Now that summer is winding down, it’s time for me to catch up on a few things and blogging is definitely on the list.  Each spring we invite DREs using Family Formation to help us make improvements by filling out an evaluation.  We truly value all the suggestions as they’ve helped us move Family Formation beyond the specific needs of our parish and on to a bigger audience.  We’re humbled to hear about Family Formation’s contribution to the faith lives of people we’ll likely never meet, we’re excited to read your creative ideas for improvement, and we’re encouraged to learn how the Holy Spirit is using Family Formation to transform parishes and families in all sorts of ways!

In particular, I want to spend a few posts focusing on the answers to this question:

What impact, if any, has Family Formation had on the families in your parish and/or your parish community as a whole?

Many of our parents in the program have commented that they are learning some of this information for the first time – I think many of them become more interested in the lessons than their children at some points!

This program has brought numerous blessings for our families, as some of them are praying together or actively practicing their faith together as a family for the first time.

We have seen families return to the Church and to greater participation in parish life after taking part in the sacramental preparation program (which is mandatory), and also continuing voluntarily with further formation in the ongoing program.

The really great part is that we get comments like these from people who sit next to us on Sunday as well as from parishes all over the country.  An exciting benefit of entrusting parents with the religious education of their own children is seeing how motivated they are to pass on the fullness of the Faith which they themselves often did not receive until much later in life.  In a tiny echo of the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit takes our trust and willingness and turns them into something beautiful!

Many thanks to all the DREs who took the time to complete this survey!