“And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall write them on your doorposts of your house and on your gates.”– Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (RSV)
Our focus at Epiphany is on forming families. We believe that by focusing on forming families as a whole unit and as individuals we are building a stronger domestic church and ultimately a stronger Church Community.
Unlike traditional school models of formation, the Family Formation program brings the entire family together to pray, break open the Word of God and share topics of our faith. Based on a four week schedule, families:
Week 1 & 3: Gather at the church for Family Catechesis. Parents/Adults and children meet in their own age appropriate groups. Based on a monthly theme, parents/adults are sent forth from family formation with the knowledge, courage and tools to continue the conversation at home.
Weeks 2 & 4, 5: Using the tools received at Family Formation, families gather together once a week at home (dedicated time) for 1 (+/-) hour of uninterrupted prayer, conversation and formation on the assigned topic for that specific week.
Across the nation, Faith Formation programs are breaking open this year's theme, “Stay With Us.” This simple request was uttered in the Gospel of Luke by two disciples who walked alongside the Risen Christ on the road to Emmaus. As the night came upon them, they did not want Jesus to leave, and in a moment of both fear and bravery, they asked Jesus, “Stay with us.”
This theme reminds us that we ask the same of Christ today: to stay with us, to guide & protect us, and to fill our lives with His presence & hope. This theme reminds us that we still need Him now — and He doesn’t disappoint! He reveals Himself to us in the Eucharist and through each member of our community of faith!
With that in mind, I humbly ask the same of you and your family today. Come, “stay with us,” at Epiphany. Stay with us as we begin this year’s journey in Faith Formation. Stay with us as we break open the Word and share our faith. Stay with us as we celebrate the sacraments and experience His grace. Stay with us as we enjoy the seasons, feast days, holidays, and everyday joys of our shared faith.
May our community presence invite Christ and others to stay with us, too.
Please contact Jessica Smith at 386-767-611 or at jsmith@catholicchurchofepiphany.com with any questions or for more information.