Now is the time for faith formation

Monday, February 23, 2009

*Cheryl Whapham

BLOGGER PROFILE

I have got to start exercising again. I used to exercise regularly; I would run 20-25 miles every week. But then I hurt my knee and had to stop running. And then I got married, was working full-time and had 3 children. Exercise is now somewhere on the ‘To Do’ list behind making dinner, doing the laundry, helping with homework, changing a diaper, cleaning a bathroom…you get the idea.

While all of the above is absolutely true and a reality of my state in life, I still should take the time to exercise. It would be good for both my physical and mental health. But I allow everything else to take precedence over something that should also be a priority in my life. In fact, a solid argument could be made that 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week could actually make all of the other tasks easier for me.

Spanish Class

Isn’t it the same for our spiritual exercise, our faith formation? Does our faith formation take precedence over other things and hold the priority position in our lives as it should? Or is it at the bottom of the ‘To Do’ list, in that place where it never gets done, just stays there nagging at us, making us feel bad about ourselves because we know we should do it and we don’t?

Let’s resolve together not to let our faith formation languish at the bottom of the ‘To Do’ list! To help you achieve this goal, as of January 2009 the Archdiocese of Miami has become partners with the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF). During this entire year, anyone in the Archdiocese of Miami can register for a 5-week ONLINE faith formation course for only $40. This is an incredible opportunity to take that Bible study course you always wanted to, or a Church history course, or one on Marian studies. The Virtual Learning Community has more than 40 courses for you to choose from in English and 7 courses in Spanish (with more on the way).

To make it even easier, if you register for a course by Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, I’ll split the fee with you! Click here right now and register for a course in Cycle 2 which runs from March 1- April 4. (Can you think of a better Lenten Sacrifice?) When prompted for the ‘Payment Code’ input MIAMI and you will only be charged $20. I have registered for the CATHOLIC BELIEFS, section B. Take whatever interests you – all I ask in return is that you tell your friends how great an experience it was for you to take an online faith formation course!

If you are interested in a long-term faith formation experience, please go to our Web page at www.miamiarchdiocese.org/layministry to learn about the 2-year Archdiocesan School of Ministry. We are currently accepting registrations for the fall of 2009. Registration and Recommendation forms can be downloaded from our Web page.

Now is the time for faith formation! May God bless you abundantly on your Lenten journey!

Cheryl J. Orwig Whapham
Director, Lay Ministry and Adult Faith Formation

• University of Dayton's Virtua l Learning Community for Faith Formation (VLCFF)
• Archdiocese of Miami Lay Ministry and Adult Faith Formation