Reviewing and Renewing a Faith Formation Program

by Margie Copeland

After more than 25 years in catechetical ministry, I started to look back on what was asked of me in five different parishes over those years. Some of the answers were to reorganize, create permanent records, minister to families, and all the rest of what we do. At each parish, however, something else happened: the numbers of families joining the program grew; the number of families “coming home” to the Catholic Church grew. What was causing this “bonus” effect of parish growth?

The Six Tasks of Catechesis #4: Teaching to Pray, or Praying Our Faith

by Bill Smith

The fourth of the Six Tasks of Catechesis is teaching to pray, or in terms of the remembering phrase HELP ME, praying our faith. Read what the bishops say:

Conversion to Christ and communion with him lead the faithful to adopt his disposition of prayer and reflection…His prayer was always directed toward his Father. Catechesis should invite the believer to join Christ in the Our Father. Prayer should be the ordinary environment of all catechesis so that the knowledge and practice of the Christian life may be understood and celebrated in its proper context (NDC 20).

Let’s look at the forms of prayer presented in Part Four of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Blessing, adoration, and praise are like complimenting God for His accomplishments and who He is. Petitions, including asking for forgiveness, are ways of placing our concerns and worries before God and expressing sorrow. When those concerns and worries are for others, that is intercession. Thanksgiving is a response to God’s gifts.

10 Opportunities for Building Adult Faith Formation

by Bill Smith

To make adult catechesis a priority, look at what is already happening in your parish and then at ways to enhance or expand formation, starting with these 10 opportunities for building adult faith formation.