Parish Faith Formation

On Mission

In this episode of On Mission, Chris Pierno, Kate Fowler, and Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C., are joined by Leonard Wathen, Director of Religious Education at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, Maryland, to discuss faith formation within the parish and how to overcome various challenges.

Faith Formation primarily focuses on deepening initial conversion to faith. It incorporates the catechetical, liturgical, and pastoral ministries. Because it is a form of evangelization, Faith Formation is a lifelong process. Six tasks through which catechesis seeks to achieve its endeavours include: knowledge of the faith, liturgical education, moral formation, formation in prayer and methods of prayer, education for community life and missionary initiation. Parents are the primary educators of their children and parents must be involved and model the Faith for their children to follow.

Leonard Wathen is the Director of Religious Education at St. Aloysius Church. He holds a master's degree in theology from Christendom College and an Advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma from the Holy See. He is the author of three books - Who Do You Say That I Am?: Scriptural Reflections on Becoming a Disciple of Jesus, Follow Me: Scriptural Reflections on Living as a Disciple of Jesus, and Remain in Me: Scriptural Reflections on Growing as a Disciple of Jesus. Leonard is a Secular Carmelite in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secular Community in Port Tobacco, Maryland.

Leonard and his wife, Nicole are natives of St. Mary's County and live in Callaway with their four children.

Resources:

Living as Missionary Disciples Resources

Catechesis Resources

New Evangelization Resources

Lay Ministry and Apostolate Resources

Related On Mission Episodes:

Church Management

Parish Pastoral Councils

Parish Evangelization

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
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• Apple Podcasts
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On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.

Follow us:

• The Catholic Apostolate Center
• The Center's podcast website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

On Mission is produced by the Catholic Apostolate Center. Follow the Center on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to remain up-to-date on the latest Center resources and podcasts. Listen to Fr. Frank’s weekly reflections and recent blogcasts.