Welcome to Christian Formation!
Christian Formation is the umbrella term that captures the essence of what we strive to do as we educate and form adults, children and youth in the Catholic Faith. It is a lifelong process aimed at conversion and growth in faith. We believe that all individuals are learning about their faith in some form or other their entire lives.
Christian Formation involves the tasks of catechesis, building and living in faith communities, proclaiming the Christian message, leading people to prayer, and motivating people to serve others.
“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” John Paul II – Catechesi Tradendae (Catechesis in our Time), 5
“Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” Pope Benedict XVI – Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), 1
“On the lips of the catechist the first proclamation must ring out over and over: ‘Jesus Christ loves you; he gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every day to enlighten, strengthen, and free you.’” Pope Francis – Evangelii Gaudium(The Joy of the Gospel), 164
The parents ARE THE MAIN CATECHISTS! And so you should teach them prayers, if you have not done so, talk to your child about God, your experience as a child in Mass, prayer, etc., and make prayer part of your family’s daily life.
Diocesan Catechetical Curriculum: https://richmonddiocese.org/office/christian-formation/?tab=11&sub=1