75 Busy Years in Catechesis

This brief history of Catechesis in the Church of the USA was written by Bill Huebsch in 2007 for an NCCL publication, but it provides an excellent overview of how this ministry developed before and since Vatican II. It's remarkably timely right now!

Some of the leaders he mentions here are no longer with us and many newer leaders aren't mentioned. But it's essential to know our history if we wish to make a contribution as we move onward. 

In this outline, we find key questions and concerns that will guide our way forward as we develop and implement synodal style faith formation in our parishes. This is an unrefined resource meant to pass along the notes on this important development in catechesis to as many people as possible. 

And here is yet another informal, working doc in which Bill Huebsch thought through some of the steps a parish would have to take in order to launch synodal catechesis. He also gave some talking points to help you discuss this in your parish among leaders and participants in a synodal fashion. And finally, in a rough outline, he presents what a synodal catechetical session would look like.  All very helpful as we move forward together. 

As we move forward with synodal catechesis, we must all become pros at accompanying our parishes and schools as they embrace it. Here are some brief ways in which we can speak clearly about this approach to faith formation. It's important to remember that moving forward together in our goal. 

Here is a first draft of a catechetical session in which we have blended the protocol of the US bishops for this topic with the synodal method. Please take the time to study this and send your feedback and suggestions. This is a working document, meant to help us engage in Conversations in the Spirit as we learn how to enact synodal faith formation.