The work of evangelization always begins at “home.” This means first the “home” of our own hearts and then the “home” of our parish. The first stage of evangelization, then, is always one’s own being evangelized, through a personal commitment to a life of continual conversion in Christ through the life of the Church. This work that takes place in the “inner man” (Eph 3:16) spills over into a call to conversion in the parish, where those who are actively practicing their faith must hear and accept the invitation to an ever deeper life of intimacy with Christ. This is the very heart of evangelization—the stage without which our outreach to inactive Catholics and those who do not know God cannot bear fruit.
It is for this reason that adult faith formation is an indispensable part of evangelization. Those who wish to evangelize, must first commit themselves to growth and maturity in their own life of faith so that the truth they communicate remains authentic and convincing, rooted and grounded in Christ (Eph 3:17). An integrated adult faith formation program proceeds on two major levels: spiritual development and intellectual/personal development.
* Spiritual development offers the faithful contact with the rich Tradition of Catholic spirituality, centered in the Liturgy and Sacraments but also inclusive of traditional forms of prayer, such as the Rosary and Lectio Divina, pious practices, and sacramentals. The goal of all efforts at spiritual development is to cultivate a more and more authentic and mature relationship with Jesus Christ, who is always encountered in and through the Church.
* Intellectual/Personal development seeks to enrich a person’s knowledge of the Catholic faith so as to enrich and enliven their intimacy with Jesus Christ and allow his love to penetrate all aspects of our lives. The encounter with Christ, summit of all evangelization, is never complete without growth in knowledge of who he is, knowledge which is expressed and revealed in the full body of the Church’s teachings on both faith and morality.
Adult Faith Formation Resources
Networking for Parish Leaders
D/CAFFE Meetings
D/CAFFE=Directors/Coordinators of Adult Faith Formation and Evangelization – Click the schedule below to view the schedule of our meetings: Schedule 2016-2017
D/CAFFE Online Forum
Archdiocesan parish leaders also stay connected using an online discussion forum powered by Basecamp.com. If you are a parish leader in the area of adult faith formation or evangelization in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please join the conversation! To request permission to join, send an email to phillyevang@archphila.org.
Events
Local Adult Faith Formation Events
Recommended Adult Faith Formation Programs
Online Platforms
- Ascension Press: EVANGELIZATION.com
- Augustine Institute/Lighthouse Catholic Media: FORMED.org
Spiritual Development
- All Hearts Afire Parish Programs
- Ascension Press, Oremus Prayer Series
- Ascension Press, Walking Toward Eternity Lectio Divina Series
- Called and Gifted, Catherine of Siena Institute
- ChristLife Evangelization Ministry
- Christ Renews His Parish
- Cursillo Retreats – Philadelphia Chapter
- Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV – Formation series in Ignatian spirituality
- Heart of the Father Ministries
- Intercessory Prayer Partnership
- Renewal Ministry Prayer Series by Ralph Martin
- Renewal Ministry, As By a New Pentecost
- Walking with Purpose, Scripture Study for Women
- Women of Grace Spiritual Formation Program
Intellectual/Personal Development
- Ascension Press, Bible Studies & Formation Programs
- Augustine Institute, Study Programs
- Boys to Men, Bible Study for Men
- CanaVox Reading Groups on Marriage
- Catholicism, Fr. Robert Barron
- Catholicism: The New Evangelization, Fr. Robert Barron
- Catholic Relief Services Faith Formation Resources
- Courageous Virtue, Bible Study for Women
- Crossroads Initiative, Feast of Faith
- ENDOW, Formation for Women
- Humanum Project on Marriage
- Imago Dei Theology of the Body Study Programs
- In the Beginning: Evidence for God from Physics, Magis Center
- The King’s Men, Formation for Men
- Life Affirming Choices, End of Life Decision-Making Seminars
- Lighthouse Catholic Media
- Magis Center or Reason and Faith
- Momnipotent, Ascension Press
- Stewardship: A Mission of Faith
- Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained, Augustine Institute
- That Man Is You! Formation for Men
- Theology of the Body personal and parish study resources
- Word on Fire Formation Programs with Bishop Robert Barron
- Why Catholic?, Renew International
Pastoral Ministry
- Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide, Ascension Press
- Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage, Marriage Enrichment or Marriage Preparation, Augustine Institute
- Invited to Courageous Love: The Catholic Church and Homosexuality, Courage Apostolate
- Reborn, Baptism Preparation, Augustine Institute
- The Alexander House, Marriage Enrichment
Recommended for 2015-2016:
Run a parish study of Called to Love: John Paul II’s Theology of Human Love, a booklet published by the Knights of Columbus. Click below to:
Purchase hard copies of the Called to Love booklet
Download the PDF Version of the Called to Love booklet
Download the Free 3-Session Study Guide
