• The Parish is the Curriculum

• Technology Morphs Catechesis

Liturgical catechesis is a model of faith formation founded on the baptismal catechumenate. The baptismal catechumenate requires a faith formed in community, accepts differences, encompasses personal story, and leads to interaction with the world. In, Introducing Liturgical Catechesis, Nick Wagner has given us an easy to understand overview of this process useful for individual contemplation or parish formation.

2. Why is the church moving in this direction at this time?

3. What is the role of the community in liturgical catechesis?

4. What are the unique problems in translating catechesis from a modern to a post-modern model?

5. If your catechetical program is not working is it a reflection of your community’s faith?

6. How do inadequate programs affect faith formation?

7. What is the difference between catechesis and evangelization? What are the links?

• “Finally, a guide for pastors, parish directors of religious education, RCIA leaders, youth ministers and others who want to engage parishes with the most powerful catechetical tool at our disposal...the liturgy.  Parish leaders see the catechetical power of the liturgy at the Easter vigil, but do not know how to effectively make use of it on a larger scale in the parish.  This book [Introducing Liturgical Catechesis] will help make that possible. ”—Jim Kemna, Director of Religious Education, Diocese of Jefferson City

• “Liturgical catechesis is simply a return to an ancient way of forming faith. Introducing Liturgical Catechesis not only reminds us of that history, but also examines current catechetical and liturgical documents as well as our own experiences to help the Church form disciples in today’s world. With piercing clarity, accessible theology, and a touch of humor, Nick Wagner gently and passionately guides us (and teaches us to guide others) to that place where our story intersects with the Gospel, where our lives join with the saints, and where earth and heaven meet. ”—Diana Macalintal, Director of Worship, Diocese of San Jose

1.  “As we pray, so we believe…. In our liturgies the great Holy Mystery who was, who is, who always will be reaches out and touches the worshipers. This touch has the power to transform the community, to turn it toward God’s reign, where the lion lies down with the lamb, where the poor are fed and housed and reverenced, where all good things flourish. We worship with the people, with the ‘things’ of creation—bread, wine, oil, and water—and with song and dance and every good human impulse. Everything is sacramental…. Catechesis for liturgy simply unveils the grace that is already there in all that we do. The catechist leads the commu-nity to see ‘the more’,and when we see ‘the more’ we recognize the invisible reality beyond the visible signs in life. Such recognition leads us to turn to the Holy Mystery who is reaching out and enfolding the whole human race with love and with grace and simply say, ‘Amen.’” — Anne Marie Mongoven, O.P., The Prophetic Spirit of Catechesis: How We Share the Fire in Our Hearts (Paulist Press, 2000)

2. “Liturgical catechesis is not, as might be assumed, catechesis about the eucharistic celebration, though this will be a small part of it. Instead is a process that is centered on the liturgy and grows out of the Sunday celebration itself, at the same time fostering more active participation. It becomes the way people of all ages are formed in faith.” — Mary J McDonald, Building a Eucharistic Community: A Handbook for Liturgical Catechesis (Resource Publications, 2001)

3. “The parish is, without doubt, the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and expressed.” — General Directory for Catechesis (Congregation for the Clergy, US Catholic Conference, 1998)