Adult Faith Formation is "...the principal form of catechesis, because it is addressed to persons who have the greatest responsibilities and capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form" (Catechesi Tradendae #43). Come and take advantage of these opportunities to strengthen the gift and knowledge of your faith. All sessions will take place from 7-9 p.m. on the dates indicated for the session. Registration is required for each session by clicking here or by e-mailing Janice Martin at jmartin@fw.diocesefwsb.org, or by calling her at (260) 399-1411 unless otherwise noted. Participant is responsible for the cost of the recommended book for the session being registered for if the participant would like to have the book that will be used by the presenter. Please indicate this in the "special needs" section of the registration form before emailing. We look forward to seeing you at one of the sessions! Decatur Growing Closer to Jesus Christ — the Value of Prayer Father David Voors Feb. 19, 26 and March 4 St. Mary of the Assumption, 414 Madison St., Decatur In this workshop we will look at the value of prayer through the eyes of others, oneself and Jesus Christ. Our hope is to instill the importance of daily prayer. Each workshop will build upon the other: • Tuesday, Feb. 19: Workshop 1 — An Overview of Prayer • Tuesday, Feb. 26: Workshop 2 — Lots of ways to go on a date with God • Tuesday, March 4: Workshop 3 — Putting it all together: Learning a specific style of prayer Elkhart Catecismo Católico de los Estados Unidos para los Adultos 2008 Talleres 2008 Lourdes Silva 16 de febrero, 23 de febrero y el 1 de marzo del 2008 Centro Pastoral de la Parroquia de San Vicente de Paúl, 1108 S. Main St., en el pueblo de Elkhart La Oficina de Catequesis en conjunto con la Oficina para el Ministerio Hispano de nuestra Diócesis Fort Wayne — South Bend, ofrecerá tres talleres en español sobre el tema del nuevo Catecismo Católico de los Estados Unidos para los Adultos. Invitamos a nuestro pueblo Hispano para aprender más sobre nuestra fe Católica, o simplemente conocer el recurso nuevo del Catecismo específicamente para adultos. Vamos a repasar los cuatro pilares de nuestra Iglesia Católica: Credo, Sacramentos, Moralidad, y Oración, con énfasis particular en la oración. Le aconsejamos que se matricule lo antes posible. Este taller se llevará a cabo en el Centro Pastoral de la Parroquia de San Vicente de Paúl, 1108 S. Main St., en el pueblo de Elkhart, Indiana. Las fechas de estos tres talleres (todos con un tema distinto) se llevará a cabo tres sábados consecutivos: 16 de febrero, 23 de febrero y el 1 de marzo del 2008, comenzando a las 6 p.m. y terminando a las 8 p.m. Para más información comuníquese con Lourdes Silva al teléfono (574) 259-9994, ext. 217. También, usted podrá matricularse en la página cibernética de la Diócesis. Utilizaremos el nuevo libro en español que estará disponible en nuestra oficina a fines del mes de enero del 2008, o se le puede facilitar el primer día de clase. Fort Wayne Franciscan Spirituality Sister Anita Holzmer, OSF Feb. 12, 19 and 26 St. Mary Catholic Church, 1101 S. Lafayette St., Fort Wayne This course includes a brief overview of the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Through writings by and about Francis and Clare, participants will study and reflect on Franciscan conversion, obedience, poverty, humility, simplicity, chastity, prayer and joy and how these are lived out and expressed. Sister Anita encourages participants to have read the book, “Francis of Assisi: Writer and Spiritual Master” and to read information found at the Web site “The Franciscan Experience” run by the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Malta. The Web site for the Franciscan Friars of the Province of Malta can be found at http://198.62.75.1/ www1/ofm/fra/ FRAmain.html Our roots in Judaism: from the Old Testament Covenant to Christ Marilyn Fech Feb. 13, 20 and 27; March 5 and 12 Archbishop Noll Catholic Center, 915 S. Clinton St., Fort Wayne Join us for an analysis of our roots in Judaism — from God’s establishing of the covenant with his chosen people up until the time of its fulfillment in Christ. Our aim will be to gain a deeper appreciation for our “older brothers in the faith,” opening our hearts and minds to a broader spectrum of possibilities. Then as we draw nearer to Easter we will take these insights into the triduum we celebrate. Make this Lent and Easter richer than ever before. Creo en Dios Maria Fernanda Becker 16 de febrero, 23 de febrero y el 1 de marzo del 2008 Iglesia Católica San Patricio, 2120 Harrison St., Fort Wayne Clase de catecismo para adultos: “Creo en Dios” Este curso tendrá el propósito de ayudarnos a entender a profundizar nuestra fe en Dios y en su creación. Para nuestro estudio usaremos el Catecismo para Adultos en los Estados Unidos y estudiaremos tres capítulos correspondientes a la sección del Credo. Primero, nos concentraremos en el Capítulo 5 que habla de Dios y su creación. Luego, en el Capítulo 7 La Buena Nueva: El Dios Ha enviado A Su Hijo. Finalmente, estudiaremos el Capítulo 12 que nos iluminará sobre el rol de Nuestra Madre, La Virgen María, en el plan de salvación y en nuestras vidas. La clase será de dos horas y tendrá lugar en la Iglesia de San Patricio, durante tres sábados: 16 de febrero, 23 de febrero y el 1 de marzo del 2008, comenzando a las 7 p.m. y terminando a las 9 p.m. La clase será guiada por la señora María Fernanda Becker, originaria de Ecuador y profesora de español en Bishop Dwenger High School. South Bend Deepening our Faith Life with the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Vicki Schwab Feb. 26; March 4 and 11 Marian High School; Room 121/122 1311 S. Logan St., Mishawaka Many books have been written which can help us to deepen our faith life, but few focus on both “head and heart” development. The recently published United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, a gift to the church by the United States bishops, allows the reader to engage both the “head and the heart” at the same time. These three sessions will explore church teachings with practical suggestions of how to live a more faithful life bringing growth within the fullness of the human person. Encountering Christ in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Shawn Sullivan Feb. 28; March 6 and 13 Saint Joseph’s High School, Room 116 1441 N. Michigan St., South Bend Ever wonder where to look to find all of the basic tenets of the faith tailored to life in the United States of America? Wonder no more. Every adult in the faith, and those interested in learning about the faith, should attend this series. The enriching contents of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) will better enable the faithful to deepen their faith and live their lives as Catholics in the United States. The sessions will explore the history and purpose of the USCCA as well as its relationship to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The contents of the USCCA will be examined from cover to cover, including its excerpts on the saints and other holy persons that have shaped the faith experience of the United States. Questions and troubling issues will also be examined in the context. The focus of the sessions will not simply consist of a regurgitation of “do’s and don’ts.” The love and hope of Christ’s revelation will be expressed in all church doctrines as applied to the diverse cultural settings of the United States. The sessions will use the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. For those desiring to read in advance of the sessions: first, introduction through 162; second, pages 163 through 338; third, 339 through 501. Also, Pope Benedict XVI’s two encyclicals, “Deus Caritas Est” (“God is Love”), and “Spe Salvi” (“Saved by Hope”) will be discussed in relation to the USCCA. The themes of hope and love, as exemplified by the pope’s encyclicals will be stressed throughout the discussions. Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals can be downloaded for personal use from the Vatican Web site at www.vatican.va After Lent Fort Wayne The Documents of the Second Vatican II Council, Part I Meg Hanlon April 16, 23, 30; May 7, 14, 21 Archbishop Noll Catholic Center, 915 S. Clinton St.; Fort Wayne This class, open to past and current graduates of the Education for Ministry Program, is a response to the call of Pope John Paul II and the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops to deepen the knowledge and reception of the documents of Vatican II. Over the course of the six-week class, participants will read and discuss “Dei Verbum,” “Lumen Gentium,” “Orientalium Ecclesiarum,” “Sacrosanctum Concilium” and “Gaudium et Spes.” The required texts are “Vatican Council II” by Austin Flannery, OP, and the “Final Report of the 1985 Extraordinary Synod.” All Vatican Council II documents can also be found on the Vatican Web site at www.vatican.va or by searching by title on the Web. The Final Report of the 1985 Extraordinary Synod can be found at www.saint-mike.org/Library/Synod_Bishops/Final_Report1985.html. Participants are asked to have the documents with them the first night. South Bend The Book of Revelation Father John Pfister April 9, 16 and 23 Marian High School, Room 121/122 1311 S. Logan St., Mishawaka Father John Pfister will give three sessions on the Book of Revelation at Marian High School, Mishawaka, on April 9, 16 and 23. The Book of Revelation is one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. Our Catholic understanding of this book is quite different from how many TV evangelists have been presenting it and also some authors of popular books. It is not a book of fear but rather a book of hope for the faithful Christian. It is especially important not to miss the first session, which begins with placing the book in its historical context and also gives some understanding of the apocalyptic style of writing. Father Pfister will then go through the book chapter by chapter. He will be using the New American Bible translation of Scriptures. Please bring your Bible — whatever translation — and join us. Click here to register.