Adult Education and Small Faith Community Sharing on the topic of Faithful Citizenship
The following sessions can be used for a wide range of adult education programs. Many parishes have ongoing small groups that meet regularly to pray together, read Scripture, share faith and discuss what is happening in their lives and in the world around them. These groups may meet weekly, bi-monthly or according to some other regular pattern. The material that follows may be used by such groups at their regular gatherings or as part of a special series of meetings. The material can also be used in parishes that wish to create new groups that will meet for a shorter duration, e.g., as Lenten gatherings or during the summertime.
The six sample sessions correspond to the Sample Lesson Plans for Elementary Age Students and the Sample Lesson Plans for Youth. One option is to make the sessions intergenerational where families and individuals of all ages gather for prayer and then break out into age appropriate groups. Or, these sessions can be done independently.
Below you will find a standard structure for the sessions followed by material for five specific themes. Those who use this material should feel free to adapt it to fit the specific situation of each individual group. A time frame of about 90 minutes is proposed, but the format is sufficiently flexible to allow less or more time.
- General Session Format
- Session A: Faithful Citizenship
- Session B: Forming Consciences
- Session C: Avoiding Evil and Doing Good
- Session D: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
- Session E: Solidarity
- Session F: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Additional Resources for Further Study, Reflection and Discussion
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States (Nos. 7-026 English, 7-802 Spanish; 800-235-8722)
This statement continues a more than thirty-year tradition by the bishops of encouraging Catholics to use the values of their faith to shape their participation in political life. It focuses on helping Catholics form their consciences so they can make sound moral judgments about public choices. Faithful Citizenship highlights four areas of special concern-defending human life, promoting family life, pursuing social justice, and practicing global solidarity.
The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (Bulletin Insert) (Nos. 7-027 English, 7-803 Spanish; 800-235-8722)
A brief summary of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship –DVD (No. 7-038; 800-235-8722)
Three brief segments, two in English for adults and teens, and one in Spanish for adults.
Excerpts from Sharing Catholic Social Teaching (English card, no. 5-315; Spanish card,
no. 5-815; English poster, no. 5-318; Spanish poster, no. 5-818; 800-235-8722)
An easy-to-distribute card summarizing seven key themes from Catholic social teaching. Also available as a poster.
Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (Nos. 5-281 English, 5-803 Spanish; 800-235-8722)
This statement of the U.S. bishops urges that Catholic social teaching be incorporated into every Catholic educational program and identifies seven key themes of Catholic social teaching.
Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics (Nos. 5-300 English, 5-809 Spanish; 800-235-8722)
This statement calls U.S. Catholics to recover their identity as followers of Jesus Christ and to be leaders in the renewal of U.S. respect for the sanctity of life.
In the Footsteps of Jesus: Catholic Social Teaching at Work Today (No. 5-444; 800-235-8722)
A two-part video. The first part (9 minutes) provides a brief summary of seven key themes from Catholic social teaching. The second part (19 minutes) explores each theme in more detail through the testimony of people who have lived the theme.
Leader’s Guide to Sharing Catholic Social Teaching (No. 5-366; 800-235-8722)
Ideal for religious educators at the diocesan and parish levels, this guide was developed to assist parish ministers and other adults in their study of Catholic social teaching, either individually or in a group setting. It includes prayers and ten study sheets containing themes, quotes, scriptural foundations, and much more.
A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God’s Children (English: No. 5-519; Spanish: No. 5-880; 800-235-8722)
This pastoral reflection from the bishops will assist pastors, religious educators, teachers, youth ministers, and social justice coordinators to pray, reflect, and take action on the causes of poverty in the United States.
The Call to Family, Community, and Participation (English: No. 5-189; Spanish: No. 5-851; 800-235-8722 or download in English at http://www.usccb.org/cchd/FamilyBkInternet.pdf)
Chapters 1 and 2, or online Sections 3 and 4, entitled, “Call to Community” and “Call to Participation” are helpful resources for reflecting in groups or as an individual on these themes from Catholic social teaching.
