Formation
“At the beginning of Christianity, formation, which was lived in experiential form,
revolved around the vital encounter with Christ.”
– Directory for Catechesis 130
As with the first disciples who were formed by Christ, we too need to receive a formation throughout our Christian lives to go out into the world to spread the Good News. All Christians are called to a lifelong journey of spiritual, intellectual, pastoral and dogmatic formation. Whatever state of life whether bishop, priest, deacon, consecrated religious life or the lay faithful; all the baptised require formation to respond to the universal call to holiness. Formation being an ongoing process is guided by the Holy Spirit that enables each person to discover their baptismal identity. The Diocesan Advisor for Formation and Mission will provide opportunities for the faithful in all areas of formation.
Formation for All
There are opportunities of formation for the faithful at all stages of life, that are not part of a process that allow entry to the receiving of a Sacrament. The reason for all the formation and catechesis that a Christian undergoes is to be put into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is necessary to receive formation and catechesis so that every individual feels emboldened to be faithful to the command of Jesus Christ:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you to do.”
- Matthew 28:19-20
All the faithful have a mission to communicate the Truth and beauty of God’s love to the world. Therefore, the faithful need to be led deeply into the kerygma through all Christian Formation and Catechesis.
“I want an intelligent and well-instructed laity... I wish you to enlarge your knowledge, to cultivate your reason, to get an insight into the relation of truth, to learn to view things as they are, to understand how faith and reason stand to each other, what are the bases and principles of Catholicism.” - St. John Henry Newman
The Catechist
The catechist is to echo Christ, the Directory for Catechesis has identified that there is a specific vocation of a catechist. The calling from God to the catechist when responded to and fulfilling the necessary formation provides the graces required for the service in the Church of the transmission of the faith. The department for Formation and Mission will provide ongoing support called to the ministry of catechist and develop networks.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and the prayers.”
- Acts 2:42
CONTACT
Natalie Orefice is the Diocesan Advisor for Formation and Mission, who assists in providing opportunities for ongoing formation for clergy and formation of the lay faithful in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. She has over ten years' experience working in evangelisation and catechesis at parish, diocesan and national levels. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Masters in Applied Catholic Theology in RE and Catechesis. She has been married for 20 years (almost!) and has two children. She enjoys good coffee and long walks in the countryside.
For any enquiries regarding Formation and Mission, please get in touch.
T: 0121 321 5139
Links
Recommended Reading
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Summary of the Directory of Catechesis
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Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici
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Pope St. John Paul II's Apostolic Exhortation Catechesi tradendae
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Synod on Synodality: National Synthesis Document for England and Wales
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Synod on Synodality: the response of the Archdiocese of Birmingham
Resources