Background
The Holy Cross Friary, Sligo, embarked on a series of faith formation programmes for adults and young people in 2018, which ran weekly in the Friary Hall in Sligo.
Programmes:
Children and young people
Each week, a DVD presentation was given, followed by the participants being divided into age appropriate groups, 10 to 13 years and 14 to 16 years, this allowed for a brief discussion on the subject matter, using programme workbooks. We used the “Altaration,” “Encounter” and “Chosen” programmes, produced by the Ascension Press. At the time, there was 42 young people, male and female, registered in the programme.
Each programme runs for approximately six weeks followed by a break.
Adults
At the same time, an adult faith formation programme was available to help foster a deeper understanding of the Bible. The programmes used were, a) “Great Adventure Bible Timeline” and b) the follow up “Matthew, the King and His Kingdom,” both produced by Ascension Press.
Each programme ran for approximately 24 weeks and consisted of weekly DVD presentations and group discussions, as well as individual assignments. In the first year of running the programme (2018/2019), 80 participants commenced in the “Great Adventure Bible Timeline,” and 60 completed the programme receiving a certificate of participation. The following year,40 participants commenced with the follow up programme “Matthew, the King and His Kingdom,” and 36 new participants began the “Great Adventure Bible Timeline.”.
Location and Times
The Adult Faith Formation Programmes took place on a Monday and Thursday, from 8pm to 9:30pm and from 7pm to 9pm, respectively, in Holy Cross Friary Hall, Sligo. The Youth
Facilitators
Parents and Dominicans friars jointly deliver the children and young person’s programme. In order to deliver the programme, all personnel involved have to be Garda vetted and have to complete the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland one day safeguarding training programme.
Current Situation
Due to the current pandemic it has not been possible to run the above programmes but is hoped to recommence the various faith formation programmes when it is safe to do so and government restrictions allow for such activities.
Contact Person
Fr Matthew Martinez, O.P. Holy Cross Priory, Sligo