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Practically Speaking: Putting the Catechumenal Model at the Center

The New Evangelization is on everyone’s mind. New committees are being formed, new commissions convened. Books are being written, and speakers are speaking to other speakers and leaders to leaders. The New Evangelization is on everyone’s mind…except the mind of the average Catholic, who hasn’t the slightest idea that the latest discussion is quite frankly about them. The message is about to go through the maze of the Church and in the end for all of the baptized to become deeply in love and converted to the Person of Jesus Christ, everyone from top to bottom will have to answer the question posed by our Lord long ago to Peter: “Who do you say that I am?” And if we are honest, and this is a must, we may not like our answer.

What is the problem? Where have we failed? I am convinced that most Catholics, even though they have received the sacraments and had some form of religious education, have not had the Gospel proclaimed to them. They have not been converted to a deep love and desire for Jesus Christ. This is documented in studies. Catholics consistently report that they do not relate to a personal God. Catholics do not often identify themselves as Christians. Catholic? Maybe. Christian? Not Sure. A Disciple? No.

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Patty Norris is the Director of Religious Education at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Milford, OH. She also serves as the Director of Seminars and Board Member for the Association of Catechumenal Ministries (ACM) with Gary, her husband and partner in ministry.

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Issue:

34.4

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About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

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