A previous essay considered the National Directory for Catechesis (NDC) in historical context and announced two themes found in the directory. These themes correspond to two important developments that deserve to be re-read as catechetical signs of the times are: (1) The reconstituted relationship between evangelization and catechesis, and (2) adult faith as the goal and reference point on the lifelong journey of forming disciples in faith. In this essay let us consider the goal of catechesis as well as the promoters of that goal: Adult Catholics who share adult faith.

Coming to Terms with the Term "Adult"
The term adult needs rehabilitation in a world where advertising media offer viewers and readers "adult" movies and "adult" magazines; yet this same society promotes an ideal vision of adulthood as static and fixed at age twenty-something. If being twenty-something were not an ideal, then the United States would not be the capital of facelifts and tummy-tucks, and the major purveyor of designer twenty-something clothing worn by people of different ages, from eight to eighty! Against this backdrop of confusion and misuse, the NDC offers a distinct voice of reason and vision about the meaning of "adults" and the goal of "adult faith." Here is one important statement from the NDC. In reading it you will recognize many catechists, teachers and parents who serve the catechetical needs of people of all ages:

"Most adults are capable of a free and informed response of faith to God's initiative of love...they have experienced the joys and challenges of life and have the capacity to question the truth and meaning of life." -- NDC, p. 187

Quoting the first National Catechetical Directory, the writers of the NDC go on to make this claim about meeting the needs of adults:

'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.' [Quoting from NCD, 1979, n. 188]...This formation needs to be addressed to adults at different stages in the development of their faith." - NDC, p. 187

Taking Inspiration from the Church's Leadership
Here we find in the NDC one area in which the official teaching of the church outpaces the practices in many parishes. It is well known that the practices (and budgets) in parishes rarely match the words about the catechesis of adults being given "high priority." So in making these statements, the writers of the NDC know well the situation, and they echo past statements issued by church leaders about the importance of catechesis of adults. For example, in issuing Our Heart Were Burning Within Us, a pastoral plan on the faith formation of adults, the U.S. Bishops tried to offer a way for parish communities to begin (or to enhance) their efforts to form adults in mature faith. Some of the suggestions in that pastoral plan include guiding principles for conducting adult faith formation:

• Take inspiration from the catechumenate for active involvement (rather than passive listening) of the learners
• Accept and respect adults for their past learning and their particular and various learning styles
• Engage adults actively in the life of the community, where "concepts" come alive and bear fruit in living (OHWB, pp. 26-27)

Some questions and issues to consider:
The NDC challenges us to think about the needs of catechists, teachers and parents, and indeed all the adults who make up the church. Here are some questions we might consider, after re-reading this statement from the NDC:

"Most adults are capable of a free and informed response of faith to God's initiative of love...they have experienced the joys and challenges of life and have the capacity to question the truth and meaning of life." '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.' [Quoting from NCD, 1979, n. 188]...This formation needs to be addressed to adults at different stages in the development of their faith." - NDC, p. 187

1. When you review this statement above, what do you find in it that:

• Reminds you of the adults with whom you live and work?
• Affirms current policies and practices in your parish, school or ministry site?
• Challenges you to think of creative ways to enhance the formation of the adults around you?

2. After reviewing the statement above, ask yourself and your friends in ministry this question:

If we take seriously the challenge of the NDC about the formation of adults, how will it benefit the children and youth of the church? Make a list of the benefits and refer to it again when next you meet to plan any event for adults.

Michael P. Horan, Ph.D.
Professor of Religious Education
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California