By Erin McGeever
The 39th Annual Faith Formation Day, a day of formational renewal for all Catholics of the Diocese of St. Augustine, was held on Saturday, Oct. 14, at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Orange Park.
The day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier. His homily, centered on the theme of surrendering to God’s will, paved the way for his insightful keynote presentation, “God’s Response to Our Deepest Hunger.”
During his address, Bishop Pohlmeier shared the profound words of Pope Francis to the U.S. delegation for the Eucharistic Revival, highlighting the significance of the Eucharist in satisfying the profound hunger within the human heart:
“Indeed, the Eucharist is God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for an authentic life, for, in the Eucharist, Christ himself is truly in our midst, to nourish, console, and sustain us on the journey.” (June 19, 2023)
The bishop used this inspiring quote as a springboard for practical suggestions on how to redirect our search away from worldly distractions and towards finding solace in God. He emphasized that the Eucharist is the key to discovering our authentic selves and who we are truly meant to be.
Following the keynote address, participants had the opportunity to engage in a wide array of workshops, spanning both practical and formational subjects. These workshops encompassed topics such as infant baptism for clergy, certification sessions, family catechesis sessions and enriching spiritual offerings.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for the 40th Annual Faith Formation Day, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Bishop John J. Snyder High School in Jacksonville. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your faith and spiritual growth.
Erin McGeever is the director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of St. Augustine. She can be emailed at emcgeever@dosafl.com.