Liturgy
Forming Disciples
Administration
Spiritual Life
Outreach InReach
Stewardship
The 6 Pillars of the Renewal
Forming Disciples
The purpose of the Forming Disciples Pillar is to nurture a culture where lifelong formation — intellectual, spiritual, and pastoral — is embedded into the daily life of every Family of Parishes. This Pillar promotes, catechesis, relationship, evangelization and spiritual growth for all age groups, helping people move from simply knowing about Christ to living in relationship with Him. Faith formation is not a program — it’s a lifelong encounter with Jesus that renews our hearts, homes, and parishes.
Core Values
Encounter:
Create experiences that lead people to meet Christ personally.
Accompaniment:
Walk with people through each stage of faith.
Integration:
Formation flows from and back into the sacramental and community life.
Empowerment:
Equip parishioners to become witnesses and leaders.
Family Faith Formation Committee
Representatives from each parish, including Directors of Religious Education (DREs), catechists, and clergy, collaborate as one unified team.
When parish leaders—including Directors of Religious Education, catechists, and clergy—work together as one team, families benefit from a more unified and meaningful faith formation experience. This collaboration ensures consistency in what is taught and how faith is lived at every stage of life, from early childhood through adulthood.
Unified Religious Education Framework
Shared curriculum, calendar, and standards for children, youth & adults.
This shared approach promotes consistency in teaching while still allowing parishes to honor their unique communities. It helps families navigate faith formation more easily, especially those with children in multiple age groups or who move between parishes. By working from the same foundation, we strengthen continuity across life stages, support catechists with clear expectations and resources, and ensure that all learners are formed in a way that is intentional, accessible, and rooted in the mission of the Church.
Adult Faith Formation Pathways
Year-round opportunities for adult learning and spiritual growth (Bible study, RCIA, retreats, workshops).
Adult faith formation nurtures lifelong discipleship by helping adults deepen their relationship with Christ, grow in understanding of Scripture and Church teaching, and integrate faith into daily life. It moves faith beyond one-time sacramental preparation, empowering adults to live, witness, and pass on their faith with confidence, and to become active leaders and mentors within the parish and wider community.
Mentorship and Leadership
Shared curriculum, calendar, and standards for children, youth, and adults.
This shared approach promotes consistency in teaching while still allowing parishes to honor their unique communities. It helps families navigate faith formation more easily, especially those with children in multiple age groups or who move between parishes. By working from the same foundation, we strengthen continuity across life stages, support catechists with clear expectations and resources, and ensure that all learners are formed in a way that is intentional, accessible, and rooted in the mission of the Church.
Evangelization and Invitation Strategy
Collaborate with other Pillar teams to create a plan to engage inactive Catholics and seekers.
Shifts the Family from maintenance to mission. Intentionally reaching out with hospitality and hope without waiting for people to come on their own. This shared approach builds a culture of invitation by collaborating with other Pillar teams to create multiple welcoming points of content to invite inactive Catholics and seekers.
Examples of Seasonal Adult and Youth Formation Initiatives
- Advent: “Waiting with Mary” family faith night.
- Lent: Small-group study on prayer or forgiveness.
- Easter: Parish mission or retreat celebrating new life.
- Summer: Youth discipleship or service camp.
- Fall: Alpha, ChristLife, or “Welcome Home” evangelization sessions.