Other Comments from Symposium Participants:

• Participating in the symposium left me with a pretty hard-edged sense of the many difficulties catechesis faces in the future, and at the same time, a deep conviction of hope. I find that blend of affirmation and challenge to be a wonderful climate for creativity and growth. (Dr. Daniel Luby, University of Dallas)

• A stimulating and important conversation. It was a privilege to have been a part of it. (Ron Pihokker, Archdiocese of Newark)

• The church is always in the process of renewing itself, and this generation is no exception. We serve our parishes badly if we do not prepare them for the reality and inevitability of change. We also suffer as catechists if we are not open and eager to embrace the future of the church as fervently as we have devoted ourselves to its past and present. (Alice Camille, Writer)

• Listening to leadership from academia, publishing, diocesan offices and catechetical organizations gave me an opportunity to learn from many different perspectives. There were no solutions or answers but some marvelous tools to help work on “the project.” After the symposium I looked at my parish, my office staff, my children and my ministry with new questions and a fresher attitude. (Anne Comeaux, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)

• This was a great experience in focusing collaboratively for the future of catechetics. It is not often we can spend time with persons in our field to mentor ideas, share directions and insights, and open us to new directions. The symposium allows this to happen in a simple format that produces results. (Sr. Celeste Arbuckle, Archdiocese of San Francisco)

• This was a high energy, visionary event that looks to the future of effective faith formation in the Catholic tradition. (Jim Shellman, FORUM)

• It is a challenging – but very good – time to minister in the church. One of the key supports for ministry, for discipleship, today is the opportunity to be able to gather with others (not just those with similar views) to discuss, to remember, to study, to listen to various ideas, to hear things in a new way, to share wisdom, to dream, to vision. This short but full Symposium provided that for me in an atmosphere of hospitality, prayer, and deep respect for each person’s experience and contribution. In our time together we certainly named the joys and successes of the past, but realistically identified the challenges of today. What was exciting was that there was such dedication, enthusiasm, and hope for the solutions to meet these challenges together. You could feel it in the room. (Sr. Janet Schaeffler, Archdiocese of Detroit)

• We were catechetical ministers from throughout the United States. Each of us were called, involved, challenged by our ministry and eager to share and grow together. It was an ideal mix for the Holy Spirit’s hovering and outpouring. (Sr. Marie Pappas, C.R.)

• RCL Benziger has given us the model and the opportunity to discuss issues of common concern in Catechetics as we face the future. What they have begun can be replicated all over the United States and would be very helpful to those involved in leadership positions in our dioceses. (Barbara Smith, Diocese of Portland, ME)

• It was genuinely one-of-a-kind experience to be invited and involved in a dialogue with such distinguished catechetical leaders of the United States about such important topic – the Future of Catechesis and Future of Church. I’m truly touched by the attempt of RCL Benziger to even think of this endeavor. I think this type of dialogue must continue on all levels of Church leadership – parish, diocesan, regional, and national levels. Whatever transpired from this meeting is not as important as the get-together itself. It was an exceptional gathering! (Kathy Cho, Diocese of San Bernardino)

List of Participants • Symposium Snapshots • Major Addresses