RENEW International presents Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. Solidly based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Why Catholic? is a unique adult faith formation program that is supported by facilitator formation, rich resources, and ongoing pastoral support.
Why Catholic? offers a concrete approach to help adults deepen their Catholic faith and connect its teachings to their everyday lives. With its thorough exploration of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this process encourages learning in a prayerful small community setting. The faith-sharing materials offer sessions on Catholic beliefs, sacraments, morality, and prayer, with direct Catechism quotes, scriptural references, and reflection questions.
Why Catholic? offers a total parish experience. It is flexible. In addition to its use in small Christian communities, it is appropriate for catechist formation, RCIA, sacramental preparation programs for parents, and strengthening family faith development.
Why Catholic? fosters the goals of Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, the landmark U.S. Bishops' pastoral plan for adult faith formation. The Why Catholic? process is comprehensive containing a full range of elements. It includes orientation, small community leader formation, retreat experiences, an invitation video, and family-oriented bulletin inserts.
Sacred Scripture provides the starting point for reflecting on the faith, while the Catechism of the Catholic Church serves as the "reference for the authentic presentation of the content of the faith." Use of Scripture and the Catechism--including the sources from which it draws, those to which it refers, and other catechetical resources --will help adults grasp the content of the faith and its practical application in Christian living.
The gift of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an indispensable resource in our time for helping adults become stronger in their relationship with God and grow in their knowledge of the faith.
FAITH SHARING BOOKS
Four Themes in Four Books
Materials follow the four pillars of the Catechism:
The Profession of Faith: What We Believe (12 Sessions)
Sample Session
The first book in the series, The Profession of Faith: What We Believe, looks at the truths that we, as Catholics, believe. It offers insights on what it means to be a Catholic following "the oldest Roman catechism, the Apostles' Creed."
The Celebration of the Christian Mystery: Sacraments (12 Sessions)
Sample Session
The first four sessions of The Celebration of the Christian Mystery: Sacraments focus on the liturgy and an understanding of the sacraments. Then follow two sessions on Baptism, one on the sacrament itself and another on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The latter offers reflections on the Rite and on its meaning for us and our parishes. The last six sessions focus on the other six sacraments.
Life in Christ: Walking with God (12 Sessions)
Sample Session
The first six sessions of Life in Christ: Walking with God center on the Beatitudes, on our freedom and responsibility, conscience, virtues, moral law, sin, mercy, grace, and the Church. The second six sessions focus on the implications of the Ten Commandments.
Christian Prayer: Deepening My Experience of God (12 Sessions)
Sample Session
The first three sessions of Christian Prayer: Deepening My Experience of God focus on prayer and how God communicates with us. The next six sessions look at different forms of prayer and some difficulties we experience in prayer. The last three sessions offer a deeper look at the Lord's Prayer. The sessions explore the concept of prayer, and include various styles of prayer for participants' use.
REVIEWS
"When the Catechism of the Catholic Church first came out, I was delighted since it is a comprehensive, up-to-date formulation of our beliefs and joys as Catholics. But I wondered how we might unpack its content for Catholics in the pews. Why Catholic? is a fine answer to my question.. The material is arranged for use by small faith-sharing groups, thus enabling participants to better understand their faith and share it. The questions are thought provoking and interesting. I heartily recommend Why Catholic?"
Most. Rev. Michael Sheehan
Archbishop, Santa Fe, NM
"The benefit of Why Catholic? is that it allows the truths of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to touch the realities of everyday life. Any individual or any group who chooses to participate in this will benefit significantly from learning how to live within the context of a greater and more Catholic relationship."
Dorothy Berman, MA
Youth Director
Mt. Manresa Jesuit Retreat House
"All parish organizations as well as small Christian communities, can be effective vehicles for evangelization and adult faith formation by using Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. It combines the best of faith-learning, faith-sharing, and faith-living!"
Very Rev. E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C.
Director, Adult Faith Formation, Diocese of Allentown
Rector, Sacred Heart Villa, Center Valley, PA
"How to Use Why Catholic?... is a great work. I especially like the detailed, step-by-step approach."
Dan Luby
Director, Division of Christian Formation
Diocese of Fort Worth, TX
"How to Use Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism in Your Parish is well organized. It made me feel very enthusiastic about going forward with the program."
Pat Spiegel
Stewardship and Adult Formation Coordinator
St. Lawrence the Martyr Church
PARTICIPATING DIOCESES
Parishes participating in the dioceses of:
- Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA
- Archdiocese of Baltimore, MA
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati, OH
- Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA
- Archdiocese of Mobile, AL
- Archdiocese of Newark, NJ
- Diocese of Alexandria, LA
- Diocese of Bismarck, ND
- Diocese of Charlotte, NC
- Diocese of Colorado Springs, CO
- Diocese of Corpus Christi, TX
- Diocese of Crookston, MN
- Diocese of Dallas, TX
- Diocese of Davenport, IA
- Diocese of Erie, PA
- Diocese of Lafayette, IN
- Diocese of Little Rock, AR
- Diocese of Metuchen, NJ
- Diocese of Oakland, CA
- Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY
- Diocese of Rockford, IL
- Diocese of San Angelo, TX
- Diocese of San Bernardino, CA
- Diocese of St. Cloud, MN
- Diocese of Steubenville, OH
- Diocese of Trenton, NJ