Parables and Signs: A Retreat for Adults

This article is part of a "column" I write for our parish bulletin each week called Faith Formation Begins at Home.  This week it is an invitation to a retreat I am putting together based particularly on two chapters in Sofia Cavalletti's book, The History of the Kingdom of God, Part I: From Creation to Parousia.

Parables and Signs: A Retreat for Adults Probably if your children are older than high school or if you don't have children, you don't think too much about religious education methods and modules. Or if you do have young children, one religious education program vs. another might not make that much of a difference to you so long as your child is being formed in the faith. I doubt I would have had much of an opinion either, once my children were grown, had it not been for the discovery of Sofia Cavalletti and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Aside from Dr. Cavalletti's ground-breaking discoveries relating to the religious potential of the child, she was also unmatched in her ability to distill her vast knowledge of Scripture, Sacred History, Liturgy, and the Gospel into its most essential and life-changing points. This week's article is a heart-felt invitation to you as adults to "come and see" what thousands of adults from around the world are discovering for themselves in the world of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: a transforming gift. Monday, December 16th, from 6:30-9:30pm, step into a world where the greatest Mysteries of our Faith are presented as simply as Our Lord intended.   When Our Lord taught, He used one language.  Whether by parable, or miracle, or Sacrament, Jesus Christ uses the language of sign to simultaneously communicate and hide a Mystery.  This language cannot be translated.  It must be experienced.  It holds within its simplicity an invitation to an interaction, to a reflection, to a response.    Come and hear. Come and see.  But mostly, come and reflect and respond to the mysteries Our Lord has made accessible to us in the simple form of seed, leaven, pearl, miracle, and sign.  There are just shy of a dozen spots remaining for Parables and Signs.  Please RSVP to mandie@dmallsaints.org by December 9th to reserve your spot.  We will begin at 6:30 with an appetizer potluck and a bit of fellowship, so please bring something to share!

God's blessing on you and your family this week and always, Mandie DeVries, CGS Catechist and Director of Religious Education