What People are Saying
"As the facilitator, I am in awe of what the Spirit is doing in and through those gathered. Our sessions are truly a spiritual experience and wonderful gift for me. Many of our participants are on walkers, canes, and in wheelchairs. Some are challenged visually as well as hearing impaired, but it is so evident that God is doing a mighty work in our midst!”
- Sister Mary Ellen Curl, RSM, Spiritual Care Coordinator Mercy Sacred Heart Village
"I cannot begin to tell you what an enriching experience my small group has been. I come home each Tuesday evening feeling truly blessed to have been able to share Why Catholic? with these special people. They have become like my family. Martha and Ed Wagner opened their beautiful home to us for our sharing sessions, and it is truly an inspirational setting. I pray that everyone's time together has been as warm and friendly as ours."
- Suzie R., Louisville, Kentucky
“Why Catholic? is great! I may now actually read, and even study, the Catechism rather than occasionally just looking up a topic or two.”
- Louise A., Atlanta, Georgia
"We are following the topic each week and our group comes to each meeting with deeper insights as they think about. talk to others, and read further resources on each topic. Our group meetings are thought provoking and we are engaged in the work. The Why Catholic? experience has offered us a valuable guide on how to be a better Catholic."
- Jerry & Patty King, Small Community Group Leaders from St. James Parish
“Why Catholic? has raised the level of conversation in my parish. Knowing why we are Catholic affects daily life.”
- Bob Z., Cincinnati, Ohio
"The Why Catholic? process has offered us all new and unique opportunities to examine what we believe and why we believe it. The small group settings have encouraged dialogue in a trusted and comfortable setting - with friends all who share the same desire to learn more about what it means to be Catholic and how our faith impacts us in our daily lives.”
- Ken R., St. Brigid
“I want my kids to believe, and Why Catholic? is deepening my faith and teaching me how to pray. It is helping my faith seed out into my children.”
- Amy M., Toronto, Ohio
“The sign of the cross has always been a gesture of habit… Since I started Why Catholic? I stop and reflect on the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
- Veronica M., Flemington, New Jersey
“Before Why Catholic? I shied away from religious questions. Now, by learning more about the richness and traditions of my Catholic faith, I share faith more confidently.”
- David M., Prattville, Alabama
"If other groups are like ours, then they too are having a phenomenal and uplifting experience. Our group connects so well and we are taking turns serving in the leader/facilitator role. We are learning so much about what it means to be Catholic as we discuss each week's topic as well as sharing our past and present experiences. Being an old time Catholic this experience brings tears to my eyes."
- Doris F., Louisville, Kentucky
“Why Catholic? helped strengthen my marriage. We use this as our tool to reconnect. Even if we don’t have time to talk, we take time to pray together. That’s a powerful tool.”
- Greg N., Daphne, Alabama
“The most rewarding thing was this—we had a person in our group who had not been very involved in the Church. She was a product of Catholic schooling, but she had not been to confession in 33 years. After our discussions, she decided to go to our Penance Service. I feel Why Catholic? was definitely a new beginning for her.”
- Jacque B., Peachtree City, Georgia
Before we made a final decision to go with WHY CATHOLIC?, our diocesan team contacted directors from other dioceses that were already doing the program. The response we got was very enthusiastic. There was a census that the quality of the RENEW staff was excellent and that the materials and input the offered was very helpful.
-Jim Kemna, Director of Religious Education, Diocese of Jefferson City (MO)
"Why Catholic? has given us opportunities to meet members of our Parish in a comfortable home setting and develop new friendships. The group sharing of our faith helps us to see things from different perspectives and from different life experiences. By reading the Why Catholic? books and sharing our experiences, we become more aware of our need for life-long learning and sharing of our faith. One Monday evening our group shared 'God moments' that they experienced . . . when we went to Mass that next weekend Fr. Wayne talked about 'God moments'. That was truly a 'God moment.'"
- Debbie S., Louisville, Kentucky
“Why Catholic? has reminded me of my roots and why I am Catholic. My mother always said being Catholic is more than a religion—it’s a way of life.”
- Kimberly D., Atlanta, Georgia
What Church Leaders are Saying
"When the Catechism of the Catholic Church first came out, I was delighted since it is a comprehensive, up-to-date formulation of our beliefs and joys as Catholics. But I wondered how we might unpack its content for Catholics in the pews. Why Catholic? is a fine answer to my question. The material is arranged for use by small faith-sharing groups, thus enabling participants to better understand their faith and share it. The questions are thought provoking and interesting. I heartily recommend Why Catholic?"
- Most. Rev. Michael Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe (NM)
"Why Catholic? seeks to be an instrument for faith formation and a call to holiness. Saints in everyday life are the strength of the Church, which is always renewing itself in fidelity to the mission of Christ and in service to the needs of our society. I heartily commend this effort in making the Catechism of the Catholic Church more accessible to the faithful."
- Most Rev. John J. Myers, J.C.D., D.D., Retired Archbishop of Newark (NJ)
"I am very grateful for all that you have done to bring Why Catholic? alive in our Diocese. This program and process is really helping all of our people to understand better why they are Catholics and to live their faith in a more dynamic manner."
- Most Rev. Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, Bishop of San Angelo (TX)
"The Why Catholic? program is well serving the needs of both Anglo and Hispanic people."
- Most Rev. Wilton D. Gregory, Archdiocese of Atlanta (GA)
“Why Catholic? not only strengthens our Catholic faith, it also gives us the opportunity to learn the language of faith as we share faith with one another.”
- Mary Ann McLaughlin, Director, Office of Worship and Spiritual Life, Archdiocese of Boston (MA)
“The Why Catholic? process makes pastors’ continuing faith-education responsibility easy to do.”
- Msgr. Kurt Kemo, Vicar General, Diocese of Steubenville
"All parish organizations as well as small Christian communities, can be effective vehicles for evangelization and adult faith formation by using Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism. It combines the best of faith-learning, faith-sharing, and faith-living!"
- Very Rev. E. Michael Camilli, M.S.C. Director, Adult Faith Formation, Diocese of Allentown (PA)
"How to Use Why Catholic?... is a great work. I especially like the detailed, step-by-step approach."
- Dan Luby, Director, Division of Christian Formation, Diocese of Fort Worth (TX)
"How to Use Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism in Your Parish is well organized. It made me feel very enthusiastic about going forward with the program."
- Pat Spiegel, Stewardship and Adult Formation Coordinator, St. Lawrence the Martyr Church (NY)'
"The benefit of Why Catholic? is that it allows the truths of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to touch the realities of everyday life. Any individual or any group who chooses to participate in this will benefit significantly from learning how to live within the context of a greater and more Catholic relationship."
- Dorothy Berman, MA, Youth Director, Mt. Manresa Jesuit Retreat House
Our Why Catholic? process fosters a personal identity as Catholics grounded in solid teaching. The conversion experience of meeting Christ in and through His church is basic to the structured small groups that form the core of the Why Catholic? process. Learning and belonging are required first steps if we are to witness Christ in our lives.
Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville (KY)
