By JEANNE SCHREMPF
Packed away in a carton brought from my family home in Syracuse are two treasured pieces from my mother's life. One is a faded First Communion certificate from St. Anthony of Padua Church, dated June 1918.
The other is a Jerusalem Bible purchased when she was 78 years old. After her parish finished the Renew program, which involves Catholics meeting in homes for prayer and discussion, her group continued as a Scripture study group. She purchased the Bible to compare Scripture translations with her study group.
My mother was both student and teacher her entire life and the epitome of a person who was a lifelong learner. How does that happen, and why does that happen?
Why does one person spend a lifetime in discovery, in questioning, in searching for meaning in life that is ultimately found in the quest to know and love and serve God? Why does another person seem to graduate from such a journey as a child or adolescent and take an early retirement from probing the riches of our faith heritage?
There are no simple answers, but the questions are worth the struggle. As faith formation committees in parishes and clusters gather to plan for their communities, those questions provide an important starting point.
The goal of catechesis is mature adult faith lived out in every aspect of life. Maturation is a life-long, personal search for meaning that begins with birth, travels through stages and critical turning points, and ends when life is finished. It tends to be inner-directed, but the journey is shaped and assisted by others along the way. That's where the parish and cluster can provide opportunities and means for all adults to grow in knowledge, faith and relationships.
Adults come in all shapes and sizes. Our lives are complex; our needs and interests, unique. Too often, those planning faith formation opportunities for adults have bought into the "one size fits all" syndrome. Disappointment is inevitable when a well-planned event is poorly attended. What was planned and presented was probably a quality program -- for a segment of the parish. There was nothing wrong with the event, but to plan only for those who enjoy that type of program or who are free to attend is to think too small.
The lack of leisure time diminishes the ability of many adults to participate in traditional adult education programs. Today, families seek to grow in relationships and spirituality together, and sometimes resent those things -- even well-intentioned -- that pull them apart on evenings or weekends.
What is needed is a wider vision and a master plan that will provide an opportunity for everyone, at every stage of life, to grow in faith. A line in "The Music Man" reminds us: "You gotta know the territory!" A parish is made up of many lifestyles and age groups:
* Young adults look for opportunities to form relationships, dialogue on meaningful topics, share their own faith struggles and life questions, and use their time and talents to build a more caring society.* Parents' and caregivers' needs center on concern for their own roles and responsibilities as persons of faith in a secular society.
* Those in mid-life look for deeper meaning in their lives and ways to enkindle their spiritual lives. Questions of health, lifestyle, caregiving and security become deep religious questions at this life stage.
* Those in retirement years have more time to open new vistas and to integrate their faith and life experiences.
As we begin to explore the many faces of adults in our parish, we will realize that adults also learn in different styles and different ways:
* The Sunday and weekday homily continue to be the prime-time faith formation for a large segment of the parish. It is a golden opportunity that demands the best preparation.
* Sacramental moments and life events can be God's most teachable moments for most of us.
* Many adults enjoy lectures, classes, workshops and small groups.
* Some adults are independent learners who enjoy reading, film, video, music, tapes.
* Others learn best by participating in social and service events or by becoming involved in public policy and community actions.
* Most adults grow in faith through times of prayer, reflection and retreats.
* Many adults will affirm that they learn best by serving others as catechists, youth ministers, coaches, liturgical and pastoral care ministers.
* Today, even the computer becomes an instrument of faith formation via web sites and chat rooms.
Our vision of adult faith formation challenges each adult to be a life-long learner. Those planning for adult faith formation need to see the adult community through a wider lens.
As we approach the new millennium, perhaps it will not be unusual for our most senior adults -- like my Mom -- to explore new Scripture translations or surf the Internet because they have been growing in faith for a lifetime.
(Editor's note: Jeanne Schrempf is the diocesan director of the Office of Religious Education. A recommended planning resources and guidebook available from the Office of Religious Education is "Adult Catechesis in the Parish/Cluster.") /BODY>