Adult Catechesis
"The catechesis of adults is the principle form of catechesis, because it is addressed to persons who have the greatest responsibility and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developed form."
- Pope John Paul II, Catechesis in Our Time
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship | Adult Catechesis Resources
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States
In "Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us," this pastoral plan for adult faith formation, the Bishops of the United States set forth these major goals:
- Invite and Enable Ongoing Conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life
- Promote and Support Active Membership in the Christian Community
- Call and Prepare Adult to Act as Disciples in Mission to the World
The national plan is a clear call to help all ages of adults on their life-long journey of understanding their Catholic faith, proclaiming their faith, and living their faith. The development of adult faith formation must be intentional, organized and systematic.
Adult Catechesis promotes mature adult faith: the faith of the disciple who has been saved by Christ's redemptive love and who is being continually converted to him.
The major tasks for adult faith formation are:
- To promote formation and development of life in the Risen Christ through the sacraments, prayer life of the Church, works of charity and justice, retreats, and spiritual direction
- To promote evangelization as the means of bringing the Good News to all states of humanity
- To educate toward the development of an informed moral conscience
- To clarify religious and moral questions
- To clarify the relationship between the Church and the world, especially in light of the Church's social doctrine
- To develop the rational foundations of the faith and demonstrate the compatibility of faith and reason
- To encourage adults to assume their baptismal responsibility for the Church's mission and to be able to give Christian witness in society
- To develop creative ways to interest and encourage adults to take advantage of the various programs of enrichment and spiritual development being offered.
-National Directory for Catechesis (48.A.2)
How To Use the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
To help parishes incorporate the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) into their programs and activities, the USCCB has created outlines of how to use the USCCA in various settings and time frames.
For more information, please contact:
Ute Eble, Director of Catechesis
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367
Local:
(317) 749-0871
Toll Free: (800) 382-9836 ext. 0871
Email: ueble@archindy.org
