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| Adult Faith Formation |
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Contact: Matt Halbach |
Email: 76halbach@cardinalmail.cua.edu
Phone: 301.924.2284 |
F.A.Q. About A.F.F.
What is Adult Faith Formation?
AFF finds its origin in the teachings of Christ as transmitted by the Apostles who knew and witnessed him. They gave authoritative expression to who Jesus was and what he meant in their lives. As to the former, our faith is based on the Apostles’ understanding of Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah and Lord; and as to the latter, the whole Church, every baptized man, woman, and child who, having received this apostolic faith and are guided by it, are obliged to join in the effort of catechesis and, like the Apostles, share with others their own experience and understanding of who Jesus of Nazareth is and what he means to them. To aid this catechetical enterprise Adult Faith Formation is the operative title, which gives official expression to the ministry of adult catechesis that has always existed at St. Patricks thanks to the generosity, gifts, and courage of its parishioners and local volunteers. Organized under the auspices of the pastor and in keeping with the directives of the Second Vatican Council regarding clergy and lay cooperation in the mission of building up the body of Christ—the Church—AFF seeks to provide faith enrichment opportunities for adults, which range from Christian initiation (for more on this see our R.C.I.A. link) bible studies, and faith sharing groups to training for ministry development as well as lending support and guidance to both existing and new volunteer ministries here at St. Patricks. AFF also aims to prepare lay people for ministry in our parish and in the local community. If you have any ministry ideas you would like to share or if you would like to learn more about our ministry development classes please contact Matt Halbach @ 301-924-2284 about this fall’s Discipleship Training Seminar, which is located under the “Upcoming Events…” link on the AFF home page.
What is the ultimate goal of Adult Faith Formation?
The late Pope John Paul II encyclical Catechesi Tradendae #5 gives expression to AFF’s ultimate goal, which is the goal of catechesis:
"The primary and essential object of catechesis is, to use an expression dear to St. Paul and also to contemporary theology, "the mystery of Christ." Catechizing is in a way to lead a person to study this mystery in all its dimensions: "to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery...comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth ...know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge...(and be filled) with all the fullness of God."(11) It is therefore to reveal in the Person of Christ the whole of God's eternal design reaching fulfillment in that Person. It is to seek to understand the meaning of Christ's actions and words and of the signs worked by Him, for they simultaneously hide and reveal His mystery. Accordingly, the definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity [italics are mine]".
As a provider of catechetical and ministerial resources, AFF is intimately involved in adult catechesis, which aims at putting people in greater contact with Jesus Christ via enrichment opportunities that are designed to touch the intellect as well as the heart, so that the person begins to live and experience more a Christ-centered life, making them able to give a reasonable defense for their faith and the hope within them (1 Pet 3:15).
How can I get involved with AFF?
Contact Matt Halbach at 301-924-2284 or email him at 76halbach@cardinalmail.cua.edu. Also, please click on this link and prayerfully read the excerpt from the Second Vatican Council document Apostolicam Actuositatem.
We need men and women to get more involved in their spiritual development and to share their gifts with others. We hope to hear from you and to begin working hand-in-hand for the coming of the kingdom. Blessings!
Matt Halbach
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Bio: Having worked as a lay minister in the Dioceses of Steubenville, Tulsa, and Washington D.C., Matt Halbach has been in Catholic young adult and adult faith formation ministry for seven years. This is the beginning of his third year of living in Maryland and working at St. Patricks. He is married to Stacy Halbach, who is also a lay youth minister at Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, MD. With one son Michael and another son Benjamin on the way in August, and as a Ph.D. student in religious education/catechetics at the Catholic University of America, Matt stays busy but, thanks to the Lord, he is never too tired to share the Gospel of Christ and the teachings of the Church with others. |
Links:
RCIA
Faith Enrichment in the Diocese
JustFaith!
Women's Advent Evening of Reflection
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