An Introduction to the

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An Introduction to the
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Discussion Outline

• History
• Mission
• Scope
• Structure
• Relationship with Other Key Texts
• Use and Misuse
• Questions

3
History

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 24
• Apostolic Constitution, Fidei Depositum
• USCCB assigns question to the Ad Hoc Committee to
  Oversee the Use of the Catechism
• June 2000 USCCB approves the decision to develop
  a national adult catechism
• Editorial Oversight Board appointed and a writer
  selected

4
History, continued

• Bishops review a detailed outline and three
  complete drafts
• Each consultation offer opportunities for comment
  and amendment
• USCCB approves final text in November 2004
• Holy See (Congregation for the Clergy) confirms
  the text November 22, 2004
• Published July 31, 2006

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Mission

• Intended for adults
• Does not replace the Catechism of the Catholic
  Church
• Designed to be comprehensive and accessible
• Invitation into a relationship of faith
• Well suited to RCIA, uncatechized adults, those
  seeking a fuller possession of their faith

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Scope

• Comprehensive introduction to the Catholic faith
• Not intended as a sole resource
• Other key resources Bible, Catechism of the
  Catholic Church, Liturgy, Christian life

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Structure

• Follows the four-pillar structure of the
  Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Creed The Faith Professed
• Sacraments The Faith Celebrated
• Morality The Faith Lived
• Prayer/The Lords Prayer The Faith Prayed

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Structure, continued

• Glossary
• Traditional Prayers
• Subject Index
• Scriptural Index

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Chapter Structure (36)

• Story or Lesson of Faith
• Teaching Its Foundation and Application
• Sidebars
• Relationship of Catholic Teaching to the Culture
• Questions for Discussion
• Doctrinal Statements
• Meditation and Prayer

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Story or Lesson of Faith

• 1. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,
• 2. Moses
• 3. Blessed John XXIII
• 4. Fr. Isaac Hecker
• 5. Orestes Brownson
• 6. Rose Hawthorne Lathrop (Mother Alphonsa)
• 7. Pierre Toussaint
• 8. Sr. Thea Bowman
• 9. Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
• 10. St. Peter
• 11. Fr. Junipero Serra
• 12. St. Juan Diego

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Story or Lesson of Faith, continued

• 13. St. Katharine Drexel
• 14. Fr. Martin Hellriegel
• 15. John Boyle OReilly
• 16. St. Frances Cabrini
• 17. Blessed Carlos Manual Rodriguez
• 18. St. Augustine
• 19. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin
• 20. St. John Neumann Blessed Francis Seelos
• 21. St. Thomas More
• 22. Fr. Patrick Peyton
• 23. Jesus and the Beatitudes
• 24. Cesar Chavez

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Story or Lesson of Faith, continued

• 25. Catherine de Hueck Doherty
• 26. Job
• 27. Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin Fr. James Fitton
• 28. Blessed Maria and Luigi Quattrocchi
• 29. Dorothy Day
• 30. Pope Paul VI
• 31. Mother Joseph
• 32. Bishop John Francis Noll
• 33. St. Maria Goretti
• 34. Mother Henriette Delille
• 35. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
• 36. Jesus and Prayer

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Teaching

• Detailed explanation of each principle
• Accessible language
• Referenced to Catechism of the Catholic Church

14
Sidebars

• Questions and answers from the Catechism of the
  Catholic Church
• Further explanations of related concepts (e.g.,
  canonization, Fathers of the Church)

15
Relationship to Culture

• Applies teaching to the U.S. culture
• Respects the diversity in the Church and society
  in the United States
• Notes challenges present in the U.S. culture
• Shows that Church teaching is relevant always and
  everywhere

16
Questions

• Way to internalize the teaching
• May be used communally, individually, or both

17
Doctrinal Statements

• Review of key points

18
Prayer

• Drawing into relationship with God
• Meditation on teaching
• Theology as fruit of prayer

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Relationship to Other Key Texts

• Catechism of the Catholic Church
• -- Frequently cited in USCCA
• -- Reference book for greater depth
• -- Richer use of primary sources
• Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic
  Church
• -- Question and answer format
• -- Quick reference
• -- Use of art as a teaching tool

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Key Texts, continued

• General Directory for Catechesis
• -- Catechesis as a ministry of the Word
• -- Relationship to evangelization
• -- Baptismal catechumenate as paradigmatic
• -- Divine pedagogy
• -- Calling into relationship with the living
  Christ
• -- Need for inculturation and adaptation to
  particular circumstances

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Key Texts, continued

• National Directory for Catechesis
• -- Catechesis is intentionally evangelizing
• -- Catechesis is Trinitarian, Christocentric,
  and ecclesial
• -- Information (memorization) and formation
  (life and sacrament)
• -- Primacy of adult formation
• -- Role of culture and community

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Key Texts, continued

• Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us
• Importance of adult formation
• Living, Explicit, and Fruitful Faith
• Respects the nature of adult learning
• Covers the necessary dimensions of adult
  formation

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Misuses

• Memorization of doctrinal statements with limited
  regard to remaining text
• Read like a novel
• Assuming the USCCA is the only resource you will
  ever need

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Uses

• RCIA
• Faith-sharing groups
• Introductory classes
• Catechist training
• Personal Developments
• Divide separate chapters
• Retreats
• In-service days
• Parent formation