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Getting Started with the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
By Jo Rotunno

By now many parish catechetical leaders have ordered and received copies of the new United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. However, due to the rush of organizing and launching fall catechetical programs, few have begun to use it yet. Advent can be a good time to sit down, become acquainted with this important new document, and begin to plan for how you will implement it in your adult faith community.

Where does the new Adult Catechism fit in with the other catechetical documents promulgated over the past fifteen years? The new Adult Catechism is the only one of these documents written with the particular faith needs of the general American Catholic population in mind. It filters the doctrinal content of the Catechism of the Catholic Church through the historical and cultural lens of the U.S. Church. Its chapters, following the four pillars of the universal Catechism, utilize a combination of story, presentation, and reflection to offer U.S. Catholics a vehicle for faith reflection and growth.

A unique feature of the new Adult Catechism is the stories of holy people of faith from the Americas that begin each chapter. Entering the doctrinal content through the vehicle of story reminds readers that doctrine is not a dry and dusty topic. Rather, it reflects a living reality that we can see witnessed in the lives of people of faith past and present—a way of life that all are called to embrace.

Figuring out an entry point to begin a reflective study of the Adult Catechism with catechists, parents, or other adult groups is a bit challenging. Because the Adult Catechism is a comprehensive statement of the beliefs of the Catholic faith, each chapter is packed with a multitude of concepts. Using a chapter-a-session approach may leave participants overwhelmed or confused. Instead, pick a key theme from a chapter and build a good session process around it. You might consider using a packaged curricular resource that is correlated to the themes of the Adult Catechism as an entry point. Participants can then move to the Adult Catechism for deeper study and reflection. You need not start with Chapter 1. Consider picking a series of related chapters and offering a series for study and prayer during Lent, when adults may be better motivated to attend.

Another challenge in introducing the new Adult Catechism with a large number of adults in your parish will be the need for good group facilitators. You will want to offer some “basic training” for new facilitators to prepare them for leading group processes with adults. Be sure to include an overview presentation for them on the features of the new document. USCCB offers you a PowerPoint presentation for doing just that through their Web site, usccb.org.

The new U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults is a blessing for the American Church. Our doctrinal tradition offers a strong and sure light along the path for adult Catholics. Your willingness to embrace this document and make it known to your adult faith community offers them access to this light.