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3John4
Member
| Joined: | Tue Feb 13th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 76 |
| First Name: | Dede | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic, Protestant, Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Feb 13th, 2007 06:20 pm |
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I am just wondering how many of you have any type of adult bible or catechism study--other than what is presented through RCIA--at your parish. If your parish does host such a study, is it taught by one of the priests? How often is it held? How many people participate?
My parish, which has over 8000 members has no such program, even though the parish does employ someone full-time who is in charge of Religious Education. Only about 25% of registered members attend mass, and I can't help wondering if this is partly due to a lack of understanding of the riches the Catholic faith holds. In the two years of study I did before I decided to return to Catholicism, I was astounded to find how little I really knew about the faith in comparison to what I THOUGHT I knew, and how sound the doctrine truly was. Educating myself helped me develop a love of, and desire to participate in, the mass, and I expect it would do the same for others as well.
Also, I really miss this type of group study from my years in the Protestant church. (Though, admittedly, I don't miss 12 people coming up with 9 different interpretations of the same passage!) I have learned a great deal studying on my own, but realize there is much to be gained through the intellectual stimulation and challenge group learning can provide. If anyone here has advice to share on how to present the idea of beginning an adult bible or catechism study to the priests of my church, as well as ideas about materials that have worked well at your parish, I would love to hear from you.
Thanks,
Dede
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mrsbmoo
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 265 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Methodist. RCA, Presbyterian, Holiness, Wesleyan... Catholic as of June ... |
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Posted: Tue Feb 13th, 2007 06:50 pm |
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My parish of 1,000(and yes some are only on the books) has three Bible studies/Sunday Schools for adults. I attend the one Sunday morning called "Basic Catholic Teaching" although we go deeper than it sounds and talk about how the teaching effects social issues and real life. There are aslo 2 on weekday evenings one covering a book of the Bible and another using a specific Bible study curriculum. As well, we have monthly presentations, called "devotions of the Faith" put on with guest speakers. It has covered topics like adoration, Marian devotions, healing prayer, and why make a retreat. This is all seperate from the RCIA program.
I would suggest talking to the Education director. He/she might be willing to try a new class and see how popular it was. Sometimes they are just waiting for someone to ask.
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Becky
Wife of Michael(called Moo) and stay at home mom to 5 daughters between 7 months and 16
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 4960 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Feb 13th, 2007 07:58 pm |
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3John4 wrote: I am just wondering how many of you have any type of adult bible or catechism study--other than what is presented through RCIA--at your parish. If your parish does host such a study, is it taught by one of the priests? How often is it held? How many people participate?
First of all, Dede, welcome to CHN. We look forward to your participation and to hearing your conversion story when you're willing to share it with us.
My parish does have bible study and various classes, but our pastor does not participate. He celebrates mass and that's about it. Classes are held weekly for about 6 weeks at a time and have been taught by our pastoral associate, and 23 people participated in our last program on Church.
I'll be teaching a program on the history of the Church in March and April. This class is part of a two year program leading to Master Catechist certification by our diocese. There are a total of 10 classes in the program, called Bayou Foundations, and each class has six sessions. Our diocese also has various classes and scripture studies at any given time.
We also have several groups doing small group scripture study using the Catholic Serendipity Bible. This is really more of a "what does this passage say to you" type of study designed to increase familiarity with scripture than actual catechetical instruction. Questions that come up about the meaning of passages are brought back to the pastoral associate or me.
Our parish has 1400 families so we're a lot smaller than your parish.
If anyone here has advice to share on how to present the idea of beginning an adult bible or catechism study to the priests of my church, as well as ideas about materials that have worked well at your parish, I would love to hear from you.
The easiest way is just to walk up and ask. There are ample resources available to your DRE, and many more available online. Chances are your parish has decided that no one would participate, so no one has made the effort to conduct a program. Until it's actually tried, you never know how successful it would be. I can tell you that our pastoral associate has had to actually personally invite people to the classes; they seldom register on their own.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Katy
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | DFW, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 78 |
| First Name: | Katy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Non-denom/Bible churches, Catholic since Easter 2005 |
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Posted: Tue Feb 13th, 2007 09:54 pm |
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3John4 wrote: I am just wondering how many of you have any type of adult bible or catechism study--other than what is presented through RCIA--at your parish. If your parish does host such a study, is it taught by one of the priests? How often is it held? How many people participate?
My parish has a few Bible studies. The one that I attend is taught by the priest. It meets every Monday night after the evening Mass. Usually about 50 people attend. Father Tim has always taught a weekly Bible Study, starting when he was an Episcopal priest for many years and now as a Catholic priest. Since I started going to the study, we have studied Matthew, Acts, Revelation, and many of St. Paul's letters. Father Tim is an excellent teacher; I have learned a lot in his study.
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Lord, by Your cross and resurrection, You have set us free. You are the Savior of the World.
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