Renew: Why Catholic?
The fifth season of the Renew: Why Catholic? faith-formation program began in fall 2009, and the sixth season will start in Lent 2010. Most parishes in the diocese are engaged in the four-year Renew experience, which offers two seasons annually. During each six-week season, parishioners meet in small groups, often in homes, to explore the teachings of the church.
But the program offers two additional features as well: an annual faith-enrichment session and a yearly retreat, “a very spiritual experience,” said Father Abraham Orapankal, Ph.D., a member of the Renew International service team.
“We are being formed by God all the time, so how do we allow this experience to be felt?” said Father Orapankal.
People long for a chance to get away from the busyness of life and “have a spiritual experience.”
Renew International is based in Plainfield, N.J. Its Why Catholic? programs are currently taking place or have been completed in three dozen U.S. dioceses.
Those who have been taking part in Renew’s small groups have also found ways to express their spirituality through concrete action. Some examples, Father Orapankal said, include serving in soup kitchens, baby-sitting for those in need, and taking food to families coping with illness.
He also notes that close bonds are often formed between group members. “Adult faith formation is happening, deepening of knowledge is going on, but there’s also a greater sense of belongingness to the group as it relates to the parish. That is palpably felt.
“When we hear about some of the action plans people have undertaken, like helping other people, it comes out of the faith sharing. People are happy about that.”
The next season of Renew in the Knoxville Diocese will begin this Lent. It will focus on the third pillar of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: life in Christ.
To those who have not been participating in a small group but are curious, Father Orapankal says, “It is an experience they will not feel sorry about. I can guarantee that.”
Once people get “a taste of the fellowship and the learning experience for six weeks, they have no patience to wait until the next season.”
The Renew: Why Catholic? program has been a great success in our diocese. Forty-six of our 47 parishes have participated in the program. Why Catholic? has encouraged us to live our faith more intentionally. In addition, learning, praying, and sharing together in small communities has helped us support one another in our faith. A week does not go by in which I don’t receive phone calls or hear personal comments by people who mention how thankful they are for the program. So many of our faithful are looking forward to future seasons of the program—a true testimony of GIFT money in action.
—Deacon Sean Smith, vice-chancellor, Diocese of Knoxville
Sister Albertine Paulus, RSM, the recently retired Diocesan Renew coordinator, encourages people to give the program a try. “We live in very demanding times and in a culture that doesn’t encourage spiritual living,” she said.
“If the challenge of living a life that is pleasing to God is important to you, this is a very fine way, using adult-learning techniques, to become grounded in the sacramental life of the church.”
For more information
Contact Father Richard Armstrong or visit the Renew: Why Catholic? website.
