Why Catholic?

 
 “There is no such thing as ‘maintenance-ministry’ today. We either must listen to the Lord's directive, "Set out into the deep," or diminish. One of the most dynamic ways to build up your faith community is through small groups, and Why Catholic? is a small-group initiative, specifically designed by RENEW International.”
Most Rev. Joseph W. Estabrook
Vicar for Evangelization and Vocations
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

RENEW International presents Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism.

Why Catholic? is a unique adult faith formation process solidly based on Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and updated to include citations from the newly published United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.

Newsletters

See the Why Catholic? On the Pastoral Front Newsletters with Military Updates.

Trainings

Trainings for those bases signed on to the Why Catholic? process:
Find the most updated Why Catholic? information on the web site of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
 
Benefits
The benefits of Why Catholic? for Military Catholic Faith Communities are many:

Great for

• Awakening and clarifying Catholic faith among military personnel and families

• Helping parents pass along their faith to their families

• Equipping Catholics with the skills for evangelization

• Enhancing catechist training, RCIA process, sacramental preparation

• Nurturing faith among Catholic families and building community within local commands

For more information contact Sr. Maureen Colleary, (908) 769-5400 ext. 121 or send an inquiry through the Renew International website.

Resources

Invite Every Parish (PDF,1.1MB) - Encourage your military community to discover Why Catholic?

Pastoral Services (PDF,184KB) - Learn how to Why Catholic? can be experienced in your military community.


A Two-Year Process for Implementing Why Catholic? on Military Installations/Bases

  • Orientation for Chaplains

Bishop Estabrook provides an overview of how Why Catholic? responds to an identified need today for faith formation among military personnel and families, presents the Why Catholic? process specifically tailored for the military, and invites chaplains to sign up for the process to implement Why Catholic?  on their bases.

  • Why Catholic? Training and Formation Workshops

RENEW provides national or regional gatherings before each of the four Why Catholic?  seasons.  The weekends (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) training will prepare chaplains and lay pastoral leaders to implement Why Catholic? as a total command experience.  The workshops will train participants to prepare facilitators at their home bases to launch Why Catholic?, implement evangelization strategies, lead small groups, and present a retreat to the total community.

  • Small Community Leader Formation

Upon return to their home commands, leaders who have attended the regional or national trainings, led by RENEW International staff, will be able to prepare their local lay pastoral leaders.  These workshops offer strong catechetical content, practical methods for facilitating adult learning, and creative strategies for inviting new participants.

  • Retreat Experience

At national or regional gatherings, RENEW International staff will train and supply resources to enable local lay pastoral leaders to offer a retreat at their local commands.  This retreat is based on Scripture and a theme from each of the four pillars of the Catechism.

  • RENEWING Family Faith

These attractive, family-friendly bulletin inserts reach all military personnel and family members.  Topics come to life with activities, prayers, and stories of heroes and heroines of our faith.

  • Ongoing Pastoral Support

RENEW provides consultation and materials to guide and implement the process.


For more information contact Sr. Maureen Colleary, (908) 769-5400 ext. 121 or send an inquiry through the Renew International website.