What do you say when someone asks you
Why Catholic?

In times of doubt, do you ever ask yourself

Why Catholic?

When considering joy filled Catholics you'd like to know better, do you wonder, for them

Why Catholic?

Overview

The Why Catholic? Program

RENEW International produces Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. Solidly based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Why Catholic? is a unique adult faith formation program that is supported by leader formation, rich resources, and ongoing pastoral support.

Why Catholic? offers a concrete approach to help adults deepen their Catholic faith and connect its teachings to their everyday lives. With its thorough exploration of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this process encourages learning in a prayerful small community setting. The faith-sharing materials offer 48 sessions on Catholic beliefs, sacraments, morality, and prayer, with direct Catechism quotes, scriptural references, and reflection questions. Six stand-alone sessions (in Lent and Advent of each year) are done in each season, minimizing long-term time commitments required by parishioners

Why Catholic? offers a total parish experience. Why Catholic? fosters the goals of Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, the landmark U.S. Bishops' pastoral plan for adult faith formation. It includes orientation, small community leader formation, retreat experiences, videos, and family-oriented bulletin inserts.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism is an overview of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Each session covers one part of the Catechism, which read by participants in preparation for each gathering. Participants must have access to a copy of the Catechism (paperbacks are available for purchase at the parish) or use the on-line version which can be found at http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm. Besides gaining familiarity with the contents of this important reference, participants learn about use of the book for reference and apologetics.

Sacred Scripture provides the starting point for reflecting on the faith, while the Catechism of the Catholic Church serves as the "reference for the authentic presentation of the content of the faith." Use of Scripture and the Catechism--including the sources from which it draws, those to which it refers, and other catechetical resources based on and consonant with it--will help adults grasp the content of the faith and its practical application in Christian living. (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, no. 88).

The gift of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an indispensable resource in our time for helping adults become stronger in their relationship with God and grow in their knowledge of the faith. (OHWB, no. 31)

Four Themes in Four Books
Materials follow the four pillars of the Catechism:

Year 1 (2005) The Celebration of the Christian Mystery: Sacraments (12 Sessions) The first four sessions of The Celebration of the Christian Mystery: Sacraments focus on the liturgy and an understanding of the sacraments. Then follow two sessions on Baptism, one on the sacrament itself and another on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The latter offers reflections on the Rite and on its meaning for us and our parishes. The last six sessions focus on the other six sacraments.

Year 2 (2006) The Profession of Faith: What We Believe (12 Sessions) The first book in the series, The Profession of Faith: What We Believe, looks at the truths that we, as Catholics, believe. It offers insights on what it means to be a Catholic following "the oldest Roman catechism, the Apostles' Creed."

Year 3 (2007) Life in Christ: Walking with God (12 Sessions) The first six sessions of Life in Christ: Walking with God center on the Beatitudes, on our freedom and responsibility, conscience, virtues, moral law, sin, mercy, grace, and the Church. The second six sessions focus on the implications of the Ten Commandments.

Year 4 (2008) Christian Prayer: Deepening My Experience of God (12 Sessions) The first three sessions of Christian Prayer: Deepening My Experience of God focus on prayer and how God communicates with us. The next six sessions look at different forms of prayer and some difficulties we experience in prayer. The last three sessions offer a deeper look at the Lord's Prayer. The sessions explore the concept of prayer, and include various styles of prayer for participants' use.

Questions? Call Becky Goff at 277-1873