About Us
Catholic Adult Fellowship’s Descriptive Statement
Catholic Adult Fellowship (CAF) is a community of Catholics who desire to grow in love, knowledge and service of Christ and His Church, with other adults.
Members are married and single adults, lay and religious, 21 to 101 years of age. We realize our desire and need for Catholic community at every stage of a person’s life.
CAF is a grass-roots fellowship made up of multiple chapters, led by lay Catholics, advised by religious, approved by a local parish, and guided by the Magesterium and Catechism of the Catholic Church.
As part of the “New Evangelization” of the Church proclaimed by Pope John Paul II, and being a Eucharistic people, CAF has as its goal: authentic Catholic adult faith renewal. CAF reaches out and is open to all Catholics — no matter where they are in their faith journey.
As a fellowship, we build personal relationships with each other, through which, we can encourage each other in our Catholic Christian spiritual growth. Members of the fellowship are personally responsible for making sure that CAF is always a safe place where women and men treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Approved by Catholic Adult Fellowship chapters May 1, 2005
Catholic Adult Fellowship’s Vision Statement
Catholic Adult Fellowship’s vision is to become more Christ-like and more effective in the service of Christ’s Church. We hope to achieve authentic Catholic adult faith renewal as our goal, which is brought about by living the Four Foundational Disciplines (Prayer, Study, Fellowship and Service).
Approved by Catholic Adult Fellowship chapters May 1, 2005
Catholic Adult Fellowship’s Four Foundational Disciplines
The following Four Foundational Disciplines make up the charism of Catholic Adult Fellowship: Prayer, Study, Fellowship and Service.
These Foundational Disciplines are lived out through weekly faith-based programs, fellowship activities, service projects, retreats and building Godly relationships. We also encourage regular Eucharist; Reconciliation; Eucharistic Adoration; and daily personal and communal prayer, including but not limited to the prayer of the Holy Rosary, daily devotions and Bible study.
The Foundational Disciplines help us achieve our vision.
Approved by Catholic Adult Fellowship chapters May 1, 2005
A Brief History of Catholic Adult Fellowship
In March of 2002, Catholic Adult Fellowship was founded in Terre Haute, Indiana, by Kenneth W. Michael, a recent convert to the Catholic faith. Gathering together like–minded Catholic adults in the city, they met at Moggers Pub for the first time on April 13, 2002, coming together with an idea to form a fellowship to help them grow in their love and understanding of their faith, in a community setting.
The lay fellowship moved to weekly Tuesday evening meetings at the St. Patrick Parish Rectory. Advisors were: Monsignor Larry Moran, pastor of St. Patrick’s; Father Richard Kaley, pastor of St. Joseph University Parish; and Sister Carmen Gillick, campus minister St. Joseph University Parish.
On November 1-3, 2002 CAF hosted its first Fall Retreat, “Made in the Image of God,” in Michigan City, Indiana. Kenneth W. Michael was the retreat leader.
On January 14, 2003, the first Coordinators were appointed by Kenneth W. Michael. Don Bagert – Service, Rich Bernier – Fellowship and Website, Jonna Breidenbach – Fund Raising, Kim Knoblock – Communication, and Katie Spanuello – Programs / Schedule.
On March 28-30, 2003 CAF hosted its first Spring Retreat, “Stepping Out of the Boat,” at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Conference Center in Marshall, Indiana, with the Retreat Team leading the retreatants.
On May 25, 2004, the first Commissioning / Reception of new Coordinators was held at St. Joseph University Parish. Kenneth W. Michael addressed the fellowship and Deacon Paul Schloemer performed the commissioning ceremony. Kenneth W. Michael – Director, Rich Bernier –Assistant Director / Website, Jonna Breidenbach – Funding and Program, David Dunst – Communications, Jimmy Kendall and Kristie Soder – Agape, Paul Meneghini – Fellowship, George Rahman – Retreat, and Sara Szalony – Service.
On September 1, 2004, after a brief period without a Director, the Coordinators appoint Katie Spanuello as Director of CAF in Terre Haute, Indiana.
On January 6, 2005, Kenneth W. Michael founds CAF in Lafayette, Indiana. The fellowship meets at St. Lawrence Church.
On April 29-May 1, 2005, the first joint Terre Haute and Lafayette, Indiana Spring Retreat “Life in the Eucharist” was held at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Conference Center in Marshall, Indiana. Brother Paul Nord from the St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, Indiana was the Retreat Master and Father Timothy D. McFarland from Saint Joseph College, Rensselaer, Indiana was the celebrant for Mass.
Approved by Catholic Adult Fellowship chapters May 1, 2005 |
