Diocesan discipleship formation program inaugurated in September

by JoAnn Borchert

Adult Faith Formation Consultant

The first session of FOUNDATIONS, a discipleship formation program of the Diocese of New Ulm, was held at St. Mary’s Parish in Willmar on Saturday, September 18, with 90 people attending.

FOUNDATIONS is a collaborative effort of the Diocese of New Ulm and St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN, and funded through a special grant by the USCCB Committee on Home Missions and the Bishop Lucker Lecture Fund. This program is to form lay people for their vocation as disciples to continue the mission of Jesus in family, workplace, church and society. Participants learn to live more reflectively, to see their lives as a vocation, and to be equipped to make wise, faith-based decisions. Participants will meet for seven sessions each year over a two year period.

Year one will focus on Sacred Scripture. In this survey of the Old and New Testaments, participants will gain insight into the development of the Bible, its role as a theological document, and a more profound understanding of its message. Year two will focus on an introduction to the Christian tradition.

The opening session was a day of community building, beginning with the celebration of Mass with Bishop John C. Nienstedt. Mark Kemmeter, diocesan Coordinator of Staff, led a scripture-based reflection which focused on “A God Who Loves Us,” “Called by God,” and “Called to be a Disciple.” The day concluded with mid-day prayer. Participants gathered around the Baptismal Font as their names were called as a reminder of the vocational call in Baptism.