Category Archives: evangelization

The US Bishops published Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us in 1999, and after their appeal to hope in their conclusion (181-183) we find an Afterword which attempts to clarify some understandings. Different terms are often applied: catechesis, education, and formation. … Continue reading →

It’s time to wrap up the USCCB document Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. Today and tomorrow we’ll look at the bishops’ Conclusion. They begin citing the third Gospel: So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they … Continue reading →

The US Bishops published Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us in 1999. Twenty-three years later they acknowledge the time was then. If any readers in Catholic parishes are still with me, you can assess if your community has seen the … Continue reading →

In Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us the US bishops focus more (173-177) on the prospect of Prepare your leaders than on any of the other four implementation actions. Personnel is obviously important. More vital than any other aspect of … Continue reading →

The US Bishops published Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us in 1999. By the time we get to paragraph 168, there is a plan and now, A Call to Implementation. This needs more than just words on a page or website. … Continue reading →

The US Bishops discuss their support for adult faith formation with their third objective for dioceses in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: The diocese will allocate adequate personnel and resources for carrying out the mission of adult faith formation … Continue reading →

The US Bishops’ second objective for dioceses advocates “a clear strategy for developing parish adult faith formation leaders, teams, and catechists.” Nothing greatly specific is given; the document Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us acknowledges “the specifics of strategies will … Continue reading →

The US Bishops turn their attention to The Diocesan Vision of Adult Faith Formation in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us starting with paragraph 155, the first of three objectives for the local bishop and his staff: The diocese will … Continue reading →

With sections 154 through 178, we’ll turn our attention to the diocese and its support for adult faith formation. Remember, this document Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us was promulgated in 1999. While parishes succeed, fail, and bear fruit or … Continue reading →

The US Bishops published Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us in 1999. In their Part IV: A Plan for Ministry — Organizing for Adult Faith Formation, they look at various roles in the parish. Today, we look at The Catechist of Adults. … Continue reading →

The US Bishops promote teamwork in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: The parish will have a core team of parishioners committed to and responsible for implementing the parish vision and plan for adult faith formation. (142) As people say … Continue reading →

On parish staffs, there is often a faith formation director. I suspect these persons are almost as numerous as pastors-in-residence these days. The titles vary, but adult formation often comes under their supervision. Some very large parishes have a person … Continue reading →

The US Bishops urge “Organizing for Adult Faith Formation” in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us. So here we are, looking at The Pastor and Other Pastoral Leaders. As we look at this role and those of the adult formation director, committee, … Continue reading →

As we look into that ministry plan for adult formation in Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us paragraphs 124 through 153 look at key roles in the parish–people in positions that will make the effort fruitful. The bishops stress the … Continue reading →

Continuing with Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us … in this post we continue looking at their Part IV, Organizing for Adult Faith Formation. We are considering the parish, and this motto: The Parish Is the Curriculum. What do the bishops mean … Continue reading →