Seeks to expand idea of catechesis

"Traditionally, we looked at catechesis as bringing children to the parish and instructing them with textbooks," said Judith Dunlap, founder of the Catechetical Renewal Network. "There's more to it. Catechesis happens not just in the parish but in the home as well. We catechize parents as well as children."

Mrs. Dunlap will be the speaker at an in-service sponsored by the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, March 16, at St. Edward's Church in Clifton Park. "Evangelizing Our Own: Nurturing Faithful and Faith-Filled Catholics" is open to all clergy, deacons, campus ministers, pastoral associates, parish life directors, and catechetical and youth ministry leadership.

Expanding view

"What we're involved in is more than teaching children about religion," she said. "It's not just informing but forming the people who are already a part of the parish community."

According to Joyce Solimini, associate director for youth and family catechesis for the OEC, participants in the in-service will leave with practical ways to promote evangelizing catechesis.

"Judith Dunlap will encourage us to think outside the boxes," she said. "The current models are school models. That was fine when everybody went to church. We need to look at models that evangelize and catechize. We need to spark faith and deepen it."

Changing systems

In addition, she said, many of the people coming to parishes to be married, to baptize their children or to prepare their children to receive Reconciliation and Eucharist grew up during a time when the Church did not emphasize religious literacy. While they may come to the parish seeking a sacrament for their children, it is also an opportunity for the parish to evangelize them.

"Parents will do for their children what they won't do for themselves," Mrs. Dunlap said. For example, if the parish sends out a flyer announcing an adult lecture series, no one will show; but if parents are invited to a meeting to discuss how to help prepare their child for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the meeting will be filled.

New models

"One size doesn't fit all," she said. "We need to try different models. People are becoming frustrated because the old models aren't working."

In addition, the type of programs that work in urban areas might not be best for rural or suburban regions, and the type of programs that work for children might not be helpful for intergenerational catechesis.

"We're at a turning point," Mrs. Solimini said, "and we're ready to take the leap."

(Judith Dunlap, founder of the Catechetical Renewal Network, has devoted much of her ministry to developing alternative catechetical processes and focusing on family-centered catechesis. She lives in Dayton, Ohio, and is a mother of five grown children and is a grandmother. "Evangelizing Our Own: Nurturing Faithful and Faith-Filled Catholics" will be held March 16 at St. Edward's parish in Clifton Park. For information, contact the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at 453-6630.)

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