Communicating Faith

6. Burning Hearts: Scripture and Adult Faith Formation

81 6 Burning Hearts Scripture and Adult Faith Formation Stephen J. McKinney The disciples said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 This chapter will examine how faith is communicated through adult education within the Catholic tradition and, specifically, using a case study, in a scripture study group held in St. Dominic’s parish in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Scotland. This chapter will begin with a brief overview of the approaches to adult faith formation within the Catholic Church in Scotland and, in particular, in the Archdiocese of Glasgow. The origins and history of St. Dominic’s scripture study group will be explored in some detail, and there will be a concise personal profile of each of the members of this group. The next four sections, which draw on interviews I conducted with members of the group, will discuss the following: the reasons the members joined the group; the processes or methodology used in the meetings; the progression from group to community; and the impact the group has had on the Chris- 82 Stephen J. McKinney tian lives of the members. The concluding section will highlight a number of key points concerning this scripture study group that have emerged throughout the chapter. Introduction In recent years the Catholic Church in Scotland has identified a pressing need to continue faith formation beyond Catholic school. This is within the spirit of the “General Directory for Catechesis” (paragraph 29), which calls for the expansion of adult catechesis.1 After a meeting of the Bishops’ Conference on May 9 and 10, 2006, Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow and Fr. Paul Conroy, the general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, were asked to establish the Scottish Catholic Forum for Continuing Faith Formation on behalf of the bishops of Scotland. The aim of this national forum was to improve coordination and communication and act as a locus for the sharing of information and for future planning. The forum initially met on September 28, 2006. Representatives from all of the dioceses of Scotland and representatives from a number of major bodies concerned with Catholic education (Scottish Catholic Education Service, University of Glasgow) were invited. The purpose of the forum was ultimately to map out the opportunities available for adult faith formation, identify gaps in the provision , and discuss future possibilities. A small group was asked to undertake a mapping exercise that revealed that a wide variety of local initiatives have been developed within each of the eight Scottish dioceses, and that there are a number of ways of categorizing the adult faith formation that is available . One approach is to examine the range of providers: seminary, diocesan centers, universities, colleges, and parishes. Another is to list the range of methodologies used: lectures, seminars, study groups, peer study, and distance learning. This leads to distinctions that can be made between formal (award-bearing courses leading to some certification or qualification) and more informal types of learning. Further distinctions can be drawn between short-term learning and longer-term learning. This chapter looks at the ways in which faith can be communicated through long-term informal learning and engagement. 1. Congregation for the Clergy, “General Directory for Catechesis,” in An Anthology of Catholic Teaching on Education, ed. Leonard Franchi, 313 (London: Scepter, 2007). Scripture and Adult Faith Formation 83 Adult Education in the Archdiocese of Glasgow The Archdiocese of Glasgow is the largest diocese in Scotland in terms of estimated Catholic population (208,329 out of an estimated Catholic population in Scotland of 661,849). There are 99 parishes, and the weekly Mass attendance is approximately 52,347.2 The archdiocese has developed a wide variety of opportunities for adult faith formation. These range from centrally organized major day events such as the archdiocesan congresses on the Eucharist (October 2005), on scripture (October 2006), and the permanent diaconate (2007) and short evening courses to longer-term certificated courses such as the LIMEX courses (with the Loyola Institute for Ministry, New Orleans) and the new catechist course (in conjunction with the University of Glasgow).3 The Archdiocese of Glasgow offers the LIMEX Certificate in Religious Education or Pastoral Studies and the Masters in Religious Education or Pastoral Studies.4 Some of the opportunities are theological and aimed at intellectual development , while others are more directed toward spiritual development. Scotus...