How blessed are we?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Cheryl Whapham
It’s been an inspiring and humbling month for the Office of Lay Ministry and Adult Faith Formation.
On one front, we have 382 men and women who are preparing themselves for service to their parish communities in the archdiocesan School of Ministry. Their personal stories of how the Holy Spirit brought them to this time and place in their spiritual journey brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. We have a team of lay ministers who tirelessly and faithfully walk the walk with these laymen and women as they are in formation, and we have another team of instructors who prepare high quality lessons for their instruction. How blessed are we?
Simultaneously, parish directors of religious education and parish directors of the Rite of Christian Initiation met for continuing education on the RCIA for Adults and Children. The RCIA is the process by which the Catholic Church welcomes new members. Our archdiocese initiates approximately 1,000 new adult members each year. A trend that we’ve been seeing lately is parents bringing their children ages 7 and older to be baptized at our parishes. This is wonderful! It‘s a huge leap of faith for these parents to bring their older children to the Church for baptism, and often a return to the Church for themselves. How blessed are we?
On another front, I’ve heard from several parishes now in the archdiocese that they are starting new adult Bible study groups this fall. I’ve been emailing more parishes resource lists, website links, and general information about adult Catholic Bible study this fall than ever before in my eight years here as director of Adult Faith Formation. I’m just super excited that adult lay leaders are interested in providing Bible study for themselves and their fellow parishioners. It’s a great way to start a small faith community or a systematic parish adult faith formation program. How blessed are we?
Now, I want to hear from you. What has inspired you and humbled you in your ministry this past month? How blessed are you?
Comments from readers
It is amazing to see all the ministries and faith opportunities we have here in the Archdiocese of Miami. We are truly blessed.
Jose - Gracias por sus lindas palabras. Es me placer trabajar por el reino de Dios
Ojala todos los catolicos y no catolicos pudieran pasar estos dos a�os haciendo este curso.
Gracias Se�or por todas estas Bendiciones. Gracias por Usted Cheryl, que pone tanto empe�o y dedicacion a dirigir estos ministerios laicos, gracias a todos estos maestros que con amor y entrega dedican su tiempo a expandir el reino de Dios.
Que Dios derrame abundantes Bendiciones sobre todas las personas que incurren en estos Ministerios Laicos.
We are blessed to have you and your wonderful staff here in the Archdiocese fo Miami.
Blessings old friend!
We are blessed indeed! I am happy to hear of how many people are looking to learn more about the faith and a grow in their spirituality.