To catechists and DRE's:Innovative Catechetics

[Franciscan]

Today, while making my usual rounds online I came across an interesting catechetical approach.It’s called Family Formation and it began in a church in Ham Lake, Mn. called St.Paul’s

The basic premise is that the usual ccd program was failing the kids and the parents were victims of the post VII catechetical lapse.So the program is geared toward the whole family and it is well organized, driven by scripture, faithful to Magisterium, and it is designed to harmonize with the liturgical year.

see…
www.churchofstpaul.com, Family Formation

What do you think?

 

[farmbabe1]

As a catechist, I meet with a lot of resistance from parents when “more” is asked of them other than just making sure their kids get to class on time. How would you break through that resistance to get a program like this implemented? I agree that parents are the primary educators of their children, so how do you get them to believe that and allow a program like this to work as it was intended? I think a lot of parents’ resistance is their own lack of knowledge, so I like the aspect of this program that requires parents to come in, too, for class!

 

[Franciscan]

As a catechist, I meet with a lot of resistance from parents when “more” is asked of them other than just making sure their kids get to class on time. How would you break through that resistance to get a program like this implemented? I agree that parents are the primary educators of their children, so how do you get them to believe that and allow a program like this to work as it was intended? I think a lot of parents’ resistance is their own lack of knowledge, so I like the aspect of this program that requires parents to come in, too, for class!

Apparently there was alot of difficulty getting this started. Its just human nature for the adults to resist (you can;t teach an old dog new tricks etc.). But once they get started it seems like they enjoyed being an integral part of their kid’s formation.

Plus, the DRE can make it mandatory for their parish. If this program was instituted for an entire diocese then we could start to talk about a real catechetical renewal.

 

[puzzleannie]

Plus, the DRE can make it mandatory for their parish. If this program was instituted for an entire diocese then we could start to talk about a real catechetical renewal.

the DRE does not have this authority, it has to come from the pastor, and the program has to be approved by the diocese.

family centered catechesis, intergenerational programs, Generations of Faith, F.I.R.E (“brand names”) and similar programs are nothing new, most publishers of RE textbooks have a family program, which are about as orthodox and reliable in content as the conventional books by that publisher.

in most parishes, it is like pulling teeth to get families involved even through mandatory sacramental meetings. parishes that have started family programs have found that running them side by side with conventional grade level programs does not work, you have to prepare the catechists for a year, then prepare the parish for a year, for the changeover. Participation then drops dramatically, but the families remain are very committed. you do lose those children who are only brought for sacramental prep, by parents who adhere to the drop-off mentality. For such a program to be really successful it seems there would have to be a determined outreach to families who are not participating.

we incorporate family programming in 4 inter-generational events each year based on church seasons and feasts: All Saints, Epiphany, Advent and Lent retreats, and Mary day (1st Sat in May, last day of CCD). they involve catechesis, activities, programs put on by the children–music, skits etc, and food, with some take-homes to use in the home to further the lesson (Advent wreath etc).

clicking the link in OP does not lead to info on Family Formation, so am unable to make any judgement

 

[KCT]

Our former DRE wanted to try it, but the parents weren’t interested.

He told me we were a model family because we wanted to educate our kids in the faith as part of everyday family life, while all being active in the parish. —KCT