The primary objective of all religious education efforts and ongoing catechesis for adults is to promote the New Evangelization, which invites and encourages men, women and children to develop a renewed, first-time encounter, or deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The desire that Christ’s love set the earth ablaze is the ultimate goal of all ministries that evangelize, catechize and conduct ongoing faith formation.
Intercessory Saint: St. Thomas Aquinas
Ministries:
Adult Faith Formation
Adult formation in the Catholic Church is to support and guide adults in their ongoing journey of faith, fostering a deeper relationship with God and equipping them to live as active disciples of Jesus Christ. This lifelong process aims to integrate faith with daily life, promoting both personal growth and active participation within the Christian community.
Intercessory Saint: St. John Paul II
Adult Confirmation
Adult Confirmation serves to complete the Sacraments of Initiation, strengthening the baptized individual's bond with the Church and empowering them with the Holy Spirit to live out their faith as an adult. It's a public affirmation of one's commitment to the Catholic faith and a deepening of one's relationship with Christ. This is intended for active practicing Catholic adults who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation.
Intercessory Saint: St. Therese of Avila
Baptismal Preparation
Catechists help prepare parents for the Baptism of their children, including coming to a greater understanding of the theology of Baptism, belonging to the Church, the responsibilities that Baptism brings, and the role of Godparents. Parents are also advised on skills in catechizing young children, and on resources and opportunities available to them through the parish and school.
Intercessory Saint: St. John the Baptist
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Catechisis of the Good Shepherd
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based approach to religious formation for children, aiming to foster a deep, personal relationship with God. It emphasizes the child's existing relationship with God and provides a space, called the atrium, where children can encounter scripture and liturgy through hands-on materials. CGS helps children understand the meaning and significance of sacraments and rituals, such as the Eucharist. The program aims to cultivate a love for God and desire to grow in faith.
Intercessory Saint: St. Charles Borromeo
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Children's Religious Education (SMRE)
The purpose of religious education for children in the Catholic faith is to help them develop a deeper understanding and love of Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Catholic faith, ultimately leading to a lifelong relationship with God and a commitment to living as disciples of Christ. This formation is a partnership between the family, the parish, and the Catholic school, each playing a distinct role in nurturing the child's faith. The program is offered for children kindergarten through eighth grade.
Intercessory Saint: St. Thomas Aquinas
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is to strengthen and deepen the grace received at baptism, and to empower the recipient to be a witness to Christ. The process of initiation includes the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Catholic Christian community. It also confers the gifts of the Holy Spirit, helping the confirmed to live a more mature Christian life and spread the faith. This sacrament is typically conferred by the bishop in eighth grade.
Intercessory Saint: St. Philip Neri
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
First Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith. It is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. The Eucharist is seen as a way for Catholics to participate in Christ’s sacrifice and receive his grace and salvation. Holy Communion unites us with Christ and with one another. First Eucharist/Holy Communion is typically received around age seven or in second grade following First Reconciliation.
Intercessory Saint: St. Theresa of Calcutta
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation (also known as Penance or Confession) is to introduce children to God's forgiveness and mercy through the sacrament, allowing them to experience the joy of being reconciled with God and the Church after acknowledging and confessing their sins to a priest. This initial experience helps them understand the importance of contrition, confession, penance, and absolution in the process of seeking forgiveness and spiritual healing. This initial sacrament is done before First Eucharist around age seven or in the second grade.
Intercessory Saint: St. Padre Pio
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) (formerly known as RCIA) serves as the process for adults to become fully initiated into the Catholic Church. It's a journey of faith formation, guiding individuals through the discovery of Catholic beliefs and practices, ultimately leading to the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Intercessory Saint: St. Robert Bellarmine
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults for Children (OCIC)
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), adapted for children, is a process that welcomes children and young people (typically 7 and older) into the Catholic Church. It differs from the adult OCIA process, focusing on age-appropriate catechesis and formation to help them understand and embrace the Catholic faith. The goal is to guide them toward full participation in the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
Intercessory Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Maria Goretti
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Special Religious Education and Discipleship (SPREAD)
The Special Religious Education Development (SPRED) program wishes to assist our parish in its efforts to welcome adults with developmental disabilities. We hope to make these adults aware of God in their lives and His love for them. This will enhance their dignity and value in our faith community. Our parishioners, who serve as catechists, become a small community of faith and grow in an awareness of the experience of God in their own lives.
Intercessory Saint: St. Angela of Merci, St. Margaret of Castello
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FAITH SHARING GROUPS
SLAMMERS (St. Luke Men’s Morning Sharing)
The aim of SLAMMERS is the magnification of faith and fellowship by collective study and application of scripture, in order to bring others closer to Christ through the example of our lives.
Intercessory Saint: St. Paul, the Apostle
Ministry Leader: Scott Tod, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
That Man Is You (TMIY)
Under the guidance of St. John Bosco, the men of That Man is You strive to discover the superabundance of God’s power and mercy in our lives, and to live in ever closer harmony with His will as fathers, husbands and brothers.
Intercessory Saint: St. John Bosco
Ministry Leader: Phil Poirier, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Small Faith-Sharing Groups
Groups are continually being formed for those in similar demographics and/or with similar topical interests. If you are interested in small group participation, please contact Evelyn Burton, Director of Religious Education.
Ministry Leader: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FAITH FORMATION RESOURCES
Formed.org Parish Subscription
Formed.org has tremendous content from well-known Catholic speakers and evanglists. First-time users should visit formed.org and choose the Find Your Parish Subscription option. In the provided search box, enter the zip code 46260 and then find St. Luke in the drop down box. Follow the prompts to set up your own password; the password 298816 can be used for St. Luke parishioners if needed.
Contact: Evelyn Burton, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information on Faith Formation ministries, please contact the ministry leader or Evelyn Burton, eburtonThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 317-259-4373 x256.
