The Adult Faith Formation Ministry of St Joseph on the Rio Grande Parish seeks to provide opportunities for adults to strengthen their relationship with God, to deepen their discipleship, and to build a strong community of believers. We will do this by encouraging life-long learning through study, conversation, prayer and service.

Our Ministry

The basic principle of Adult Faith Formation Ministry is the reality that from our baptism, until we return to the Father, we are in a process of life-long learning and formation in faith.

Our learning includes knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church, and familiarity with the scriptures that form a source of those teachings. In addition to knowing doctrine, Catholics are privileged to have the sacred mysteries of the sacramental life of the Church as sources for deepening their relationship with God, through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The liturgy, and the sacramental life of the Church are fundamental experiences that allow this to happen. Understanding, appreciating, and praying the sacramental life of the Church enriches our faith experience.

Activities

The Adult Faith Formation Ministry has assisted the Youth Faith Formation program by providing group experiences for parents of children receiving First Communion and making their first Sacrament of Reconciliation. The ministry has also offered Scripture Study groups twice a year, with special emphasis on the Gospels and other New Testament books. Core books from the Old Testament have also been offered. The ministry has sponsored talks on silent prayer and meditation, and has encouraged the practice of Lectio Divina. A small prayer group meets weekly to practice Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina.

Summer Offerings

During the summer, the ministry will experiment with four small group experiences for persons interested in beginning a faith sharing experience. The groups are:

1. Discussion of the Readings for the following Sunday: Monday, 7 pm, at La Terraza Apartments Community Room, 3704 Ladera Drive NW.
2. A book club discussion group to discuss both fiction and non-fiction from a Catholic perspective. Wednesday, 7 pm, at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande (SJRG).
3. Introduction to Spiritual Formation, beginning with an exploration of Jesus, who forms his disciples. Thursday, 7 pm, at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande (SJRG).
4. Small group faith sharing for those who have been away from the practice of their faith and are considering returning, in a program called Awakening Faith. Saturday, 3 pm, at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande (SJRG).

For information about these programs, questions about the Ministry, or to consider joining as a member of the ministry, call Jeanine Fried at 244.2136 and leave a message. You can also send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .