By Julie A. Miller
Catholic Herald
Adult formation a priority for catechists
"We are convinced that the energy and resources we devote to adult faith formation will strengthen and invigorate all the charisms that adults receive and the activities they undertake, in the church and in society, to serve the Gospel of Christ and the people of today," it states. "Every church ministry will be energized through a dynamic ministry of adult catechesis."
Deacon Roger Cadotte, diocesan director of religious education and youth ministry, sees adult formation as a priority, but also sees challenges.
"There are some parishes that are doing a good job at that," he said. "I think the challenge is that a lot of parishes do not have a designated person for adult formation."
Catechists who are teaching religion to children are already stretched, he explained, and to add another responsibility to their job would be a difficult.
Sr. Jovita Winkel, pastoral associate and director of religious education for the Ladysmith-Hawkins-Tony parish cluster, said the emphasis on adult formation varies from parish to parish.
"I think (the greatest challenge) is moving from the paradigm of just child formation to adult formation, said Winkel, a Sister of St. Agnes. "I'm not saying that the child formation is not important, but to move from that paradigm ... touches on individuals and on their own formation and also their own sense of what it means to be a baptized Catholic and Christian."
Joanie McKeown, pastoral minister and director of religious education for the Webster-Crescent Lake-Danbury cluster, said she reminds adults of the need to continue growing in their faith.
"One problem is that many adults don't see the need to have more education once they are confirmed," she said. "I ask them if they are still driving the same car they had 20 years ago and tell them, 'You've changed. Your faith should also be changing.'
"What we do under the title of adult education or adult faith formation is not just teaching them about their faith, but giving them information to help them deepen their faith and keep on deepening their relationship with God," McKeown added.
Sharing faith stories is an important part of adult formation, said Mary Modjeski, adult formation director in the Amery-Glenwood City parish cluster and director of both religious education, grades seven through 12, and adult formation for the Cumberland-Almena cluster. "I see it as my task to help participants see that they have something to share from their faith journey. The facilitator is not the only one who knows something about the faith. "
Much parish adult education takes place through preparing children for sacraments. "Most parishes are doing a good job at that," said Modjeski. "Parents and children interact in the sessions, but it is centered around the sacraments."
In classes to prepare their children for sacraments, Modjeski said,"Parents are very concerned that their children are Catholic and learn about the faith, but I find that parents are not comfortable in sharing their faith." Parents are afraid they do not know enough about their faith or the teachings of the church, she added.
Cadotte believes adult education and programs for children go hand in hand. "We need successful and quality youth programming so they want to come back as adults," he said.
It is also important to remember that all education does not take place in the classroom, said McKeown. "The whole parish has to see it as their role as catechists. The way they treat each other is catechizing, either positively or negatively. Positive or negative, children pick up on that."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2000