Adult Faith Formation 

Catechesis for adults must be considered the chief form of catechesis. All other forms, which are indeed necessary, are in some way oriented to it.

General Directory for CatechesiS, #59

Adult Faith Formation focuses on assisting adults in finding ways, means, resources and a supportive community in which to grow in faith. We aim to provide approaches and resources to help you to grow in faith as a person and as a member of a faith community. We will also work with you to design and implement a comprehensive, parish-based adult faith formation effort.

We appreciate the challenge that shifting from a child-centered paradigm of faith formation to one that centres around adults entails.

The Church, in the General Directory for Catechesis, has named adult formation as one of our highest priorities. This office and its Director, Anne Walsh, actively supports adults and all those who lead adults in their search to become more faith-filled disciples and full, conscious participants in the life of the Church.

We believe that ongoing faith formation is an essential component of membership in the Church and engagement in society. We continually look for ways to do faith formation more effectively and to involve adults in the whole process of catechesis.

The Goals of  Office of Adult Faith Formation

We seek to form parishes that are vitally and vibrantly alive in the faith. These communities will provide a climate and an array of activities and resources designed to help adults more fully understand and live their faith.

We seek to accompany adults in their quest to actively live out their baptismal commitment. We aim to cultivate a lively eucharistic spirituality that takes flesh in a life-giving sense of mission and apostolate. Nourished by word, sacrament, and communal life, such adults will witness and share the Gospel in their homes, neighbourhoods, places of work and leisure, and centres of culture.

Our mission has a threefold dimension:
  1. 1
    The Formation of Archdiocesan Leadership for Adult Faith Formation. We do this through our archdiocesan Adult Faith Formation series, “Growing in Faith,” and through our formation gatherings for AFF leaders.
  2. 2
    The offering of Faith Formation Opportunities for Adults around the Archdiocese of St. John’s. We do this through facilitating or collaborating with individuals or groups in offering parish or regional retreats, missions, workshops, conferences or other faith formation events, programs and opportunities.
  3. 3
    Supporting Parish Adult Faith Formation Leaders

Gatherings 

Gatherings of parish adult faith formation leaders are held regularly. The Gatherings offer an opportunity for parish AFF leaders and their teams to come together for prayer, mutual support, ongoing formation and the sharing of information and resources.

Evangelization & Catechesis

Office of Evangelization & Catechesis

Pastoral Centre 

200 Military Road

St. John’s, NL A1C 2E8

Tel: (709) 726-3660

Fax: (709) 726-8021

Director of Catechesis 

Mr. Edward Connolly 

T: (709) 726-3660 | Ext. 233

E: econnolly@rcsj.org