“Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him…With God’s grace, catechesis develops initial faith, nourishes the Christian life and continually unfolds the mystery of Christ until the believer willingly becomes his disciple.” NDC 19, A (National Directory for Catechesis)

Age Specific Catechesis

“Growth in faith is related to human development and passes through stages. Individuals develop as human beings and faithful followers of Christ in different ways and according to their own pace.

No matter what style or rate of growth in faith, such growth always means gradually becoming more like Christ. It means growing into communion with the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit through active participation in the sacraments, the prayer life of the Church, and generous service to others.

The Church’s catechesis – and even more so, the catechist – must take into consideration all the human factors of a particular age level in order to present the Gospel message in a vital and compelling way.

From infancy through maturity, ‘catechesis is thus a permanent school of faith and follows the major stages of life.’” [NDC p. 187]

Catholic Publishers

"Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him…With God’s grace, catechesis develops initial faith, nourishes the Christian life and continually unfolds the mystery of Christ until the believer willingly becomes his disciple.” NDC 19, A (National Directory for Catechesis)

Home Catechesis

“The Christian family is ordinarily the first experience of the Christian community and the primary environment for growth in faith. Because it is the ‘church of the home’ {FC 311}, the family provides a unique locus for catechesis. It is a place in which the word of God is received and from which it is extended.” [NDC 100-101]

Question of the Week

“Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him…With God’s grace, catechesis develops initial faith, nourishes the Christian life and continually unfolds the mystery of Christ until the believer willingly becomes his disciple.” NDC 19, A (National Directory for Catechesis)

Whole Parish Catechesis

“The effectiveness of catechesis depends to a great extent on the vitality of the Christian community in which it is given.” [NDC p.100]

• Also known as, but not limited to Whole Community Catechesis and Intergenerational Catechesis.

Question of the Week

“Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him…With God’s grace, catechesis develops initial faith, nourishes the Christian life and continually unfolds the mystery of Christ until the believer willingly becomes his disciple.” NDC 19, A (National Directory for Catechesis)

Individual Catechesis

“Adult catechesis requires a comprehensive, multifaceted, and coordinated approach and a variety of learning activities, such as participation in liturgical experiences, Scripture reading and study, retreats and experiences of prayer, family or home-centered activities, ecumenical dialogue, small group experiences, large group experiences, and individual activities.” [NDC p.192]

“Catechesis with adolescents ‘incorporates a variety of program approaches, including parish and school programs; small-group programs; home-based programs, activities and resources; one-on-one and mentoring programs; and independent or self-directed programs or activities.” [NDC p. 202}

Distance Learning opportunities:

Catholic Home Study Program - Knights of Columbus and Vincentian Community

Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation - University of Dayton

Knights of Columbus Catholic Information Service