Category Archives: evangelization

On Inclusivity and Love

Bishop Barron is a good guy who, I think, wants to be a better guy. He seems to struggle with the basics of synodality here.  Earlier today I posted a commentary on a friend’s social media stream along the following … Continue reading

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Priests As Front Men

In a discussion on obedience, two things struck me. Unsurprisingly the new Missal was not a success as church and seminaries emptied. (A)ll of these bishops banning THE rite that nourished and produced Saints for centuries… sure seems like a … Continue reading

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Priestsplaining

A friend recommended this blogpost from an Illinois priest, Msgr Eric Barr. For a cleric of my generation, he does read a lot like the new brand of JP2/B16 priest. He appears sincerely troubled about religious disaffiliation. Patheos, the parent … Continue reading

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 184-191: Afterword

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 181-183: Conclusion

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 179-180: A Time To Plan, A Time To Act

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 173-178: Leaders and Financial Resources

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 168-172: A Call To Implementation

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 164-167: Diocesan Support

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 160-163: Diocesan Plan and Strategy

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 155-159: Diocesan Vision

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 154-178: Diocesan Support

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 149-153: The Catechist of Adults

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 142-148: The Adult Faith Formation Team

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

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Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us 135-141: The Adult Faith Formation Leader

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

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