“Why Catholic?,” a scriptural and catechetical program for parish small groups presented by Renew International, has experienced increasing popularity since beginning two years ago in the Archdiocese of Anchorage.
The program received a boost in May when Franciscan Sister Maureen Colleary visited for five days, giving mini-retreats in several archdiocesan parishes.
Sister Colleary serves on the staff of the national “Why Catholic?” program and has previously done trainings in Alaska.
Conce Rock is a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in South Anchorage, where she leads a local “Why Catholic?” group.
“I was looking for a way to increase my faith and interact more with other parishioners,” Rock told the Catholic Anchor. “Why Catholic?” addressed both desires. Rock was in the first group of facilitators trained in the archdiocese.
“The material is excellent,” Rock said.
The hour-and-a-half sessions feature prayers, Scripture readings, quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and personal sharing. The optimum number of participants in each group is 12-15.
“It relates to what is going on in our lives,” Rock explained, “and also involves a faith-in-action decision.” This is personal and can involve deciding to write a letter to a prisoner, for example, or making a commitment to some type of community service.
“Why Catholic?” is under the umbrella of Renew International, an organization under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey which has offered a variety of programs over the past 30 years in over 150 U.S. dioceses, 23 countries and in 44 different languages and dialects.
Les Maiman, the chief operating officer for the Anchorage Archdiocese, sits on the board of directors for Renew International. He said Catholic Extension partnered with the archdiocese in bringing “Why Catholic?” to the area.
Daughter of Charity Sister Mary Peter Diaz, who works with both Hispanic Ministry and Alaska Native Ministry, said “Why Catholic?” has caught on with both groups.
“There are about ten groups meeting in Spanish at Holy Family Cathedral,” Sister Diaz said. “And several at Our Lady of Guadalupe.”
Materials are provided in Spanish, and the program is free although participants may be asked to pay for their books.
Gemma Gaudio, a parishioner at St. Anthony Parish in Anchorage, leads a group of Alaska Natives.
“We really find it uplifting and we’ve learned a lot,” observed Gaudio, who said her group particularly loved learning more about that most basic of prayers — the Our Father.
Groups can meet at home or church. Gaudio’s group prefers the comfort of meeting in a home, while Rock’s group likes the convenience and centrality of the parish.
“Why Catholic?” is divided into sessions that cover topics such as prayer, Catholic teaching, the sacraments, morality and putting faith into action.
Cindy Lentine, who coordinates religious education programs for the archdiocese, said the response to “Why Catholic?” has been enthusiastic and she anticipates wider participation following Sister Colleary’s recent presentations.
Sister Colleary’s visit to Alaska was called a “Believe Event” — billed as “an inspiring and uplifting experience of prayer, sharing and learning” with opportunities to “explore how to deepen your knowledge of and your prayer experience with the Bible.” She gave five presentations, stopping at parishes in Soldotna, Valdez, Anchorage and Wasilla. Presently, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Patrick, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Our Lady of the Angels in Kenai, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Soldotna, St. Michael in Palmer and Sacred Heart in Wasilla use the “Why Catholic?” program.
'‘Why Catholic?’ programs get boost with national speaker’s visit'
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