Forming adult faith
By Carolyn Hughes
Correspondent
On July 31, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will officially release the new United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1992, the adult catechism pays special attention to the particular “socio-cultural-ecclesial” aspects of Catholic adults living in the United States, according to the United States bishops’ Web site.
The USCCB Web site also explains that there are two types of catechisms: major and minor. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a “major catechism which is intended to be a resource or point of reference for the development of national or local catechisms and catechetical materials throughout the world.” The new adult catechism is an example of a minor catechism.
A companion discussion and prayer journal, as well as the Spanish language editions of the adult catechism, should be available in the fall, according to Msgr. Daniel Kutys, USCCB deputy secretary for catechesis.
User friendly
The Metuchen diocesan Office of Religious Education participated in the consultation process for two drafts of the document, beginning in 1992. All U.S. dioceses were given the opportunity to review and comment on the drafts.
The adult catechism has an entirely different format than the universal catechism, including “friendlier” language for the laity and families, said Mary Morrell, Office of Religious Education associate director.
“We are delighted to have the completed document for our use and are anxious to begin using it in all our areas of ministry, and to encourage its use most especially within any formation for our families . . . Our people need guidance in learning how to live out their faith in a world that is so often contrary to Catholic beliefs,” Morrell told The Catholic Spirit.
The book is organized in the same four-part structure as the Catechism of the Catholic Church: the creed, the sacraments, Christian morality and “The Our Father.” It differs in that each chapter begins with a story or lesson of faith, followed by doctrine, reflection, quotations, discussion questions and prayer.
Exceptional format
“The format is exceptional in that it serves as more than just an informational tool. With stories and lessons of faith featuring saints and exemplary Catholics, it provides readers with the opportunity to understand how faith is meant to be lived. Head knowledge is never enough,” Morrell stated.
Among the featured stories of faith are St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Father Patrick Peyton, St. Maria Goretti and Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Many of the prayers are from Scripture or were written by St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Therese of Lisieux.
“The reflection questions and prayers following the doctrinal excerpts from church documents create a true personal experience, a formation experience for those who are open to it,” Morrell added. “We have a lot of family catechetical programs for which this would be a great tool.”
The U.S. bishops’ Web site describes the catechism for adults as “an excellent resource for preparation of catechumens in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” and for ongoing formation in the faith.
The USCCB does not plan to publish separate national catechisms for elementary or high school age children at this time. “The catechism committee has been working with catechetical leaders for 10 years in reviewing and revising” religious education texts to comform with the universal catechism, Msgr. Kutys said.
To order the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (Publication No. 5-450, $24.95) call 800-235-8722 or visit your local bookstore.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law