FORMATION
FORMATION 2002
INTRODUCTION TO FORMATION 2002
Reflecting on the Liturgical Year
The Formation Programme has been prepared somewhat later this year. The reason for this is that we were awaiting the results of the evaluation of the Programmes of the past and, indeed, were wondering whether the Knights wished to have such a programme for their use in 2002. It has now become fairly clear that there is a significant demand for a Formation Programme, although a number of branches do not like or use it and many branches had difficulty with the 2001 Programme. That Programme, dealing with the call and implications of the document of the Second Vatican Council on the Apostolate of the Laity, while requested by yourselves, was a little more detailed than previous programmes and this factor was made more evident by the apparent difficulty the evaluation has revealed in getting members to prepare for formation prior to the meetings.
There was a significant demand for the next Programme to cover Scripture, Liturgy and/or Contemporary Issues. In this light, and given some time constraints, the decision has been made to present a Programme "Reflecting on the Liturgical Year". The Programme is offered in six sessions: Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Ordinary Time 1 & 2, Advent-Christmas. There has also been discussion of a Programme on Men’s Spirituality, which was presented at the South Australian Conference in 2001. An opportunity may be followed up to offer one or two sessions of that programme as a supplement to what is presented here.
I hope that the reflections on the Liturgical Year may be of assistance to those who will use them. If we are to be a group who influence others as well as look after our own concerns, we need to have a sound understanding of the Liturgy, be aware how it can shape our lives, strengthen our identity as Catholic men and bring relevance and meaning to the world of today. This in turn will give us the opportunity to draw others back to the practice of their faith, which is surely a challenging task for the Knights of today.
May God bless our efforts to work for the coming of the Kingdom.
Bishop
Ronald A. Mulkearns
National Chaplain
PO Box 411
Aireys Inlet Vic 3231
Reflecting on the Liturgical Year
FORMATION PROGRAMME FOR 2002
SESSION THEMES
1. “The Lenten Discipline”
2. “The Message of Easter”
3. “Time of the Spirit”
4. “The Message of Ordinary Time 1”
5. “The Message of Ordinary Time 2”
6. “The Advent-Christmas Message”
Points for Successful Formation
Programmes
Planning is the keynote. Choose a
discussion leader if practicable for the year so that he can plan the year’s
programme.
To increase members’ participation,
choose different assistants for each meeting.
Discussion leader and assistants are to
meet for, say, ten minutes prior to the meeting to make certain that preparations are
complete.
Members are to bring copies of the
Formation Programme to each meeting, but have copies for those who do not bring their own
copies.
Abide strictly to the allotted time; not
less than twenty nor more than thirty minutes.
FORMAT OF SESSIONS
1. Opening Prayer
This is introduced by the leader and prayed
by all present.
2. Scripture Reading
Read by the discussion leader or member
nominated by him.
3. The Message
Read by the discussion leader or the member
nominated by him.
4. The Exercise
Five minutes of reflection by all members.
5. The Sharing
Members share aspects of their personal
faith and its place in their lives that have come to them through the Exercise.
6. The Word
The basis of meditation and reflection for
the ensuing month given by the discussion leader.
7. Closing Prayer
Prayed by all members.
Acknowledgements
The Scripture quotations used in the programme are from the New Revised
Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of
Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
Additional material is taken from “The Coming of the Third Millennium”
a letter to all Australians from the Catholic Bishops of Australia.
