IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS OF NDC

1. IMPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS OF NDC Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, STL, ThDBishop of Portland, Maine

2. Introduction--Stories Some challenges we face—people who • can’t distinguish Catholic worship from other religious traditions • don’t understand the role of the Church in the public square • lack catechetical training • don’t understand the Church’s social teaching • think Church teaching is only a matter of opinion • don’t see the importance of attending Mass

3. Meta-Implications of the NDC Everyone in ministry must • appreciate the fact that evangelization and catechesis are part of their responsibilities • affirm NDC’s fundamental theological and pastoral principles • embrace application of those principles; agree on the nature, purpose, object, tasks, content, and some methodologies for catechesis • engage in evangelization and catechesis in the context of an overall pastoral plan • recognize the cultural context for evangelization and catechesis

4. Culture The culture in which we catechize reflects • confusion about what to believe • lack of understanding and appreciation • the disconnect between faith professed and faith lived • a cavalier dismissal of Catholic doctrine and discipline

5. Culture Culture is never neutral • Recognizing this is a first step towards a Christian response to culture • Some of the features of this “non-neutrality” are -- pervasive secularism -- religious indifference and ambiguity -- growth of cults and “new age” thinking -- defective anthropologies -- a frantic pace of life -- consumerism -- relativism (Clashing Symbols: Introduction to Faith and Culture by Paul Michael Gallagher)

6. NDC Highlights • Catechesis intentionally evangelizes • Aims to arouse, mature, and inform faith • Calls people to conversion

7. NDC Highlights • Catechesis is Christocentric, Trinitarian and Ecclesial • Truths of scripture and tradition are presented in an unadulterated way • Church is authoritative teacher

8. NDC Highlights 3. Catechesis is informed by divine methodology • Rooted in Revelation, God’s gracious self-disclosure in Christ and the Holy Spirit. • Catechists connect Scripture/doctrine and human experience

9. NDC Highlights 4. Catechesis builds upon the witness of the community of faith • Vitality of total parish life critical • Participation in faith community formative

10. NDC Highlights • Catechesis involves “learning by heart” • NDC names what should be learned by heart • Some examples include -- prayers -- Commandments -- Beatitudes

11. NDC Highlights • Catechesis involves some use of media • Need to understand both its good and bad aspects • Catechists need training in using media.

12. NDC Highlights 7. The RCIA is the model for all catechesis • Focus on mystagogy • Emphasis on lifelong learning

13. NDC Highlights 8. Catechesis presents Eucharist as the heart of Christian life

14. NDC Highlights • Catechesis for Penance focuses on • God’s love, • the reality of sin, • and the gift of God’s forgiveness

15. NDC Highlights 10. Catechesis for Moral Life in Christ must connect faith as believed with faith as lived.

16. NDC Highlights 11. NDC recognizes adult faith formation as a central focus.

17. NDC Highlights • Roles in Catechesis • Many different individuals involved • Importance of trained and effective parish catechetical leaders

18. NDC Highlights • Catechetical formation of seminarians and clergy is essential

19. NDC Highlights 14. Formation of catechists must be a priority

20. Implications 1. Diocesan catechetical leaders need to examine every aspect: • What are the unique challenges and forces affecting evangelizing catechesis in our dioceses? • How do we plan effective faith formation in light of these challenges?

21. Implications 2. Bishops need to call all diocesan leaders embrace their role in evangelization and faith formation