You may have noticed a parish near you announcing the start of family faith formation and wondered what it was about. About half of the catechetical programs in the diocese describe themselves as “family faith formation” and share common elements. 

 

The first is the recognition of God’s design for the family and the role of the parents. The Church has long held that parents are the primary catechists of their children. Though their words, actions, and lives, parents are the first to announce the faith and have the greatest influence in the lives of their children. 

 

A study tracking the transmission of faith showed that the main factor in youth continuing to practice their faith into adulthood was whether or not the faith was practiced at home. The most important thing is not the parish religious education program, youth group or pastor’s homilies. It is Mom and Dad — especially Dad. 

 

The study concluded, “It is the religious practice of the father of the family, that above all, determines the future attendance at or absence from church of the children.” (“National Study of Youth and Religion”). 

 

Quality religious education, youth activities, or dynamic homilies are necessary elements of a healthy community, but they can only build on the foundation that needs to be laid and constantly shored up at home. 

 

The second common factor flows from the first. It is the formation of and partnership with parents. Many parents, feeling ill-equipped to catechize their children, delegate their responsibility to the parish and become passive bystanders. If the faith is not practiced in the home, it is not likely to have a lasting effect. 

 

Parishes have realized that the formation of parents is just as significant, if not more, than that of the children. The General Directory for Catechesis says we “must give very special attention to parents. By means of personal contact, meetings, courses and also adult catechesis directed toward parents, the Christian community must help them assume their responsibility of educating their children in 

the faith.” (GDC 227). 

 

This way, the parish and parents can work together, each offering their strengths, in the formation of the child. 

 

When my parish embarked on family faith formation, I thought parents would revolt. I imagined angry calls: “What do you mean I have to attend classes?” To my surprise, the vast majority of parents enjoyed the chance to learn and discuss matters of faith with other parents. 

 

Parents want what is best for their children. They know the faith is important but may not know how to articulate it or put it into practice. Parishes can help them realize these goods. 

 

A third and obvious focus is that it is centered around the family and their daily expression of the faith. The family is the “domestic Church” (Lumen Gentium 11). Yet we are immersed in an ultra-busy culture where families are caught up in work, school, sports and extracurriculars. 

 

The family can lose sight of its highest mission — salvation — and become enslaved to a sea of menial obligations. Family formation provides families with time to be together and discuss that which is of greatest importance. It breaks the awkward tension of praying as a family or talking about difficult issues. 

 

This simple change of focus from the student to the family bridges the gap from what is learned to what is practiced in the home. Ultimately, the goal of family formation is to build a strong faith-filled family that accompanies its members on their walk with Christ long after the parish program has ended.