In order to chart a new course for adolescent catechesis, systemic change in the way we think about and do adolescent catechesis is required. Because this level of systemic transformation requires a long-term vision rather than a short-term program, the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis has carefully crafted a bold and comprehensive seven-year, eight-step process of transformation called the National Initiative on Adolescent Catechesis. The rationale behind the National Initiative on Adolescent Catechesis is to create a new paradigm for how the church effectively forms the faith of young people and to assist parishes and schools across the country in assessing and re-thinking their methods and structures in this new light. More on the goals of the Initiative...

The Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis began in 2003 with a desire to develop a common vision for adolescent catechesis in order to address serious lapses in the Church’s formation of adolescents. Since its inception, the Partnership has worked to complement the themes and approaches for catechesis with adolescents as presented in the National Directory for Catechesis (2005), the U.S. Church’s response to the General Directory for Catechesis (1997). During this ongoing and deepening process of dialogue and collaboration, the Partnership began to discern the need for a long-term plan to raise the level of faith formation of young people throughout the United States. To solidify this shared mission, a Memorandum of Understanding was developed and signed in May, 2007 committing each organization to a long-term relationship in the Partnership for Adolescent Catechesis.

The National Symposium on Adolescent Catechesis, a gathering of one hundred invited experts, practitioners and leaders from various disciplines throughout the country will be held November 5-8, 2008. The symposium will address the question: What is necessary for effective adolescent catechesis in the Catholic Church given the current and emerging environments in the United States?