YOUCAT Companion_Leader Manual

Rev. Seán Corkery Máirín Ní Shúilleabháin

Companion A Study Programme of YOUCAT in Twenty Sessions

LEADER’S MANUAL

Companion A Study Programme of YOUCAT in Twenty Sessions

Edited by Máirín Ní Shúilleabháin and Rev. Seán Corkery in cooperation with

LEADER’S MANUAL

CONTENTS FOREWORD Letter from Cardinal Christoph Schönborn

Dear Leader 8 | Who is the course for? 9 | Guide for Leaders: Plan – Promote – Participate 10 | Hosting the Initial Information Meeting 12 | Points to Remember 13 | Weekly Session Format 14 | Session Format – In Depth 15 | Being a Study Group Leader 16 | Guiding Principles 16 | Reading Plan 18 | Catechetical Approach: Study – Reflect – Live 22 | The Role of the Priest as Spiritual Director 23 | Session 1-20: Introductory Notes for Leader 23

What We Believe

Session 11 The Dignity of the Human Person 54 Session 12 The Human Person and Society 56 Session 13 First, Second and Third Commandments 59 Session 14 Fourth and Fifth Commandments 61 Session 15 Sixth Commandment 64 Session 16 Seventh Commandment 66 Session 17 Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Commandments 69

How We Should Pray Session 18 How to Pray 74 Session 19 The Way of Prayer 77 Session 20 The Lord’s Prayer 80

Concluding Celebration 84 | Bibliography 85 | Sessional Bibliography 86 | Appendix 1: Icebreakers 89 | Appendix 2: Sample Schedule 91 | Appendix 3: Application Form 92 | Appendix 4: Promotional Announcements 93 | Endnotes 94

4 5 

How We Are to Have Life in Christ

Session 6 How We Celebrate the Christian Mysteries 40 Session 7 The Sacraments of Initiation 43 Session 8 The Sacraments of Healing 46 Session 9 The Sacraments of Communion and Mission 48 Session 10 Other Liturgical Celebrations 50

CONTENTS

Session 1 The Profession of Faith 26 Session 2 I Believe in God the Father 29 Session 3 I Believe in God the Son 31 Session 4 I Believe in God the Holy Spirit 33 Session 5 I Believe in the Communion of Saints 35

How We Celebrate the Christian Mysteries

LEADER’S MANUAL

Foreword

It was a very special moment for me when I first introduced the YOUCAT in Vienna in March 2011.

How would the Catholic world react to this book? YOUCAT started from an initiative by young and courageous people. With the support of the former Pope Benedict XVI, it has become an extraordinary success. Who could have foreseen that in our day YOUCAT would become the most successful Catholic book after the Bible? More than 7 million copies have been sold worldwide. It has been translated into 72 languages, among them Swahili, Malagasy and Urdu.

For me, YOUCAT is a blessing! It translates the Christian faith into an attractive and contemporary language. It is an indispensable instrument for the evangelisation of young people. For the past seven years, YOUCAT has fascinated young people around the world, helping them to come to know the Catholic faith. Moreover, it has been the starting point for many amazing initiatives worldwide, including study groups and several associated books such as DOCAT and Y-Bible. I am especially delighted about the YOUCAT Companion for Leaders and Participants written in Ireland. It is addressed to small study groups, guiding them through the whole of the Catholic faith in twenty comprehensive lives.

Learning in small groups stands in the best catechetical tradition. Faith needs people who share and discuss their religious questions, who pray together and who exchange their experiences, their doubts and their life stories. The YOUCAT Companion study course will help people to come to a deeper in their study group. Most importantly, this group study will lead people to encounter Jesus Christ.

Dear Leaders, you have the joy and the responsibility of leading young people to Jesus Christ. This might be demanding sometimes but be confident of the assistance of the Holy Spirit. May this group study enrich you and root you more and more in belief in Jesus Christ. May you be filled with ardour to follow Jesus Christ and to invite young people to an encounter with him.

+ Christoph Cardinal Schönborn Archbishop of Vienna

6 7 

understanding of what the Catholic faith is all about. They will experience the strength of community

Foreword

sessions. YOUCAT Companion will help many people to strengthen the Catholic faith in their personal

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Dear Leader

Welcome to YOUCAT Companion Leader Manual. The Holy Spirit has guided you to this moment. It is a great joy and responsibility to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and with YOUCAT Companion you are about to begin an important journey in faith. As a study group Leader, you have a unique role in guiding and accompanying participants in their encounter with Christ and one another.

Participants will look to you as a Leader to model Christ’s attitude and behaviour. You are expected to be faithful and true to the teachings of the Church. You should also strive to be a calm and gentle mentor, so as to create a warm atmosphere of belonging and eagerness to learn. These qualities will prove to be key factors for participants in coming to trust you. Each participant will be in a unique place on their faith journey, and a trustworthy and caring Leader helps maintain a positive environment in which to study, reflect and live the Catholic faith.

During the study programme, enrich your own interior life by spending more time in personal prayer, participating in Holy Mass during the week (daily if possible) and receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly. Pray for your group – both collectively and individually. All of this will permit God’s grace to strengthen your leadership. As Leader, you will be supporting each participant, making them feel welcome and at ease in the group. Always lead with love in your heart and with a positive attitude of acceptance for each person’s value and worth.

This Leader Manual which you now hold in your hands is designed to be used in conjunction with the YOUCAT Companion Participant Book. This Leader Manual will support and direct you in your leadership role and ensure everyone benefits from the twenty sessions of the study programme. It contains the materials you will need to plan, promote and participate in the smooth running of the programme. The Participant Book contains the twenty study sessions and associated materials. Please familiarise yourself with both the Leader Manual and the Participant Book before you proceed with the sessions. This preparation will ensure you are fully informed about the next steps which you, as a Leader, will now be taking.

May the Lord give you all the grace and strength you need to be a witness to his love and mercy in the world, and may Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for you.

Rev. Seán Corkery and Máirín Ní Shúilleabháin

LEADER’S MANUAL

Who is the course for?

This course is for individuals who want to know more about the Catholic faith and would appreciate the opportunity to have the guidance of a local faith formation group.

Have you ever found yourself wanting to understand the Catholic faith better, or wishing you could explain the Catholic faith in a reasonable manner to other people? Have you ever wanted to dialogue more confidently on faith matters with family, friends, and community? Have you ever been in the uncomfortable situation of finding yourself lost for words when your faith was being undermined by others? It is not uncommon to experience this and to feel isolated and alone.

The truth, however, is that you are not alone. People of faith everywhere feel challenged by the culture in which they live. Today it is legitimate to ask how can we express our faith in a society that has a tendency to view all things religious as private and peripheral. Blessed Pope Paul VI says that “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because be seen as separate missions. Benedict XVI states: “What the world is in particular need of today is the credible witness of people enlightened in mind and heart by the word of the Lord, and capable of opening the hearts and minds of many to the desire for God and for true life, life without end.” 2 No one searching for meaning in life is alone. Learning the language of faith today is a task for every baptised person. The best way of learning how to share one’s faith is within the faith community.

of learning and sharing the Catholic faith.

This course is especially suitable for: • Young people seeking the truths of the Catholic faith • Young people discerning life’s choices, especially life commitment to the Lord in holiness and service • All those responsible for passing on the faith to young people – parents and grandparents, chaplains, catechists, teachers and youth leaders • People seeking to live and witness to the faith at home, in the workplace and during recreation • Adults preparing for sacraments and those enquiring about the Catholic faith

8 9 Who is the course for?

Through these twenty sessions, may your faith journey be strengthened so you can experience the joy

Dear Leader

they are witnesses.” 1 Learning and living one’s faith are of the greatest importance and should never

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Guide for Leaders Plan – Promote – Participate Plan: 1.

Become familiar with YOUCAT, and YOUCAT Companion Leader Manual and Participant Book.

Be rooted in prayer by praying with the Word of God and the YOUCAT material so you will gain inspiration as you journey onward. Identify and invite potential Leaders to be part of a core group who will organise the study sessions. The core group can begin with two people, i.e., the Leader and the local priest. One Leader is required for each group of 12-15 participants. Ideally, a local priest (or another priest nominated by him or the bishop) should be a member of the core group so that the ecclesial dimension of the study programme is assured.

2.

Meet as Leaders and spend time planning the way forward that best suits your pastoral needs.

Time spent planning is invaluable. As Leaders, don’t overstretch your resources. Getting the “groundwork” right (venue, schedule, meeting time, format, ordering study resources for participants, etc.) is important. A discussion will be needed on financing the study programme and what the cost will be, if any, for each participant.

3. Prepare a schedule (Sample schedule, p. 91).

4. Reserve a suitable venue for the number of participants you expect to attend. You will require an individual room for each group of 12-15 participants. Experience confirms that the month of September is a time when people are open to new challenges and new beginnings. The size of the venue and the number of Leaders may also determine the need to set a limit on the number of participants which can be included in the group.

5. Order the study materials for participants in advance. You will need a Leader Manual for each Leader and a Participant Book for each participant.

6. Set a date for the Information Meeting. This will be a meeting to inform people on what is involved in the course and to encourage them to apply to be a study group participant.

Note: The Information Meeting takes place prior to the formal commencement of the twenty sessions of the course.

Promote: 1.

Begin promoting the study sessions well in advance of the start date.

2.

Discern your target audience and aim to reach them through every possible means of communication, e.g., posters, flyers, parish newsletter/website, social media, personalized letter of invitation, word of mouth, promotional tables following the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.

See YOUCAT Companion promotional announcements p. 93.

3. Personal invitation remains a most effective means of promotion. Invite people whom you know want to be participants to encourage their peers and colleagues to apply.

4. Set an application deadline and announce this on your promotional materials. This requires people to make a decision on participation and gives the core group an indication of how many to expect at the Information Meeting. There is nearly always room for a “latecomer,” but it helps to have an indication of numbers in advance.

Participate:

The rewards and graces come through the actual participation in the sessions. Both Leader and participant make this journey of faith together. The core group should meet on a regular basis to review progress and the developing group dynamic. Each study group will have its own unique characteristics and thus its own “personality” so to speak. The following guidelines for the Information Meeting and Session Format provide helpful templates for working with groups of 12-15 participants.

LEADER’S MANUAL

Guide for Leaders 10 11

Plan – Promote – Participate

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Hosting the Initial Information Meeting At the Information Meeting, light refreshments and a warm welcome are important. Some people may be very enthusiastic about getting started, but others may need a little more reassurance and encouragement. Ultimately, God has brought everyone in this group together at this time and in this place. His plan for the group is beginning to reveal itself. This is a special moment for everyone.

FORMAT FOR INFORMATION MEETING There can be a lot to take on board in what follows so encourage the group to be patient. It takes a few sessions for people to be comfortable with all the details. Keep positive and don’t panic or worry.

Duration Welcome and Opening Prayer 10 minutes

75 minutes • Prayerfully make The Sign of the Cross and pray The Apostles’ Creed.

• After a suitable acknowledgement of the great adventure in faith which is about to commence, check in with each person’s name and a brief word about who each person is and why they are drawn to this study programme.

“Geography” (Layout) Lesson 25 minutes

Introduce the group to: • The geography of YOUCAT • The geography of YOUCAT Companion Participant Book • The geography of the Bible

For each Session

Take the group through the following sections of the Participant

25 minutes

Book • Session Structure • What will this course require of you?

• Reading Plan (be very brief here – do not overload participants) • Catechetical Approach – Study-Reflect-Live (see Leader Manual p. 22)

For the next Meeting:

Make sure each participant knows the venue and meeting time for

Session 1: The Profession of Faith

Session 1 and how to prepare for it:

10 minutes

• Follow 5-day reading plan for Session 1: The Profession of Faith (YOUCAT Q 1-29) • Encourage the group to read the Foreword to YOUCAT. This can be found on pages 7-11 of YOUCAT itself. It gives a helpful background at the outset, placing YOUCAT in its proper context.

• Invite each participant to begin the discipline of writing reflections in their Faith Journal

Concluding Prayer

Call participants to a place of prayerful recollection. Prayerfully

5 minutes

read Philippians 4:4-9. It is a word of life for those setting out on a new pilgrimage of faith.

The session concludes with The Sign of the Cross, or the blessing of the priest who may be present.

LEADER’S MANUAL

Points to Remember • Arrange to have the Information Meeting in the same venue and on the same day and time in which you plan on holding the weekly sessions. If participants can attend this Information Meeting, then it is likely to be a suitable location and meeting time for them. Prepare the room as you would do for a group study session.

• If room rental or other such expenses are incurred, arrangements will need to be made to ensure such costs are met.

• It would be important for everyone to have a copy of YOUCAT and YOUCAT Companion Participant available for purchase on the evening itself.

• Register the contact details of each participant. This establishes an efficient line of communication between the Leader and participants. Reassure participants that contact details are stored confidentially and for no other purpose other than communications related to the group study. See sample Application Form on p. 92.

• Make sure to check in with people as to their reasons for wanting to study. Encourage them to be patient as it can take time to settle into a group study of the Catholic faith.

Hosting the Initial Information Meeting

Book at hand for this meeting. Perhaps arrangements can be put in place to have copies of these

12 13 Points to Remember

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Weekly Session Format Depending on the specifications of the proposed venue and number of participants, the Leader(s) will need to decide how best to organise the sessions. Bear in mind at all times the need for a venue that is conducive to small group discussion. Remember that the ideal number in a small group discussion is one Leader with a maximum of 12-15 participants.

SESSION FORMAT AT A GLANCE Study Course

• 12- 15 participants • 20 Sessions i

Duration

75 minutes

Number of Leaders required ii

1 Leader per 12-15 participants iii (with the active support of the local priest as spiritual director)

Preparation

• YOUCAT reading prepared • Session planning by Priest and Leader • Room set-up for round group discussion • Sacred Scripture reading identified

Structure

1. Opening Prayer [5 mins] 2. Feedback discussion [60 mins] with assistance (as necessary) of • “In 5” Group Discussion (Set of five questions found in Participant Book to guide reading and reflection) • Key Terms • Help for the Journey • Faith Journal 3. Concluding prayer [10 mins] 4. Optional: Icebreakers. When applicable, their use is discretionary and should be limited. Icebreakers should not interfere with an atmosphere that is prayerful and reflective. See Appendix 1.

Notes: i.

The 20 Sessions do not include the Information Meeting which takes place prior to the formal commencement of the study.

ii.

It is expected that local civil and ecclesiastical requirements for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults are adhered to at all times.

iii. What happens if more than 12-15 participants wish to participate at any one time?

• This is an enviable position to find oneself in! Do not turn away one or two extra participants. However, when the group exceeds 12-15 participants it can become impersonal, and the advantages of personal engagement and sharing can be adversely affected.

• You may need to consider offering an alternative venue, or meeting time, or both.

• Each group with 12-15 participants will require its own Leader.

• Ideally, each group would have the presence of a priest for he is the icon of Christ in his community.

• Each group requires a meeting room to itself that is free of noise and distraction.

• If you are in the position of being able to host only one group of 12-15 participants, create a Stand-by

List for people to be contacted when the opportunity for the next study group arises.

LEADER’S MANUAL

Session Format – In Depth Room Set-up

• Use a suitable venue free of noise and distractions • Have suitable lighting and heating in place • Seating arranged in a circular manner for group discussion • Prayer Space in the centre with a crucifix, lighted candle, and Bible as the focal point

Duration Opening Prayer 5 minutes

75 minutes • Begin each session with The Sign of the Cross. This prayer invokes the name of the Holy Trinity, recalling our Baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

• The group then prays the designated opening prayer together.

Feedback Discussion 60 minutes

The Apostles’ Creed

• Part 2 – Sessions 6-10

Anima Christi

• Part 3 – Sessions 11-17

The Beatitudes

• Part 4 – Sessions 18-20

The Lord’s Prayer

• Group discussion facilitated by the Leader in which the session’s reading and study is shared and discussed. Participants may choose to reflect on: • Personal comprehension of the reading

14

• “In 5” Group Discussion (Set of five questions found in Participant Book

15

• Key Terms • Help for the Journey • Faith Journal • Leader preparation – both spiritual and organisational – is key to a successful group. The advice given under Introductory Notes for Leaders for each session (see p. 23-83) is designed to help you engage positively with the demands of working in the field of faith formation in a group setting. The approach that best suits a group depends on a group’s ability, age profile and knowledge base. You will find it helpful to return to the Introductory Notes for Leaders as you prepare for each individual session.

Sacred Scripture 10 minutes

• Before the Concluding Prayer, the Leader should ensure that participants have noted the 5-day reading plan, and the date and time for the next session.

• The Concluding Prayer is a reading from Sacred Scripture. If appropriate, switch off the electric light in the room so as to increase the focus on the lighted candle. The lighted candle signifies the Light of Christ in our midst. Allow time here for prayerful reflection. The session concludes with The Sign of the Cross, or the blessing of the priest who may be present.

Session Format – In Depth

to guide reading and reflection)

Concluding Prayer

Weekly Session Format

• Part 1 – Sessions 1-5

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Being a Study Group Leader A Leader is someone who is practicing the Catholic faith, has an authentic love for the Church, is a good listener, possesses common sense, is not overtly sensitive, and is a team player who cares for each member of the group equally. Leaders should be gentle with themselves, particularly if they are new to the role. They will pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment.

Guiding Principles Be Prepared:

• A Leader does not need to be an expert in the discussed topic, but should be well prepared for the discussion. This means having a familiarity with the discussion materials, thinking ahead of time about the directions in which the discussion might go, and preparing questions to help further the discussion.

• A Leader should, to the best of one’s ability, come to the session with a frame of mind that is focused on the group, leaving other concerns aside.

• It can be helpful to know that one of the group would be willing to act as a substitute Leader should the designated Leader be unavoidably absent from the group. A person would need to have proven leadership qualities in order to fulfil the role of substitute Leader.

• Keep an account of attendance and check on a participant who may be missing more than two sessions.

• As one’s experience and knowledge of working with the group grows, so will one’s facilitation skills be enhanced.

Set the Tone:

Be welcoming and enthusiastic. Take charge. You are the Leader. The group will expect you to move them along at the appropriate times.

Establish Ground Rules:

At the beginning of Session 1, achieve consensus on the ground rules which will be observed by the group. The following are helpful: • Come prepared • Start on time and finish on time • Everyone gets a fair hearing • Seek first to understand, then to be understood • One person speaks at a time • Conflict is not personalised • Respect the dignity of each individual • When you disagree, do so with respect and charity • Speak for yourself, not for others • Confidentiality regarding what is shared in the group is of the utmost importance • Don’t fear silence • Enjoy yourself!

LEADER’S MANUAL

Stay on Topic:

• Keep discussion focused on the session’s topic. Strike a balance between not imposing rigidity and not allowing the discussion to drift. Gently bring the discussion back from tangents by saying, “So, let’s bring ourselves back now to our topic.”

• Limit your own input. It is important that you demonstrate impartiality so that each participant will be confident to raise insights and seek clarifications.

• Affirm the comments of others.

• Be an active listener. Prepare ways to confidently handle the various personalities in the group: the dominator, the shy one, the tangent maker, the antagonist, etc.

• Ask participants for clarification if their point is unclear.

• Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know” if a challenging question emerges. These are moments to express both one’s humanity and humility. Ask someone to write down big questions that won’t go away or that are tending to take up too much time. Perhaps answers can be found later through some other channel. Not everything has an immediate resolution. Ultimately, we are all apprentices of faith at one level or another. help someone build up the courage to make a valuable point. Leaders who tend to be impatient may find it helpful to count silently to ten after asking a question.

• Know when to move the discussion forward. Keep track of time so that you don’t rush any of the session’s component parts. Always aim to lead the discussion forward in a reasonable manner, giving everyone an equal opportunity to contribute.

• Do not allow the group to make you the expert or “answer person.” Don’t set yourself up as the final arbiter. When it comes to the truths of the faith, we remain humble before the mysteries of faith we are studying.

• Don’t always be the one to respond to comments and questions. Encourage interaction among the group. Participants should be conversing with each other, not just with the Leader. Questions or • Occasionally summarize the discussion. It is helpful to consolidate related ideas to provide a solid base for the discussion to build upon.

Using Questions Effectively:

• Do not be afraid to ask open-ended questions that encourage participants to engage. This can encourage the group to re-examine their assumptions. Don’t allow the discussion to simply confirm old assumptions. Open-ended questions such as “what other possibilities have we not yet considered?” or “what else came to you in your study this week?” are especially helpful for drawing out quiet members of the group.

• Call attention to points that may not have been mentioned or seriously considered.

Concluding the Session:

• Don’t worry about attaining consensus. In some cases a group will be split, and there’s no need to hammer out an agreement. It’s good for the group to have a sense of where participants stand, but it’s not necessary to achieve consensus. The truths of the faith do not depend on a majority vote.

• The Leader has a particular role to play when the group gathers to pray. Praying as God’s family in a group setting may be a new experience for some participants. The Leader is transmitting the faith at this time by demonstrating how the group can prayer together as God’s family.

• As a Leader, you will want to receive feedback from the group at the midpoint of the course and at the final session. It is important to have a sense of how participants find the experience of being part of a faith formation group. This will inform your role as a Leader.

16 17 Guiding Principles

comments are often posed to the Leader, but these can be directed to other members of the group.

Being a Study Group Leader

• Don’t be afraid of pauses and silences. People need time to think and reflect. Sometimes silence will

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Reading Plan PART 1: WHAT WE BELIEVE SESSION 1 – THE PROFESSION OF FAITH Day 1

YOUCAT Q 1-2

Why We Are Able to Believe

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 3-6

Being Receptive to God

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 7-19

God Approaches Us

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 20-24

Responding to God

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 25-29

The Christian Profession of Faith SESSION 2 – I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 30-48

I Believe in God the Father

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 49-51

Divine Providence

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 52-55

Heaven and Heavenly Creatures

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 56-66

The Human Person as Creature

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 67-70

Fallen Humanity SESSION 3 – I BELIEVE IN GOD THE SON

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 71-79

Jesus is the Christ

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 80-85

Mary, the Mother of God

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 86-93

The Public Life of Jesus

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 94-103

The Suffering and Death of Jesus

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 104-112 The Resurrection of Jesus SESSION 4 – I BELIEVE IN GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 113-120 I Believe in the Holy Spirit

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 121-125

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 126-128 The Church is the “Body of Christ”; “Bride of Christ”; “Temple of the Holy Spirit”

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 129-139 I Believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 140-145 The Pope – Successor of Peter and Head of the College of Bishops

I Believe in … the Holy Catholic Church

SESSION 5 – I BELIEVE IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS Day 1

YOUCAT Q 146-149 Mary and the Communion of Saints

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 150-151

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 152-155 The Resurrection of the Dead

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 156-164 Life Everlasting

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 165

The Forgiveness of Sins

Amen! The Profession of Faith

LEADER’S MANUAL

Reading Plan PART 2: HOW WE CELEBRATE THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERIES SESSION 6 – HOW WE CELEBRATE THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERIES Day 1

YOUCAT Q 166-169 God acts in our regard by means of Sacred Signs

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 170-178 God and the Sacred Liturgy

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 179-185 How we celebrate the Mysteries of Christ

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 186-189 The Church Year

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 190-192 The Christian House of Prayer SESSION 7 – THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION YOUCAT Q 193-202 Sacrament of Baptism

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 203-207 Sacrament of Confirmation

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 208-212 Sacrament of the Eucharist (I)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 213-218 Sacrament of the Eucharist (II)

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 219-223 Sacrament of the Eucharist (III) SESSION 8 – THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING YOUCAT Q 224-228 Sacrament of Reconciliation (I)

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 229-235 Sacrament of Reconciliation (II)

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 236-239 Sacrament of Reconciliation (III)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 240-243 Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (I)

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 244-247 Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick (II) SESSION 9 – THE SACRAMENTS OF COMMUNION AND MISSION

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 248-255 Sacrament of Holy Orders (I)

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 256-259 Sacrament of Holy Orders (II)

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 260-264 Sacrament of Marriage (I)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 265-268 Sacrament of Marriage (II)

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 269-271 Sacrament of Marriage (III) SESSION 10 – OTHER LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 272-273 Sacramentals and Exorcisms

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 274-275 Popular Piety and Relics

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 276

Christian Pilgrimages

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 277

Stations of the Cross

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 278

Christian Funerals

18 19 PART 1 & 2

Day 1

Reading Plan

Day 1

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Reading Plan PART 3: HOW WE ARE TO HAVE LIFE IN CHRIST SESSION 11 – THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON Day 1

YOUCAT Q 279-285 Eternal Happiness

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 286-294 Human Freedom in Christ

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 295-304 Conscience and Virtue

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 305-311 Faith, Hope and Love (Supernatural Virtues); Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 312-320 Sin and God’s Mercy SESSION 12 – THE HUMAN PERSON AND SOCIETY

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 321-326 Social Justice (I)

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 327-332 Social Justice (II)

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 333-337 Natural Law and Divine Law

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 338-342 God’s Grace and the Universal Call to Holiness

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 343-347 The Church SESSION 13 – FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD COMMANDMENTS

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 348-351 The Ten Commandments (Introduction)

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 352-354 First Commandment (I)

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 355-358 First Commandment (II)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 359-361 Second Commandment

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 362-366 Third Commandment SESSION 14 – FOURTH AND FIFTH COMMANDMENTS

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 367-372 Fourth Commandment (I)

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 373-377

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 378-384 Fifth Commandment (I)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 385-394 Fifth Commandment (II)

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 395-399 Fifth Commandment (III)

Fourth Commandment (II)

SESSION 15 – SIXTH COMMANDMENT Day 1

YOUCAT Q 400-406 Sexuality and Love

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 407-411 Sexuality and Human Dignity (I)

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 412-415 Sexuality and Human Dignity (II)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 416-422 Sexuality and Marriage (I)

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 423-425 Sexuality and Marriage (II)

LEADER’S MANUAL

Reading Plan SESSION 16 – SEVENTH COMMANDMENT Day 1

YOUCAT Q 426-430 Property Rights and Responsibilities

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 431-437 Financial and Environmental Stewardship

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 438-441 Catholic Social Teaching

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 442-447 Right Economic Order

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 448-451 Poverty Today SESSION 17 – EIGHTH, NINTH AND TENTH COMMANDMENTS YOUCAT Q 452-454 Eighth Commandment (I)

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 455-458 Eighth Commandment (II)

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 459-461 Eighth Commandment (III)

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 462-464 Ninth Commandment

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 465-468 Tenth Commandment

PART 4: HOW WE SHOULD PRAY Day 1

YOUCAT Q 469-473 How to Pray: The Gift of God’s Presence

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 474-478 Learning from Jesus How to Pray

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 479-482 Mary as our Model of Prayer

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 483-489 Five Main Types of Prayer

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 490-498 The Sources of Prayer SESSION 19 – THE WAY OF PRAYER

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 499

Giving Structure to Daily Prayer

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 500-504 Ways to Pray – Vocal Prayer, Meditation and Contemplative Prayer

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 505-507 Struggles in Prayer

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 508-509 Distractions and Dryness

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 510

Uniting Prayer and Life SESSION 20 – THE LORD’S PRAYER

Day 1

YOUCAT Q 511-514

Origin and Structure of The Lord’s Prayer

Day 2

YOUCAT Q 515-518 Calling God Father

Day 3

YOUCAT Q 519-521 Three Petitions to the Father

Day 4

YOUCAT Q 522-526 Four Petitions to the Father for ourselves

Day 5

YOUCAT Q 527

“AMEN”

20 21 PART 3 & 4

SESSION 18 – HOW TO PRAY

Reading Plan

Day 1

YOUCAT COMPANION: A STUDY PROGRAMME OF YOUCAT IN TWENTY SESSIONS

Catechetical Approach: Study – Reflect – Live These twenty sessions will take your study group on a transformative journey of faith. YOUCAT is a catechism derived from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (hereafter CCC). Each of the twenty sessions includes the corresponding CCC references as there may be times when you wish to refer to them. A Sessional Bibliography is provided on p. 88-90 for those who may wish to do some further reading on the themes discussed.

YOUCAT Companion aims not only to educate participants in knowledge of the Catholic faith, but also to encourage them to be witnesses to Christ in an increasingly diverse and demanding cultural context. In this societal environment, the General Directory for Catechesis calls for “… a correct application of the correlation and interaction between profound human experiences and the revealed message” (153). This means “correlating faith and life” (207) so that religious education and catechesis “bridges the gap between belief and life, between the Christian message and the cultural context” (205). Achieving this level of engagement will be one of the goals of this study group. The following three-step approach – Study – Reflect – Live –will structure the weekly study so as to realise a greater correlation of faith and life in the heart of each participant:

Study

This emphasises the need to read the material and come prepared for each session. The best approach is to study at regular intervals by dividing the reading into five days as specified in the Reading Plan.

This will ensure that the reading is never onerous in length or overwhelming in content. A study group requires dedication and discipline. Participants are encouraged to begin their daily reading with a prayer and to return daily to the scripture passage indicated in the particular session in their YOUCAT Companion.

Reflect

A key element in the catechising process is reflection. It can be challenging to make space for silent reflection away from distractions. Each participant is encouraged to keep a Faith Journal. Participants are reminded to call on the Holy Spirit to give them the presence of mind to engage with the truths of the faith. Although a YOUCAT study group is not a prayer group, it is envisaged that prayer will be a core element of each gathering and of each day’s study.

Live

This emphasises the importance of cultivating a living faith. The New Evangelisation calls for credible witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ who put faith into action in a way that is new in its ardour, its methods and its expression. Having studied and reflected on the themes for each session, participants are encouraged to witness to Jesus Christ in their daily lives. The reflections made in the Faith Journal will help participants generate concrete ways to cultivate a living faith on a daily basis.

LEADER’S MANUAL

The Role of the Priest as Spiritual Director As the icon of Christ, in persona Christi, the priest is an incomparable sacramental presence in the faith community. The presence of a priest as spiritual director for the weekly group sessions is a great blessing though this may not always be possible. Experience has shown that participants benefit greatly from the priest’s participation, while many priests have given testimony to the fact that their would ideally be the local priest, another priest approved by him or by the bishop could also act as spiritual director for the group.

Session 1-20: Introductory Notes for Leader The following introductory notes are to be used as advance preparation by Leaders before each session. It is essential for the Leader to develop a good understanding of the content of YOUCAT. If time permits, use of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is encouraged as an invaluable resource for Leader preparation. The relevant sections of the Catechism are included in the Introductory notes. It will not always be possible or practical to read all of the Catechism material. However, it will provide helpful clarifications at various stages during the study.

for participants. These notes are designed to give the Leader insights which can be drawn upon during the sessions when and where appropriate.

Please Remember: The primary study text for participants is YOUCAT, and the accompanying Participant Book

22 23 The Role of the Priest as Spiritual Director

The introductory notes are not for use at group sessions, as they would lead to confusion and overload

Catechetical Approach:Study – Reflect – Live

participation in catechism study groups has greatly enriched their priestly vocation. While the priest