Faith Formation Ministry

The Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. For more information on the Catechism, check out the FAQ page on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's web page.

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults: The presence of the Catholic Church in the United States reaches back to the founding days of our country through the leadership of Archbishop John Carroll, the first Catholic bishop in the United States. His story, like other stories at the start of the chapters in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, gives us a glimpse into the lives of Catholics who lived out their faith throughout our country's history. Each chapter includes stories, doctrine, reflections, quotations, discussion questions, and prayers to lead the reader to a deepening faith.

General Directory for Catechesis: The General Directory for Catechesis provides religious educators, teachers, and catechists with a single point of reference for all aspects of catechetical instruction.

National Directory for Catechesis: A companion to the General Directory for Catechesis, building on some of the core themes of the GDC, like catechesis's relationship to evangelization and worship, and provides practical tools for doing catechesis well.

National Directory for Catechesis Leader's Guide: A resource for diocesan and parish leaders who want to present the new National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) to others. The guide consists of a book, a CD with PowerPoint presentations, and scripts to support the PowerPoint slides. Includes instructions explaining how to give an NDC workshop, outlines for eight workshops and two presentations, and a detailed script for one of the presentations.

Directory for Catechesis 2020: Lays the how-to guidelines for catechesis and presents universal norms to guide pastors and catechists in the work of evangelization. The Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization presents the Directory to guide the proclamation of the Gospel by the Christian faithful to people of all ages and in all seasons of life.

Our Hearts are Burning Within Us-A Pastoral Plan for Adult Formation in the United States In four parts, the plan examines the challenges and opportunities faced today, the key qualities of a mature faith, the principles and approaches for providing sound adult faith formation, and the critical roles of parish leadership and diocesan support.

Catechesi Tradendae: On Catechesis in Our Time-Pope John Paul II: This apostolic exhortation describes the important and unique roles the Church, the laity, and the family play in ensuring that all Catholics not only understand the Faith, but are prepared to live it fully.

Essential Concepts Grid
​Parish Elementary Religious Education Standards organized across all grade levels, Pre-K through 8th grade.

Essential Concepts and Catechism References 
​Includes references for both the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and the United States Catholic Catechism of Adults (USCCA)

Vocabulary-Student Definitions
These offer definitions suitable for elementary students. They also reference associated article numbers from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.