I believe the church has rescued parents for too long from their own, ongoing faith growth rooted in their covenant promises, and the promises they made at their childrens' baptisms. There is no way a parish "CCD" class one hour or so a week can deepen and convert the faith of most children and teens. Here's an analogy: as Al Anon is to Alcoholics Anonymous, so is family catechesis to faith formation. That is, when an addict is in recovery, his or her family needs to be in recovery too from the effects of the disease, in order to relate in a healthier manner to support sobriety. Treating children as autonomous adults apart from the relationships in their household (the domestic church) has not been working. But to transform faith formation will take courage, prayer and fasting, and a strategy. Faith is about relationships, and so if we want to feed our parents, we need a grace and nature motif. To focus only on doctrine presumes learning and relationship skills that can sustain shared faith in the family. Most couples need help with this. Ultimately, in light of their espoused, nominal faith, they need to be evangelized about their values, priorities, and esp. the hunger in their hearts for the well-being of their children, and - if they can be helped to realize, their own hunger for God, and a loving family. This will not be easy. The "seven last words of the church" apply: We've never done it that way before. Meanwhile, the father of lies is effectively "evangelizing" couples, parents and children DAILY on various screens in hours that far exceed the hours they spend weekly in Sunday worship or religion classes. So, yes we need a revolution in faith formation ministry. See the Decl on Christian Education (Vatican II) no. 3 and Familaris consortio, nos. 36, 65, 69, 70-71.
Lisa Vignogna - 6 years ago
I recognized the same things. Most catechists do.
What I do for my sacramental prep program (highest number) is that I require one parent (adult) and the child to attend preparation classes together. I reduced the number of face-to-face sessions. We meet just once per month. I "require" weekly Mass attendance. I removed a lot of the fluff from the sacraments. The parents do the book work at home (domestic church). I emphasize their role in the formation of the faith of their children. When we come together once a month for our formal lessons I make sure that they are engaging for the parents as well as the children. Small group games, learning stations, short videos, stories, etc.
The child's First Reconciliation takes place during our regular Saturday confession hours. They go with their parent, and stand in line with our other parishoners, and inevitably the child will say, "Its your turn mommy/daddy." Adults who haven/t been to confession in years receive grace and healing and provide an example to their children.
I make sure each family has a Catechism to answer questions at home. By our last session they have come trust me and the process and we do a blessing of the children service (from the Book of Blessings) and they bless their children. I require parent reflections and 98% responded and 98% were positive and love this method and sharing this time---preparing their own child to receive the sacraments.
Next year I hope to introduce a meal component, where small groups will come together (their whole family) to enjoy a meal together and develop relationships with other parish families.
I feel that catechists need to accomplish two things: help families develop a relationship with God and help families develop a relationship with with their church family. That is how you keep them coming back.
Sharon - 6 years ago
I agree with Jayne and Allison. If we have missed out on teaching parents of CCD students, why not change that? Start adult classes as well as classes for the youth. Perhaps having a mixture of discussions on different nights -youth only, adults only, youth and adults. That way some things could be discussed as a family while others can be discussed by only youth and/or only adults.
How goes the family, so goes the world. If we don’t work with families our work in Catholic youth education tends to be in vain.
Jo Ann Elder - 6 years ago
It has to start with prayer. We need to teach the parents how to pray, how to lead their children in prayer, and how to pray as a family. They need to learn to have a conversation with God, to have a relationship with him -- once that happens, the entire family will be more willing and able to learn who God is and why he left us his Church and the Eucharist.
Tracy Aguayo - 6 years ago
The EDGE and Lifeteen programs for our older kids are joy-filled,fun and relationship focused all while they’re learning about Christ and building a relationship with Him and His Church. Why can’t this model be used for Catechism? Catechism is often treated with drudgery by all and the author is right when she refers to ‘envelopes and deadlines.’ Where can we study scripture or learn about Eucharistic miracles? Workbooks will never suffice enough to reach the heart. Catechism class is often something to ‘get through’ rather than look forward to. Mark Hart ‘The Bible Geek’ is the founder of the vibrant Lifeteen program (which is producing many young men for the priesthood!) I think we should ask him to develop a catechism program.
Kathleen - 6 years ago
Both Mom and Dad in this anti Christian culture, must believe their Catholic faith is the greatest gift they can give their children. Both Mom and Dad must do their best in living out the Gospel and the spiritual and corporal works of mercy as well as demonstrating by example the sanctity of their ordinary, daily work.
The parents do not need to be involved with tons of church and secular activities, but take their children with them, and have them participate with them in living out their Catholic faith. When their kids are growing up, invite them to have their friends over for board games and let them be as noisey as they need.
The religious ed for freshmen and sophomores needs to be age appropriate, meaning this age needs to know their faith in relation to the world around them in black and white, teach them the healing power of Jesus....the power of prayer, and the consequences of sin....both in this life and loss of eternal life....as it really is. This is what Protestant evangelicals do.
The problem is intellectual Christianity.
So many times dioceses don’t want to teach teens the basics of fundamental faith for fear the teens will become judgmental. Well, along with the basics, teach them not to be judgmental. The saints have warned us many times not to be judgmental.
Affluence and a fast paced lifestyle where prayer is not maintained every day will wipe out Christianity.
Jayne - 6 years ago
If entire families are in need of formation, why not bring everyone to the table at once? Instead of splitting teens off from the rest of the family, bring the whole family to weekly or biweekly sessions - perhaps focused on the readings from mass and how to practically apply to our lives what we hear from Scripture. Sacramental preparation would have to happen too, maybe on the off-weeks of family meetings?
Families need to talk to one another more! They need to learn how to actually hear and listen to what one another says, feels and experiences. And they need to learn to say sorry. Family formation could include time to speak, discuss, share...with other families (sit down two families to a table) and also within one’s own family. Just some food for thought - that is just an essential and basic element to family formation I see totally lacking within families themselves!
Allison - 7 years ago
I think it has been very beneficial to have a combination of group discussion as a whole, teams of two for discussion to increase spiritual awareness on more personal topics which teens wouldn't want to discuss in front of everyone but perhaps another their age, regrouping after team discussion (courage gets instilled by the one-on-one) to put thoughts together, and praying as a group in order to sum up one session with pertinent prayer pertaining to the topic(s) and the life which the students are living in the world. It strengthens their faith leaving on a positive note and with the understanding that God hears them and has their back.
Allison - 7 years ago
I think it has been very beneficial to have a combination of group discussion as a whole, teams of two for discussion to increase spiritual awareness on more personal topics which teens wouldn't want to discuss in front of everyone but perhaps another their age, regrouping after team discussion (courage gets instilled by the one-on-one) to put thoughts together, and praying as a group in order to sum up one session with pertinent prayer pertaining to the topic(s) and the life which the students are living in the world. It strengthens their faith leaving on a positive note and with the understanding that God hears them and has their back.
I believe the church has rescued parents for too long from their own, ongoing faith growth rooted in their covenant promises, and the promises they made at their childrens' baptisms. There is no way a parish "CCD" class one hour or so a week can deepen and convert the faith of most children and teens. Here's an analogy: as Al Anon is to Alcoholics Anonymous, so is family catechesis to faith formation. That is, when an addict is in recovery, his or her family needs to be in recovery too from the effects of the disease, in order to relate in a healthier manner to support sobriety. Treating children as autonomous adults apart from the relationships in their household (the domestic church) has not been working. But to transform faith formation will take courage, prayer and fasting, and a strategy. Faith is about relationships, and so if we want to feed our parents, we need a grace and nature motif. To focus only on doctrine presumes learning and relationship skills that can sustain shared faith in the family. Most couples need help with this. Ultimately, in light of their espoused, nominal faith, they need to be evangelized about their values, priorities, and esp. the hunger in their hearts for the well-being of their children, and - if they can be helped to realize, their own hunger for God, and a loving family. This will not be easy. The "seven last words of the church" apply: We've never done it that way before. Meanwhile, the father of lies is effectively "evangelizing" couples, parents and children DAILY on various screens in hours that far exceed the hours they spend weekly in Sunday worship or religion classes. So, yes we need a revolution in faith formation ministry. See the Decl on Christian Education (Vatican II) no. 3 and Familaris consortio, nos. 36, 65, 69, 70-71.
I recognized the same things. Most catechists do.
What I do for my sacramental prep program (highest number) is that I require one parent (adult) and the child to attend preparation classes together. I reduced the number of face-to-face sessions. We meet just once per month. I "require" weekly Mass attendance. I removed a lot of the fluff from the sacraments. The parents do the book work at home (domestic church). I emphasize their role in the formation of the faith of their children. When we come together once a month for our formal lessons I make sure that they are engaging for the parents as well as the children. Small group games, learning stations, short videos, stories, etc.
The child's First Reconciliation takes place during our regular Saturday confession hours. They go with their parent, and stand in line with our other parishoners, and inevitably the child will say, "Its your turn mommy/daddy." Adults who haven/t been to confession in years receive grace and healing and provide an example to their children.
I make sure each family has a Catechism to answer questions at home. By our last session they have come trust me and the process and we do a blessing of the children service (from the Book of Blessings) and they bless their children. I require parent reflections and 98% responded and 98% were positive and love this method and sharing this time---preparing their own child to receive the sacraments.
Next year I hope to introduce a meal component, where small groups will come together (their whole family) to enjoy a meal together and develop relationships with other parish families.
I feel that catechists need to accomplish two things: help families develop a relationship with God and help families develop a relationship with with their church family. That is how you keep them coming back.
I agree with Jayne and Allison. If we have missed out on teaching parents of CCD students, why not change that? Start adult classes as well as classes for the youth. Perhaps having a mixture of discussions on different nights -youth only, adults only, youth and adults. That way some things could be discussed as a family while others can be discussed by only youth and/or only adults.
How goes the family, so goes the world. If we don’t work with families our work in Catholic youth education tends to be in vain.
It has to start with prayer. We need to teach the parents how to pray, how to lead their children in prayer, and how to pray as a family. They need to learn to have a conversation with God, to have a relationship with him -- once that happens, the entire family will be more willing and able to learn who God is and why he left us his Church and the Eucharist.
The EDGE and Lifeteen programs for our older kids are joy-filled,fun and relationship focused all while they’re learning about Christ and building a relationship with Him and His Church. Why can’t this model be used for Catechism? Catechism is often treated with drudgery by all and the author is right when she refers to ‘envelopes and deadlines.’ Where can we study scripture or learn about Eucharistic miracles? Workbooks will never suffice enough to reach the heart. Catechism class is often something to ‘get through’ rather than look forward to. Mark Hart ‘The Bible Geek’ is the founder of the vibrant Lifeteen program (which is producing many young men for the priesthood!) I think we should ask him to develop a catechism program.
Both Mom and Dad in this anti Christian culture, must believe their Catholic faith is the greatest gift they can give their children. Both Mom and Dad must do their best in living out the Gospel and the spiritual and corporal works of mercy as well as demonstrating by example the sanctity of their ordinary, daily work.
The parents do not need to be involved with tons of church and secular activities, but take their children with them, and have them participate with them in living out their Catholic faith. When their kids are growing up, invite them to have their friends over for board games and let them be as noisey as they need.
The religious ed for freshmen and sophomores needs to be age appropriate, meaning this age needs to know their faith in relation to the world around them in black and white, teach them the healing power of Jesus....the power of prayer, and the consequences of sin....both in this life and loss of eternal life....as it really is. This is what Protestant evangelicals do.
The problem is intellectual Christianity.
So many times dioceses don’t want to teach teens the basics of fundamental faith for fear the teens will become judgmental. Well, along with the basics, teach them not to be judgmental. The saints have warned us many times not to be judgmental.
Affluence and a fast paced lifestyle where prayer is not maintained every day will wipe out Christianity.
If entire families are in need of formation, why not bring everyone to the table at once? Instead of splitting teens off from the rest of the family, bring the whole family to weekly or biweekly sessions - perhaps focused on the readings from mass and how to practically apply to our lives what we hear from Scripture. Sacramental preparation would have to happen too, maybe on the off-weeks of family meetings?
Families need to talk to one another more! They need to learn how to actually hear and listen to what one another says, feels and experiences. And they need to learn to say sorry. Family formation could include time to speak, discuss, share...with other families (sit down two families to a table) and also within one’s own family. Just some food for thought - that is just an essential and basic element to family formation I see totally lacking within families themselves!
I think it has been very beneficial to have a combination of group discussion as a whole, teams of two for discussion to increase spiritual awareness on more personal topics which teens wouldn't want to discuss in front of everyone but perhaps another their age, regrouping after team discussion (courage gets instilled by the one-on-one) to put thoughts together, and praying as a group in order to sum up one session with pertinent prayer pertaining to the topic(s) and the life which the students are living in the world. It strengthens their faith leaving on a positive note and with the understanding that God hears them and has their back.
I think it has been very beneficial to have a combination of group discussion as a whole, teams of two for discussion to increase spiritual awareness on more personal topics which teens wouldn't want to discuss in front of everyone but perhaps another their age, regrouping after team discussion (courage gets instilled by the one-on-one) to put thoughts together, and praying as a group in order to sum up one session with pertinent prayer pertaining to the topic(s) and the life which the students are living in the world. It strengthens their faith leaving on a positive note and with the understanding that God hears them and has their back.