Funding and SustainingExcellent Faith FormationE D U C AT E , E N G A G E A N D E VA N G E L I Z E

Faith formation is central to the parish missionGod calls each of us to grow in our love, practice, and understanding of the Catholic faith. Yet, parishes must have the financial resources to create an excellent religious education program and extensive faith formation offerings.

In the Pew Research study, data indicates a large number of people who identify as Catholic do not actively participate in the Faith:

Part of the challenge, then, is to better engage Catholics in their parish so that their own faith formation journey is strengthened We also need to help families build upon their Catholic identity and practice. Strong families are the heart of the parish. Strong parishes are the heart of the Church and the greatest hope for the Church.

Can a parish be truly strong without excellent faith formation? Can a parish truly have excellent faith formation programs without being properly funded?

Parishes recognize the needAs we have met with many of you across the country, we have heard consistently that:• You need great religious education materials and programs for children that also

engage parents.• You want to foster a vibrant parish community where parishioners are excited about

their faith and their parish and what you can accomplish together.• You know that you could do more to help your parishioners grow in faith if they

were more generous in their financial support of the parish mission.

Ongoing Plan for Engagement and Formation: A Journey Toward Discipleship

n No Longer Catholic n Seldom at Mass

n Practicing Catholic n Intentional Disciples

Level of Catholic Faith Involvement

Moving parishioners to become engaged in parish life and to start their path to deeper understanding of their Catholic faith requires an ongoing cycle of communications and education. Our Sunday Visitor can help you build a catechetical plan and the appropriate ongoing communications to parishioners to help form strong Catholic families and a vibrant parish community. Our staff can work with you to provide resources for people in every stage of engagement, stewardship, and formation.

Key ResourcesThe primary resources are designed to help you meet the important ministry needs of your parish:

• Provide an excellent religion curriculum with Alive In Christ,

• Continue faith formation for your entire parish community through a Faith In Action parish website, and

• Develop a strong connection with parishioners so they are engaged in the parish and understand the importance

of financial giving through the Increased Offertory Program.

Alive In Christ Religion CurriculumOur Alive in Christ religious education curriculum was designed to help children and

families respond to God’s call to discipleship. A team of theology, child development, and

education experts came together to write this groundbreaking curriculum. Alive in Christ will

engage your children and youth with its unique design and approach, form them in the key

teachings of the Catholic faith, and invite them to live the Gospel in their everyday lives. The

program also connects with busy parents to help them to know, live, and share their faith.

Faith In Action Websites from Our Sunday VisitorFaith in Action websites contain a breadth of information about

the Catholic faith, along with regularly changing content to sustain

your parishioners spiritually and to inform them about Catholic

news. The changing content includes reflections from Pope Francis,

daily readings and prayer, guidance for deepening discipleship,

information for helping you build a strong Catholic family, and

Catholic news.

Increased Offertory ProgramThe Increased Offertory Program provides a way to help

parishioners make the connection between our faith and financial

gifts. The program achieves this by helping parishioners become

more engaged in the parish through awareness of all the parish

does to change lives and to form Catholics.

Ongoing Plan for Engagement and Formation: A Journey Toward Discipleship

(800) 348-2440

• Allelu! Early Childhood Program was designed with innovations that make it easy to engage every child and build his/her faith! Created by expert catechists and a child psychologist, Allelu! delivers a unique, multisensory experience that is manageable for any catechist. Visit allelu.com for a detailed program overview, activities, resources, and more.

• High Impact Envelopes and Periodic Mailing Services - Choose custom, full color offertory envelopes unique to your parish to represent your parish mission. Mailed directly to parishioner’s homes, periodic mailing service is an effective and affordable communication tool.

• Online Giving provides a convenient way for parishioners to make financial contributions. It also relieves church staff from managing secure account information. Donors can make donations or payments on any device, PC, tablet, phone or App.

• The Way God Teaches: Catechesis and the Divine Pedagogy by Joseph White, PhD Follow Dr. Joseph White’s groundbreaking work in structuring your catechetical ministry.

Hardcover, ID# X1590, $16.95

• Keeping Kids’ Attention by Joseph White, PhD Get kids tuned in and involved with the Gospel with these tested tips. Booklet, ID# X1627, $2.95

• Forming Catholic Conscience in Children and Youth by Joseph White, PhD Simple, practical guide to help children form their conscience. Booklet, ID# X1688, $2.95

• Engaging Parents, Involving Families by Joseph White, PhD Helps catechists achieve better results by engaging the entire family in catechesis.

Booklet, ID# T1720, $2.95

• Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples by Sherry A. Weddell Combines field-tested application and the insight of pastoral leaders to create a tool to

transform parishes into centers of discipleship. Paperback, ID# T1641, $14.95

• Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry A. Weddell The most talked about Catholic book of the decade, that has changed the national

conversation about what it means to be Catholic. Paperback, ID# T1286, $15.95

• Sherry Weddell’s Forming Intentional Disciples Study Guide by Ximena DeBroeck Now the most-talked-about book in Catholic parishes across the country, has a study guide

that will help you change your parish or small faith community by walking the path of

discipleship together. Booklet, ID# T1606, $2.95

A D D I T I O N A L R E S O U R C E S

Our Sunday Visitor serves millions of Catholics worldwide through its publishing, offertory, curriculum, and communication services. Established in 1912 by a local parish priest, Our Sunday Visitor has grown into the nation’s largest supplier of offering envelopes, online giving, web sites, parish and diocesan mailings, books, periodicals, curriculum, address management and stewardship services. Our Sunday Visitor is a not-for-profit organization, returning a portion of net earnings back to the Catholic community through the OSV Institute.

(800) 348-2440