RENEW International and “Why Catholic?” are Enriching the Spiritual Lives of Catholics Everywhere

Catholics everywhere have been experiencing the joy of spiritual renewal through the acclaimed, Scripture-based, faith formation program by RENEW International, "Why Catholic? Journey through the Catechism." This evangelical process explores the basic tenants of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and encourages learning in a supportive, prayerful group setting. It shows adults how to find meaning in Sacred Scripture and relate its core teachings to their everyday lives. This RENEW International program is comprised of four books of twelve sessions which explore the sacraments, morality, and prayer. It includes direct quotes from the Catechism, references to Scripture, questions for individual and group reflection, and concludes with a dynamic invitation to put faith into action. The program has been enthusiastically embraced by small Christian communities, families, and parishes, while endorsed by Dioceses and Church Leaders.

The success of the RENEW International "Why Catholic?" program is evidenced through the spiritual growth of a small group of parishioners in the Diocese of Davenport, at the St. Joseph Parish in Wellman, Iowa. Every Sunday night for four years, twelve people from diverse backgrounds, of all ages, and with different ideas about faith met to study Scripture. They hoped to deepen their understanding of the Bible through study, sharing questions, and discussion. What they didn't expect from the process was how much they came to know about each other and how much stronger their individual and collective faith became. To facilitate their learning, Wellman parishioners used "Why Catholic?" for their resource material. It helped them better analyze the Catechism in smaller pieces and guide them to its true meaning. It was an exciting time, as they connected the rich lessons of Scripture to their own lives and realized the deep spiritual fulfillment which comes from faith-sharing. You can read more about the Wellman parishioners experience at: http://www.catholicmessenger.org/articles/2010/04/14/features/doc4bc5fe31a9697163648424.txt