Year of Faith
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year of Faith” beginning on October 11, 2012 and ending on the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 24, 2013. During this upcoming year, he is urging all Catholics time to re-examine and dive deeper into their faith and share that faith with others.
In this new resource from Life Teen we are providing six Life Nights and one Parent Life Night for use at your parish to break open our Catholic faith. These nights focus on Baptism, the relationship between science and reason, Catholic service, and evangelism.
This resource may be used to supplement our existing eight-year curriculum for high school students, which is modeled from the USCCB’s doctrinal framework for high school catechesis. We would highly recommend implementing these six nights early in the “Year of Faith,” in order to help both teenagers and parents truly respond to Pope Benedict’s call for a renewed commitment to our faith. After the Year of Faith, these Life Nights may be adapted to continually serve the needs of your parish and challenge teenagers to re-examine and commit to their faith in Christ.
How to Use This Resource
There are several different options for using this resource. Take some time to pray and discuss the needs of your teens and the resources you have available before choosing the option that will fit your group:
1. Large Group Life Nights. Utilize this resource during your fall or spring semester with a mix of Issue and Social Life Nights. The “Year of Faith” resource works great when combined with the “Person of Christ” semesters that Life Teen has published. Consider putting teens into the same small groups for the entire series. This can build a tighter community as teens discuss each topic. Have a plan for teenagers who come to the Life Nights at a later time into small groups.
2. Mid-week Meeting. This resource can provide an option for teenagers who want to dive deeper into their faith. Consider hosting a six- week series that takes place during the week in addition to your regularly scheduled Life Nights. This can also be a great way to involve teenagers who may not normally attend your regularly scheduled Life Nights.
3. Weekend Retreat. These sessions can be adapted and utilized within the context of a weekend retreat. If you utilize the “Year of Faith” resource as a weekend retreat, be sure to include times for Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration as well as some down time for teens to relax.
4. Core Training. Although the Life Nights have been written for teens, the teachings and small group discussions can be adapted for adults. Consider adapting the resource into a day- retreat for your adult Core Members to help them prepare for the “Year of Faith” as they begin the Life Teen year.
The “Year of Faith,” that Pope Benedict XVI has declared is going to be a time of tremendous blessing for the Church. We know that the Holy Spirit is going to do great things in the lives of your teens in this coming year, and hope that this resource will allow them to re-examine their faith in Christ and commit to Him in a deeper way. We are at a critical place in our world history; it is a place where faith is seen as antiquated and irrelevant – use this coming year to give a witness to your young people about the importance of faith.
We are praying for you as you implement this “Year of Faith” resource, and as you continue your ministry. May Christ bless you abundantly in this coming year!