Catholic Adult Faith Education

“What’s Working Well In Our Parishes?”

According to participants at a recent Archdiocesan workshop, the top answers were:

- Christ Renews His Parish
- Small Church Communities
- The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
- Lenten Reflection Series

The comments were solicited from 27 parishes attending a workshop on “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, A Strategic Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States.” Dr. Matthew Hayes, President of Brebeuf High School and former Chief Catechetical Director for the Archdiocese of Louisville facilitated the day. Matt began his career as a Parish DRE and spent 14 years as the Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education here in Indianapolis. His comment on the day was “It was a grace-full experience for him.”

Participants previewed the USCCB document so the day was spent focused on the positive aspects of what our parishes are doing. There was also a good deal of discussing on “concrete approaches to Adult Faith Formation.” Donna McKenzie from St. Joseph University Parish in Terre Haute asked, “How can we deal with the limited time that families have?” and “How do we balance doctrine, faith, ritual, spirituality and community?”

Susan Isaacs from St. Mary of the Knobs asked, “How do we best train adult leaders who themselves need to be educated in the faith?” Leslie Lynch from St. Mary, Lanesville asked for more resources to begin building an Adult Faith Formation team. Ron Greulich with the Archdiocesan Stewardship Education Office commented, “I like the idea of Catechist Certification for Adult Faith Formation.”

In reflecting on the Six Dimensions of Adult Faith Formation Content and the Qualities of Mature Faith, the group also had a few recommendations for the Office of Catholic Education:

Provide a vision for Adult Faith Formation

Provide training, structure and certification for Adult Faith Formation Leaders

Offer workshops and printed material / web-based information on “how to facilitate adult groups”

“Our Hearts Were Burning” Leader’s Guide

Monthly E-mail and articles by AFF leaders

Provide a list of resources and adult programs and links which parishes can implement

Recruit new members for Archdiocesan Adult Faith Formation Committee

Help establish Adult Faith Formation Teams; reporting, communication, support, expansion, funding

Conduct quarterly meetings for Adult Faith Formation Leaders for faith-building, training, inspiration and enrichment

Communicate success stories

Encourage our Pastors to be actively engaged in Adult Faith Formation Programs and their encouragement for all adults to attend faith formation activities

Ecclesial Lay Ministry session in New Albany

Provide balance: Doctrine, faith, ritual, spirituality, community, individual, priest, laity

Provide consistent program offerings for all parishes

More full-time staff for AFF in our parishes


The group also viewed the short National Geographic documentary, “What’s Right With the World.” Keeping our goal in focus, here is the plan: Promote ongoing conversion to Jesus, facilitate active membership in the Catholic community, and become disciples to the world. Recognizing that these goals have been with us for a long time, Anne Corcoran, Adult Faith Formation Director at St. Monica commented, “Continue to focus on Parish Leadership Training,” and added, “This was a great day and a great help.”