This blog is an article for the Together Paper of Wagga Wagga Diocese March Edition.
On the morning of another hot summer’s day, a small group of faithful people from across our parishes gathered at St Michael’s Parish Centre, bringing with them their own stories, hopes, gifts and a touch of courage.
There was openness, joy and thankfulness present in the day. Although at times there were some challenging realisations that surfaced, there were also moments of silence, laughter, and a noticing of something deeper unfolding. By the end of the day, “I’m really glad I came!” was both heard and deeply felt.
And that alone felt significant.
Virtue Ministry’s Grace & Virtue Formation program has officially begun!
This 9-month journey has been designed around the passage, “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature” Luke 2:52 – and if Jesus grew, then so must we. In the church we often speak about spiritual growth, but human growth is the soil that allows the spiritual life to truly flourish. Tilling that soil means growing in self-awareness, virtue, relationship, stewardship and leadership.
When adults are formed well, parishes can become places of mission rather than maintenance.
Day 1 provided the opportunity for us all to meet and lay the foundations as we journey together over the coming months. We looked at how this program came about, the grateful support of the Nature & Grace Committee who are supporting Virtue Ministry to make this available in the Wagga Diocese, and we began to examine identity, mission and gifts.
There was a moment in the morning where the Holy Spirit was palpably present. The conversations deepened and the questions became more honest – the Spirit was moving.
It’s always a privilege to watch connections being made in people, and to recognise their God-given gifts. For some this was startling, and for others affirming – and all of it, including the in-between, is part of the journey.
This program isn’t a self-development program for the sake of self, nor is it about becoming experts. It’s about forming faithful people who are well grounded, who understand their design, who grow in mastery over themselves and their gifts, and who are able to make a generous gift of themselves – authentic disciples at the service of the Church.
There are three groups of people that must be thanked for making this inaugural program a reality. The first is the Nature & Grace Committee who have come together to support this initiative and diligently create the structures necessary to make it viable in our diocese. Their commitment to adult formation and parish renewal reflects a deep belief that the future of our Church requires not mere good intentions, but intentional formation.
The second is our parish priests and parishes who were willing to support, and even sponsor, participants to join the program. This alleviated part of the financial burden for several participants who have shared their immense gratitude for this opportunity, with me.
Finally, our participants themselves. In a world – including in our very own churches – where we increasingly have a culture of “I don’t have time” or “It’s too intimidating to step outside my comfort zone,” this small group of souls were brave enough to say Yes to God, Yes to their parishes, and Yes to their growth in faith. Please keep them in your prayers, and support and encourage them if they belong to your parish. Formation is not a private endeavour; it requires relationship and it requires community.
If you would like to be involved – whether through prayer, sponsorship, or being a program participant in the future – please make contact with us at Contact@virtueministry.org.au
As we begin this 9-month journey, we do so with gratitude, and with trust that the Holy Spirit who was present on Day 1 will continue to guide, steer, and shape our growth. This beginning has been small – but as several unrelated people said to me in the same week, “Jesus began small.” And so will we.
Written by Stina Constantine
Founder and director of Virtue Ministry and keynote speaker