Faith Formation and Spirituality
Immaculate Conception Church is committed to lifelong faith formation and whole community catechesis. This fosters in our minds and hearts the experience of God's reign in our midst as we form communities of faith, proclaim God's Word, celebrate the Sacraments, and build a just and compassionate society in which all people share God's gifts.
“Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him. The object of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads people to enter the mystery of Christ, to encounter him, and to discover themselves and the meaning of their lives in him.”
The National Directory for Catechesis, article 19
Recent church documents (the Vatican document: The General Directory for Catechesis, the US Bishop’s document on adult faith formation: Our Hearts Are Burning Within Us, and most recently the National Directory for Catechesis) have emphasized that the primary aim of all catechesis is mature adult discipleship. See Whole Community Catechesis.
Catechesis is most effective when rooted in the life of the family, the domestic church. Through healthy and faith-filled interaction within the domestic church, and through regular active participation in the life of the parish church, each person is nourished by Word and Sacrament, transformed by the power of the Sunday Eucharist, and challenged to go forth in love and service of others. Whole Community Catechesis (WCC) aims to nurture the domestic church and empower parents to live out the promises made at their child’s Baptism to be the first and foremost teachers of the faith and to keep the flame of faith alive.
“Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for their children... Their participation in the life of the parish—above all in the Sunday Eucharist—their willingness to evangelize and serve others, and their dedication to daily prayer demonstrate the authenticity of their profession of faith... The catechesis given by parents with the family precedes, accompanies, and enriches all other forms of catechesis.”
The National Directory for Catechesis, article 54
The parish Faith Formation process is called WCC (Whole Community Catechesis). The WCC Faith Formation process brings parishioners together for intergenerational parish gatherings to explore aspects of our Catholic faith through prayer, presentations, intergenerational activities, age-specific learning sessions, and fellowship.
In addition to WCC Gatherings, CFF (Children's Faith Formation: 3 years through grade 5), JYM (Junior Youth Ministry: grades 6 through 8) and TYM (Total Youth Ministry: grades 9 through 12) include weekly youth sessions, as well as service/stewardship opportunities, social activities, and retreats for these age groups.
The parish also provides preparation for sacraments and assists parents in preparing their child for those peak moments on the faith journey—the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, as well other sacraments and special events.
- For more information regarding CFF contact the Coordinator, Loraine Fetzer.
- For more information regarding JYM contact the Coordinator, Marie Marshall.
- For more information regarding TYM contact the Coordinator, Marie Marshall.
- For more information regarding WCC contact the Coordinator, Loraine Fetzer.