This blog is an article for the Together Paper of Wagga Wagga Diocese July Edition.
No two people’s growth looks the same. For one participant it might be newfound confidence to share their ideas with the group. For another it might be greater self-awareness, recognising a pattern they have spent years trying to understand. For someone else, growth may simply be having the courage to believe that God could use their gifts in ways they had never previously imagined. That is one of the joys of formation—it is deeply personal, yet it always bears fruit beyond the individual.
Those quiet signs of growth are beginning to be seen and felt as we recently gathered for the second in-person day marking the half-way mark of the Grace & Virtue Formation Program. It was an opportunity to come back together as a community, encourage one another, and begin translating months of formation into practical service through each participant’s parish project.
The halfway point of the program felt like the right time to step back and consolidate the learning whilst prayerfully drawing together all that has been taking place over the past few months. Participants reflected not only on their own growth, but also on the gifts God has entrusted to them and how those gifts might best be placed at the service of the Church. Conversations with their parish priests have helped shape these projects so they are not simply new initiatives, but genuine responses to the needs, vision and mission present within their own parish communities.
One of the great joys of the day was watching participants encourage one another so naturally. Ideas that initially felt overwhelming quickly became clearer as the group shared experiences, offered practical suggestions and celebrated one another’s gifts. There is something deeply moving about watching a person begin to recognise the gifts God has placed within them, but perhaps even more beautiful is watching others recognise those gifts too. That kind of encouragement builds confidence in a way that no worksheet or presentation ever could.
This program has never been simply about character development or becoming a “better version of yourself.” It is about forming healthy, mature adults who understand their God-given identity, continue growing in virtue, recognise the gifts they have received, and become ready to place those gifts generously at the service of the Church. Human formation is never an end in itself. It always finds its fulfilment in service of the Church and her mission.
Over the coming months, you may begin to see some of these parish projects taking shape throughout our Diocese. If you do, I encourage you to support these participants, pray for them and encourage them. It takes courage to place your gifts at the service of others, and the encouragement of a parish community can make all the difference.
One way we will celebrate the commitment and generosity of this inaugural group will be at our Celebration Evening on 10 October in Wagga Wagga. The evening will not only mark Virtue Ministry’s tenth anniversary but also celebrate the participants completing the inaugural year of the Grace & Virtue Formation Program. After months of hidden work, prayer, growth and faithful perseverance, it feels fitting to pause together, give thanks to God, and celebrate all that He has begun. Ticket details will be released soon.
Written by Stina Constantine
Founder & Speaker at Virtue Ministry