Commentary » Adolescent Catechesis

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• Effective Models of Adolescent Faith Formation for Parishes
• Keys to Efficient Faith Formation
• A Variety of Vibrant Youth Ministry Components
• Trained and Effective Adult Leaders
• Healthy Cooperation
• Effective Models of Adolescent Catechesis
  • Important Considerations
  • Mini-Courses
  • Small Faith Communities
  • Retreats
  • Discipleship in Action
    • Variations of Discipleship in Action
  • Super Sundays
  • Religious Education Classes
  • Supplemental Approaches
• How to Select the Right Model
• Confirmation Guidelines

 

How to Select the Right Model

Last Revised on February 19, 2012

This is perhaps the most vexing question that catechetical leaders face: of the many models and resources that are available, which shall I choose?  Or better: Which models, singly or in combination, have the best chance of effectively evangelizing and catechizing our young people?

The following series of questions and answers may help in this discernment:

Is my parish “youth friendly?”

As discussed earlier in this document, the overall climate of the parish faith community is vitally important to an effective program of adolescent catechesis.  In “youth friendly” parishes with comprehensive youth ministry, systematic adolescent faith formation is simply part of the fabric of the general hospitality accorded to youth.  Contact CYM for assistance in this regard.

Does my parish have comprehensive youth ministry?

If not, this is the place to start.  Since systematic adolescent catechesis best takes place in the context of comprehensive youth ministry, this is your best starting point.  Contact CYM for assistance in developing your youth ministry.

Does my parish operate out of the Whole Community Catechesis perspective?

It has been said that the faith community is the primary curriculum of religious education.  How the parish serves, celebrates, prays, worships – how the parish lives as a faith community – is at least as important as its intentional, systematic catechesis in terms of conveying the good news.  In Whole Community Catechesis, intentional catechesis is intimately intertwined with the liturgy, service, teaching and community of the parish.  Contact the Office of Religious Education for assistance in learning more about and developing this approach.

How do I select the most appropriate model(s) of adolescent catechesis for my faith community?

This is a complex question, since it requires answering several other interlocking questions: (a) What needs do we hope to address?  (b) What do we want to accomplish?  (c) What resources (personnel, time, and money) are available?  Each parish community needs to assess its needs, establish its goals, and determine the resources it plans to devote to the effort.  Once these steps are accomplished, the chart on the next page may assist in matching needs, goals and resources to the appropriate model.

The chart illustrates that some of the models are better at what the General Directory for Catechesis calls “primary proclamation,” directed at nonbelievers and those living in “religious indifference.” (GDC, #61)   Some are better at “continuing education in faith” (GDC, # 69) and some are better suited to “journeying towards perfection” (GDC, #56), that is, into deeper conversion and discipleship.

It stands to reason that models that are better at “primary proclamation” are likely to be most helpful early on in the progression of a systematic program of faith formation.  Those that provide “continuing education in the faith” should follow, and those that lead young people into deeper conversion and discipleship should follow thereafter.  Of course, this sequence is not set in stone – the genius of effective catechetical leadership is to meld models and approaches together within the context of the broader faith community in a way that makes formation seamless and ongoing.

The chart also identifies those models that are heavily labor, time and money-intensive.  In general, these qualifiers should serve as general guides to the investment of resources demanded by each model.

 

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