The Diocese of Little Rock will be offering a new adult faith formation series next Lent called “Why Catholic?”
The program was developed by RENEW International to address the need for solid catechesis for adults. The Presbyteral Council unanimously recommended the program be used in all parishes in Arkansas. “¿Por qué ser católico?” is the Spanish version of the program and will also be introduced in Arkansas.
“Why Catholic?” is based on the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church — beliefs, sacraments, morality and prayer. The 48 sessions will incorporate Scripture, the catechism and reflection questions that apply to daily life. During the spring and fall 2007, the first book, “The Profession of Faith: What We Believe,” will be introduced. The remaining pillars will be discussed in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
“It has been my hope that we could offer solid faith formation for adults and young adults,” Bishop J. Peter Sartain wrote in a letter announcing the program. “I believe we have found a means to do that.”
While parishes are not required to participate, Bishop Sartain is asking all pastors to give it “serious consideration.”
Information sessions in English and Spanish for pastors, catechetical leaders and parish staff will be held May 7 to 12 in Monticello, Subiaco, Springdale, Jonesboro, Hope and Little Rock.
Over the next 10 months, the Diocese of Little Rock will be helping pastors and parish staffs prepare for the program. Workshops to launch the program will be held in September and October for pastors and “Why Catholic?” team members. In November and January 2007, evangelization workshops will be held to explain the relationship between catechesis and evangelization and give strategies for reaching active and inactive Catholics. RENEW staff members will lead all of the training.
The six-week program will begin in February 2007. Like RENEW, the sessions will be held in small community settings.
“Why Catholic?” was created in 2004 to address the U.S. bishops’ pastoral letter on adult faith formation called “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us.”
“The program was developed based on the belief that many Catholics have inherited a faith without knowing why they are Catholic,” said Sister Mary Glynn, SJC, diocesan religious education director and “Why Catholic?” coordinator.
For more information on “Why Catholic?” call Judy Stubbs in the Office of the Religious Education and Christian Initiation at (501) 664-0340.
Why Catholic to address adult ed
