Households of Faith
HOF and the basics of Catholic faith | Expected benefits of HOF | Costs
The State of the Catholic Church in America
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Faith Formation for Everyone
What is Households of Faith?
HOF is parish wide faith formation. It is coming together as a community of believers to enjoy food and fellowship. At Households of Faith, we pray, we sing, and we learn together. HOF is that sense of belonging and empowerment that comes from sharing faith on a regular basis.
Back to topWhy Households of Faith?
Households of Faith began with the vision of Vatican Council II, which called us to return to our roots. In the early years, handing down the Faith was first about conversion to Jesus and then about deepening that relationship over a lifetime. This happened mainly through sharing the Scriptures and life in community.
Over time, the focus shifted from faith formation to faith instruction. The emphasis became knowledge of correct doctrine. It was only logical that faith instruction would take a school approach. Instead of being for everyone, it was directed primarily to children. Instead of being life-long, it followed a school year time frame. Instead of being centered on the Scriptures, it followed a textbook curriculum.
The church is asking us to return to our original and primary goal of making Christ the center of all our efforts to grow our faith. Households of Faith will help us do that. HOF is for everyone. It is ongoing. It is rooted in the Scriptures. The truths of the faith are taught in ways that touch our hearts as well as minds.
Back to topWhat does HOF look like?
Households of Faith sessions look and feel more like church than school. Like the Mass, each session has three parts: a gathering, a breaking, and a sending. The gathering includes a meal. (We learned that if you want the Risen Lord to appear, you have to have food!) After a presentation to the whole community, the group breaks into subgroups for more in-depth learning. We typically divide in the following subgroups: adults, teens, junior high, and 5 th & 6 th graders. We also have a family group with parents staying with children in first through fourth grade. Occasionally we'll mix the groups so that different generations can learn from each other. Finally, everyone reassembles for the sending. Home kits help us live the message we have received.
Back to topWhat is the focus of Households of Faith?
HOF sessions always prepare us for an event in the life of the parish. HOF will bring new zest to our celebration of all those special days in the Church year. HOF prepares us to live that event more fully and to see it in relation to the rest of life.
Back to topHow will Households of Faith treat the basics of our Catholic faith?
Every year, our Households of Faith sessions will address one specific theme. In 2005/2006, we looked at Discipleship, or what it meant to be a follower of Jesus. At each one of the eight sessions throughout that year, we examined more closely the different ways we are all called to be follows of the Jesus. In 2006/2007, we looked closely at the core beliefs of our Catholic faith by examining the Nicene Creed in detail. In 2007/2008, the plan is to study Catholic Social Teachings. (insert 2006/2007 HOF calendar and topics)
Each of our Households of Faith sessions is built around a topic to which people can really relate to their own lives.
Back to topWhat are some of the expected benefits of Households of Faith?
HOF will not only help us grow in knowledge of our faith, we will also grow as a people of faith. We will know each other. Our lives will inter-connect as we share our faith stories.
Back to topThe Costs of Households of Faith?
The costs to register are no different than our standards faith formation fees. Please see our registration form (pdf file) for more information.
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