Family Topic 2. A Vision for Family & Parent Faith Formation

Reading

• Guide to Designing Catechesis (Part Two)
• Chapter 3. "Catechesis with Families" in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis

1. Watch the Video: A Vision for Family & Parent Faith Formation

The video presents an introduction to the vision for family and parent faith formation in the first two decades of life:

1. A new approach: parents and families at the center
2. Family faith formation in the Directory for Catechesis 
3. Four research conclusions for faith formation with parents and families
4. Family faith formation in the first two decades of life: goals, elements, and a framework

The article that accompanies the video is included In Part 2 of the Guide to Designing Family Catechesis. 

2. Reflect on the Vision

Read Part 2 in the Guide to Designing Family Catechesis. 

Part 2 in the Guide presents the importance of shifting the perspective from a parish-centric approach to families to a “parents and families at the center” approach. Consider...

• What impact would this shift in perspective have for faith formation in your parish?
• What would need to change in your parish life to embrace this view?

* Write down your reflections so that you can use them to guide your design work. 

 Part 2 presents a Framework for Family Faith Formation that is developed in six categories: 

1. Forming the faith of the family at home
2. Forming the faith of the family in the parish
3. Equipping parents with practices and skills for parenting
4. Equipping parents to be faith formers of their children/teens
5. Providing family catechesis for the entire family
6. Fostering intergenerational relationships 

Review the two examples of a family catechesis plan in the Guide. Imagine how you can use this Framework for designing family catechesis for young children (0-5), grade school (6-10), young people (11-14), and young people (14-19).