Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany NY - Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life

Nuts and Bolts: Ideas and Practices for Adult Faith Formation by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP. An excellent resource of both real initiatives, programs, processes working in parishes and planning tools around issues pertinent to adult faith formation (motivation, publicity, etc). The entire resource or topical portions are downloadable at Pastoral Planning and click on Center for Lifelong Faith Formation.

As we explore The Heart of Christ this year, why not engage in a theologically rich and prayerfully reflective program on Jesus and discipleship in Jesus, the Way: The Path of Christian Discipleship, a video workshop with Tom Zanzig. A leader’s guide maps out three sessions (1 ½ to 2 hours each), and you may purchase participant booklets. This program is available in the Diocesan Video and Resource Center or it may be purchased through RCL Benziger

Go to the following publishing companies’ websites and catalogs for many other resources on a variety of topics and formats for adult faith formation:

2. Using Scripture for prayer and faith-sharing. Although there is a minimal amount of “exegesis” in this approach, Scripture is primarily a source for spiritual growth.

“Question of the Week” resources - The “question of the week” is a strategy to encourage people to reflect on the Sunday readings during the week and develop the habit of reflecting and sharing on the Sunday Scriptures . The question is usually printed in the bulletin, spoken from the pulpit after the homily. Sometimes there is a question geared for children. It is encouraged that every group that meets in the parish that week (from the pastoral council to children in faith formation) take 5-10 minutes to share on the question of the week. There is often a question for family faith-sharing at home.

We Believe - See Question of the Week
Loyola Press - Click Sunday Connection

For Exploring Catholic Faith

The Catechism of the Catholic Church for Adults - United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - comes with a leader’s guide and reader’s journal, distributed by RCLBenziger
The Compendium to the Catechism of the Catholic Church - concise synthesis in question/answer form (USCCB), distributed by RCLBenziger.
Growing Faith Project - Bill Huebsch - 48 topics with participant leaflets, facilitator guide with CD of powerpoint presentations - 23rd Publications
Exploring our Catholic Faith - 26 topics- 4-page leaflets, facilitator manual, which can be customized for 4,6 or 8 week programs - RCLBenziger
Adult Faith Formation Strategies - Tom Zanzig- 170 creative learning strategies, prayer experiences and presentation outlines. Can also be used with “What Makes Us Catholic” (see below) - RCLBenziger
What Makes Us Catholic? - 9 DVD series with Thomas H. Groome - RCLBenziger
“What Does It Mean to Be Catholic?” -5 facilitated gathering sessions by Jane Regan and Mimi Bitzan - Loyola Press
While You Were Gone: A Handbook for Returning Catholics (and those thinking about it) - by Rev. William Bausch - Twenty-third Publications
A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic’s Guide to Knowing and Sharing What we Believe - by Joe Paprocki - Loyola Press
The Catholicism Project - DVD series with participant guides. Available for loan from Diocesan Video and Resource Center (453-6644) or for purchase at Word on Fire
Video/DVD resources from the Diocesan Video and Resource Center Topical index is available on the Diocesan Website. Click Resources from the home page then click on Diocesan Video and Resource Center and it will take you directly there. Find “topical index” and click.

On-line courses for Adults

C-21 Online - Boston College
STEP Program from the University of Notre Dame
Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation - University of Dayton
Fordham University online learning

For Non-gathered Learning (pamphlets, seasonal booklets, CDs, etc)

Now You Know Media
Creative Communications for the Parish
Little Books for Advent/Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons - Diocese of Saginaw
Liturgical Year Meditations and seasonal booklets - RCLBenziger
CareNotes - on pastoral care issues from Abbey Press
In Good Faith (topical -newsletter format) - Claretian Publications
At Home with Our Faith (for parents) - Claretian Publications
Everyday Catholic - St. Anthony Messenger Press
Catholic Updates (topical - newsletter format) St. Anthony Messenger Press
America Magazine - a publication of the Jesuits
U.S. Catholic - access articles from the magazine, a publication of the Claretians
St. Anthony Messenger Magazine - St. Anthony Messenger Press
Words of Faith - bulletin inserts on prayer - Ave Maria Press

For Small Faith Sharing Groups

Small Christian Community Connection

Resources and other helps for small Christian communities of all kinds

Quest - Archdiocese of Hartford - seasonal; subscription
Why Catholic?; Longing for the Holy - Renew International
Impact - 6 session, theme-based resources for small groups from Renew International
Gathered in His Name - 6 sessions per theme. Some themes in this series are “The Old Testament”, “Sacraments”, The Spirit of Vatican II”, “Great 20th Century Catholics” - St. Anthony Messenger Press
Disciples in Mission - Oregon Catholic Press
Catholic FaithSharing - themes in the series include Reconciliation, Eucharist, The Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke
Pastoral Planning - At the Home page, click on the Center for Small Christian Communities for numerous resources

For Intergenerational or Whole Parish Learning

Gather in My Name - 9 seasonal experiences for free download
5 seasonal experiences for free download
Fashioning Faith - a subscription site with material for weaving four settings for learning: parish (intergenerational), peer (age-specific), home, wider community.
For Parish/Cluster Adult Faith Formation teams
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States (Statement of the US Catholic Bishops), USCCB, 1999. See also the Leaders’ Guide.
Nurturing Adult Faith: A Manual for Parish Leaders, National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, 2003.
On Fire with Faith: Forming Adult Disciples -Catholic Update Video/DVD from St. Anthony Messenger Press. Stimulates enthusiasm and commitment to adult faith formation.
Echoes of Faith Plus: Adult Faith Formation (Methodology) - DVD and facilitator guide from the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, distributed by RCLBenziger. A video-assisted resource for training catechists for adults in skills for facilitating adults in small-group settings