Handing on the Faith to Young People
how do we hand on the faith to youth and young adults?
How do we pass on the Catholic faith from one generation to the next? What does it mean to grow up Catholic?
The process of growing up Catholic that marked most of the 20th century changed dramatically as Catholics more and more emerged from close-knit Catholic communities that surrounded their parishes, and joined the mainstream of American life.
A consumeristic contemporary society poses profound challenges to the Catholics who are, and will be, the leaders of the Church in the 21st century. Catholic parents and families are asking how to communicate a deeper spiritual, intellectual, and practical understanding of Catholicism, and how they can share the faith with the next generation without many of the supports that enabled previous Catholic generations to understand, develop, and practice their faith.
WEBCASTS:
Search under Handing on the Faith on our webcast page to watch webcast events related to this focal issue.
Mentoring Relationships in Ministry to Youth and Young Adults: On October 29, Professor Theresa O'Keefe of the School of Theology and Ministry (STM) discussed the importance of ministry to young adults. Ministry to youth populations can seem daunting, however, appropriate ministerial responses may not be out of our reach. The most valuable aid to growing into mature adulthood is meaningful and frequent interacation with adults. Listen to Professor O'Keefe as she examines the importance of mentors and mentoring in youth and young adult ministry.
A Journey and Not a Destination: Psychological and Theological Perspectives on Faith Development: On October 8, Professor John McDargh of the Theology department discussed the relationship between faith and belief in human living. Professor McDargh examined the essentially relational process that is faith, one that involves growth and development over time, and is necessarily psychological since it concerns the disposition of the heart and a life-giving transformation of the person's essential sense of self.
EVENTS:
Listed below are some past events on Handing on the Faith to Young People. You can watch them on our webcast page.
- Handing on the Faith with Sean Cardinal O'Malley, OFM, Cap.
Archdiocese of Boston - The Faith that the Church Hands On with Avery Cardinal Dulles, SJ, Fordham University
- Young Adults Speak Out with Boston College Undergraduate Students
- Agape Latte: Surrendering in the Moment, Prayer in Action with Catherine Mary Rivera, BC Residential Life
- Building Up the Body of Christ Series: Together, C21 and IREPM's Continuing Education program asked: what does it take to create a great Catholic community? The series presented an overview of the issues, concerns, challenges, and best practices emerging today in parish life.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Read more about Handing on the Faith
- Read issues of C21 Resources related to this issue:
- Fall 2009: Growing in Faith for a Vibrant Church
- Spring 2009: Catholic Spirituality in Practice
- Fall 2008: Encountering Jesus in the Scriptures
- Spring 2007: A "catholic" Intellectual Tradition
- Fall 2006: Young Adult Catholics: Challenges and Opportunities
- Spring 2006: Parish Ministry Today
- Spring 2005: The Virtue of Hope
- Spring 2004: When Children Reach for God
- C21 Book Series
- Handing on the Faith: the Church's Mission and Challege edited by Robert Imbelli
- Inculturation and the Church in North America edited by T. Frank Kennedy, SJ