Forming Intentional Disciples

How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. These are times of immense challenge and immense opportunity for the Catholic Church. Consider these statistics for the United States. Only 30 percent of Americans who were raised Catholic are still practicing. Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics. The number of marriages celebrated in the Church decreased dramatically, by nearly 60 percent, between 1972 and 2010. Only 60 percent of Catholics believe in a personal God. If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized-in other words, Catholics-in-the-pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him. This work of discipleship lies at the heart of Forming Intentional Disciples, a book designed to help Church leaders, parish staff and all Catholics transform parish life from within. Drawing upon her fifteen years of experience with the Catherine of Siena Institute, Sherry Weddell leads readers through steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world. Learn about the five thresholds of postmodern conversion, how to open a conversation about faith and belief, how to ask thought-provoking questions and establish an atmosphere of trust, when to tell the Great Story of Jesus, how to help someone respond to God's call to intentional discipleship, and much more. And be prepared for conversion because when life at the parish level changes, the life of the whole Church will change.

How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. As we emerge from a pandemic into a post-Christian world, these are times of immense challenge and enormous opportunity for the Catholic Church in the United States. Ten years after it was first published, Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell is still helping scores of Church leaders, parish staff, and all Catholics transform parish life from within. Her book leads you through the steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world. This companion study guide will help you transform your parish or small faith community. Created by people who have experienced the transformative impact of discipleship firsthand, this study guide to the revised and expanded edition of Forming Intentional Disciples provides tools and resources to initiate conversations, share the story of faith, and begin walking the path of discipleship together.

How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. As we emerge from a pandemic into a post-Christian world, these are times of immense challenge and enormous opportunity for the Catholic Church in the United States. Consider these statistics: Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics. Nearly three-quarters of young Catholics think that they could be a good Catholic without going to Mass every Sunday. Catholic marriages have declined by almost two thirds since 1969, even as the number of Catholics in the United States has grown significantly. Only one third of Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ at the consecration during Mass. If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized. In other words, Catholics in the pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him. Ten years after it was first published, Forming Intentional Disciples is still helping scores of Church leaders, parish staff, and all Catholics transform parish life from within. World-renowned author and speaker Sherry Weddell leads you through the steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world.

How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples. As we emerge from a pandemic into a post-Christian world, these are times of immense challenge and enormous opportunity for the Catholic Church in the United States. Consider these statistics: Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics. Nearly three-quarters of young Catholics think that they could be a good Catholic without going to Mass every Sunday. Catholic marriages have declined by almost two thirds since 1969, even as the number of Catholics in the United States has grown significantly. Only one third of Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ at the consecration during Mass. If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized. In other words, Catholics in the pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him. Ten years after it was first published, Forming Intentional Disciples is still helping scores of Church leaders, parish staff, and all Catholics transform parish life from within. World-renowned author and speaker Sherry Weddell leads you through the steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world.

"It is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him, not the same thing to walk with him as to walk blindly, not the same thing to hear his word as not to know it.... We know that with Jesus life becomes richer."-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel In her first book, Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, Sherry Weddell, cofounder of the Catherine of Siena Institute, captured the attention of Catholics across the globe as she uncovered the life-changing power that accompanies the conscious decision to follow Jesus as his disciple. Now, in the groundbreaking Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples, she has gathered together experienced leaders and collaborators whose exceptional field-tested wisdom and enthusiasm for transforming Catholic parishes into centers of discipleship and apostolic outreach is both inspiring and practical. The authors consider: The role of intercessory prayer in parish transformation How "fireside chats" can help a pastor connect with his parishioners and call them to personal discipleship and mission The co-responsibility of lay people andpastors in the work of making disciples The revolutionary impact of a discipleship approach to youth ministry How one parish successfully fostered a culture of intentional discipleship, and much more As Sherry asks in her own chapter, "Are we willing to answer the call and pay the price necessary to become a new generation of saints through which God can do extraordinary things in our time?"

There are immense challenges facing the Church today. Follow author Sherry Weddell through the steps that will help Catholics make the conscious choice to follow Jesus as his disciples, transforming parish life and ultimately the life of the whole Church.

What is keeping so many of us, and so many of our parishes, from becoming powerhouses of faith and evangelization is that we don't have a living relationship with Christ that transforms us into intentional disciples. Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus (Our Sunday Visitor, 2012) has become one of the most talked-about books of the decade in Catholic parishes across the country. Written by Sherry Weddell, co-founder and co-director of the Catherine of Siena Institute, Forming Intentional Disciples takes a cleareyed look at the state of the Church today. Based on more than a decade of research with Catholics from across the country, the issues and opportunities in this book connect seamlessly with Pope Francis' call for evangelization as we open wide the doors of faith! Now the book that is changing hearts has a study guide that will help you change your parish or small faith community. Created by people who have experienced the transformative impact of discipleship firsthand, the Forming Intentional Disciples Study Guide provides tools and resources to "break the silence," initiate conversations, share the story of faith, and begin walking the path of discipleship together. To purchase the book, click here. For a non-reproducible PDF of this pamphlet, click here. The PDF is meant for review only and should not be reproduced in any form.

As faith-filled Catholics, we are called to go out and spread the good news of the Gospel, build up the Church, and fuel its mission. We are supernaturally empowered by God to do this through the charisms we receive at Baptism. Learn about each charism, what they are, and how discipleship unleashes these powerful gifts to produce fruit that lasts.

The homily is a primary way that pastors and deacons can communicate how the whole parish community forms the catechumens. Many parishioners are not aware of their role in the Christian initiation process. In Preaching Discipleship: Preparing Homilies for Christian Initiation, Michael E. Connors, CSC, provides homilists and catechists with the tools to evangelize not only the catechumens present, but also to capture the imagination of the parish community so that they too realize their own role in the Christian initiation process. This resource will help the homilist: Build a homily Foster a deeper appreciation of the call to discipleship on the part of the assembly Instruct the assembly on their role in the Rite of Christian Initiation so that right from the outset the catechumens may feel that they belong to the people of God Bring the baptized and catechumens into a deeper personal relationship with the Lord Provide specific insights during the period of Mystagogy

Our history is filled with the stories of ordinary men and women who were raised up by God for the people and needs of their times—people through whom God did extraordinary things as they followed Jesus in the midst of his Church. In saints Who Transformed Their World, Sherry Weddell presents stories of laypeople who said "yes" to God and shared the spiritual gifts given to them by God. Be inspired by the stories of lay saints: women and men whom God has powerfully used as channels of his beauty, mercy, wisdom, healing, and provision. In these short stories, you will discover people you can relate to. Their inspirational ways of living their faith can help you to recognize your spiritual gifts and help you live every day as an intentional disciple. When each one of us faithfully answers God’s unique call in our lives, the fruit that you and I bear will be the answer to someone else’s prayer. — Sherry Weddell

In the 2020 Directory for Catechesis, the Church calls for a renewal of catechesis that focuses on bringing people to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. Solid formation is not only about teaching doctrine, but also, and more importantly, about forming disciples who have encountered and know Christ. In Following God’s Pedagogy, Sister Mary Michael Fox, OP, brings decades of experience in catechesis to offer a unique and proven model for children’s catechesis. She draws upon her deep catechetical experience and thorough research into the nature of the child, divine revelation, and catechetical methodology. She offers timely insight into how the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) offers an approach to children’s catechesis that forms the mind and heart of the child, leading them into a deeper relationship with Christ and a life of discipleship. Bishops, diocesan catechetical directors, and all catechists will discover a way of faith formation of children that is sure to renew and strengthen catechesis for years to come.

In this unique resource, Fr. Michael E. Connors, CSC, gathers and expertly guides the collective wisdom of experienced preachers and homilists to provide a unique resource that examines the preacher’s unique role as shepherd and a spiritual leader. The chapters will investigate these dual roles according to the roots of the Catholic spiritual tradition and provide practical advice for priests, deacons, seminarians in homiletics classes or preaching classes, retreat leaders, RCIA catechists—all who preach. Preaching as Spiritual Leadership provides solutions to the following questions: How is preaching embedded in the Church’s pastoral mission? What does it mean to be a shepherd and spiritual leader for others? How can a preacher flourish in the role of spiritual leader? How can we lead others into committed discipleship through preaching? To be a shepherd and spiritual leader, the preacher must be in some sense a mystic, who is filled with the Lord’s gracious presence, a presence to be shared with others. Homilists are a sacramental people, they must also be a mystagogues: ministers who can both lead the community’s ritual celebrations, and help the People of God to plunge into the liturgy with lively faith, to touch the holy realities behind them.

This resource will give homilists and catechists tools to engage catechumens and help form the entire parish community in their key role in Christian initiation.

Are you restless and looking for more out of life? Do you desire a deeper experience of God’s love and mercy? Have you been searching for freedom, peace, fulfillment, and joy? You can find all of these things in the story of Jesus Christ. But be aware—it’s nothing like you’re expecting. In Jesus: The Story You Thought You Knew, Deacon Keith Strohm invites you not just to read about Jesus, but to have a transformative encounter with him. This isn’t a book of theology, or an abstract story with little impact on your real life. It is the story that can and will transform you if you’re open to it. In these pages, you will discover who you truly are and what you were created for. You will meet Jesus, not simply as an historical figure, but as our living and present Savior and friend. Encounter – again, or for the first time – Jesus Christ, who lives ... and changes lives. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Deacon Keith Strohm is a deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago and the former Director of the Office for the New Evangelization in Chicago. A well-known international speaker and conference keynote, he has helped tens of thousands of men and women hear the Gospel message and encounter the mercy, love, and power of Jesus Christ. Deacon Keith has extensive experience in creating and sustaining processes and programs of evangelization and formation at the group, parish, and diocesan level that focus on the making, maturation, and missioning of disciples of Jesus Christ. He is also a long-time teacher and collaborator with the Catherine of Siena Institute. He is a co-author, along with six other collaborators, with Sherry Weddell for the book Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples—a follow up to the bestselling book, Forming Intentional Disciples.

Catechetical leadership is at its best when it builds on the shoulders of those who have gone before while at the same time creating innovative approaches for an ever-changing ministry. This fifth volume of The Effective Catechetical Leader will share both time-tested and new skills and strategies that will allow catechetical leaders to not only be successful in the week-to-week particulars of running a parish catechetical program, but also to fulfill the ultimate goal of animating a faith community to grow in authentic discipleship to Jesus Christ. A few of the best practices covered in this book include planning the catechetical year, selecting catechetical resources, promoting the catechetical program to the parish community and beyond, how to honestly evaluate your program, and so much more. The Effective Catechetical Leader series, developed in conjunction with the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and written by some of the top catechetical leaders in the country, is the only series to encompass all the various aspects of catechetical leadership. This series provides the practical skills, strategies, and approaches that ensure successful parish faith formation in an evangelizing manner, which leads directly to a vibrant Church. From best practices to new approaches for proclaiming God’s word in a rapidly changing world, this groundbreaking series will empower catechetical leaders to excel at everything from administrative duties to effectively catechizing people of all ages within our diverse Church.

Disciples of Christ come in all ages and colors, but they also come from different backgrounds and bring with them diverse gifts, needs, opportunities, and challenges. As a result, catechesis must never take the form of one-size-fits-all. While the Gospel message is eternal, our messaging (how we share that timeless message) needs to adapt to an ever-changing reality, or we risk being perceived as irrelevant. This sixth volume of The Effective Catechetical Leader takes a close look at the many groups of people to be catechized—from school-age children to young adults, from parents to the catechists themselves—and offers strategies and tips to effectively engage all of them in life-giving, Gospel-centered faith formation. The Effective Catechetical Leader series, developed in conjunction with the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership and written by some of the top catechetical leaders in the country, is the only series to encompass all the various aspects of catechetical leadership. This series provides the practical skills, strategies, and approaches that ensure successful parish faith formation in an evangelizing manner, which leads directly to a vibrant Church. From best practices to new approaches for proclaiming God’s word in a rapidly changing world, this groundbreaking series will empower catechetical leaders to excel at everything from administrative duties to effectively catechizing people of all ages within our diverse Church.

“Hurting in the Church provides a psychologically wise and spiritually profound path forward for Catholics who have been abused, traumatized, or wounded by other Catholics — especially those in leadership. Chapter 10 on how to recover one’s belief in and love for the Church is worth the price of the book alone!” -- Sherry Weddell, Best-selling author of Forming Intentional Disciples “An honest and much-needed book that addresses ... the many Catholics who feel marginalized, ignored, hurt, insulted and even abused by the Church.”—Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage “It took courage for Father Berg to write with such honesty and transparency, and his courage will give you courage—not only to confront sin and weakness within the Church, but also to give God another chance to help you rediscover him within the embrace of the Church despite the failings of her members.”—Fr. Jonathan Morris, author of New York Times Bestseller, The Way of Serenity “Here is an unflinching examination of the Church’s brokenness ... along with practical advice and the promise of hope for the challenging path forward. Fearless in his assessment, Father Berg is equally confident that in Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can move toward healing and wholeness.”—Cardinal Timothy Dolan ABOUT THE AUTHOR Father Berg is professor of moral theology and vice-rector at St Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY. He earned his doctorate in philosophy at Rome’s Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. In addition to scholarly work in bioethics, he has also been published or quoted in Homiletic & Pastoral Review, Crisis Magazine, First Things, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. An avid runner, hiker, and cigar aficionado, he escapes as often as he can to Cape May, New Jersey.

In response to the great challenges faced by modern Catholics, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn presents an in-depth formation for intentional disciples of Jesus. His presentation is aimed at demonstrating that the call of Jesus is not an abstract idea but a real way of life, a school of life. Jesus forms his followers in the art of living well, which leads them to true fulfillment both now and in the life to come. Drawing mainly on Scripture, and the Gospels in particular, the Cardinal shows how the way of conversion begins in a person's life and continues as his path until death. Every step along the way, the disciple is taught to believe, to trust, and to pray by the interior teacher--the Holy Spirit. The Cardinal traces the path of discipleship through nine key stages: answering the call of Jesus, becoming his disciple, learning to pray, living the Beatitudes, receiving and giving forgiveness, embracing the cross, becoming his witnesses, receiving the Holy Spirit, and passing through death into life. We can walk safely and joyfully along this path if we attend Jesus' school of life and follow in the footsteps of the Master.

For far too long, the church has tried to make disciples using a one-size-fits-all approach. Some churches advocate 1-on-1 discipling, others try getting everyone into a small group, while still others training through mission trips or service projects. Yet others focus all their efforts on attracting people to a large group gathering to hear biblical teaching and preaching. But does one size really fit everyone? Based on careful biblical study and years of experience making disciples in the local church, Bobby Harrington and Alex Absalom have identified five key relationships where discipleship happens in our lives. In each relational context we need to understand how discipleship occurs and we need to set appropriate expectations for each context. Discipleship That Fits shows you the five key ways discipleship occurs. It looks at how Jesus made disciples and how disciples were formed in the early church. Each of the contexts is necessary at different times and in different ways as a person grows toward maturity in Christ: Public Relationships: The church gathering corporately for worship Social Relationships: Networks of smaller relationships where we engage in mission and live out our faith in community Personal Relationships: Small groups of six to sixteen people where we challenge and encourage one another on a regular basis Transparent Relationships: Close relationships of three to four where we share intimate details of our lives for accountability The Divine Relationship: Our relationship with Jesus Christ where we grow through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit Filled with examples and stories, Alex and Bobby show you how to develop discipleship practices in each relational context by sharing how Jesus did it, how the early church practiced it, and how churches are discipling people today.