Anybody know about "Why Catholic?"

[baltobetsy]

Our archdiocese is beginning to implement a new education initiative in the parishes called “Why Catholic?” It comes from Renew International, which, for me, immediately makes it suspect, but I’m trying to keep an open mind. Has anyone used it or come across any reviews of the program? Thanks.

Betsy

 

[Pug]

There are two posts near the end of this thread here with info about Why Catholic.

I think the groups will get out of it what they put into it. If they read the entire passage of the CCC that goes with that week’s portion of the Renew handbook, and they discuss it with a group of like-minded individuals, then it could be very fruitful. Out of such small groups can come a vocation (I’ve seen it). Also, there is no reason to think it couldn’t get new people involved in the parish (who previously just came to mass).

It is pitched for people who are not completely familiar with the CCC. It is also pitched for people who want to connect with other parishioners. If you are looking for detailed instruction in the faith, then look elsewhere.

 

[baltobetsy]

Thanks for the link, Pug.

Small groups seem very volatile to me - they can go in a good direction or a very bad one, depending on the leadership.

Betsy

 

[Pug]

baltobetsy:

Small groups seem very volatile to me - they can go in a good direction or a very bad one, depending on the leadership.

Betsy,

True. The leaders are given a one evening training session for Why Catholic, and it does focus on them *specifically not *teaching, but rather upon encouraging. (I’ve been to it). But I know how a person with an agenda as a leader can really mess things up.

Are you considering getting involed in Why Catholic? You don’t have to answer, but we’re implementing around here too (as you have probably guessed!)

 

[m134e5]

baltobetsy:

Thanks for the link, Pug.

Small groups seem very volatile to me - they can go in a good direction or a very bad one, depending on the leadership.

Betsy

In a small group, you can share your personal testimonies- and that helps some people grow in their faith. Renew (and, I assume “Why Catholic” as well) depend a lot on how the leaders implement them. If I were a DRE (Director of Religious Education) for a parish, I would probably come up with my own program, rather than spend the parish’s money on someone else’s program.

 

[baltobetsy]

Pug:

Are you considering getting involed in Why Catholic? You don’t have to answer, but we’re implementing around here too (as you have probably guessed!)

My main reason for asking was that I want to know if this will be a good thing for our archdiocese as a whole. For many years, Baltimore has been a wishy-washy, permissive kind of place, and I’m hoping this will be the beginning of a change for the better.

I don’t know about getting involved. I’m a very private person when it comes to spiritual things, so the small group sharing thing does not really appeal to me. I’m going to see how it plays out in my parish, and whether the days/times fit my schedule and decide later.

Betsy

 

[Pug]

baltobetsy:

For many years, Baltimore has been a wishy-washy, permissive kind of place, and I’m hoping this will be the beginning of a change for the better.

We can’t be the only ones with this program going gangbusters. It would be interesting to see after lent how it went around the country in those places with the program (it goes during lent for 6 weeks and then goes on hiatus for a bit, at least around here). If I remember, I’ll start a thread then, but I’m terrible about being a consistent poster. I disappear for weeks at a time.

I’ll say a prayer for your diocese!

 

[tjmiller]

Why insult intelligent Catholics with a program aimed merely at the lowest common denominator? Why turn away educated converts with this tripe? It seems as if the Heresiarchy has no respect for our intellect.

 

[Pug]

tjmiller:

aimed merely at the lowest common denominator?

I would love a sort of virtual university online, for free. Recorded lectures would be available in many subjects, in-depth. No simple 101 classes. Also, suitable texts could be posted electronically for reading. An entire program of study could be laid out. Nobody will do this. But wouldn’t it be nice. Sigh.

Well, I must concede that MIT has made inroads in this direction, but I meant for doctrine, biblical studies, Church history, etc.

 

[otm]

tjmiller:

Why insult intelligent Catholics with a program aimed merely at the lowest common denominator? Why turn away educated converts with this tripe? It seems as if the Heresiarchy has no respect for our intellect.

why do you think it is aimed at the lowest common denomenator? And why do you think that this si tripe? do you consider something that builds your faith to be bad?

Or have you even seen it?

 

[awalt]

FYI for others, Baltobetsy I assume you saw this article in our local diocese paper:

In a December letter to pastors and pastoral life directors, Cardinal William H. Keeler stressed that “faith cannot be shared when people do not know their Catholic faith themselves. Even family transmission of faith from generation to generation suffers when parents are ill*equipped for the task of the faith formation of their children.” For this reason, the archdiocese is leading an evangelization effort in adult faith formation with the introduction of a unique program that teaches the basics of Catholicism – what Catholics believe, celebrate, live and pray. Why Catholic? Journey Through the Catechism aims to help Catholics better understand and deepen their faith so that it may be shared with their children and others, and connect church teachings to daily life. Developed by RENEW International, but completely different than the RENEW process, Why Catholic? is designed to run over four years with 12 sessions per year. Each year will focus on a different pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: beliefs, sacraments and liturgy, morality and Christian living and prayer. January informational sessions introduced the program to 194 pastors, directors of religious education, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) teams and other parish leaders from 73 parishes. “The aim of all adult faith formation is to foster a maturing adult faith that is living, explicit and fruitful,” said Sharon Bogusz, coordinator of evangelization and adult catechesis for the archdiocese. “Why Catholic? is a wonderful tool for parishes that wish to create or nourish their parish’s culture of adult faith.” The user-friendly material is arranged for use by small faith-sharing groups in whatever fashion fits a parish. Some parishes may run the program six weeks in the spring and six weeks in the fall, for example, while others may cover one session per month. Larger parishes may run both schedules. The process is also appropriate for catechist formation, RCIA, sacramental preparation programs for parents and strengthening family faith development.
“There is room to shape Why Catholic? to meet the specific needs of any parish community,” said Ms. Bogusz. “It can be presented within a given parish in multiple ways.” Every parish and parishioner is invited to participate in this challenging journey of faith. Information kits are available to parishes to help promote the program. The kit includes resources to implement the process, instructions for using the program in your parish, a leader’s guide, bulletin insert samples, video and the four faith-sharing books to be used during the four years of the program.
“Taking time to be fed by God’s word will undoubtedly facilitate ongoing growth in holiness,” said Ms. Bogusz. “This can’t help but have a transformative effect on each participant and the whole church of Baltimore.” Parish kits can be ordered in English and Spanish once a parish has made a commitment to the program. For more information in Why Catholic?, contact the archdiocesan Division of Evangelization and Catechesis 410-547-5403.