There is a focus in the church today on adult faith formation that may seem new to us even though faith formation is an ancient practice. What is new are the conscious efforts being made by parishes and dioceses to provide formation opportunities for adults. These opportunities are needed because such significant changes have occurred within families and parish communities in the last 50 years.

For most Catholics, formal instruction at church didn't continue after childhood because they had learned the basic beliefs of the church. Because the basics didn't change, there was little need to teach them again.

In a time of strong extended families and close parish communities, we learned what it meant to be Catholic from the wisdom and actions of others. From adolescence to adulthood, we learned through word and deed to choose right from wrong, to play fair, and to make moral choices. Our identities as people of faith were shaped by their expectations and the pressures those expectations placed upon us.

Sadly, much of the formation that once happened in families and parishes no longer does. Adults today face issues that our ancestors never confronted without the strong family and parish ties that they once had.

Through adult faith formation, we can provide people with correct information about many issues, offer opportunities for serious discussions guided by faith, pray together for guidance and wisdom, and be public witnesses to Catholic belief and behavior.

Please check out some of our adult faith formation offerings described below and see if any are of interest to you. For more information, you may call our Director of Faith Formation at (859) 252-7551.

Catholic Bible Study. This adult formation group meets on Sunday between our Masses at 10 AM. All are welcome to attend.

Catholics Gathering in Conversation. This group meets on the first Sunday of the month at 10 AM. Led by Deacon Bill Wakefield, we discuss current topics of mutual interest as Faithful Citizens. All are welcome to attend.

Catholic Book Club. Our book club meets on Tuesday evenings at Wethington Parish Center. We read and discuss a new book for each series of meetings. When a series with a new book selection is going to begin, there will be an announcement in our weekly bulletin. All are welcome to attend.

PATHS: Prayer, Art, and Time with the Holy Spirit. This offering guided by Beverly Jones will look at how we all are artists who can re-create beauty in the world as we pray and spend time with the Holy Spirit. No prior art experience is required. When a series of classes is going to begin, there will be an announcement in our weekly bulletin. All are welcome to attend.

Schedule of Faith Formation Classes for 2011-2012 (pdf format)

Schedule of Faith Formation Classes for 2011-2012 (html format)

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