“Why Catholic? A Journey through the Catechism,” a national faith-formation program, will begin in 90 parishes and missions around the Diocese of Little Rock in February and March 2007.
Sister Mary Glynn, SJC, diocesan director of religious education and Christian initiation, said there is a growing excitement among the parishes about the program.
“It’s adult faith formation,” she said. “It’s something that is missing in the parishes.”
Eighty percent of the pastors are participating, Sister Mary said.
From Oct. 19 to 23 the diocese is hosting five training sessions called “Launching Why Catholic?” around the state to educate the pastors, catechetical leaders and parish teams about the program.
The dates, place and times are:
Thursday, Oct. 19: Our Lady of Hope Church, Hope, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 20: St. Vincent de Paul Church, Rogers, 2-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 21: Christ the King Church, Little Rock, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22: St. Benedict Church, Subiaco, 2-4 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 23: Knights of Columbus Hall, Jonesboro, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
All the workshops will be conducted in English and Spanish with materials provided in both languages. Sister Maureen Colleary, SFP, and Alma Garcia from Renew will be the presenters.
Team members also will be asked to attend two more training sessions in November and January before launching the program during Lent.
“Why Catholic?” was created by Renew International and is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Scripture. The program is also offered in Spanish.
It includes 48 sessions on the creed, sacraments, prayer and morality. In 2007 small groups will be formed around the diocese and will meet for six sessions to discuss the creed. Six sessions will also be held in the fall 2007. From 2008 to 2010, 12 sessions will be held each year — during Lent and in the fall, Sister Mary said.
She acknowledged that parishes are making a long-term commitment to parish evangelization and education by signing up for “Why Catholic?”
“They are committing to doing it for four years,” she said.
For more information on the program, call the Religious Education Office at (501) 664-0340 or visit www.dolr.org.