Banner-green

Adult Catechesis

“Catechesis for adults, since it deals with persons who are capable of an adherence which is fully responsible, must be considered the chief form of catechesis. All other forms, which are indeed always necessary, are in some way oriented to it.”

General Directory for Catechesis n.59

Adult Faith Formation at St. Thomas More

The Adult Faith Formation ministry at St. Thomas More offers several regular programs, and a number of occasional events and short courses. These address central themes of Catholic teaching: Scripture, Doctrine, Prayer and Social Justice, and also Catechists Formation.

Bible Study Programs at St. Thomas More

CBS-2The Catholic Biblical School program is an in-depth study of the whole of Sacred Scripture, over a four-year period, in which participants read from every book of the Bible over four years. However, people are also welcome to attend individual sessions. Lessons comprise scripture reading, secondary reading, map exercises, discussion questions, and catechism references. The program is based on up-to-date research by Catholic scholars in the field of Biblical Studies but also incorporates an ecumenical approach.

Year Two New Testament Foundations: Jesus and Discipleship introduces the writings of the New Testament. It begins with an examination of the formation of the Gospels and the unique viewpoint of each evangelist. It then examines St. Paul's Letters and their profound theology of the risen Christ. It continues with the Acts of the Apostles and then John's Gospel ad letters, and the Book of Revelation. See full schedule for the year.

Frequency: every Tuesday, beginning September 27
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: St. Anthony Room
Registration: is not required. People are not obliged to attend the entire course, but may attend single sessions if interested.
Resources: The parish will obtain copies of the program books, price $17. Participants should bring their own Bibles, preferably the New American Bible translation.

six-weeks-mainSix Weeks with The Bible - is a Catholic Bible study series, published by Loyola Press, which is ideal for small Bible study groups as well as individual study. The series’ 57 titles—available in English, Spanish, and teen versions—help Catholics grow more confident in their understanding of Scripture and more comfortable in sharing their faith with others. Six Weeks with the Bible requires no prior knowledge of Scripture, and each study includes:

  • Select Biblical text for the topic
  • Essential historical and cultural background material
  • Practical application of Scripture to daily life
  • Guided discussion questions for group reflection and interaction
  • Opportunities for group prayer

 

John_1-10

The current Sunday morning program is I am the Bread of Life which is on John 1-10, including Jesus' Bread of Life discourse in chapter 6. 

Frequency: on Sundays when Faith Development meets, for six sessions.
Time: 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Room
Registration is recommended through this form, and attendance for all six weeks is encouraged.
Resources: The parish will obtain copies of the Six Weeks with the Bible books for each course, price $8. Participants should bring their own Bibles, preferably the New American Bible translation.

Date Topic Text
Sep 18 1 With God Before Time Began John 1:1-34 
Sep 25 2 The First Sign John 1:35-2:12 
Oct 2 3 If You Knew Who Was Asking You John 4:1-42 
Oct 16 4 My Father and I John 5:1-30 
Oct 23 5 Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever John 6:25-69 
Oct 30 6 My Sheep Hear My Voice John 10: 1-33 

the_magdalene_reading_ca_14451

Enlightening Faith – come join a lively, participatory seminar in which we delve into the precious treasure of Holy Scripture, allowing the texts to inform our faith, our understanding and our lives. We learn from and are inspired by one another’s journey in faith. The focus is on the Sunday lectionary texts, paired with a doctrinal issue from the US Catechism for Adults

Frequency: Every Wednesday 
Times: 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM 
Location: Fearrington Village - please call (919) 542-4697
Resources: Please bring At Home With the Word which contains the Scriptures for every Sunday of the year, and a copy of The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Some copies will be available for use in the sessions, or may be bought from the parish for $25.

Participants may also prepare by reading the Question of the Week, which is based upon the Sunday Gospel, and the associated commentaries.

Adult Formation

Catholicism: The Journey of a Lifetime - Fr. Robert Barron's ten-part documentary series on the life, faith and culture of the Catholic church. This will be shown on Saturday evenings after the 5:15 PM Mass, with dinner provided. See full schedule and trailer. 

The Catechetical Institute is an initiative of the Diocese of Raleigh for the formation of Catechists. However, all Catholic Adults are also welcome to participate in it as an educational opportunity. The program this year includes a course on Catholic Morality in the Fall of 2011, and Catholic Prayer and Spirituality early in 2012.  

The JustFaith program is an in-depth study of Catholic Social Teaching, which offers an opportunity for parishioners to experience a spiritual journey into compassion. It is being hosted this year by our neighboring parish Holy Infant.

Immersed in Christ - During the six weeks of Lent, groups of parishioners gather at hosts’ homes to share faith experiences relating to the Sunday readings and discuss questions from various resource materials. Some groups or individuals continue 'Immersed in Christ' through the whole year.

Here are some more available Adult Education opportunities:

Loyola Press 3-Minute Retreat

Retreat providers promoted by the Diocese of Raleigh:

Recent publications and resources from the Diocese of Raleigh:

Puzzled by Catholic terminology? Here is a brief Glossary of Catholic Terms from the Diocese of Raleigh

Local Colleges with Theology and Religious Studies Resources

Historical Jesus Revisited: A 21st Century View

A Distinguished Scholar Seminar featuring Bart D. Ehrman February 10-11, 2012 Join us for this special event in which Bart Ehrman explores the figure of Jesus of Nazareth. Revisiting this popular topic, Professor Ehrman will explore the surviving ancient sources about the historical Jesus, examine every reference to Jesus made by ancient writers who were not among his followers, and set the life and teaching of Jesus in his own historical context by examining his relationship to the Dead Sea Scrolls and other traces of Judaism of his day. Professor Ehrman argues that Jesus is best understood as a Jewish apocalyptic prophet who expected the climax of history to happen within his own generation.

Speaker Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is a leading authority on the New Testament and the history of early Christianity. He has written more than twenty books, including four New York Times bestsellers: Misquoting Jesus, God’s Problem, Jesus Interrupted and Forged.

Topics

  • Non-Canonical Sources for the Life of Jesus: What Were His Friends and Enemies Saying?
  • The Gospels as Fact and Fiction: How Good are our Primary Accounts of Jesus’ Life?
  • A Context for Everything: The Dead Sea Scrolls, Jewish Apocalypticism, and the Historical Jesus
  • The Death of the Messiah: Jesus and the Politics of His Day

Time and Cost

4:30 p.m. Friday, February 10, through 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, 2012. The tuition is $125 ($110 by February 3). Tuition for teachers is $62.50 ($55 by February 3). 10 contact hours for 1 unit of renewal credit. The optional dinner on Friday evening is $20.00.

Click here to register