Generations of Faith

[John_Kearns]

Not sure if this is even the right place for this, but I’ll trust people to point me to the right place if it’s not.

I have recently learned that my parish will be moving to a new CCD program, “Generations of Faith”. Because my pastor is not terribly orthodox, I automatically cringe at the thought of something new. Descriptions of the program have also left me feeling that this is the kind of feel good “new-agey” program that I abhor. Finally, the website for the program is pretty sketchy, so no reassurance there.

However, I do not want to dismiss this program out of hand, and it wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong about my first impression (my fourth, i think ), So, does anyone have any experience with this program, and if so, could you give me a feel for it.

Thanks.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is at least one past thread on this program, possibly in Liturgy or Family Life. The concept as far as it goes, catechizing the entire parish is sound, the framework of this program is sound, but like all these programs, the implementation makes all the difference. Who is running it, who is teaching it, what resources will be used, who will be invited, who will actually attend. How will sacramental preparation be handled, since GOF does not address it.

Get involved in the planning and implementation. Homeschoolers should love it in theory, because it places a lot of stress on the family taking the lesson home and expanding it.

A comparable family-centered program from Liguori is FIRE.

the difference between GOF or inter-generational catechesis, and CCD is that the same content is presented but in a different order and format. In a traditional program the sequence is usually creation, God, the Trinity, prayer, story of the fall and salvation in 1st grade
2nd grade prayers, penance, Eucharist
3rd grade, the Mass and the elements of the Catholic Church and creed
4th Grade, commandments & beatitudes
5th grade expanded teaching on the sacraments
6th Grade, OT and salvation history
7th grade NT and life of Christ
8th Grade Church History and Catholic Identity.
Saints, prayer and spirituality and Catholic practice are incorporated in the various age levels.

In an inter-generational program everyone receives the same content in any given year, in age-specific presentations, then comes together as a group to do process activities to reinforce the lesson. A typical plan is
year 1 - liturgical year and communion of saints
year 2 - moral life in Christ
year 3 - sacraments and liturgy
year 4 - OT
year 5 - NT
year 6 - the Creed.
so if a person attends for 6 years he gets all the content, but not in the traditional order.

there are also programs which are lectionary-based, the theory being that if you cover the 3 year lectionary cycle you will automatically cover all the doctrine. this would work of classes met weekly for 3 years, but in practice they usually meet once a month for half the year, leaving out out course a huge chunk of the lectionary.

sacramental preparation is usually handles separately with parent/candidate meetings, at-home study resources given to parents, or both.

problems: in a family centered program, only intact functional committed families are likely to participate, and to do the at-home activities suggested. other kids may be left out, those who attend Mass only occassionally will not be reached or involved. Parents not prepared to teach a lot at home will be left floundering.

What is supposed to be inter-generational and to involve the entire parish, actually seems uninviting and exclusionary if it is perceived as a family-only activity, or only for families with young children. Teens, singles, young adults, childless couples and retirees, while invited in theory often feel excluded by the way programs are run and presented and by the choice of resources used, format of meetings etc.

 

[cwh]

Our parish began this program this past fall. We were delayed from the original starting time due to Hurricane Katrina. However, I have been very excited about the program. I think one of the best aspects of the program is the fact that it brings the whole Parish together. It definitely promotes a sense of community and closeness for our whole parish. It is really great to see all ages involved in it. We have had tremendous response to the program from all ages (youngest to elderly) except our young marrieds. We have a small group in the 20-somethings and young married group (without children). Our Parish has done a great job in utilizing everyone in presenting the GOF program. In our Parish, we have spread the duties between many of the parishoners, rather that just a few having to do everything each month. We meet once a month for Generations of Faith, the CCD is still held weekly (the Generations of Faith night is one of the weekly CCD classes), and our RCIA program still meets weekly. All of our Parish comes together for the meal and fellowship, then if the topic is not in sequence for the RCIA, the RCIA class meets separately after the meal. We had originally planned to have meetings for “Going Deeper” into the GOF topic for the month on the weeks following the GOF meeting. However, due to hurricane recovery efforts, and this being our first year using the GOF program, it was postponed until later to include the “Going Deeper” meetings. I have been really excited that this is a program to continue learning our wonderful faith and is not just for the children or those who have children.

Prior to our beginning using the GOF program, our Diocese had a representative with the GOF program come and give workshops on the program,ie. how to implement it, what it is, and lots of resources. Check to see if this will be offered anywhere near you and if possible try to attend. I was not real sure about the program until I got involved and went to the workshop.

For our Parish, this has been a positive thing. I hope it will be for your Parish also. It does take some work to get it up and going. Each Parish has to figure out exactly how to implement it so it is best utilized. For our Parish, it is sort of an addition to the existing CCD, RCIA, and Sacramental Preparation.