Yes, you read correctly. We boldly proclaim that each and every human being is forever a work in progress, moving onto more appropriate spheres of maturity with each experience in our lives. This idea can be both freeing and debilitating, depending on your point of view. On the one hand, it’s hard to say that I can’t get there from here. Our egos revile at the thought.
But it’s also empowering to say that there is always opportunity for change in your life, as long as you never stop growing.
That is the purpose of Adult Formation. Our Mission:
Using the parish as the curriculum, the goal of the Office of Adult Formation is to offer opportunities for Catholic Christians to grow into a community of critically self-reflecting, mature disciples of Christ who know and practice their faith deeply and to equip them for service to God and their neighbor.
All of our programming is designed to meet these goals in the areas of catechesis, spirituality, conversion, community building and personal development.
We also endeavor to meet believers where they are in their lives. That means creating greater access to programming by offering childcare and web-based learning opportunities. We record most of our classes and offer them online and in other mediums so that people can connect with God amidst the “busy-ness” of life.
So cast off your yokes, grab up your willingness to learn and come grow with us!
The word “formation” means “the process of taking shape.” The shape we are all attempting to take on is that of Jesus Christ Himself.
Adult Formation is about the process of growing into our faith while allowing room for Christ Himself to grow inside of us. When we stop growing spiritually, we run out of room for Christ. Formation is hard work that never really has an end.
It seems that way, anyway. In reality, we only do half of the work of formation. God does the rest. Still, our work is hard. Sure, God parted the Red Sea, but Moses had to get the Israelites through the dessert and to the Sea’s shore.
And let’s be honest. Moses had the harder job because Moses is Moses and God is God.
As an adult, spiritual formation is about doing some hard work so that God can do some amazing work. It’s about taking the initiative, moving through our desserts, and then standing back and expecting that miracle.
Because miracles always come to those who work, watch and wait.
That’s what Adult Formation is all about: working on ourselves, watching for chances to grow and waiting for God to make us into something miraculous.
We’re here for you! If you have a suggestion for a program, a comment about something you’ve attended or if you simply want to talk about the Adult Formation process, our door, email box and phone line are always open to you.
Simply contact the Director of Adult Formation, Kristina Rake, in one of the following ways.
By Mail:
St. Peter Church
1891 Kaneville Road
Geneva, IL 60134
By Phone:
(630) 232-0124 ext. 110
(If I’m not available, leave a message for me.
I check my messages several times a day
even if I’m not in the office and
typically return calls the same day if I’m able)
In Person:
Call for an appointment to meet with the Director at the Parish Center.
Don’t we sound like fun?
Well, we are! If you would like to join the Adult Formation Team, we’d love to have you. Training for all volunteers is provided. We will only send you where you’re comfortable serving. If you would like to volunteer, first please say this discernment prayer and then quietly listen for God to speak to you. It may just feel like an excitement about a particular event, or a sense of peace about a decision. He often speaks to us in a still, quiet voice.
Dearest Lord, please show me how I may best serve your will, not only by serving others, but also by being fully myself in everything I do. Teach me who I am so that I might be that person for others. Amen.
Adult Formation is always looking for people to help during retreats, classes, fellowship events, speaker events, with the library, with childcare, with technology and a myriad of other areas.
Look through our pages and see if anything strikes you. If you’d like to be involved and are unsure of where you fit in, call the Director (630) 232-0124 ext. 110 to schedule a discernment interview. We’ll talk about your interests and abilities and try to find a good match for you.
All you need is a love of God, a sense of humor and a willingness to try new things. We’ll help with the rest.