NOTE: The themes mentioned below are taken directly from the U.S. Bishops’ document, “Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age,” published in 2007. While this framework was developed specifically for high school-aged youth, I would argue that the framework would still be useful for most adult faith formation programs as well.
Theme Overview
- Sacred Scripture: The Revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture
- Person of Christ: Who is Jesus Christ?
- Paschal Mystery: The Mission of Jesus Christ
- Church: Jesus Christ’s Mission Continues in the Church
- Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ
- Morality: Life in Jesus Christ
- Social Justice: Living as a Disciple of Jesus Christ in Society
- Vocation: Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ
YEAR 1
Summer/Fall 2013: What Does It Mean to Be An American Catholic in the 21st Century?
To access the links to the session handouts, please click here.
August 2013
- Catechism Session 1: God’s Call and Our Response
- Catechism Session 2: Faith in a Self-Revealing God
September 2013
- Catechism Session 3: Created and Redeemed in Love
- Catechism Session 4: The Church: People, Body, Temple
- Catechism Session 5: Celebrating the Mystery
- Special Topic:
October 2013
- Catechism Session 6: Initiation Into the Body of Christ
- Catechism Session 7: God’s Desire for Healing
- Catechism Session 8: Christ’s Love and God’s Law
- Special Topic:
November 2013
- Catechism Session 9: Loving God With Whole Mind and Heart
- Catechism Session 10: Love and Respect in Family
- Catechism Session 11: Love, Respect, and Justice for All
- Special Topic:
December 2013
- Catechism Session 12: Responding to God’s Love in Prayer
- Special Topic:
Winter 2014: Sacred Scripture
RESOURCE: And God Said What? An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms
To access the links to the session handouts, please click here.
January 2014
- Scripture Session 1: What is the Bible?
- Scripture Session 2: Literary Forms: Myth, Legend, Debate
- Scripture Session 3: Literary Forms: Fiction, Songs, Narratives
- Special Topic:
February 2014
- Scripture Session 4: What is a Gospel?
- Scripture Session 5: The Infancy Narratives
- Scripture Session 6: The Miracle Stories
- Special Topic:
March 2014
- Scripture Session 7: Parables and Allegories
- Scripture Session 8: The New Testament Letters
- Scripture Session 9: The Book of Revelation
- Special Topic:
Spring/Summer 2014: Person of Christ
RESOURCE: Jesus, A Historical Portrait, St. Anthony’s Messenger Press
To access the links to the session handouts, please click here.
April 2014
- Christ Session 1: How Do We Know Who Jesus Is?
- Christ Session 2: Exploring the World Jesus Knew
May 2014
- Christ Session 3: The Now and Future Kingdom
- Christ Session 4: Listening to the Master’s ‘Voice’
- Christ Session 5: Miracles: Signs of God’s Presence
- Special Topic:
June 2014
- Christ Session 6: Lord, Teach Us to Pray
- Christ Session 7: The Truth About Jesus and Women
- Special Topic:
July 2014
- Christ Session 8: Rendering to Caesar — And to God
- Christ Session 9: The Death of Jesus: Then and Now
- Special Topic:
August 2014
- Christ Session 10: The Resurrection: High Point of History
- Christ Session 11: Christianity Takes Root
- Christ Session 12: When He Comes Again
- Special Topic:
Leaven in the World 