Why Can’t We Call It CCD or Religious Ed or Religion Class?

At Vatican II it was important for the bishops of the world, along with the pope, to refer to the Church using new language. The bishops began to refer to the Church under a new name: the People of God. They renewed our understanding of ourselves as the Body of Christ. Language affects our perception of reality and our actions: if we call something by a new but true name it becomes that thing!

If we continue calling our programs schools of religion, or religious education programs, or religion class, most people will see them as mainly for children. If we call it whole community catechesis people will see it as a part of being Catholic, of growing in our faith as families and as community.

Immaculate Conception Church adopted this new process in 1995.

What Are Our Goals?

  1. Conversion, the turning of our hearts to Christ, is an essential part of our parish “Journey of Faith.”
  2. Families must be involved at the everyday level of teaching the faith to their children.
  3. The RCIA is our model; breaking open the Word is the approach that helps lead people to ongoing conversion, love of Scripture, a heart for the materially poor and deeper commitment to community life.
  4. Adult education is the priority. Children are not likely to be formed in the Catholic faith if their parents aren’t.
  5. We must take care to teach precisely what the Church teaches, as outlined for us in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Catechesis is not a time to teach our opinions; it’s the time to pass on faithfully what the Church hands on to us.
  6. Those who are involved should see themselves as Disciples of Christ on a lifelong journey of faith, not temporary students completing a program that ends with Confirmation.

Where Did the Idea for Whole Community Catechesis Come From?

It comes from four main sources:

  1. Catechetical leaders have given careful consideration to the way Jesus taught.
  2. The Church has reflected carefully on the teachings of Vatican II for more than forty years.
  3. The General Directory for Catechesis has revolutionized the teaching of our faith. This document is developed and approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
  4. There is an emerging consensus in the catechetical community that the “schoolhouse” model isn’t working.