Age Group Catechesis Topic 2 - Envisioning New Approaches

Envisioning New Approaches 

What would it be like if you designed age group catechesis using the Directory for Catechesis and contemporary approaches to catechetical programing.

Reading

• Guide to Designing Age Group Catechesis 
• Nurturing the Faith of Young People by Jolene Roehlkepartain
• Chapter 4. "Catechesis with Children" in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis
• Insights & Practices: Children
• Chapter 5. "Catechesis with Adolescents in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis 
• Insights & Practices: Adolescents
• Chapter 6. "Catechesis with Adults" in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis
• Insights & Practices: Young Adults

Developing a Blueprint for the Future of Age Group Catechesis in Your Parish

Using the Summary from Topic 1 "Analyzing Current Practice" develop a "blueprint" for the future of age group catechesis with children, adolescents, and adults in your parish. Your blueprint incorporates ideas that have emerged from your reading and your analysis of current age group catechesis using the 7 Elements which are informed by the Directory for Catechesis. This is the idea stage. 

To develop your blueprint follow this process. Repeat it for each age group 

Children

1. Review: How is your parish currently implementing the practices with children? (from Topic 1)
2. Read: Chapter 4. "Catechesis with Children" in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis. 
3. Read: Nurturing the Faith of Young People and Insights & Practices: Children (attached)
4. Review: What could you change in the future  to more fully implement the practices with children?  (from Topic 1)
5. Envision: Develop specific ideas, strategies, and/or programming for more fully implementing the practices with children. 

 Adolescents

1. Review: How is your parish currently implementing the practices with adolescents? (from Topic 1)
2. Read: Chapter 5. "Catechesis with Adolescents" in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis. 
3. Read: Nurturing the Faith of Young People and Insights & Practices: Adolescents (attached)
4. Review: What could you change in the future to more fully implement the practices with adolescents? (from Topic 1)
5. Envision: Develop specific ideas, strategies, and/or programming for more fully implementing the practices with adolescents.  

Adults

1. Review: How is your parish currently implementing the practices with adults: young adults 20s-30s; midlife adults 40s-50s; mature adults (60s-70s); and older adults (80+)? (from Topic 1)
2. Read: Chapter 6. "Catechesis with Adults" in Guided by the Directory for Catechesis. 
3. Read: Insights & Practices: Young Adults (attached)
4. Review: What could you change in the future to more fully implement the practices with adults? (from Topic 1)
5. Envision: Develop specific ideas, strategies, and/or programming for more fully implementing the practices with adults. Develop your ideas for one or more of the four seasons of adulthood:
   • young adults 20s-30s
   • midlife adults 40s-50s
   • mature adults (60s-70s)
   • older adults (80+)

Develop a Report with Your Blueprint

Prepare a report of your blueprint for age group catechesis that you can use as the basis for planning in the future. Share your blueprint with your pastor, parish staff, and catechetical leaders.