Transcript Bill Huebsch Family Catechesis presentation
Whole Family Catechesis
Coaching Parents to form their own children
If you want to read more…
Coaching parents
A plan to have much
higher expectations
of our parents www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Goals in this presentation
How can we succeed with restored order of initiation sacraments?
A conversation about the role of
parents
What should it be?
What doesn’t that always happen?
What resources are there to support a greater role for parents?
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Question
What is the toughest aspect of this for you as a parish priest?
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Decree on Bishops, #44
From Vatican II
Called for the development of a
Directory
to guide Catechesis
Already at that time
International Study Weeks
were underway: –Nijmegen, 1959 –Eichstatt, 1960 –Bangkok, 1962 –Katigondo, 1964 –Manila, 1967 –Medellin, 1968 A real turning point Shifted from teaching “about religion” to helping folks have an encounter with Christ
The study weeks led to… A wave of activity aimed at renewing
catechesis
!
The church makes a shift
‘71: Gen’l Catechetical Directory ‘75: Evangelization in our Time
Evangelii Nuntiandi
‘79: Catechesis Today
Catechesi Tradendae
‘88: Catechumenate: RCIA ‘92: Catechism of the Catholic Church ‘97: Gen’l Directory for Catechesis
Evangelization Today
1975 Pope Paul VI Very concise, very readable One of the most important documents published in the church since Vatican II!
Evangelization Today
Catechesis in a ministry of the
Word
“It initiates church members… …into the meaning of Christian signs and symbols” It assumes that folks have
consciously
accepted the proclamation of Christ Conversion precedes catechesis!
Catechesis is Christo-centric
Catechesis in our Time
1979 From Rome Repeats the Christo-centric themes from EN Focus on catechesis
for
the whole community
by
the whole community Calls for it to be
lifelong
1988
The church…
Restored the Catechumenate…
after almost 1700 years of decline!
A fantastic, new, and powerful understanding of catechesis emerged!
Followed, in 1992 by… The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Which led to… The revision of the
General Directory for Catechesis
Signed by Pope John Paul II in 1997 Places the catechumenate in a central place and role Sets the stage for lifelong faith formation for all ages!
Which led to… The
General Directory for Catechesis In Plain English
Two Great Goals
Help folks turn their hearts to Christ, discover Christ in their lives & love the Church…
Evangelization
Offer all members some level of instruction in the faith to deepen their conversion…
Catechesis
We know
More than 90% of adult Catholics are active today because their parents were active only about 10% come to the church as adults What does this tell us?
Parents play
THE vital role
!
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Pastoral Planning
.com
until 1960
A timeline to help
Formation in the home Mass every week Feasts & Seasons Fasting & abstinence Confession
Religious Ed: filled in a tiny gap
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.com
until 1960
A timeline to help
1960-70s The old “Catholic culture” ended Television & media Huge cultural shift in West At Mass less often
Religious Ed: bigger gap to fill
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Pastoral Planning
.com
until 1960
A timeline to help
1960-70s 1980-90s Religion classes at parish or in schools …with the parents mainly absent Participation in Sunday Mass on the decline Home life more secular & media oriented
Religious Ed: HUGE gap to fill
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Pastoral Planning
.com
until 1960
A timeline to help
help develop 1960-70s parents.
1980-90s Today The numbers tell the truth The leading indicator “Will they have faith?”
The role their parents played in their formation.
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Two groups of parents
#1 Deeply engaged Active in parish life At Mass every week Household of faith #2 On the edge of the parish Show up when the kids need it Very tentative about faith Religion not central in life www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
These two groups
The engaged
– only about 16-20% Still reluctant about formation for their own kids Believes this is the job of the parish
The unengaged
– nearly 80-85% Some are hungry for more But many are
distracted
so they don’t even feel the ache or longing… These are the ones we must love the most www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
The outcome of this:
The passing of faith from
Generation to Generation has slowed down or stopped
.
Parents tend to remain absent… as long as we agree to do it for them.
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Many parents
Feel un-equipped Don’t know their own faith Haven’t got the own hearts
fire of faith
in their
So they drop their kid at the parish
And go shopping www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
And we at the parish
We accept these children And we do a pretty good job But we will always be only the
substitutes
Parents form their own kids
, even if they don’t take an active role www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Add to that…
Restored order of Confirmation
The
“carrot”
will be gone What will hold them?
If they stayed only for the carrot, Our formation wasn’t working anyway We aren’t losing very much
What seems to work
A combination of 3 things: Focus on the goal of
helping people know Christ Coach parents
to form their own kids
Participatory liturgy
www.PastoralPlanning.com
General Directory for Catechesis
From the GDC
#53 Conversion is first. It is the full and sincere adherence to the person of Christ and the decision to walk in his footsteps.
Faith is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the making of oneself a disciple and it demands a permanent commitment to think, judge, and live like him.
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Pastoral Planning
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General Directory for Catechesis
From the GDC
#98 What we find at the heart of all catechesis is not a book or a theology system, but a person!
The fundamental task of catechesis is to present Christ and everything in relation to him leading people to follow Christ in their lives.
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Pastoral Planning
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The Question of the Week
available on the site now -- FREE
Breaking Open the Word A process used in the RCIA A two step process: Re-proclaim part of the readings from Sunday Mass Then ask first: what touched me?
what word or phrase did I hear?
Followed by: how does this affect my life?
The witness of pastors
When you share what you believe In simple but honest words Others see belief as more possible for them You may need to rehearse or practice this in front of a mirror or with each other.
Living Christ
retreats
Friday evening and Saturday all day About 30 folks per retreat Leaders and host team from parish Working with your local team Brendan, Chris et al.
Deepen communion with Christ Grow in your ability to “die in Christ” www.PastoralPlanning.com
Living Christ
retreats
Use YOUR leaders Do not make this complicated Start with those in your parish who are already evangelized through Cursillo or other retreats Provide follow up Questions of the Week Mini-Course gatherings or bible study Be ready with follow up pastoral care
Resources
There are many resources to help you implement this at
www.PastoralPlanning.com
What seems to work
A combination of 2 things: Focus on the goal of
helping people know Christ Coach parents
to form their own kids
Participatory liturgy
www.PastoralPlanning.com
General Directory for Catechesis
From the GDC
#226
The religious awakening which takes place in the home during childhood is, simply,
irreplaceable
.
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General Directory for Catechesis
From the GDC
#227 The local parish must, therefore, help parents
by whatever means works best,
to prepare for and assume their responsibility,
of educating their children
in the faith.
www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Whole Family Catechesis
A new form of religious education One where parents take the lead With their children If parents can’t… Grandparents Older youth or others from the parish
The parents are the teachers.
www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Coach your parents.
When you coach parents to form their own children The parents also grow in their faith You can’t just “send home a book” Parents are intimidated It’s not community based www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Coach
To succeed
You need 3 things: #1
Leadership & vision
to see the whole picture of what it takes to
grow up Catholic
#2 A
Parent-friendly resource
#3
Motivate the parents
to jump in www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Coaching Parents
Baptism Prep for Confirmation and First Communion & Confirmation The years after Baptism …until about age 5 or 6 Key years after the First Sacraments Secondary school years www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
These live in a “Catholic” The goal here is:
Growing up Catholic
from a Catholic publisher are night prep process, usually enough Baptism One avenue for parents who are active and engaged Another for those who are on the edge of parish life and faith www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
I Claim You for Christ
One example of a retreat-like process Three sessions Journey of Faith from their own baptism to the present moment Dying in Christ – Reconciliation Living in Community – Eucharist A covenant about raising their kids in faith www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Here’s what it looks like Found on the web site An E-product www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Coaching Parents
Baptism
Post-baptism care
The years after Baptism …until about age 5 or 6 Who stays in touch?
Again, a dual approach More for those who are are
not
engaged than for those who www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Entrusted to Your Care
Who’s got time
One example of a method for staying in touch
for this?
E-product Reproducible Letters, e-mail, calendars, invitations, & prayers The key:
Stay in touch Relationship!
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Here’s what it looks like Found on the web site An E-product www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Coaching Parents
Baptism The years after Baptism …until about age 5 or 6 Prep for early Sacraments An ideal time to launch coaching Parents
expect
to be more involved
Parents & kids attend together
They work as a family through the lesson.
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Here’s one example:
from
Growing Up Catholic
Sacrament Prep
Coaching Notes
are all ready to use www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Confirmation before Eucharist
4 Sessions for Confirmation Begin with their own baptism Turn to a treatment on Mary End with a strong understanding of the Holy Spirit Move on to Eucharist immediately 10 sessions total About one year of work
Growing Up Catholic
Parents and children sit together A strong resource is on the table A Catechist leads the process People called “floaters” are available keeping an eye out for parent needs Here’s a picture of the room: www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Food Prayer Table Food Supplies
1 The purpose of exercise is to understand & pray the Our Father.
2 First, read through the words of the Our Father with them. Read one line and invite your child to repeat it after you. Your child should know this prayer by heart. Affirm your child often as he or she learns.
3 Then help your child find the correct meaning of each phrase of this prayer. Draw a line to that. We have given you two clues to get you started. Here’s the key: 1 = 4 2 = 8 3 = 1 (given) 4 = 7 (given) 5 = 2 6 = 5 7 = 3 8 = 9 9 = 6 10=10
Creating the Resource
Number the steps Give the answers
in a key
Do this in a parish gathering
Make it interesting and fun You will discover something:
Parents want to do this.
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Pastoral Planning
.com
1 We will now read about how Jesus is our friend, just as a shepherd is to his sheep. Begin by showing your child a Bible. Open it to show them this passage. 2 Tell them that we are going to read this story in words that we understand better.
3 Then close the Bible and ask them to read this passage aloud. Help them when needed. Ask your child to retell this story in his or her own words.
4 Time for a break! Help your child enjoy coloring this image of Jesus and the children. Coloring time is a good time to be close to your child without necessarily talking about faith. Don’t be afraid to during this time.
put your arm around your child 5 Your child may not be familiar with what shepherds do. Explain that they look after their sheep with tenderness and love. Jesus watches over us that way.
What about Confession?
Growing Up Catholic
has a 6-session prep process for Reconciliation BUT – should you wait until they’re older?
Plus: we must
return to this sacrament
many times throughout life…
Heartily Sorry
Gathering with all ages
to learn about and celebrate Reconciliation
Often with non Catholic spouses present
Reconciliation
Here’s what it looks like Found on the web site An E product
Coaching Parents
Baptism Prep for Penance and First Communion The years after Baptism …until about age 5 or 6 Key years after the First Sacraments www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
After the Sacraments
Learning Centers for Parents
Parents in one room Kids in another room Prayer Then parents move between 15-minute quick sessions, coaching them on specific topics of faith
Centers:
Little children Primary school age Secondary age Theological background Seasonal suggestions for the Catholic home (Advent, Lent, summer, etc) www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
After the Sacraments
Whole Family Catechesis
Parents and children work together Sitting at the same tables They learn about the topic and actually go through a lesson Very similar to the
Growing Up Catholic
approach The goal is to start a conversion about faith that will go home with them
Coaching Parents
Follow the themes set out by the Church in the GDC: Revelation Trinity Jesus Christ The Church Morality Sacraments The Kingdom of God Scripture Prayer Social Teachings The Mass Our Hunger for God Chastity Sin and Grace www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Here’s what it looks like Found on the web site An E product www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Another example
Faith on the Run Parables on the Run Miracles on the Run Learn to Love the Saints
One fold fliers E-products: PDFs You print Used to encourage parents to insert a sacred moment in the busy-ness of life
Coaching Parents
Baptism Prep for Penance and First Communion & Confirmation The years after Baptism …until about age 5 or 6 Key years after the First Sacraments Secondary school years www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
The period of “catch-up”
For children ages 8 thru 12 or 13
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Rooted in Sunday liturgy Excellent resources already exist For everyone older than 13 or so
Mini-Courses
on the faith Content & conversion oriented
Mini-Courses
How do they work?
Parents and youth sit together Open with something to break the ice Pray as one whole group Then move to small groups “Active learning” With a strong way of teaching
“Learn & Teach”
www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Here’s one example
48 Study Guides Growing Faith Mini Courses
for Learn & Teach
Short, defined areas of study Combined with faith sharing
are all FREE
Usually 6 to 10 sessions per Mini-Course For example:
What Does God Want?
Living the Commandments
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Learn & Teach
Break the material into small chunks and assign each to a small group The group draws out the major points Creates a one-page flip chart sheet on them which will be presented to all And prepares one of the points for dialogue in dyads in the larger group
They learn by teaching
www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Coaching Parents
Baptism The years after Baptism …until about age 5 or 6 Prep for Penance and First Communion & Confirmation Secondary school years Key years after the First Sacraments www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
To succeed
You need 3 things: #1
Leadership & vision
to go forward under this plan #2 A
Parent-friendly resource
#3
Motivate the parents
to jump in www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Marketing
Try this: “In today’s world, a lot of people are talking to your children about God… …Shouldn’t you be one of them?
Come to St Mary’s – we’ll show you how.” Or this: “Give your child what really matters: Share your Catholic faith.
Come to St Mary’s – we’ll show you how.” www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Marketing
Don’t be tentative!
We’d really like it if you’d take part, but of course, you don’t really have to … We don’t want to make you mad or anything, but this is really your job…but of course, we’ll do it for you if you don’t want to … You get lackluster results.
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Pastoral Planning
.com
Marketing
Personal invitations Coming from other parents Changing the ground over time so all will expect to be involved in the on going formation of their children Welcome all to Sunday Mass, Regardless their situation in life
Now…
What does a fully developed parish look like?
www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The Core Work of the Parish Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Formation Sac Prep Schools & RCIA
www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The Current Pastoral Plan Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Formation Sac Prep Schools & RCIA
www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The Current Pastoral Plan Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Formation Sac Prep Schools & RCIA Parish based process
where folks experience conversion www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The New Pastoral Plan Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Formation Sac Prep & RCIA Encounters & Retreats
www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The New Pastoral Plan Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Formation Sac Prep & RCIA Encounters & Retreats
www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The New Pastoral Plan Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Formation Sac Prep & RCIA Encounters & Retreats Lifelong Formation
to sustain conversion www.ThePastoralCenter.com
The New Pastoral Plan Liturgy music & devotions Stewardship envelopes & buildings Pastoral care & outreach Retreats & Encounters Formation Sac Prep & RCIA Lifelong Faith Formation
www.ThePastoralCenter.com
5 Steps to get rolling:
(1) Go home and form a Lifelong Faith Team Pastor People invested in these age groups From baptism prep to high school Key volunteers & Parents (2) Study and read
Great Expectations
Hold the discussions Follow the book
Your team’s job:
Plan with you to implement this Recruit new catechists & new assistants for the programs Work with you to schedule and carry out the various levels of faith formation Organize to invite parents personally into the process Pray with you for all who come forth
Your next steps…
(3) Use the
Planning Guide
(free) What elements of coaching work for you?
What timeline might you follow?
Who needs to be involved?
www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Your next steps…
(4) Schedule a parent & catechist meeting Use the
Parish Workshop
Provided free by us The Workshop includes:
Outline
for a two hour workshop
Prayer sheets
– reproducible
Talks and Exercises
– all outlined
PowerPoint pres
ready to use or adapt if you wish www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
To get these FREE tools
The Planning Guide The Parish Workshop
Pastoral Planning.
com
Parent Coaching Center
(on the home page) www.
Pastoral Planning
.com
Get started
(5) Start slowly Sacrament Prep?
Baptism?
Keep adding one group after another Think long term www.
Pastoral Planning
.com