Adult Faith Formation

Why Adult Education is Important

There was a time when most American Catholics were poor immigrants. Many of them never graduated from high school. My own Grandfather Madden’s formal education ended in the third grade. After that he was self-educated. On my bookshelf I have the book, Archdiocesan Normal Course In Christian Doctrine from the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. On the cover, in his own handwriting, is “Col. E. A. Madden.” The “E.” is smeared. Adult education has been a tradition in my family.

As long as a person’s faith-knowledge is at the same level as their knowledge in other areas of life, the exact level of that faith-knowledge is not a problem. If someone has a grammar-school or high-school knowledge of religion, and their knowledge of science and literature is at the same level, they are fine! However, today it is not uncommon for a person’s religious knowledge to end with grammar school or high school, while their secular knowledge is enriched by college studies, and perhaps even a master’s degree or a doctorate -- not uncommon for the laity of today! For such people, the danger is that their faith-knowledge will seem childish, and unrelated to the complexities of “real life” that they face in the secular world. For such educated Catholics, continuing adult education is more important than ever.

I will add a personal remark. God has given me the gift to be a teacher. When I am teaching, the joy I experience is God’s gift to me. My prayer is that all adults who study our Catholic faith, my students, and the students of other Catholic teachers, will experience that same joy as they enter more deeply into the mystery that we name “God in Christ.”

-Father Pat Madden, PhD is a retired priest for the Diocese of Shreveport. He teaches a GRECO course on Thursdays at the Catholic Center.

Men or Women Bible Studies

Men’s Groups

Women’s Groups

Good Reads

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us.
Saint Teresa of Avila, pray for us.
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us.
Saint Mary Mother of God, pray for us
All you holy women, pray for us.

No matter how much or how little you already know about the Eucharist, the "secrets" revealed here will bring you to a new, personal "Emmaus" experience, again and again. Perfect for personal devotion, catechesis, study groups, book clubs, and theological studies, 7 Secrets of the Eucharist will rekindle the "Eucharistic amazement" called for by Pope John Paul II.

If you have not yet experienced Confession as a wonderful, personal encounter with Christ; if you do not yet look forward to going to Confession with the same eagerness and expectation with which you receive Holy Communion, this book is for you. It will be a whole new way of going to Confession, inviting you to begin an exciting personal journey to healing and holiness. It may change your life.

Dynamic Catholic Books

  • Rediscover Jesus

  • Four Signs of the Dynamic Catholic

  • Life is Messy

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Franciscan at Home

Have you ever wanted to further your faith formation, but theology graduate courses take up too much time and are way too expensive? Say hello to the Franciscan Catechetical Institute, a go at your own pace faith formation program paid for by the Diocese of Shreveport.

This is an online platform of non-degreed workshops taught by professors from Franciscan University along with leaders in ministry from across the United States. Our diocesan community will be formed by the best in their fields, sharing and witnessing their wisdom and knowledge. The platform offers workshops in English and Spanish.

Follow the link below that will take you to the Franciscan at Home site. At the top click on partnering diocese and choose Shreveport. Click on the blue box that states: “My parish or school is already registered, and I would like to set up my individual free account under that institution.” On the next page where it states: “Please login below or create a new account,” you will click “create a new account” and then do so.

Formed

Living in the 21st century has made Catholics a digital people, whether they embrace and enjoy that truth or not. But instead of viewing technology as the antithesis of faith, that perspective can be reframed and used to form faith. That’s exactly what the leading thinkers of Augustine Institute had in mind when they created a unique, parish-based evangelization program called “Formed.”

Participating parishes receive an access code that they provide to all parishioners. Once on Formed.org, individuals have a plethora of resources at their fingertips that can aid in personal faith formation, group study, family prayer and even home catechesis. Because the Augustine Institute has merged with well-known Lighthouse Catholic Media, Formed users can access free Lighthouse CDs, which often include powerful conversion stories and informative studies on the theological aspects of the faith.

Audio/Visual Resources

To continue to Chapter 2, copy & paste or click the link below: https://rescueproject.us/watch/