Various adult faith formation classes scheduled

Friday, Sep. 25, 2015

MIDVALE — The  adult religious education program at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish is expanding   its fall classes to other parishes. The classes meet on various nights and cover different subjects.

“This is much more than just religious education; it is a chance to encounter Jesus Christ more intimately as a community in class, in Mass, in devotions, and even at events like fish-frys and bingo,” said Lisa Bachiller, one of the facilitators and St. Therese’s director of Adult Religious  Education.

In addition to extending the education to other parishes, this education will be available for Spanish-speaking groups. ‘The Genesis to Jesus’ will be facilitated in Spanish by Lilia Thompson, a St. Therese parishioner.

“I feel that there are a lot of Spanish-speaking people who sometimes struggle with English, and also sometimes people feel more comfortable when they get the information in Spanish,” said Thompson.

Last year, Thompson took the first adult faith formation class under Bachiller, and that gave her the motivation to approach her about a Spanish program, she said.

“I thought that I knew enough about my religion, but after taking the classes I realize there is  way much more. … After I took the education I saw the broader picture,” said Thompson.

Previously, the religious education programs were known as CARE (Catholic Adult Religious Education) but  the acronym was changed to CAFF (Catholic Faith Formation).

“There’s CAFF available at a number of local parishes,” said Bachiller.

The parishes that will be benefiting from the CAFF offered by Bachiller this fall are St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus; the CAFF will also be offered in the Wasatch Prison chapel classroom.

“Most of the time we don’t have as much access to religious/faith education as we should,” said Thompson. “To grow our faith is very important.  We have to understand what God is telling us, and this is what we are trying to do with these classes.”

Registration for the diverse courses is open; to participate, attend one of the classes. 

“From my own experience I have learned how important it is to keep preparing ourselves; there is so much more to learn about our faith and about Christ within the our Church,” said Thompson.

The schedule for the CAFF follows. For information, contact Lisa Bachiller, 801-420-8762 or bachiller1@aol.com.

• Bible 101:”(one-hour class given three times) at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 300 East 11800 South, Draper. Sunday, Sept. 27, 7-9 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m.; or Monday,Oct. 5, 7-8 p.m. For catechists and parents of children in religious education; Facilitator: Lisa Bachiller.

• Genesis a Jesus: in Spanish, St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish’s religious education center, 7832 S. Allen St., Midvale; Mondays, Oct. 12 – Dec. 14, 7-8:30 p.m. Facilitators: Lilia Thompson and Lisa Bachiller.

•Walking Towards Eternity: Daring to Walk the Walk: at St. Therese  of the Child Jesus Parish’s  religious education center, 7832 S. Allen St., Midvale; Tuesdays, Oct. 6 – Dec. 1, 6:30-8 p.m. Facilitator: Lisa  Bachiller.

• Sunday Mass Readings Preparation: at the St. Thomas More Parish Center’s Parish Center Room 1, 3015 E. Creek Road, Sandy. Wednesdays, Oct. 7 - Dec. 9, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Facilitator: Lisa Bachiller.

• Apologetics -  How to Answer When Our Neighbors Knock: at St. Thomas More Parish Center, Room 17, 3015 E. Creek Road, Sandy. Thursdays, Oct. 15 – Dec. 10, 7-8:30 p.m.  (No class Nov. 26.) Facilitator: Lisa Bachiller.

• Symbolon RCIA/Basic CAFF: in the Wasatch Prison chapel classroom; Fridays, 9-11 a.m. Facilitators: various prison ministry volunteers.