrase meaning “divine reading.” With its origins in monastic communities, it is a meditative way of slowly reading Scripture that invites us to let go of our own agendas and open ourselves to how God continues to speak his Word to us. During Advent and Lent, parishioners meet to engage in shared Lectio Divina at 9:00 AM on Thursday mornings in the Fr. Jones Room. Please contact Teresa in the parish office for more information.
Our parish Lenten Bible Study utilizes the video program “No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion” from Ascension Press. Filmed on location in the Holy Land, this biblical pilgrimage series seeks to reveal Christ’s amazing love for us. Best-selling Catholic author Edward Sri walks through the last hours of Christ’s life from the Garden of Gethsemane to Mount Calvary. Every step of the way, Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, biblical symbolism, and historical context shed light on the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death. Sessions occur at 6:30 PM on Tuesday evenings during the season of Lent in the Fr. Tripi Room.
In the midst of our busy, frenetic lives it can be challenging to hear the gentle whisper of God. On alternating years with the Parish Mission, we offer a parish retreat day to provide a moment of rest and peace for all parishioners. Retreats are normally held on Saturday mornings. Check the bulletin for announcements regarding future dates.
Held every other year, our Parish Mission is a three-night experience of prayer and reflection during the season of Lent. The parish invites guest speakers from the local community to speak on topics related to growth in the Catholic faith. These talks occur in the context of a vespers service, and all parishioners are invited and encouraged to attend, whether in person or through the livestream.
