July 10, SPI Newsletter: The Pastoral Institute has recently completed a study on adult faith formation (AFF) in the parishes of our Archdiocese. The AFF study was commissioned by the Senate of Priests in 2009.By ‘adult faith formation’ we refer to the explicit and implicit intentional ongoing catechesis of adults of the Roman Catholic community. The study sought to assess the state of faith formation by observing the intended outcome of catechesis transformation of people’s religious perception and behaviour.
Six areas of Christian life are affected by the work of faith formation : knowledge of faith, liturgical worship, community life, morality, service, and the Christian mission. A survey accompanies the findings of this study. It was conducted in three parts:
Part A surveyed 22 priests and 1 religious brother across 15 parishes on what constitutes faith formation, as well as strengths and weaknesses in the formation the parish provides. Part B1 surveyed 655 parishioners in five selected churches who are involved in a parish ministry or organization. Part B2 surveyed 4260 parishioners who were part of the Sunday liturgical assembly in four selected churches.
Several points were identified in the study, which will have impact in future policy making concerning adult catechesis. Here is a sampling of observations and analyses:
1. The RCIA is, for the priests, the most prominent adult faith formation event in the parishes. While it is good that the RCIA is becoming the norm for catechizing unbaptized adults, subsequent questions need to be explored; e.g. to what extent is the catechesis in Christian initiation ministry suitable for the ongoing formation of fully initiated Catholics?
2. Another popular program that priests consider as faith formation is the Alpha Course. This evangelization program is effective, flexible in application, and enjoys wide use in the parishes. However, the question of how the Alpha Course fits into the wider plan of faith formation remains open. Since the Alpha Course is authored by non-Catholics, further investigation is required to determine how the Alpha Course contributes to the overall goals of Catholic evangelization.
3. Most people polled agreed that the strongest areas of formation were knowledge of faith, and the liturgy. Weakest areas were identified as moral formation and mission. A sound faith formation plan will address the biases in the formation that parishes provide, or neglect to provide.
4. For every 4 Catholics surveyed, 1 belonged to a parish group or organization. Catholics in parish groups and organizations feel a strong sense of belonging to their respective communities and the works that they perform. This is indicative of good faith formation so far.
5. Catholics in general are ready to express what is good about their parish, but much less willing to identify its weaknesses. This indicates a lack of desire or ability in the average churchgoer to critique the Church on our own practices. Good faith formation would encourage a mature faith community that is able to name both the good and bad in current religious attitudes and behaviours.
6. Among priests and laity in Singapore, there is a strong tendency to think of faith formation in terms of programs. There is much emphasis on the transmission of good religious knowledge but insufficient attention to what is implicitly conveyed through the being of the Church.
The Senate of Priests has planned a study day for priests to be convened in August, so that pastors can assimilate and ponder the findings of this study.
July 10, SPI Newsletter
