Faith Formation

Stewardship Day 2012

Faith Formation Registration Form

Register for LIFT today

• LIFT—a continuing journey in faith
• Faith Formation Ministries

LIFT - a continuing journey in faith

LIFT—Living In Faith Together—was established in 2005 and is the basis of Holy Spirit Church’s Faith Formation program—offering all community members of all ages opportunities to celebrate God’s love, mercy and presence in our lives. LIFT is a programmed schedule of church and community events that foster the sharing of Christ’s Light. LIFT promotes sharing faith at home and participation in church life.

As members of the Holy Spirit Church and the Catholic community, we live in faith together. Our life is a continuing journey in faith—whether seeking faith, finding faith or keeping faith, faith is a life-long journey.  Holy Spirit Church and its parish staff believe that regardless of where you are in your faith journey, we will meet and walk with you.  In an effort to continue the work of the Spirit allowing the Light of Christ to lead you in faith, we offer LIFT gatherings to help participants form and deepen faith.  We prepare all for continuing a life-long journey of faith through interactive sharing, common experiences and age-specific presentations.

LIFT Schedule of Program

This year, LIFT offers 7 Gatherings—each offered at three different times—and extends its programs to include conversations at home and celebrations held in the Church.

Our curriculum runs on a six-year cycle covering Prayer, the Creed, the Sacraments, the Liturgical Year, Social Justice, and Morality. Gatherings have included age-appropriate, hands on exploration, song, lectures, games, and presentations.

Enrichment activities are provided and encouraged. There are self-guided materials for tours of the church’s stained glass windows and the San Damiano Cross which hangs above our tabernacle (please make “Holy Spirit cross” clickable to the Past LIFT Studies Page). There are opportunities to learn the history of our faith and parish, stories of God’s love, and how we share in Jesus’ Mission and Ministry. Each LIFT Gathering begins with a meal: For 2012-2013 all gatherings will take place on scheduled Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday, 5:30-7:30pm and feature salad and either pizza or a pasta dish.  Some Sunday gatherings will offer a Pot Luck or Soup Dinner (Please check registration information for each gathering.).   After sharing a simple meal and an opening prayer, LIFT Gathering attendees gather for the topic introduction, then break into smaller age-specific groups with a focus on peer group topic exploration for approximately one hour.  The gathering closes with a reconvening of all participants for reflection and sharing of information, thus allowing the entire group to grow in faith together.

2012- 2013 LIFT Schedule

The LIFT schedule coincides with the school year and usually runs from September/October through June.  The 2012-2013 LIFT Gatherings schedule is a year-long exploration of Morality called "Living as Jesus's Disciple." We will explore what discipleship means and examine examples of discipleship in the Bible and all around us.

Living as Jesus's Disciple:

Session 1: Called to Discipleship--Loving God & My Neighbor
Monday, September 17, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, September 19, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, September 23, 5:30-7:30pm
***Parish Picnic: Sunday September 30! Watch for more info!

Session 2: Respect--I am Wonderfully Made
Monday, October 22, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, October 24, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, October 28, 5:30-7:30pm

Session 3: Honesty & Integrity: Seeing myself as I am
Monday, November 12, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, November 14, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, November 18, 5:30-7:30pm

Session 4: We are all Son-flowers; Conversion as a way of life
Monday, January 7, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, January 9, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, January 13, 5:30-7:30pm

Session 5: Called to Faithfulness--Am I a Good Friend?
Monday, February 4, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, February 6, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, February 10, 5:30-7:30pm

Session 6: Justice--Life IN Christ
Monday, March 11, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, March 13, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, March 17, 5:30-7:30pm

Session 7: Conscience--Care, Compassion, and Forgiveness
Monday, April 22, 5:30-7:30pm
Wednesday, April 24, 5:30-7:30pm
Sunday, April 28, 5:30-7:30pm

***And be sure to mark your calendar for June 1: Stewardship Day (Our 2nd annual Stewardship Day)--a chance to live out our faith as a whole community

2013 - 2014  LIFT topics are in a multi-year sequence.  “The Liturgical Year” will be the topic theme for the 2013 - 2014 LIFT year. We will explore feasts of the church--how and why we celebrate them!

For more information on LIFT, contact Deacon William Dringus at (518) 477-4803

Past LIFT Studies (Archives)

Want to help? Join us in planning and implementing LIFT Gatherings.

 

Faith Formation Ministries

K-5
Led by Maria Collins, K-5 Faith Formation provides opportunities for children and parents to explore their relationship with God and with others. The K-5 program includes participate in the 5 LIFT gatherings, weekly Children’s Liturgy of the Word at Sunday a.m. mass, Monday evening sessions and periodic retreats and events. In addition, K-5 offers a Vacation Bible Camp in August.

An important aspect of the K-5 program is sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist that allows children to: complete the sacrament in a comfortable environment; build community among one another and their families; and, develop and deepen their faith through family involvement and education.

Grades 6-12
Directed by Tracey Penk-Masucci, grade 6+ serves children and teenagers in middle and high schools and their families and is committed to the important and integral work young people perform in the parish community. Providing opportunities for young people and their parents to explore their relationship with God and with others, grade 6+ students participate in the 5 LIFT gatherings, Monday evening sessions, service projects and periodic events.
Along with sacramental preparation, the grade 6-high school program empowers teens and their families to participate more fully in parish life.

Young Adult and Young Family Evangelization Ministry
The Young Adult and Young Family Evangelization Ministry explores how best to help young adults live the mission and ministry of Jesus. Single and married people aged 18-39+ work together to plan, implement and participate in Holy Spirit social and spiritual events, such as hikes, lectures, meals, faith sharing forums and service. Directed by Kathy Rosenbaum, this ministry aims to share the Light of Christ with all by sharing faith in action.

Renaissance Ministry (Rebirth and renewal of Senior Ministry)
Coordinated by Rosemary Horan, the ministry welcomes all adults age 40+ to offer the “gift of God ” through prayer, worship, care and reflection. While many bring Eucharist to parishioners who are homebound or in nursing homes, the ministry also offers transportation to church, doctor’s appointments, grocery store, etc., and offers respite care for those contending with a household member dealing with Alzheimer’s or other memory illnesses. Ministry volunteers also send messages of cheer through phone calls and cards. The Renaissance Ministry offers the Sisters’ Prayer Group, a Scripture-based program that includes: monthly discussion themes that often correspond with LIFT topics; readings; presentations; meditations; hymns; recitation of the Rosary; petitions; and, Book of Intentions, which focuses the ministry’s prayers on members’ requests. T Renaissance Ministry also includes the Prayer Circle Ministry, which honors special prayer requests, and the Bereavement Committee, which plans the prayer service for All Souls Day and in honor of parishioners, families and friends who passed away. The Renaissance Ministry offers a weekly Bulletin message and a bi-monthly newsletter. All ministry members work to: walk hand-in-hand with those in need; share a smile; say hello and let people know they are not forgotten. Through the ministry, members pray, love, care, support and give strength to God’s holy people and follow Mother Teresa’s precept, “Good works are links that form a chain of love.”