Catechesis for adults?

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Does your parish offer any faith-building programs for adults? I am aware of Bible study, but is there anything beyond that?
 
Our parish has occasional catechetical events that happen throughout the year that concern various topics from the Blessed Sacrament of the altar to abortion. Every year, the parish also offers a free online catechetical program for us to use as a Christmas present. Last year it was Symbolon.
 
My Parish offers an Adult Faith Formation Program which is led by a Priest. We also offer ongoing programs as part of the Archdiocese Catechetical courses for Catechist Formation.
 
Adult faith formation is necessary but sometimes challenging to implement.

If you look at the catechetical documents from the Church, they hold out catechesis of adults as the “chief form of catechesis” towards which all other forms (e.g. catechesis of children) are oriented. Not a lot of parishes take that approach, though.

It requires a paradigm shift. A lot of Catholics take a school approach to catechesis. They think they put in their time, receive Confirmation, and then they have “graduated” and need nothing else. But formation is an ongoing thing. We are never finished. God is infinite. There is always deeper we can go in our relationship with him.

There are lots of great programs out there. Ascension Press has loads of Bible studies on DVD, as well as other topical studies. There is “Symbolon” (as others have recommended). There is Bishop Barron’s “Catholicism” series. But the best program in the world can only take you so far. You really need a pastor that can sell the concept to the parish that these are worthwhile opportunities. And then the experience has to be a positive one that encourages adults to want to do more and to invite their friends. That’s how you sustain and grow adult faith formation.
 
When we did it, there was mob rule, a diocesan publication got hijacked, it was in the local papers for several years, ended up in the Times and Guardian and on Radio 4.

Just for variety.
 
Joe_5859 said:
Adult faith formation is necessary but sometimes challenging to implement.

If you look at the catechetical documents from the Church, they hold out catechesis of adults as the “chief form of catechesis” towards which all other forms (e.g. catechesis of children) are oriented. Not a lot of parishes take that approach, though.

It requires a paradigm shift. A lot of Catholics take a school approach to catechesis. They think they put in their time, receive Confirmation, and then they have “graduated” and need nothing else. But formation is an ongoing thing. We are never finished. God is infinite. There is always deeper we can go in our relationship with him.

There are lots of great programs out there. Ascension Press has loads of Bible studies on DVD, as well as other topical studies. There is “Symbolon” (as others have recommended). There is Bishop Barron’s “Catholicism” series. But the best program in the world can only take you so far. You really need a pastor that can sell the concept to the parish that these are worthwhile opportunities. And then the experience has to be a positive one that encourages adults to want to do more and to invite their friends. That’s how you sustain and grow adult faith formation.
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As a FYI

I am a trained, experienced and certified Catholic Catechist A Marian Catechist] a Lay Apostolate founded by S O G John A Hardon S.J. under the international Direction of
His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke.

I’m retired and this is my Ministry now beginning its 8th year.

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I offer a TOTALLY FREE OF ALL COST HOME STUDY COURSE
With 1 Lesson e-mailed each week. & No homework either.

The Course: BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH
Is intended to supplement RCIA’s normal [time restricted] short-falls

I cover far more topis

All in greater depth

& I stress providing the evidence of our Catholic Faith beliefs and practices

So anyone wising to really become an Informed Catholicl; here is your opportunity.

Please send me a private message.

God Bless you,

Patrick [PJM] here on CAF
 
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