Answering the growing need for adult education and formation on a basic level, two San Gabriel Region parishes are offering opportunities for adults to grow in their understanding of their faith and church during the first half of 2009.
"Religion 101" is a series of nine monthly workshops, offered at St. John Vianney Church in Hacienda Heights, which focus on the basic teachings of the Catholic Church. Although the series began in the fall, the remaining three workshops of the current series may be of interest to anyone looking for teaching on a beginner's level.
"We tell everyone these workshops are not for the theologically sophisticated," said Yollie Mancino, St. John Vianney adult faith coordinator and RCIA director. For that reason, Mancino added, the monthly workshops have drawn more than 100 attendees every month.
The remaining workshops in the series are: "The Beatitudes and Morality" on March 30, presented by Father Francis Ilano; "Sacraments and Sacramental Living" on April 27, presented by Msgr. Timothy Nichols; and "The Church and Churches: A Brief History" on May 18, presented by Father Cyprian Carlo. All workshops begin at 7 p.m. in O'Callaghan Center at the parish, 1345 Turnbull Road, Hacienda Heights, and are free of charge.
In addition to the workshop series, Mancino says there will be special offerings during Lent which include a two-night presentation about the Passion of Jesus in March and a performance of "The People of the Passion," written by Mary Betten and directed by Susan Boulanger on April 3.
Boulanger says the play takes adult formation to the next level, enriching the experience of learning, and making it, in her words, three-dimensional. "As we learn about the biblical characters," she explains, "the play helps create a living experience for us and we identify with the characters and become part of the crowd." For information, call (626) 330-2269.
In the west San Gabriel Valley, Saints Felicitas and Perpetua Church in San Marino is offering a weekly formation series focused on the Seven Sacraments. The Tuesday evening series --- which began Feb. 3 and will conclude with the Lenten Penance service on March 31 --- is designed to be both basic level formation and updating of adult understanding of the sacraments of the church.
"Our previous formation series included topics on Scripture, end-of-life issues and even funeral planning," says St. Joseph of Carondelet Sister Mary Ann Martin, pastoral associate at Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua. "While doing these classes, we discovered the need to provide current formation on sacraments to our parishioners."
Sister Martin --- who presents the series with Father Paul Fitzpatrick, associate pastor --- explained that the classes use current videos, handouts and materials that will help attendees get a complete and balanced understanding of each of the sacraments at an adult level. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions during the evening and come away with a new understanding of the power of the sacraments in their lives.
Topics for the coming weeks are: "Eucharist and Holy Orders, Part 1" on Feb. 24; "Eucharist and Holy Orders, Part 2," March 10; "Marriage (and Nullity)," March 17; "Penance and Anointing of the Sick," March 24; and a Lenten Penance Service, March 31.
All sessions begin at 7 p.m. in the Parish Center and are free of charge. Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua Church is located at 1190 Palomar Road, San Marino. For information, call (626) 796-0432. |