Adult Faith Formation

"The Catechesis of adults... is the principle form of catechesis, because it is addressed to persons who have the greatest responsibilities and the capacity to live the Christian message in its fully developend form." (Catechesi Tradendae, 43)

"Adult catechesis (is) the chief form of catechesis. To assign primacy to adult catechesis does not mean sacrificing catechesis at other age levels; it means making sure that what is done earlier is carried to its culmination in adulthood... Because of its importance and because all other forms of catechesis are oriented in some way to it, the catechesis of adults must have high priority at all levels of the Church. The success of programs for children and youth depends to a significant extent upon the words, attitudes, and actions of the adult community, especially parents, family, and guardians." (NCD: Sharing the Light of Faith, 188)

Adult Faith Formation - Skills training

This skills training for ministry with adults satisfies the requirements of the “Specialization” Phase of the California Catechist
Certification process. Topics include:

Adult Faith Development
AFF – Vision & Rationale
Adults: A different reality
Organizing for AFF
Planning for AFF
Approaches to AFF
Resources for AFF

Santa Clarita Training

Lakewood Training

Opportunities Sponsored by the Office of Religious Education

Catholic Bible Institute

The Catholic Bible Institute is three-year bible-study program which entails a comprehensive study of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures focusing on methods of study, sharing and praying with Scripture. It is designed to prepare adults for leadership in parish bible study. (more)

Annual Silent Directed Retreat

This holistic retreat offers an experience of rest, silence and prayer in the company of other members of God's people. Participants are encouraged to avail of the opportunity to meet with one of the Directors for personal sharing and guidance. The retreat, designed for adults in parish ministry, usually takes place toward the end of June. For more information call or email Sr. Clare Melody at 213 637 7358.

Silent Directed Retreat Brochure (179 KB)

Ministry Formation: Basic and Advanced

The Office of Religious Education sponsors and coordinates ministry formation centers on a regional basis. originally designed to facilitate the formation process for catechist formation, these centers systematically and comprehensively introduce adults to the broad teaching tradition of the Church. To see more on the topics covered, navigate to the Basic Formation page.

Distance / Online Learning

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in partnership with the University of Dayton, offers an opportunity to participate in an e-learning initiative. A wide variety of courses and seminars are available throughout the course of the year, enabling participants to deepen their understanding of their faith, and to learn more about their religious background and church teaching. More information.

Other Opportunities for Adult Faith Formation

Bearing Good Fruit

This parish-based program is ready to use "out-of-the-box", guiding participants through an adult process of thematic reflection on the scriptures. The program can be adapted for use at any time of the year, and is ideally suited for seasonal (e.g. Lent, Advent, etc.) parish offerings. For more information go to the NCCL website or directly to the NCCL online store.

Just Faith ®

Just Faith ® is a thirty-week parish-based formation process and spiritual journey which offers parishioners an opportunity to discuss, read, pray, experience and be formed by the Christian justice tradition for lives of action and witness and transformation. The process is designed to be facilitated by parishioners themselves, employing models of adult learning. For more information go to the JustFaith ® website.

Center for Religion & Spirituality - Loyola Marymount University

The Center for Religion and Spirituality at LMU offers a variety of courses, workshops, conferences and special events designed for the professional development, religious education, and/or personal enrichment of the diverse peoples and ministers in the Southland.

Document Resources for Leaders in Adult Catechesis

General Catechetical Directory (1971)
National Catechetical Directory (1978)
Adult Catechesis in the Christian Community (1990)
General Directory for Catechesis (1997)
National Directory for Catechesis (2005) ~ not available online, Purchase here.
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us (1999)
Learning, Loving and Living Our Faith: A Pastoral Letter of Tod David Brown, Bishop of Orange (available in 4 languages)
NCCL Adult Faith Formation Committee - Annotated Resource List (2005) - Available from Fr. David Loftus, 213 637 7654

Other Resources