So much change has happened in our diocese in the past three years.
Along with a diocesan-wide strategic planning and restructuring, we in the Diocese of Madison have taken much time and effort to refocus our work in parishes and schools on the Great Commission: “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19)
We have seen Go Make Disciples permeate all areas of the parishes, including parish staff and school faculty.
For many years in the diocese, parish staff members and Catholic school faculty have taken time out of their busy schedules to focus on learning more about our Catholic Faith.
Since 2009, the Seat of Wisdom Diocesan Institute has offered a pathway to form parish staff and school faculty in Catholic identity and doctrinal content.
As a part of the efforts of Go Make Disciples, the formation of our Catholic school teachers has shifted to include a retreat day each year called “Metanoia”.
Metanoia retreats are meant to offer a day away for formation, personal reflection, and prayer: To engage both the head and the heart as an integral part of formation.
The term “Metanoia” is a Greek word that St. Paul uses in the New Testament, when he advises the young Christian Churches that he is apprenticing, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you might know the will of God.” (Romans 12:2).
Paul was addressing a young and fledgling Church that was confronted with living the message of Christ in a Godless world.
It seems appropriate in our current cultural context to look to Paul and the Apostles as witnesses of sharing the Gospel.
It is the intention of the Diocese of Madison to offer personal spiritual opportunities for our parish staff and school faculty, as well as theological and doctrinal content, through the Metanoia retreats.
This year, Catholic school faculty are spending time during Metanoia retreats to unpack the Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love.
Through grace and the Holy Spirit, God gives us the strength to live out our call as disciples by making acts of faith, hoping for the Lord’s Kingdom, and teaching us in the path of love.
Metanoia retreats include dynamic talks, small groups, testimonies, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, and Mass.
It is always the hope of the diocese to provide for our parish staff and our Catholic school faculty an opportunity to grow in faith so that they can then, in turn, share the Faith with our children and families.
Michelle Nilsson is the director of evangelization and catechesis and adult Confirmation for the Diocese of Madison.