As Catholic Christians in the world today, we live in some very challenging and faith-trying times.  Statistics after statistics show declines within various demographic groups of active practicing Catholics, or rises in the number of those unaffiliated with any faith or Christian belief structure.  Trying to find hope in the culture can at times be difficult or in some cases elusive.  Having faith conversations with family members, co-workers, or even those of other faiths can often seem burdensome or unapproachable. As it says in 1 Peter 3:15 - "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope..."  This is easy to read but not so easy to carry out.  

Consider the 6th chapter of John.  In reviewing just the chapter sub-titles, we find that Jesus feeds the multitudes, he walks on water, he delivers the Bread of Life discourse and asks some serious questions of His apostles.  To unpack this a little further, Jesus asks the disciples a question about how to feed so many, receives a limited response, can't-do attitude, and then responds by turning a few loaves of bread and a few fish into great abundance with excess left over.  The people are temporarily amazed and their appetites are satiated.  A little while later when it's dark outside, the apostles get into a boat without Jesus and head to Capernaum.  After a great length, the seas and winds become turbulent. Yet, in their midst, Jesus appears to them, walking across a medium they cannot.  Miraculous.  And what does he bring them? Peace.  When they finally reach out to Him, they appear to have reached their destination. Shortly thereafter, the great crowds are once again looking for sustenance, and they too head across the unforgiving medium separated by only the wood of their boats.  When they finally catch up with Jesus, they don't say "Thanks for feeding us the other day."  Rather, they ask for a sign.  And then, he delivers the Bread of Life discourse, escalating his rhetoric and telling them the way to have true life within is to eat His flesh and drink His blood.  He uses the Greek word τρώγω, trógó, meaning gnaw, munch or crunch. Does this exchange sit well with them? No, it doesn't.  They murmur, find it difficult to audibly digest, and then they leave, with only his inner circle remaining. Verse 66 states "As a result of this, many [of] his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him." Again, Jesus asks His inner circle a question.  "Do you also want to leave?"  The rest of the culture just did.  They didn't hear what they wanted to hear. The message was difficult.  It was too hard.  Who could accept it? The way of their former world reached in to fill the void created by their lack of understanding.  Sound familiar?  

Fortunately, Peter and the apostles could accept it.  And we can too!  Learning to have a voice, to feel confident in an unfamiliar territory, and to do so in a respectful and loving way was and is the task.  The stakes are high.  Souls and salvation are the stakes.  Will it be easy? Not usually.  Is there fear when in dark, turbulent times? Yes, there can be.  Is it possible to understand? Absolutely.  And the results are nothing short of miraculous.   As Jesus demonstrated, it only takes a little to generate a lot of nourishment, and in some cases, even have some left over for others.   

How do we accomplish this?  We study, we learn, we invite, we engage. The USCCB website Adult Faith Formation Goals are simply: 

1. Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life
2. Promote and Support Active Membership in the Christian Community.
3. Call and Prepare Adults to Act as Disciples in Mission to the World.
   • These goals are excerpted from : Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States

Over the years OLV has hosted numerous studies on a variety of faith enriching topics.  We maintain a small library of materials that can be checked out for hosting small group studies.  All it takes is a great willingness to lead a study and an understanding of the role of facilitator.  
Past studies include:

1. The Bible Timeline – Feb-Aug 2009 (Ascension Press)
2. Revelation – Jan 2010 (Ascension Press)
3. A Quick Journey Through the Bible – Sep 2010 (Ascension Press)
4. Biblical Walk Through the Mass
5. James (Ascension Press)
6. Psalms (Ascension Press)
7. Galatians (Ascension Press)
8. Catholicism – Sep 2013(Word on Fire)
9. Walking Towards Eternity (Ascension Press)
   • Daring to Walk the Walk – Feb 2014
   • Engaging the Struggles of the Heart – Oct 2014
10. Catholicism: The New Evangelization – Jan 2015 (Word on Fire)
11. Priest, Prophet, King – Feb 2015 (Word on Fire)
12. Acts – Sept 2015 – April 2016 (Ascension Press)
13. The Pivotal Players – Sep 2016 (Word on Fire)
14. The Bible and The Virgin Mary – March 2017(St Paul Center / Formed.org)
15. Lectio Peter – Oct 2017(Formed.org)
16. True Reformers– Feb 2018 (Formed.org)
17. David the King – June 2018 (Word on Fire)
18. Six Dates for Catholic Couples – June 2018 (Happy Together)
19. Who Am I to Judge – Sept 2018 (Formed.org)
20. Lectio Prayer: Finding Intimacy with God - Jan 2019 (Formed.org)
21. Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession - Mar 2019 (Formed.org)
22. Lectio Philippians - Summer 2019 (Formed.org)
23. Lectio Eucharist - Fall 2019 (Formed.org)
24. The Wild Goose - Spring 2020 (Formed.org)
25. Small Group Study
    • The Search - Spring 2021 (Formed.org)
    • Sanctuary - Summer 2021 (Formed.org)
26. Sunday Morning Sessions
    • Symbolon (St Augustine Institute)
      • Part 1 – Sep 2014
      • Part 2 – Sep 2014
27. Financial Peace University (Dave Ramsey Programs) – Ms. Kelly Childs
    • Jan 2015
    • Sept 2015
    • Sep 2016
    • May 2017

Next Study: The Creed - Fall 2021 Register here!

How Do I use Formed.org?

OLV maintains a parish subscription to Formed.org.  Using a special code, parishioners may go to the website and create an individual account.  Once an individual account has been created, a special link is sent to the member's email account that authorizes that specific device for content access.  If a different device is used, it will require requesting a subsequent access link, also sent through the registered email address.  For information on establishing your account, please contact Ms Susan Deshotel in the parish office, 850-682-4622 or at this email address. 

You can access this resource here once your account is established:Log in to Formed.org

How Do I Use Word On Fire Digital?

OLV maintains a parish subscription to Word on Fire Engage Digital resources.  The subscription is via a partnership with FlockNote and is most easily accessed through the FlockNote smartphone app, or via a home computer with access to your FlockNote account. Outgoing messages from FlockNote to members also provides access without having to log in, provide a password, or enter a special access code.  
More information is available here: Flocknote & WoF Digital Access Help
 

Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee Formation Resources

The Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese has become a partnering diocese with the University of Dayton Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation. This means that any adult in the diocese can take one of the online courses for $50.00. For more information, visit https://vlcff.udayton.edu/ or contact Sister Margaret at: 1(850)435-3523 or kuntzm@ptdiocese.org.
VLCFF Flyer

The Lay Formation Institute (LFI) is an initiative of our diocese to provide quality spiritual, intellectual, and human formation to lay people. The inaugural program began in the fall of 2016 following the Church Fully Alive campaign under the direction of Bishop Gregory Parkes. This first cohort of the Lay Formation Institute concluded in May 2018 and a second cohort started formation in August 2018. Cohort two will finish their three-year curriculum in May 2021. The third cohort of LFI will begin in August 2021 with a renewed focus on the vision of Lumen Gentium: to form laity for the sanctification of the world through their many different roles and duties.
Lay Formation Institute Brochure
 

Study Overview from the Word on Fire website:

Born at the Council of Nicaea in the Fourth Century after intense, theological debates, this formal statement of faith is the foundation of both eastern and western Christianity. All who are baptized profess belief in the statements contained in the Nicene Creed.

In this video-based study, Bishop Robert Barron leads us line-by-line through the elegant, intelligent, and succinct words of the Creed. Words that roll off our tongues easily, but are often not fully understood. These words, such as believe, one God, incarnate, and consubstantial, will resonate in your soul and more deeply give voice to your own faith once you experience Bishop Barron’s The Creed.

This video-based study program can be experienced individually or in a group. Groups meet for seven two-hour sessions to watch the video and participate in small group discussions of the Study Guide questions. Participants will use Bishop Barron’s book, Light from Light, along with the video to delve into the study guide questions and prepare them before each small group discussion. There are two sets of questions. First, the Questions for Understanding are based on the video presentation, references from Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and Bishop Barron’s book, Light from Light. Secondly, the Questions for Application will encourage reflection on how the material is relevant to each participant’s own life and experience. Question preparation can be done either before or after participants view the video as Bishop Barron’s book includes all the necessary detail to complete the questions.

Our sessions will be offered on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday mornings. Planned session dates are:

  We will follow Structure Option #2 below: Everyone will need to have:

1. Bishop Barron’s book Light from Light (about $20 for hardcopy and $10 for e-book): 
   • Order hardcopy book from WoF Store
   • Order a hardcopy book from Amazon
   • Order a Kindle e-book from Amazon
   • Put a request in at time of registration (NLT 30 Sep for parish bulk order)
2. The companion Study Guide (PDF from digital access)
   • Downloadable through our parish Word On Fire Digital - Engage subscription (via FlockNote)
   • Put a request in at time of registration (NLT 7 Oct) for a printout and folder
3. A Catholic translation of the Bible
4. Access to the Catechism of the Catholic Church to complete the questions in each lesson.  

Catholic translations of the Bible include:

• New Revised Standard Version–Catholic Edition: A more literal translation used for serious Scripture study
• New American Bible (NAB): Used in the liturgy for the readings at Mass, and relatively easy to read
• New Jerusalem Bible: More contemporary language, but still true to the original meaning
• English Standard Version - Catholic Edition 

To look up references in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you can purchase a copy of the Catechism or go to this website and enter the paragraph number to display the text:
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm.
Each person must have his/her own Study Guide, so everyone can write answers to the questions and take notes individually. You can download and email a Study Guide to all participants and a Leader’s Guide to all small group leaders.

Submit your registration form here