The Catechism is the compendium of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals. You can read it online:

• Text at the Vatican website
• Flipbook at the US Bishops' site

All Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of Christian life and to the perfection of charity." All are called to holiness: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5:48)  In order to reach this perfection the faithful should use the strength dealt out to them by Christ's gift, so that doing the will of the Father in everything, they may wholeheartedly devote themselves to the glory of God and to the service of their neighbor. Thus the holiness of the People of God will grow in fruitful abundance, as is clearly shown in the history of the Church through the lives of so many saints.

Spiritual progress tends toward ever more intimate union with Christ. This union is called "mystical" because it participates in the mystery of Christ through the sacraments, "the holy mysteries," and, in Him, in the mystery of the Holy Trinity. God calls us all to this intimate union with him, even if the special graces or extraordinary signs of this mystical life are granted only to some for the sake of manifesting the gratuitous gift given to all.

The way of perfection passes by way of the Cross. There is no holiness without renunciation and spiritual battle. Spiritual progress entails the ascesis and mortification that gradually lead to living in the peace and joy of the Beatitudes: He who climbs never stops going from beginning to beginning, through beginnings that have no end. He never stops desiring what he already knows.(CCC #2013-2015)

All of our efforts are directed to helping us achieve this goal. Spiritual growth directs and encourages us to be transformed into Christ so we can truly say with St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

The Directory for Catechesis (2020) identifies fundamental tasks of catechesis (DC 79-89):

LEADING TO KNOWLEDGE OF THE FAITH

Catechesis has the task of fostering the knowledge and exploration of the Christian message.  In this way it helps the believer to know the trauths of the Christian faith, introduces him/her to the knowledge of Sacred Scripture and of the Church's living Tradition, foster knowledge of the Creed (Symbol of faith) and the creation of a coherent doctrinal vision that can be used as a reerence in life. (DC 80) 

INITIATING INTO THE CELEBRATION OF THE MYSTERY 

Through this task, catechesis helps the believer to understand the importance of the liturgy in the Church's life, initiates him into the knowledge of the sacraments and into sacramental life, especially the sacrament of the Eucharist, source and summit of the life and mission of the Church. (DC 81)

FORMING FOR LIFE IN CHRIST

This task consists in showing that the response to the lofty vocation to holiness (cf. LG 40) is a filial way of life that is capable of bringing every situation back to the way of truth and happiness that is Christ.

TEACHING PRAYER

Catecheis has the task of educating the believer for prayer and in prayer, developing the contemplative dimension of Christian experience.  It is necessary to teach him to pray with Jesus Christ and like him: "To learn to pray with Jesus is to pray with the same sentiments with which he turned to the Father; adoration, praise, thanksgiving, filial confidence, supplication and awe for his glory.  All these sentiments are reflected in the Our Father, the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples and which is the model of all Christian prayer.

INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY LIFE  

The faith is professed, celebrated, expressed, and lived above all in community: "The community dimension is not just a 'frame', an 'outline', but an integral part of the Christian life, of witness and evangelization. Catechesis, in reference to preparation for community life, therefore has the task of developing the sense of belonging to the Church.

Join Our Catechetical Team

If you are interested in volunteering in the Faith Formation program, as a catechist or facility monitor, please contact the Faith Formation Coordinator in the parish office. All catechists and volunteers must be cleared through our Diocesan Safe Environment Program and participate in yearly Safe Environment trainings. 

Becoming Catholic:
RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is the process by which persons become fully initiated Catholics. RCIA is for adults:

• Who were never baptized
• Who were baptized in another Christian community and wish to become Catholic
• Who were baptized in the Catholic Church but were never confirmed

  Read more about RCIA
 

PSR: Parish School of Religion

Parish School of Religion (PSR) is our "school" for youth and young adults in our parish who do not attend a Catholic school. It is our way to help provide education and formation in our Catholic faith and support the work of the parents as the primary formators of their children in the home. Through PSR, we also help to prepare students who don't attend a Catholic school for the Sacraments of Initiation. If you know of a Catholic youth who does not attend a Catholic school, please be sure to help us ensure they are part of our PSR program. Read more about PSR

• Dive Deep, the Podcast of the Springfield Diocese
• Ascension Presents
• Catholics Come Home
• Catholic Answers
• Word on Fire Blog
• Dynamic Catholic, and Decision Point for Young Adults