Catholic Catechism Study Group Suggestions Needed

[danonwaveland]

Our parish is completing the RENEW program this fall and while it hasn’t been too bad, it hasn’t been great, IMHO. At the end of last session’s booklet, the writers suggest continuing small groups, using RENEW International’s study of the Catholic Catechism.

I think it would be great to study the Catechism in groups. However, I am wary of RENEW. It seems as though the makeup of the group, especially its leadership, directly affects the quality of the sessions. While that may be okay – or not – for group discussions about racism, justice, etc., I think it’s essential for a study of the Catechism to be clear and orthodox and not dependent upon the interpretation and presentation of the group leaders. I don’t trust RENEW to fulfill that need.

Do any of you have experience with other group study guides for the Catechism that might be more promising? Or perhaps I’m wrong and you’ve had positive experiences with RENEW’s Catechism study guides. If so, please share.

Thanks and God bless,
Dan

 

[puzzleannie]

we are using the USCCA for our adult group and it works very well. the bishop’s have a study guide on line that can be down-loaded but we are using the workbook from Our Sunday Visitor, but mostly as homework. Next year I will probably not buy the workbooks, as I don’t think we need them. The discussion questions and meditations in the red book itself are enough.

I purchased the whole thing on CD as well, with every section recorded in different voices, plus added music, I like it because I don’t have to talk so much and it varies the presentation, but it is not necessary.

The books can be had at less than $20 in bulk purchase

another older resource but one we used successfully several times is Revisiting the Journey, from Liguori, follows same CCC topics as their RCIA package, Journey of Faith, but intended for more mature Catholics who now want a deeper systematic look at the Catechism. It is in “handout” format about $12-15 per set, bulk pricing available.

One thing RENEW and similar programs is supposed to do is have small faith sharing groups that continue to meet regularly to discuss the Sunday Gospel. I hope you don’t drop that in favor of another “program” because in my experience the small groups are the key to keeping people active, keeping them coming back for more instruction, bible study and the like, and the key to more evangelization

 

[danonwaveland]

Wow, that was fast! Thanks so much! I only wish I had posted this a few days ago, so that I could have been your 21,212 response! (I like numbers.)

God bless,
Dan

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Our parish is completing the RENEW program this fall and while it hasn’t been too bad, it hasn’t been great, IMHO. At the end of last session’s booklet, the writers suggest continuing small groups, using RENEW International’s study of the Catholic Catechism.

I think it would be great to study the Catechism in groups. However, I am wary of RENEW. It seems as though the makeup of the group, especially its leadership, directly affects the quality of the sessions. While that may be okay – or not – for group discussions about racism, justice, etc., I think it’s essential for a study of the Catechism to be clear and orthodox and not dependent upon the interpretation and presentation of the group leaders. I don’t trust RENEW to fulfill that need.

Do any of you have experience with other group study guides for the Catechism that might be more promising? Or perhaps I’m wrong and you’ve had positive experiences with RENEW’s Catechism study guides. If so, please share.

Thanks and God bless,
Dan

If you want to study specifically the Catechism get “The Teaching of Jesus Christ”…

fathercorapi.com/The-Teaching-of-Jesus-Christ-Catechism-Series-48-talks-on-CD—200CDS-P125C2.aspx

 

[Roza]

I remember hearing about Renew in the 80’s, same one or a different one? I was in confirmation back then myself but think I slept.