Whole Parish Faith Formation Resources

Click on the subject to view the resource list: Books, Periodicals, Media, Websites

General Resources

CELEBRATING THE LECTIONARY

CTL, a series of lectionary-based, age-appropriate resources, is now published by Liturgy Training Publications. For event-based intergenerational learning, see the new resource FaithDays - 9 events for intergenerational faith formation available from Resource Publications, the original editors of CTL.

CENTER FOR MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT

CMDnet has a specific section on family and intergenerational ministry. www.generationsoffaith.org is a subscriber-only website, containing many resources for parishes using an intergenerational learning style.

HARCOURT RELIGON
People of Faith: Generations Learning Together was developed in association with Center for Ministry Development. Program manuals for six intergenerational sessions in 8 subject areas - includes music CD, CD-ROM of resources, magazines for households, and more. 

www.harcourtreligion.com click on “Whole Community Catechesis” in lower right corner – then click on button on right “Question of the Week and Sunday Readings” to get readings and a faith sharing question for adults and one for children, both in English and Spanish. 

Harcourt Religion – the Call to Faith Lectionary Link: Breaking Open the Word wheel provides a simple-to-use format. Displays the Sunday lectionary readings along with compelling faith-sharing questions for different ages on an interactive 24-inch wheel. Available for Cycles A, B & C.

LIFELONG FAITH  ASSOCIATES

Generations of Faith founder John Roberto's new site for resources for intergenerational learning is at LifeLongFaith.com

LIVING THE GOOD NEWS

Publlished 3 times a year, Fall, Winter and Spring, this program features lectionary-based catechesis for all age groups, training manuals for catechists, intergenerational gathering sessions, etc. www.livingthegoodnews.com

LOYOLA PRESS
www.findinggod.org –associated with the Finding God program - gives weekly preparation activities for the Sunday readings for use by families at home. 

PASTORAL PLANNING FOR LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION

Bill Huebsch, longtime advocate of Whole Community Catechesis, has posted this Pastoral Planning website for pastoral planning. Resources in English and Spanish.

RCL (Now part of RCL/Benziger)
Keeping Faith First – contains resource articles and background for development of intergenerational learning. Contains 27 themed learning handouts, with adult question of the week and a gathering prayer. 

www.wholecommunitycatechesis.com click on “Questions of the Week” link on left side for readings and faith sharing questions for adults and for children.

SADLIER
www.webelieveweb.com click on link to Gather In My Name and scroll down to Whole Community Catechesis, Weekly Faith Sharing area. A general faith-sharing question appears at the top right. Click on “Question of the Week” and a detailed discussion guide appears. 

SILVER BURDETT GINN RELIGION (now part of RCL/Benziger)
Seasonal Celebrations series, (year of Matthew now available) provides resources for five intergenerational gatherings. “Question of the Week” for Sunday Lectionary Readings

www.sbgreligion.com click on “Blest Are We” button on top, then go to “Sunday Reflections” link on left. Short exegesis of each reading is followed by reflection questions for adults and children.

TWENTY-THIRD PUBLICATIONS
Heritage of Faith: A Framework for Whole Community Catechesis by Jo Rotunno provides philosophy and practice, followed by questions for adults and for children for each Sunday of all three lectionary cycles.

Additional Resources for Whole Community Catechesis

Books:

Anslinger, Leisa, Here Comes Everybody!  Whole Community Catechesis in the Parish.  Mystic, CT:  Twenty-third Publications, 2004.  Provides a practical approach to whole community catechesis by someone who is implementing the framework in her parish.  Includes Catechumenate as model, discipleship, households of faith, assemblies, catechetical options, team formation and suggestions for assemblies.  Publication includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter and could be used to explore possibilities of the whole community catechesis model in a parish.

Haas, David, Increase Our Faith – Year A:  Parish Prayer Services for Whole Community Catechesis.  Mystic, CT:  Twenty-third Publications, 2004.  Offers a comprehensive resource for intergenerational assemblies, community gatherings, parish meetings, and retreat days.  These prayer services, written in the spirit of whole community catechesis, provide a service for each week of the liturgical year.  Includes prayer, readings, question of the week for faith sharing and personal reflection, and litanies.  Includes music and refrains by this well-known composer.

Huebsch, Bill, Handbook for Success in Whole Community Catechesis.  Mystic, CT:  Twenty-third Publications, 2004.  A practical follow-up to Whole Community Catechesis in Plain English, this publication includes principles of whole community catechesis, suggestions based on the Adult Faith Formation Pastoral “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us,” scope and sequence, bulletin announcements and reproducible handouts.

Huebsch, Bill, A Pastor’s Guide to Whole Community Catechesis.  Mystic, CT:  Twenty-third Publications, 2004.  Using Church documents and recent movements in the Church, Huebsch points out how this form of catechetical renewal can make a difference in any parish.

Huebsch, Bill, Whole Community Catechesis in Plain English.  Mystic, CT Twenty-third Publications, 2002.  Provides a basic framework for the Whole Community Catechesis model, including how to link liturgy and catechesis, how to make the household the focus of catechesis and the concept of catechesis assemblies.

Pastoral Leader’s Source Book.  Orlando, FL:  Harcourt Religion Publishers, copyright pending.  Provides a resource for parish leaders as they implement faith formation for the parish community using the model of whole community catechesis.  This resource is to be used with the Call to Faith religion program published by Harcourt Religion, but also provides articles on whole community catechesis by Leisa Anslinger, John Roberto and Bill Huebsch.  A feature of this publication, which includes a CD with PowerPoint presentations, is adult catechetical gathering outlines in English and in Spanish.  

Rotunno, Jo McClure, Heritage of Faith-A Framework for Whole Community Catechesis.  Mystic, CT:  Twenty-third Publications, 2004.  Builds on the whole community catechesis work of Bill Huebsch and the intergenerational approach of John Roberto and provides next steps for whole community catechesis.  Includes questions for adults and for children based on the Sunday Readings for Years A, B, and C.

Periodicals:

Religion Teacher’s Journal
September 2004 – “Connect the Dots,” Bill Huebsch

Today’s Parish
October 2004 – “Gather Them In--the Whole Community Catechesis Movement,” Kate Ristow

Media:

Video Cassette: Seven Key Principles.  Twenty-Third Publications,
45 minutes.
In these creative presentations, Bill Huebsch focuses on the 7 Key Principles that are the foundations for whole community catechesis. Bill's hope is that parish leaders will use these presentations with their parishioners to engage them in fruitful discussions, and thus enter into these new ideas with grace and unity.

Websites

www.harcourtreligion.com/wcc.asp
This Harcourt Religion website offers an explanation of whole community catechesis, answers frequently asked questions, provides a "Faith at Home" section for each month and offers "Questions of the Week" based on the Sunday Scriptures in English and Spanish for children and adults. Also offers "People of Faith" 2005 - an intergenerational faith formation program with guides, manuals and take home magazines. (www.harcourtreligion.com/onlinecatalogue)

www.wholecommunitycatechesis.com
This Resource for Chrisitian Living website includes description of whole community catechesis and answers frequently asked questions. Provides "Questions of the Week" based on the Sunday Scriptures for children and adults.

www.webelieveweb.com
This Sadlier website provides free online materials for Seasonal Events which bring together people of all ages to learn about and share their faith. Each event comes complete with detailed leader's guides, preparation charts, handouts, promotional ideas, and organizational materials. Weekly faith sharing ("Question of the Week") includes activities, prayers, and discussion ideas centered on the Sunday readings. These can be used with the entire parish in a variety of ways. All materials are provided online and are free. Materials are also available in Spanish.