What is Why Catholic?

Go to Participating Parishes.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if more Catholics really knew their faith well, had the confidence and courage to proclaim it, and could connect its meaning to their everyday lives! What if they could easily relate their reasons for being Catholic?

Although many consider themselves Catholic, they would welcome renewing a clear Catholic identity that appreciates the unique basis, content, richness and joy of the Catholic faith.

How can we encourage Catholics to openly talk about their faith? How should people respond when others question their Catholic beliefs and teachings? How can parents pass along a full appreciation of the rich gifts of Catholicism to their families?

Many Catholics, both young and old, face opportunities every day to share their faith with others, but lack the basic knowledge and confidence to do so. Why Catholic? addresses these issues. It has a rich scriptural and doctrinal approach that gives a solid foundation for every Catholic to be an evangelizer.

RENEW International’s Why Catholic? ¿Por Qué Ser Católico? process is timely and offers a concrete approach to evangelization and adult faith formation employing up-to-date methods of adult learning and formation.

The Why Catholic? ¿Por Qué Ser Católico? process helps people explore Catholic teachings based on the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The faith-sharing materials offer 48 sessions on beliefs, sacraments, morality and prayer.

With direct catechism quotes, scriptural references and reflection questions that link to daily life, this resource fosters learning in a prayerful small community setting.

Materials have been thoroughly reviewed by the U.S. Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee who oversees the use of the catechism and have received an Imprimatur from Archbishop John J. Myers.

RENEW International, based in Plainfield, N.J., is a Catholic not-for-profit organization that has a 25-year record in revitalizing parish life by effectively training and implementing small community efforts in dioceses and parishes.

Since its inception, the work of RENEW International has touched the lives of more than 25 million individuals in thousands of parishes across six continents. RENEW's process of bringing priests and parishioners together in gatherings to reflect and pray has facilitated healing, spiritual renewal and great involvement in parishes throughout the country and around the world.

In the Diocese of Little Rock the workshops "Launching Why Catholic? ¿Por Qué Ser Católico?," "Nuts and Bolts of Catholic Evangelization" and "Small Community Leader Formation" will take place over the next. few months so that parishes will be ready to begin the program by Lent 2007.

RENEW International provides compelling answers in its new process for evangelization and adult faith formation titled Why Catholic? RENEW International introduced Why Catholic? in early 2004. Since then, numerous bishops, parish priests and parishioners have launched this process as a means to implement the goals of "Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us," the bishops' pastoral letter on adult faith formation.

RENEW International president and co-founder, Msgr. Thomas A. Kleissler commented, “Many people are seeking meaning beyond today's culture. They are also looking for ways to share their faith confidently with the people around them. Why Catholic? aims to be part of what the bishops have called ‘a life-long process of total Catholic education that has at its heart, evangelization.’”

The RENEW International director said, “As we meet with dioceses large and small, all over the country, diocesan staffs and priests’ councils consistently express the need to reach out with solid catechesis. From Atlanta to San Bernardino, Mobile to Steubenville, Why Catholic? is resonating because it has a concrete approach that addresses the very real hunger for Catholic insight and understanding.”

The new offering is designed to encourage high levels of participation. Small community leaders are prepared to implement the Why Catholic? process through special RENEW-led formation workshops and retreat experiences. Key among these is one titled "The Nuts and Bolts of Evangelization." Other tools that reach out to the entire parish include a special invitational video shown at Mass, family-focused bulletin inserts on faith topics, and workshops geared towards RCIA and sacramental preparation.

Reprinted with permission from RENEW International.