Deepening Your Faith Life Through the Use of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults

Commentary by Julianne Donlon, Adult Faith Formation Director, Diocese of Green Bay

“We will first, like Jesus, join people in their daily concerns and walk side by side with them on the pathway of life.”
Our Hearts Were Burning #8

The publication of Bishop Ricken’s first pastoral letter “A New Moment for Catechesis In the Diocese of Green Bay” coincides with the 10th Anniversary of the United States Catholic Bishops’ document “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us”. Both of these documents emphasize that we must renew our commitment to adult faith formation and utilize the teachings of the Church to bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ. Each one of us, by our baptism, is called to share the faith, to evangelize our culture and to bring what we believe into the world. Ideally, Catholics should be able to explain their faith, defend it when it is attacked and to feel comfortable in knowing the basic beliefs that bind us to the church.

I am often asked to recommend resources to adults who are seeking clarity in their own lives, resources to help parents talk to their children about the faith or to young adults who are truly curious about the teachings of the Catholic Church. Without a doubt, I recommend the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) as an accessible, interesting and straightforward presentation of the faith. The U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults is exactly that: Catholic and for adults. It is a reference, a resource and a refresher for all Catholics (especially young adults) but is oriented toward those who might never have studied the faith in a systematic matter. Regardless of your knowledge of the faith this work has something for everyone!

You will find the USCCA to be easy reading. It sets forth in an appealing and engaging manner all that the Church believes (the creed in Chapters 1-13), what the Church celebrates (the sacraments in Chapters 14-22), what the Church lives (Christian morality in Chapters 23-34) and how the Church prays (Christian prayer in Chapters 35-36). Doctrine applied to cultural challenges is one of the unique features of this “local Catechism”. The themes of human dignity, respect, solidarity and justice are among those treated. The USCCA identifies positive aspects of our culture and also addresses the challenges subjectivism, relativism and consumerism in our society. “Hot button” issues are discussed and the reflection questions encourage the reader to make the connection between faith learning and faith living.

The US Catholic Catechism for Adults is a user-friendly resource. If any of the following apply, you will want to make this distinctly American Catholic resource part of your life.

• You are inspired by reading about people who have witnessed to the faith in their own life are roles models for Catholic living.
• You are curious about the traditions and history of the Church in the United States
• You have a desire to grow in your understanding of the Catholic faith
• You wish to better connect your Catholic faith to life in our cultural context.
• You are seeking ways to deepen your prayer life.

Consider finding ways to study the USCCA r with other adults with whom you relate, interested parishioners, or family and friends. Share what you have learned and if you have specific questions consider approaching a trusted priest friend. The USCCA will be an invaluable resource for priests and deacons in their preaching and teaching ministry, and for all who desire to come to a deeper understanding of this wonderful gift of our Catholic faith. It will surely become a staple of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, both for its teaching teams and for inquirers. It will be a stimulating resource for parish study groups, who may choose to focus on the discussion questions. It could become a powerful Lenten project, with a chapter a day nearly covering that holy season. It can also be used as a self-directed retreat as you pray with the stories in the work or focus on the prayers and meditations offered.

This resource is designed for exploration and integration of our faith in a manner that is dialogic and relatable. In the give and take of faith sharing, the deep truths of the Catechism will meet the rich, graced insights of people’s experience. The result can be truly transformative!