Faith formation crucial in this secular age, bishop says in pastoral

Published: 2006-10-09

ORANGE, Calif. (CNS) -- With a pastoral letter issued in four languages and a short, professionally produced film released on DVD, Bishop Tod D. Brown of Orange has kicked off a new effort to help Catholics make an ongoing commitment to their faith formation. "The increasing secularity of our times can become a slippery slope that weakens our commitment to Christ," the bishop said in his 11-page letter titled "Learning, Living and Loving Our Faith." The letter -- in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean -- was published Sept. 17 to mark National Catechetical Sunday. An approximately 30-minute film on the opportunities for education and service available in the Orange Diocese, produced and directed by filmmaker Miles England, accompanied the letter and was played in many parishes during the launch weekend. It was only the third pastoral letter issued in the 30-year history of the Orange Diocese.

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