Starting in Lent 2007, Assumption Parish will be offering an exciting, new faith-sharing program called Why Catholic? Journey Through the Catechism. Over the last two years, this program has helped parishioners in over 40 dioceses to deepen their own personal faith and relationship with Jesus, and to better understand the basics of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and their own Catholic identity. New participating dioceses are being added monthly.
What Why Catholic? IS
- A faith-sharing program. This means that Assumption parishioners would gather in small groups of 8-10 individuals. These groups would meet for 90minutes, once a week, for six weeks in Lent. During each session, these groups would review scripture readings and reflections related to a section in the Catechism and then individually share with the group what that content says to them - and listen to what is says to the other members
- An Adult Faith Formation Program. This program is solidly based on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church enabling Assumption parishioners to learn more about the essentials of their Catholic faith in a prayerful, low key, community-oriented, non-formal instruction environment
- A program that offers a concrete approach to help Assumption adults and teenagers to deepen their Catholic faith and connect its teachings to their everyday lives
What Why Catholic? IS NOT
- Bible Study - Bible Study involves a careful analysis of Scripture passages with respect to historical background, situations and motivations of the individual characters in the passage, intention of the Scripture writer, etc. Faith Sharing asks Assumption parishioners to listen to Scripture and then, based on suggested faith-sharing questions, describe what the Scripture says to each of them - personally
- A Discussion Group - Why Catholic? faith-sharing sessions will not include discussions on theological doctrine or topics and issues currently being debated by the Catholic Church and its hierarchy. Trained facilitators will respectfully help guide Assumption participants away from discussions and back to faith sharing
Who at Assumption Would Benefit from Why Catholic?
- Parishioners who want to deepen their faith
- Assumption parents (esp. School, CCD, Good Shepherd & Confirmation) who want to pass on their faith to their children
- Assumption catechists who want to enhance their faith
- Assumption young adults and teenagers who are looking to build their faith
- Parish staff, ministries and organizations who want to reflect on their faith
The Why Catholic? experience helps Assumption parishioners to experience the "4 Cs" of Catechesis, Connection, Community and Commitment
Catechesis
- Provides easy-to-understand explanations of the Catholic faith
- Clarifies moral teachings
- Complete with direct quotes from the Catechism and Scripture
Connection
- Promotes more thoughtful living and generates deeper insights
- Helps to develop a "thirst" to more fully understand God
- Presents mature faith within the context of Catholic teachings
Community
- Offers a process that makes parish life a place for faith formation and whole parish catechesis
- Draws Assumption parishioners together in prayer and in a common bond for truth and meaning
- Enhances the quality of the worshipping experience
Commitment
- Fosters a discipline in prayer and invites an ongoing conversion to Jesus
- Encourages lay ministry and a call to serve others
- Suggests actions that link family life and occupational life to faith life
To find out more about the specifics of the Why Catholic? program and to access and review a section from each of the four faith-sharing books, please