GROUARD - McLENNAN DIOCESAN LAY FORMATION PROGRAM UPDATE
Please note:
The Diocesan Lay Formation Program ran successfully for 12 years. From September 1997 to April 2009, the Program attracted over 80 people from 29 different parishes and missions. Peace River was chosen by the archdiocese to be the centre for the Program, where lay adults gathered for one weekend per month for 16 months in a 2-year period. Most of the speakers came from St. Joseph's Seminary, Newman College, and St. Joseph's College at the University of Alberta. Content covered the Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments,the Beatitudes and Prayer. In the fall of 2009, the program could not continue as it was for there were not enough applicants.
The format was then changed so that parishes, or clusters of parishes, have now become the gathering place and the organizers of these weekends.
On Saturday, January 16th, 2010, Our Lady of Peace Parish, Peace River, will host a day with Fr. Roger Keeler. This gathering will take place at the Catholic Conference Centre from 9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Father will speak to us about "Jesus, Son of God and Our Saviour".
On Saturday, March 6, 2010, Dr. Bob McKeon will lead the day in Falher on "God, Creation and Human Life". Bob will expand on our understanding of God and our understanding of what it means to be human in the context of today's
world and the many issues that challenge us.
The neighbouring parishes have been invited, as well as anyone who is
interested. This is a very good occasion to come and "Grow in Faith".
The materials and photos below give a good description of the program.
How can I learn more?
Contact Sister Georgette or Sister Louise at:
Diocesan Lay Formation Centre
10307 - 99 Street
Peace River, AB T8S 1R5
Phone: 780-624-9211 Fax: 780-624-9223
email: dlfc@telusplanet.net (Sister Georgette) sldlfc@telus.net (Sister Louise)
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Reflections from Participants in the 2007-2009 Program
The people who have come are ordinary people. They are women and men who vary according to age, background, culture and life experiences.
Here are a few of their comments:
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The experience of sharing the lessons, the liturgy, discussions, faith moments, friendship, with a group of people who are equally involved and enthusiastic was a faith building experience alone. The high quality of speakers was so enriching… I really like the combination of the lessons on knowledge and the more personal faith building tools such as reflection, prayer, scripture readings for reflection, sharing of song and prayer. |
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My relationship with God has changed immensely. I understand God has always been with me, always at my side gently waiting, it’s been me who has been absent. I was not as aware of God and Love as I am now. |
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This course has helped me to realize how important laity is and how it can give one a chance to participate in a somewhat more intimate way or should I say an opportunity to serve actively in the Church. |
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The lay formation people made it the experience that it was. The group varied in life experiences which brought depth to the course. What will I do with this course? I will continue to live my life with love for my family, for the human race, for the world and for the living. This course has given me the time I needed to reflect on where I am in my life, to be thankful for and accept that and to go on in a way that pleases the Lord. |
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I am surely not disappointed in following the Lay Formation courses for a second time. I have learned much from all the courses. |
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My relationship with God has become far more personal on a closer, friendlier and caring and yet more complicated level… I have experienced an array of truths and topics that would keep even Methuselah busy like a beaver … good experiences outfitting me with a very special tool bag of Catholic knowledge. Learning about Vatican II was very special, especially learning how our Church chose to have its parishioners take an active role in participating in the Mass and helping more with the sacraments. |
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The program has made me aware of my responsibility to actively live my faith. It has given me confidence to sign up for different ministries in my parish. I am more conscious in how I portray my spiritual life to my family in my discussions and what they see me do. I have become more conscious of my responsibility to use the gifts God gave me whether in Church, work, home or community. |
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My basic reasons for taking the course was I was spiritually hungry. Having suffered a period of dryness due to burnout, I soon came to realize that this course was not only some refresher courses, I was discovering a period of recovery through the prayers in the group participation. |
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I am ready to return to our parish with more confidence and understanding of my role as a parishioner and can hopefully enhance our community. This course has recharged my batteries and given me an appreciation of Church and community. |
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Archbishop’s Message
St. Paul uses the image of the Body of Christ to instruct us on the nature of the Church. (1 Cor.12) In baptism we were joined to Christ’s Body in and through the Spirit. Each member is cherished and endowed with gifts which enrich and strengthen the life of the whole body.
Our faith journey continues through the years of our lives. Each one of us is formed and shaped, as a potter might give shape and beauty to his or her creation (Jeremiah 18). By formation, we not only learn with our mind the teachings of Jesus and His Church but our heart and spirit are shaped by God also. Formation is vital to all Christians who wish to deepen and grow in their discipleship.
In the document “The Church in America” Pope John Paul II stated, “The renewal of the Church in America will not be possible without the active presence of the laity” (p.75). Our Canadian Bishops, in listening to the needs of our world, have named adult faith formation as a priority for our Church today. Hence the Lay Formation Program for the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan was begun in 1997. Many people of our diocesan Church have followed this program; it is my hope that many more will in the coming years.
I recommend and encourage you to give serious thought to enrolling in this enriching program. Do it for the Kingdom of God, for the Church of our archdiocese, and for yourself.
+ Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
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History of the Program
The beginnings of the program had a fairly long gestation period. In the early 1990s a group of pastors and people involved as pastoral assistants/associates who felt the need to share experiences regarding parish ministry and pertinent information began gathering. As others heard of this they joined the group. Archbishop Légaré was kept informed and when possible attended our gatherings. In October of ’95 Archbishop Légaré invited a cross-section of people from various areas in the Archdiocese to be part of a “Think-Tank”. The mandate of the group was to provide him with “a recommendation aimed at laying the foundation for a Lay Formation Program”.
Their research consisted, for the most part, in a reflection on the needs of the Archdiocese and a study of programs from other dioceses. Archbishop Légaré referred any further decisions to his successor.
On December 15, ’96 Archbishop Goudreault held a meeting with a number of people involved in parish ministry, priests, lay people and women religious, with the intent of pursuing the planning begun by Archbishop Légaré and his committee. At last the DIOCESAN LAY FORMATION PROGRAM was born. One of the first things on Archbishop Goudreault’s agenda was to name a director. Someone who had been present from the beginning and who has lay formation very much at heart, Sister Georgette Payeur, c.s.c., was appointed to the position. As you can undoubtedly imagine there was still a great deal of planning and implementing to be done, but in September of 1997 nineteen people from ten parishes/missions were welcomed to the first Lay Formation Programme of the Archdiocese. Of this number seventeen completed the programme in 1999.
Fr. Arthe Guimond, who was present from the very beginning (one could even say was its instigator), was obviously very committed to this program. Shortly after his ordination as Archbishop of our Diocese he visited each Region, asking the people what they perceived as the needs in their parishes/missions. In every Region adult faith formation was at the top or at least very close to it. This once again confirmed the expressed need of the Church in our area. Needless to say that Adult Faith Formation was again given a place of importance at the Diocesan level.
“It is utterly important to remind you, the laity, that your irreplaceable role is to permeate earthly realities with Gospel Values”
“I invite you to deepen your own knowledge and commitment to Jesus Christ by taking advantage of our Diocesan Lay Formation Program”.
These were some of Bishop Arthé’s words of invitation and of challenge.
Archbishop Gerard Pettipas, who was ordained on January 25, 2007, is the fourth Grouard-McLennan bishop to not only offer, but to encourage the lay people to embark on this journey of formation. This, he says, is vital to all Christians who wish to deepen and grow in their discipleship. “I recommend and encourage you to give serious thought to enrolling in this enriching program.”
From September 1997 to April 2009 there have been 80 participants from 25 parishes/missions.
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