Proposed Outcomes to Respond to the Goals and Post Outcomes.
Our success will be measured by the new and necessary directions that arise from the cross-pollination of challenging questions, reflection on current research and the sharing of paradigmatic ideas during the National Symposium.
Current U.S. and emerging environments affecting adolescent faith formation will be identified and implications suggested.
The six tasks of catechesis (knowledge of the faith, liturgy & sacraments, morality, prayer, community and missionary spirit) will form the foundation for the questions to be addressed in arriving at this outcome. Questions include, but are not limited to:
- What is working in adolescent faith formation today?
- What is not working in adolescent faith formation today?
- What role does the family play in adolescent faith formation?
- From a holistic viewpoint, what can the various disciplines contribute to an understanding of adolescents and faith formation in the American culture?
- Name the challenges facing adolescent faith formation?
Standards for effective adolescent faith formation will be determined in order for assessment to occur.
A common language and agreed definition of terms will form the basis for the discussion that will delineate the characteristics of an adolescent disciple in formation. Correlating the development of these characteristics with the six tasks of catechesis will elicit responses to the following questions:
- What response can be expected from an adolescent to the invitation to conversion? Are some forms of invitation more effective than others?
- What knowledge can be expected in an adolescent regarding the faith, the Liturgy and the sacraments?
- What consistency between knowledge and action regarding moral development can be present in the life of an adolescent?
- Define the understanding of prayer for an adolescent along with the practice of prayer in an adolescent’s life?
- In an individualistic society, what understanding and involvement in the life of a community can be undertaken by an adolescent?
- What roles can an adolescent play as a missionary of the church and an evangelizer of his/her peers?
Tools for addressing the creation of a comprehensive youth faith formation program will be formed and adaptations identified based on the background of the persons responsible for the program.
With the standards for an effective adolescent faith formation program identified, specific tools to reach these standards will need to be identified. Methods for using these tools will be created in accordance with the needs, abilities and cultures of the various persons involved with the development of a comprehensive faith formation program. The key questions are:
- What help do parish leaders of adolescent faith formation in schools and parishes need to create a comprehensive plan?
- What tools do parish leaders of adolescent faith formation currently have that could be shared with school leaders and vice versa?
- What adaptations need to be created to provide these tools for both volunteers and full-time paid ministers responsible for adolescent faith formation?
- What additional research is needed to provide definitive, objective data regarding the tools for effective methods and practices and the structures that support them?