Want to Start Adult RE Program

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Chris-WA

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My parish currently has no formal adult religous education program. We have RCIA, but that’s really not geared for those who are already Catholic. I would like to help start a program that is Catholic through and through, but need advice on materials/syllabus. I’m looking into Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s series “Catholic Adult Education on Video.” Has anyone used this in their parish and what did you think? Any other ideas?
 
Do you have CAFE - or Catholic Faith Exploration

We have it here in Australia. It had its beginnings in England. I do not know if it is available in the USA. It is good for those who want to explore their faith.

Maggie
 
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Chris-WA:
My parish currently has no formal adult religous education program. We have RCIA, but that’s really not geared for those who are already Catholic. I would like to help start a program that is Catholic through and through, but need advice on materials/syllabus. I’m looking into Scott and Kimberly Hahn’s series “Catholic Adult Education on Video.” Has anyone used this in their parish and what did you think? Any other ideas?
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First read “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us” from the USCCB. Obtain the workbook and form an Adult Catechesis Team. Spend some time (several months) learning and understanding what the majority of the member of the Parish want. (Parish survey) Plan presentations and programs on this information not on what “YOU” or any other individual thinks should be presented. Do not however let the process drift into generic “Adult Education” with such entries as “Italian cooking 101” or “time management for mothers.” Those belong to family life not Catechesis. Make sure that it stays focused on Catechesis “Teaching and living the Catholic Faith”
 
Br. Rich SFO:
First read “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us” from the USCCB. Obtain the workbook and form an Adult Catechesis Team. Spend some time (several months) learning and understanding what the majority of the member of the Parish want. (Parish survey) Plan presentations and programs on this information not on what “YOU” or any other individual thinks should be presented. Do not however let the process drift into generic “Adult Education” with such entries as “Italian cooking 101” or “time management for mothers.” Those belong to family life not Catechesis. Make sure that it stays focused on Catechesis “Teaching and living the Catholic Faith”
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Funny you mention this because I read that document last night before I posted this thread. It seems that the church is finally recognizing how badly we’ve neglected adult catechesis, and that we need to do something about it. I heard on EWTN that the USCCB is working on a syllabus for adult RE. Has anyone heard what it is and when it will be released?

I agree that neither myself or any other person should set our own agenda for a syllabus. What I want is solid Catholic catechesis–starting with the basics and moving up from there. There is such a void of basic knowledge out there that most adult Catholics cannot explain the faith to their children or to a coworker or to a missionary from another faith. That’s why I think the Hahn series might be especially beneficial.
 
CAFE is solidly Catholic. See if you can find it in the USA

Maggie
 
I have had the same “calling” that you have. Namely, to start some sort of educational group study in my parish. I have felt this for over a year and have spoken to each of my Parish priests about it, but nothing has happened to date. Just this morning I visited the Catholic Exchange Bible Study site for groups. I think I’m gonna buy it and try it - I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. I know no one else is gonna do it.

My borderline despair over the abysmal state of adult catechesis within the Church is what prompts this. There are just way too many Catholics who cling to very little more than going to Mass on Sunday. This is the example they have grown up with. And I don’t fully blame them, every parish I have ever attended places all its emphasis on catechesis for children. And then, after confirmation, there is…nothing. Oh sure, there’s always a men’s/womens bible study or prayer group, but they are by far the exception rather than the rule: always small - like less than 10 people out of a parish with 600 families. How weak is that? Leadership flows from the top down. We need committed, educated, practicing ADULT Catholics to raise children into the Catholic faith. You can catechize kids all you want, but if they don’t see their parents living the faith, then they probably won’t either. If it were my choice, I would put 90% of the available resouces into Adult catechesis and 10% into kids programs, not the other way around.

I’m gonna stop now - it’s very frustrating. Here’s the link to the Catholic Exchange Bible Study: catholicexchange.com/css/biblestudy.asp?study=BS13

Frustrated,

Phil
 
Same here, I thought about starting a catechisis study group. Not that I’m at all qualified! Maybe when I finish my home-study course. What qualifications should I have? I’ve never taught anything. I am in a prayer group now but there is really no doctrine or substance discussed. People just affirm that God loves them and how can they be better people etc.

Our church is starting a Catholic Social Teaching series which I will check out (with reservations) Sunday.
 
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