Catechesis Formation Process

CATECHESIS FORMATION PROCESS

Experiences of the Process

Through Parish Community Catechesis, participants will:

A. Explore the Gospel message - the kingdom message of Jesus - and express the significance of those elements in their own lives.

B. Practice a process of moral decision making based on Gospel values, the Christian tradition and an informed critical assessment of the world today.

C. Use the methods of contemporary biblical scholarship to interpret and experience the Scripture for personal reflection, prayer and contemporary application.

D. Critique social structures, both local and global, in light of Catholic social justice principles and act for justice.

E. Respond to an invitation to a fuller life and a deeper connection to God and to the larger community.

F. Understand and engage a world view that discovers God in all things while living a faith that responds to the needs of others, after exposure to major Christian themes and other world religions.

G. Participate actively in community prayer and worship.

H. Develop a spiritual and sacramental imagination expressed through the arts, literature and theology.

I. Reflect on their experience of God in all things and share their answer to the question: "How and where do I experience God in my life?"

These elements include experiences within scripture, worship, information, environment, methodologies and structure. The Catholic theological aspects grounded in the process are:

	Trinitarian - presents the Holy Trinity as the central mystery of the Christian life and faith.
	Christology - presents who Jesus is and the Paschal Mystery as the central part of the Christian life.
	Presentation of the Church as the faithful responsible for continuing the work of salvation.
	Presentation of God's plan of salvation - past, present and future.
	Liturgy - nurtures the relationship through prayer, ritual and sacraments.
	Mission - equips for evangelization and impels a compassionate response to the world.

Elements of the Process

The relational	The primacy of relationships and of discovering God within those relationships.
The ministerial and pastoral	As expressed in the areas of representation, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development, pastoral care, and prayer / worship.
The 'goal-centering'	To experience a specific direction while creating a variety of ways to reach the goals.
The multidimensional	To meet the needs through a variety of approaches within the community.
The inclusive and developmental	To introduce, understand and engage the distinct social, cultural and religious needs of the community, the history, the present and the future.
The people-centered	To engage the human person and its spirit as a creation of God.

Curriculum

Vision

As our parish youth change and grow, they need to experience ways to connect their faith to everyday life...to move from previous learning, encouraged to pursue continued learning through age-specific catechesis for life-long formation.

Faith formation challenges our youth to use their faith as they make choices and discern direction in their lives to be open to learn and apply faith teachings in practical ways in our faith community environment...parents, family members, catechists, our pastor and deacons and all parish members share in the responsibility for this ministry.

Outcomes

We draw upon the following sources of Catholic wisdom appropriate to the participants' life experience and age...scripture, doctrine, tradition and contemporary practical experience.

1)	Respect for Creation and God's Holy Word. Introduction and continuation of family, friends and creation themes. Introduction to God's storybook (simple Bible stories). Learning about Jesus, His family and about Jesus as a friend. Introduction to simple prayers and to the Liturgy form and simple meanings. 4th graders mentor the kindergarteners.
2)	The Trinity. Further development of God, the creator, who gives us special gifts and special people. Jesus as God's Son, who teaches us how to live and who gave us the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit who gives us strength, peace and joy. Emphasis is given to living as responsible, caring Christians, experiencing a sense of belonging in the Church, learning that prayer is listening and talking to God.
3)	The Faith Community, Sacraments of Initiation Baptism, Eucharist (Confirmation is experienced through the 'eyes of the eight grade student mentors to the second graders) and Sacrament of Healing Reconciliation. 8th graders mentor the 2nd graders. Central focus on Jesus in the Eucharist and the Eucharist as uniting, healing and strengthening us to live as Christians. Positive reinforcement of Christian values and behavior. First Eucharist and Reconciliation are received if the candidate is ready to do so.
4)	The Church as a believing community (Apostle's Creed), a praying community (prayer and sacraments), a caring community (Ten Commandments and works of mercy), and a ministering community (preaching, worship and service). Emphasis is placed on stories of Christian heroes and heroines, the goodness of each person and the need for mutual respect.
5)	Christian Morality/Scripture Study a more in depth study of the Ten Commandments, choosing between good and evil, the loving forgiveness of God. Jesus as example, the Holy Spirit as source of help and guidance. Emphasis on our covenant relationships with God and examination of conscience to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation.
6)	Review of Sacraments and Life in Community focus on sacraments as celebration of life and sacred signs of God's presence and love. Introduction of Jesus as the sacrament of God's presence among us and the Church as sacrament of Christ's presence in the world. The seven sacraments are studied in detail Emphasis on using God's gifts responsibly and the Gospel mandate to work for justice and peace.
7)	Social Justice focus on the story of Hebrew and Christian Scripture / Covenants and salvation history. Scripture study of great prophets and kings, of slavery and exile, of freedom and promise and of Jesus and the fulfillment of the Scriptures. Emphasis on importance of justice and morality in everyday life situations.
8)	Jesus / Christian Scriptures the four theme content progresses from life experience issues (personal growth and relationships) to key teachings of our faith (Jesus, Scripture and Church) to ways we live our faith (Catholic traditions, morality and social justice). Foundations are laid to being specific preparations for Confirmations (to be received in 8th grade).
9)	Confirmation of Faith in witness to Jesus, emphasis on growth in faith. Confirmation strengthens us to live the Christ-life, witnessing to our faith by the way we live. Specific study of morality, social justice, gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, personal holiness and service to the community. (Personal community service hours are experienced on projects connected to these themes.) Confirmation is received if the candidate is ready to do so.
10)	For the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults inquiry program for new and returning Catholics, see the RCIA web page.