Whole community catechesis --- a relatively recent but burgeoning movement in religious education and faith formation --- presents a profound and challenging new vision of faith-sharing, archdiocesan religious education coordinators told over 100 San Gabriel Region church leaders last week.

The movement, gaining grass roots momentum around the country, entails shifting from a "children's only" approach to one aimed at the entire community, and represents a "paradigm shift" in the way religious education is taught within parishes embracing the whole community catechesis model, said Religious Sister of Charity Edith Prendergast, archdiocesan Office of Religious Education director.

In a presentation at Annunciation Church in Arcadia March 18, Sister Prendergast said the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is at the forefront of making whole community catechesis integral to the educational/formational process. This process, she said, incorporates other parish ministries --- including liturgy, family life and social justice --- in a collaborative approach that connects to the call of the 2003 Archdiocesan Synod, which determined that "effective religious education and faith formation programs are to be offered throughout the archdiocese" on all age levels (Synod Pastoral Initiative III).

"Across the country, we're about the only diocese so far that has taken it to the diocesan level and tried to incubate it a little," said Sister Prendergast, adding that 400 people locally have received instruction in the community-based approach since last September. On a diocesan level, a 15-member core team, led by Deacon David Estrada, Synod implementation director, will assist parishes interested in adopting the new catechesis model.

Father David Loftus, workshop presenter and ORE adult education coordinator, declared that whole community catechesis is "beginning to reshape what catechesis is all about." According to Father Loftus, the new approach is based on the idea that the entire Christian community is the origin, locus and goal of catechesis. "Our goal in catechesis is developing households of faith…entering into a covenant with families so they feel supported by the parish," he explained.

Presenter Vikki Shepp, archdiocesan San Gabriel Region religious education coordinator, declared that whole community catechesis is based on the idea that conversion needs to take place before catechesis. "We're teaching more than just doctrine, we're teaching a way of life," said Shepp. "It's less about informing and more about transforming."

The program departs from the traditional "children's only" approach and offers intergenerational "assemblies" as well as weekly "questions" for parish groups. "It looks more like church and less like school," described Shepp. She explained that the new model "reunites" parish pastoral ministries.

"Catechesis is not another name for religious instruction," added Father Loftus. "Catechesis sustains ongoing conversion and transformation." He said whole community catechesis seeks to form an inclusive people who embody "The Way of Christ," sharing peace, justice, forgiveness and hospitality with one another.

"I see a lot of future for this," said Msgr. Jim Loughnane, pastor of St. Denis Church in Diamond Bar, who attended with parish staff members. Last fall, the parish implemented the whole community catechesis "weekly question" component based on the upcoming Sunday Scripture.

"On Monday morning at 9 a.m., the staff gets together and teases out the question from Scripture," said Msgr. Loughnane. The question is then distributed to parish groups for discussion, printed in the bulletin and often referenced in the Sunday homily.

"Everyone is very excited about what we're doing," declared Kathy Ritza, St. Denis director of religious education. She said a recent assembly for first grade families centered on the New Testament's "Marriage at Cana" story was a major hit. "Our families are getting very enthused; more people are involved," said Ritza.

Flor Montero, DRE from St. Stephen Church in Monterey Park attending with staff from the parish, said her recently implemented monthly parent meetings held while children are attending religious education classes have been met with "a lot of enthusiasm and affirmation." She said she appreciated the brainstorming exercise during the workshop identifying the positive as well as the negative consequences involved in "the realities of implementation" of whole community catechesis.

St. Stephen parishioner Sylvia Chacon felt the brainstorming session helped church members come up with good ideas to implement new changes. "It's exciting to look at change and see it happen in the church," said Chacon.

According to St. Stephen pastoral administrator, Father Dennis Marrell, "It's a vision that's long been percolating since Vatican II."