I am responding enthusiastically to Jim Devereaux’s letter titled “When will we learn importance of adult faith formation?” (CR, July 28). A “Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States,” as issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1999, was established in the Archdiocese of Baltimore by Cardinal William H. Keeler back in 2000, through a program called “Catholic Scripture Study,” a lay-run, September to May offering, which does not place a burden on parish staff.
The host parish is the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, which offers dynamic studies on Scripture for women on Tuesdays that include a children’s program for 2- to 6-year-olds, which nurtures the budding faith formation of little ones while their moms or grandmoms cover Scripture in a small group that is faithful to magisterial teaching. The group will study the Mass, the Eucharist, the Seven Deadly Sins/Lively Virtues and the Three Paths to Holiness, beginning Sept. 13. Thursday night groups will study Jeff Cavins’ “Great Adventure Bible Timeline,” which connects all the dots of Scripture, beginning Sept. 15. These studies are filled with nuggets of insight and stir the heart to a deeper faith and trust. Come and see for yourself. For more information, email barbmelanson@comcast.net.