FAITH FORMATION
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Journey in Faith 2019-2020
Adult Faith Formation with separate sessions for children.
Due to the curtailment of Faith Formation gatherings, the April 5th session on "Eucharist: the Real Presence" with adult presenter Dan Haskell, has been cancelled.
The next session is:
Date/Time/PlaceTopic/Speaker
May 3rd, 2020 3-5pm Open Wide Our St. Mary's Hearts:
Suzanne Lafreniere Catholicism &
Racism
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April 3, 2020
God bless you all as we continue to be a community while social distancing!
There are plenty of helpful online resources for those seeking to grow in their faith during the quarantine. The diocesan Office of Lifelong Faith Formation has a whole webpage devoted to praying, learning and connecting from home: https://portlanddiocese.org/olff/covid19-home.
Some suggestions from the parish faith formation office:
For our younger parishioners -
1. Hello! My name is Coronovirus is a terrific little, non-scary, downloadable booklet for kids about the virus that provides facts and helps kids explore their feelings about what is going on.
2. Our holiest week of the year begins on Sunday. The Path of Holy Week is a Holy Week resource that was put together by a Parish Catechetical leader in Madawaska a few years ago. It guides the family’s Holy Week prayer, and there are coloring pages for each of the days of Holy Week.
3. The Superbook animated video series is a fun way to share Bible stories with your children. Episode 10 on The Last Supper (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Edfb_faOb0) and Episode 11 entitled He is Risen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F0rt2AiqJY) are particularly appropriate for Holy Week.
For teens and adults -
These brief videos on Holy Week by singer/songwriter Matt Maher are something that can be viewed by parents and teens together. They are less than five minutes long each, but can help turn our attention back to where it belongs during this sacred time. The links to the videos on YouTube are as follows:
1. Palm Sunday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbHHqPAwcIM
2. Holy Thursday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN9hroFevrM
3. Betrayal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnibI0Vac0w
4. Judgment Before the Sanhedrin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5PHGRMHm8o
5. Good Friday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbEhvn0rw8M
6. Waiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnp60uQ3EAw
7. The Resurrection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUQm-F5LFu0
I continue to pray for your health and safety while we ride out this pandemic. Please check in with your elderly neighbors, and let the parish know of any local person or family (regardless of religious affiliation) who is in need of food or other essentials.
Lenten blessings,
Carolyn Houston, Director
Office of Lifelong Faith Formation
Holy Spirit Parish -
Youtube Video links
View Dr. Anthony Coleman presentation on The Creed (7 Parts in total)
Dr. Anthony Coleman is an assistant professor of Theology at Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA. He gave a presentation on The Creed at Holy Spirit Parish (St. Mary Catholic Church) in Wells, Maine as part of the Parish's 2019-2020 Journey in Faith series. -
Lifelong Faith Formation
Faith Formation endeavors in our parish shall support and strengthen the work of the Spirit to:
- Nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Foster an ever-deepening understanding of the Gospel.
- Build on the Traditions of our Catholic faith.
We will serve the parish by providing opportunities to foster a sense of spiritual vitality for all age and ability levels. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these efforts will lead to wisdom, as well as personal and social transformation.
ADULT Faith Formation (18+)
- Small faith sharing groups are available at various days and times at both church sites.
- An ongoing Bible study is held on Wednesdays at St. Mary's from 10am - noon.
- Six Journey in Faith sessions will be offered - see schedule listed above.
- For more information on adult faith formation at Holy Spirit parish, please contact Rosanne Smith at rosanne.smith@portlanddiocese.org.
YOUTH Faith Formation (pre-school through high school)
It is the philosophy of the parish that parents are the primary teachers of their children, and the parish supports that role. The most important means of support is through the celebration of weekly Mass, when the community comes together to nurture one another and to be nourished by Jesus Christ through his Word and his Body. For some families, involving their children in children’s Liturgy of the Word or having them assist at Mass, has helped in strengthening a sense of belonging and ownership in the Mass in their children.
Nurturing our parish children’s friendship with Jesus is the ultimate aim of youth Faith Formation, and the parish will provide various service, prayer, and educational opportunities to help children better understand who Jesus is, and what Jesus has called us all to do. For further details, please review the parish Faith Formation Family Handbook and/or contact Carolyn Houston at carolyn.houston@portlanddiocese.org.