Dear Fashioning Faith User,

It certainly feels odd to plan for winter in late July. Yet at Fashioning Faith we remain committed to bringing you resources for lifelong faith formation two seasons in advance.

I've got a lot to share with you, so please read on. In this newsletter you can learn about:
1) Fashioning Faith Resources for Winter 2010-2011
2) New Improvements to the Fashioning Faith Web Site
3) Our Authors
4) Tips for Navigating
5) Fashion Me A People International Conference
6) Parish Training in Lifelong Faith Formation
7) Catholic Faith & Family Bible

You will find all of this information below. I welcome your comments, questions, and insights. Contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sincerely,

 

Leif Kehrwald
Fashioning Faith Coordinator



Planning For Winter!

A prophet in the Old Testament was a person who spoke for God. Prophets experienced life as any other Israelite did, but they always asked the question, “How is God speaking to us in this or that event?”

“Prophets of the Old Testament” is one of the themes addressed in the Winter season upload for Fashioning Faith. As you plan for the winter months of your program year, remember that those you serve—whether children, youth, adults, or all ages—were all baptized priest, prophet, and king. This means, among other things, that we are all called to be prophets, asking “How is God speaking to us in the events of our lives today?”

Your calling to help them form their faith is therefore very important, and so we are committed to bringing you excellent resources to help you in that calling. Each seasonal upload for Fashioning Faith gets better. I have no doubt that you will find the resources for Winter, 2010-11 to be outstanding. We are indebted to all our authors for their tireless and insightful work.

Go to www.fashioningfaith.org for New Resources Posted for Winter! We have uploaded over 60 all-new files to enhance parish lifelong faith formation during the Winter months; Advent, Christmas Season, and the early part of Ordinary Time.

This upload of Winter resources focuses on three topics: Forgiveness & Reconciliation, Benedictine Spirituality, and Prophets of the Old Testament. These resources provide stellar faith formation tools for lifelong learning across the four settings:

1) Whole Parish Setting: one all-new, complete intergenerational learning session plus a corresponding Facilitator Background document on each of the three topics.

2) Age Specific Setting: one all-new learning session for adults, one for youth, and one for children focused on each of the three topics.

3) Home Setting: two all-new home activities for each of the three topics.

4) Individual/Wider Community Setting: a book or movie recommendation plus suggested web sites for each of the three topics.

Click on these links to go directly to the fall topic of your interest:

Forgiveness & Reconciliation. After the great commandments to love God and your neighbor as yourself, forgiveness is probably the next great hallmark of Christianity. Yet, just as love is easy to say but hard to do, so are forgiveness and reconciliation. We teach our children to say, “I’m sorry,” but it’s too easy for those to be hollow words – even for adults. Here we explore principles and challenges that address the holy concept of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Benedictine Spirituality. It may seem odd that some of the best guidelines for achieving balance in our world today, where "stress" has become the norm, come from a sixth-century Italian monk who at one point chose to live by himself in a cave. Yet through the centuries, millions have found the teachings of Saint Benedict of Nursia and his Rule for monastic life key to their own spiritual wholeness.

Prophets of the Old Testament. In order to speak authentically in the name of another person, one must first listen carefully to that person; therefore, prophets would have listened closely to God prior to speaking a prophetic oracle. They listened to God speaking through the stories of their ancestors. They listened to God when they worshipped with their fellow Israelites. They listened to God in private prayer. They also listened to God in the events of their times.

Leader Article. “Maturing Adult Faith Formation: Are We Asking the Wrong Question?” by Richard P. Johnson, Ph.D. The average age of today’s Catholic is rising; clearly the average age of the people in the pews is rising! Certainly there are some parishes where the average age is younger than others, but by contrast there are others where the majority of parishioners are already retired. Because of this advancing chronological giftedness, church leadership is often tempted to ask the question: How are we to sustain our mission and ministries with so few younger parishioners? Perhaps this is the wrong question. Perhaps a more salient question is: How can we use and share the harvest of wisdom resident in our more senior parishioners to extend our mission and ministries? Such a shift moves us from a mentality of scarcity to a mentality of abundance.

Lectionary Resources. Many of you have asked about the “Weekly Justice Challenges” and the “Lectio Living” materials for home use. I am happy to report that those resources are back! Just click on the respective title links in this paragraph, and you’ll be taken right to these excellent resources.


What’s New at Fashioning Faith?

Implementation

Notice the new “Implementation” button on the Main Menu. Behind this button you will find tools and resources for planning and implementing lifelong faith formation in your parish. Many of these materials are very helpful to parishes in the early stages of launching lifelong faith formation for the whole parish community.

These tools are offered in these categories:

For Leaders. We moved this button from the side menu. For each main topic addressed on Fashioning Faith you will find a “Facilitator Background” document that helps you and your catechists gain some in-depth learning about the topic. You will find all of the “Facilitator Background” documents listed here. Be sure to share these articles with all your catechetical leaders.

You will also find seasonal articles written specifically for the coordinator of catechetical ministries in the parish. We want to help you stay enriched and energized in your ministry. You may want to share some of these articles with fellow parish staff members.

Design & Planning. Here you will find tools for implementing lifelong faith formation. Those subscribers who are former GOF Online users may recall a section of that site called “Design Tools.” In that section was a host of resources to help you plan, organize, promote, and implement lifelong faith formation. We are revising those materials for posting on Fashioning Faith.

Thus far we have posted downloadable files on the urgency, vision and characteristics of lifelong faith formation, understanding the four settings of faith formation, and how to fashion your curriculum plan. Click here to see the full list of what is available so far.

Clip Art. Several subscribers have requested a place on the site where they can find useable clip art. Done! More images to come. Click here.

Maturing Adults and their Faith Formation. At CMD, we are delighted by our new association with Richard Johnson and the JOHNSON Institute and urge you to visit their website at www.senioradultministry.com where you’ll find lots of parish resources that complement existing CMD programs, and can bring your work with, to, for, and by maturing adults to new heights.

JOHNSON Institute programs penetrate to the core of the spiritual development needs unique to maturing adults; they combine solid medical and psychological research with what our faith and what Scripture teaches about maturation to form a comprehensive and practical curriculum of excellence in spiritual gerontology and adult spiritual development.

Click here for more information about our association with the JOHNSON Institute.

Click here for the featured Leader Article by Dr. Johnson titled “Maturing Adult Faith Formation: Are We Asking the Wrong Question?”


Fashioning Faith FREE Tour / Tutorial

Join us for 30 minutes to learn about the best resource available for implementing lifelong faith formation for the whole parish community. Click here for details.


About Some of Our Authors

We have an outstanding team of authors who write all the great material you download from Fashioning Faith. Let me tell you about some of the authors who contributed the Winter season resources.

Gayle Beuke wrote the adult session on the Prophets of the Old Testament. Gayle is the Facilitator of Faith Formation at St Vincent de Paul Parish in Andover, Kansas. She teaches a class on the formation of catechists for the Wichita Diocese. Gayle and her husband, Greg, have three grown children.

Stacy Hennessy wrote the adult session on Forgiveness & Reconciliation. Stacy serves as the Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She teaches numerous courses in Scripture, Morality, and Spirituality for children, families and adults. She is active in interfaith dialogue among youth. Stacy and her husband, Kevin, have three children.

Richard Johnson wrote the Leader Article on Maturing Adults and their faith formation. Dr. Johnson is nationally recognized for his pioneering work in Maturing Adult Faith Formation and Spiritual Gerontology. He is invited into many parishes, dioceses, and religious communities for consultation, workshops, retreats, and other educational work. He has written many articles and twenty books, all focused upon God's expansive grace in the maturing years.

Leif Kehrwald wrote on the topic of Benedictine Spirituality (Facilitator Background, Whole Parish Intergenerational Session, Home Activities, and resources for Individuals). Leif has worked in family ministry and faith formation on the local, regional, and national levels for more than thirty years. Currently he serves as a Project Coordinator for Lifelong Faith Formation for the Center for Ministry Development.

Jim Merhaut wrote on the topic of Prophets of the Old Testament (Facilitator Background, Whole Parish Intergenerational Session, Home Activities, and resources for Individuals). Jim is the President/CEO of Villa Maria Education & Spirituality Center in Villa Maria, PA. He is an award-winning author, professional musician and a national speaker on family spirituality and intergenerational faith formation. He and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of five children and live in Canfield, Ohio.

Jane Marie Osterholt, SP wrote the child session on Benedictine Spirituality. A Sister of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, Jane Marie has written and given presentations on catechesis, children and their relationship with God, liturgy, prayer, sacraments and spirituality. She is currently serving on the leadership team of her religious congregation and is a consultant with Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division.

Marla Overholt wrote the youth session on Benedictine Spirituality. Marla is the Pastoral Associate for Life-long Learning at Blessed John XXIII Catholic Community in Perrysburg, OH. She is also a consultant for Our Sunday Visitor Curriculum Division’s eConnect website. Marla and her husband Steve, have three teen age children and reside in Perrysburg, OH.

Gladys Pozza wrote the adult session on Benedictine Spirituality. Gladys is a Parish Catechetical Leader and a New Energies Parish Consultant in the Archdiocese of Newark. She has an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Caldwell College and is the recipient of the 2005-06 Religious Educational Excellence Award of the National Association of Parish Catechetical Directors, National Catholic Educational Association, and the 2003 Archdiocese of Newark Golden Jubilee Award. Gladys and her husband, Gordon, have a daughter in college and live in Mahwah, NJ.

Loyes Spayd wrote the child session on the Prophets of the Old Testament. Loyes has been involved in ministry for 34 years, as a parish catechist, a parish DRE, a diocesan staff member in catechesis in three dioceses, and a Pastoral Life Director in a Parish. She has written two books, several articles, and presented at many conferences. She presently serves as DRE at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Vienna, VA. She is the mother of three, the grandmother of five, and lives in Reston, VA.

Susan Vogt wrote on the topic of Forgiveness & Reconciliation (Facilitator Background, Whole Parish Intergenerational Session, Home Activities, and resources for Individuals). Susan is a freelance speaker and writer on marriage, parenting, and spirituality. She has written several books and has been adviser to the U.S. Bishop's Committee on Marriage and Family. Susan and her husband, Jim, have four children and live in Covington, KY.

Patsi Wagner wrote the child session on Forgiveness & Reconciliation. Patsi has experience in parish ministry as Director of Religious Education and as Pastoral Associate. She has served as a teacher and as a staff development trainer in public education. She is on the teaching faculty for the Diocese of Orange, presenting classes and workshops in methodology, faith development, and intergenerational catechesis. Patsi and her husband, David, have three adult children and reside in Fountain Valley, CA.

Cathy Walz wrote the youth session on the Prophets of the Old Testament. Cathy has served as a Catholic School teacher, a High School Youth minister and a Parish Director of Religious Education. She currently serves as a Vicariate Catechetical Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She and her husband, Jim have four adult daughters and live in Chicago.

Joan Weber wrote the Justice Challenges and Lectio Living. Joan is a project coordinator on the Lifelong Faith Formation Team at the Center for Ministry Development. She has 38 years of experience as a high school theology teacher, diocesan coordinator of young adult ministry, and a national trainer in youth, young adult and catechetical ministry.


Fashioning Faith Tips 

  • You can still find Fall resources. Just click on the “Fall” tab in the Seasonal Offerings. 
  • If you want to find something that was on GOF Online, just click on “For GOF Online Users” from the top menu and you will find all the materials that used to be found in the “Resource Center.” 
  • Need to add a user to your account? From the left menu, just click “Add a User.” Need to delete a user from your account? Contact Leif Kehrwald at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Soon, you’ll have full user-management capabilities.

Direct your questions about navigating on Fashioning Faith to Leif Kehrwald, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .


Fashion Me A People

International Conference

Come join us January 6-8, 2011 for the Fifth International Gathering of Fashion Me a People as we celebrate and explore this theme inspired by the writing of Maria Harris:

“Our living in the present is nourished by the presentness of the proclamation of a speaking God. It is to say that the good news has arrived: God is here, God is now, God is forever with us. We can count on that. In all our struggles and pain, joys and celebrations, we are not alone.” (Fashion Me a People, p. 129, emphasis added)

Under the theme of “Proclaim the Good News: A Message of Hope” FMAP 2011 presents the most innovative practices and resources for lifelong faith formation through dynamic keynote presentations, renewing prayer, inspiring music, and hands-on workshops.

For more information and to register, click here.


Parish Training in Lifelong Faith Formation

Faith Growth for ALL Ages and Generations 

  • If you believe that faith formation should be offered to people of all ages in your parish community . . .
  • If you believe that parishes should use the celebrations, feasts, and events of Church life as teachable moments . . .
  • If you believe that people learn more about their God, their faith, their Catholic identity, and themselves in many different settings, from the home to the classroom to the wider community . . .
  • If you believe that sometimes people need to be with parishioners their own age to learn, but at other times they can benefit from the insights and wisdom and faith of other generations . . .

. . . then consider partnering with CMD to renew and re-energize your parish’s plan for lifelong faith formation.

Through on-site training, consulting, coaching, and supportive resources, we can equip your parish staff and volunteer leadership with the knowledge, skills, tools, and program resources for creating lifelong faith formation for the whole parish community.

For more information, please go to our website, www.cmdnet.org, and click on Lifelong Faith Formation on the homepage. Or contact Joan Weber, the Project Coordinator. You can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at 402-558-6113. She’d love to have a conversation with you about this unique training opportunity.


Catholic Faith & Family Bible

A CMD bestseller! Some Bibles simply provide you with Bible text but with no help on how to incorporate it into your life of faith. From its inception, The Catholic Faith & Family Bible was created specifically for the unique challenges and needs of Catholic families so they can read, understand, and apply Scripture to their daily lives and grow in faith together. See more information below, and go to www.catholicfaithandfamilybible.org. Significant discounts are offered for bulk purchase.

The Catholic Faith & Family Bible began with the idea that Catholic families should have their own special resource that equips, informs, inspires, and models lifelong spiritual formation. It also

  • offers insightful background material that makes Bible reading come alive;
  • highlights passages with core events, teachings, and people in the Catholic tradition;
  • connects the Bible to Catholic social teaching on justice, life, and dignity;
  • provides spiritual exercises, projects, and reading plans for involving children and families at every age level;
  • uses vibrant color images and a fun layout which makes reading the Bible a cherished family or parish event.

The Catholic Faith and Family Bible was developed by a trusted team of people known for their involvement in ministry with families, and is a collaborative project of the Center for Ministry Development, Our Sunday Visitor, and HarperCollins Publishers.

At CMD we remain very committed to lifelong, event-centered, intergenerational faith formation. At Fashioning Faith you will find all the materials you have come to value from this website along with so much more. Thank you for your commitment to lifelong faith formation and for your loyalty to the Center for Ministry Development.

Sincerely,


 

Leif Kehrwald
Fashioning Faith Coordinator

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