February 2018
Dear Parishioners,
As we look forward to the approaching Lent as a time to grow in God’s grace, I would like to return to something that I presented two years ago: the wonderful opportunity that we have to deepen our faith through the on-line program FORMED. On behalf of all of our parishioners St. Joseph Parish had registered with FORMED. FORMED makes available programs of liturgical, theological, and spiritual formation, faith-oriented films for the entire family, e-books, and audios. Parishioners need only register with FORMED on-line to have complete and free access to all of these resources. And Lent is certainly a good time to consider the spiritual programs that are offered on this site.
Programs for Lent include Opening the Word, reflections on the Sunday readings, with a special series devoted to the Sunday Scriptures for Lent and the Easter Season, February 18-May 20, 2018. Another series is devoted to Divine Mercy. There is A Lent to Remember: An Encounter with Mercy; and particularly appropriate for Lent, Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession. Daily Lenten reflections are available, delivered by e-mail. These and so many more can be found by browsing the FORMED website.
And there are the standards: Bishop Robert Barron’s Catholicism series; Symbolon, an easy-to-use explanation of the fundamental beliefs of our faith; Beloved, a two-part marriage enrichment series; Reborn, a look into the grace of Baptism – excellent for new parents and godparents. There are series for teens: True Beauty: Womanhood and True Strength: Manhood. Included are downloadable study guides in PDF format. I would especially recommend Who Am I to Judge?, an eight session series by well-known theologian Edward Sri of the Augustine Institute that addresses the issue of moral relativism in our culture. These and others are all available to our parishioners at no charge. The variety is sure to engage Catholics of every stage of faith and spiritual life.
There are worthwhile films for the entire family, dramas and documentaries and lives of the saints, many available for purchase as DVD’s, but can also be viewed on-line with no charge for individuals and families registered with FORMED.
There are audios for the liturgical seasons; conversion stories; marriage and family; adult faith formation; young adult, teen, and children offerings. You can listen to them at your leisure throughout the day. All you need is internet accessibility on your smart phone, computer, laptop, or tablet.
Individual users must register to take advantage of these offerings. To do so:
1. Go to www.formed.org – the opening page comes up
2. Where asked for the Parish Code, type in XRVT66 (uppercase letters.) That is and will be our own parish sign-in code.
3. You will then be asked to create a personal profile with general information (name, address, etc.) Note: no personal data, addresses or phone numbers, with be sold or shared with other vendors. Privacy will be respected.
4. You will be asked to create an e-mail account. The e-mail address you give will be your membership login in the future. (You do not need to use an existing e-mail address; you can create one just for FORMED if you prefer.)You will be asked to create a password for your account.
5. When you submit your completed profile, you should be good to go. Once registered, in the future all you need to do is log on to www.formed.org, enter your e-mail address and your password (#4 above.) Then feel free to browse and explore.
We have shared this with our school faculty and our catechists. I encourage parishioners and families to investigate the possibilities. It is like having an entire theological and spiritual library available in your own home. Flyers with the parish code are posted on the church bulletin boards, along with take-home cards with information for registering. The code and the instructions will also be listed in the Sunday bulletin and on the parish website.
I believe FORMED is a rich benefit for the entire parish. What better time than Lent!
Msgr. Swiader