Sister Veronica Mendez, (right) Renew International presenter, hands out informational material during a meeting to introduce the “Why Catholic? Journey Through the Catechism” program.
JACKSON — Diocese of Jackson parishes and missions were invited recently to join the growling number of faith communities in the United States utilizing the program, “Why Catholic? Journey Through the Catechism,” for evangelization and adult faith formation.
Earlier this month, pastors/pastoral ministers, directors/coordinators of religious education (DREs, CREs) and other interested persons attended an information session in their deanery about the process. The information sessions highlighted the benefits of the process and how to implement it. Bishop Joseph Latino, who has endorsed the program, attended the session for Deanery 1, held in St. Peter’s Cathedral Center on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Developed by Renew International as a means to foster the goals of “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us,” the U. S. bishops’ pastoral letter on adult faith formation, the process explores Catholic teachings based on the four pillars of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” — profession of faith, sacraments of faith, the life of faith, Christian prayer — and Scripture.
The process, which is also available in Spanish, will offer participants the opportunity to discuss and learn more about their faith in small parish groups, according to Greg Kremer, information session presenter.
The revitalization of parish life and the mission of handing on the faith depend on giving more energy and making more resources available to the ongoing faith life of adults, according to Alice Hughes, director of the Office of Faith Formation.
At the end of the information session, interested parishes/missions signed up to continue the process through preparation workshops for forming a parish core team and small group leaders, who will receive on-going training in theological and practical skills.
Members of the parish or faith community will participate in the six small faith formation workshops — tailored to the individual parish or mission — followed by a retreat day for the entire parish.
As part of the process, Renew International offers parishes/missions on-going pastoral support for evaluation, assistance and consultation.
