Fr. Robert Barron's Catholicism Project

FightingFat · #1 Sep 17, '12, 6:55 am

My Parish Priest has asked me to help him run the Catholicism Project for our Deanery this October. Has anyone got any experience of this course? What works, what doesn't? Hints and tips? Things to watch out for? I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom!

Thanks

Mark

FIU student · #2 Sep 17, '12, 8:00 am

I caught one episode of it on PBS (public television) and found it just fantastic. You learn history and faith, with great footage. I would buy the series if it weren't so expensive.

I also love Fr. Barron's youtube channel. I think he's my favorite priest I've never met.

I wish I could give you more info, but I will say having seen just a bit I'd really love to see the rest.

Julia Mae · #3 Sep 17, '12, 8:40 am

They have a forum and I'm sure a lot of experienced folks and people asking the same questions you have.

DCNBILL · #4 Sep 17, '12, 8:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightingFat

My Parish Priest has asked me to help him run the Catholicism Project for our Deanery this October. Has anyone got any experience of this course? What works, what doesn't? Hints and tips? Things to watch out for? I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom!

Thanks

Mark

We showed the series in 10 consecutive weeks on a weekday evening, we also served food at a "intermission" during the showings. (If you feed them they will come). We had an average of 50 to 60 people attend these showings. We showed the medium length trailer before Mass two weeks prior to beginning the series. We also showed the long trailer at all ministry meetings and prayer groups during the two weeks prior to starting the series.

After running the series we started the in depth study alternating viewing of the series on Thursday evenings with going over the study guide on the following Thursday. We had about 40 to 45 people who went through this process.

We are planning to do the study secessions in smaller groups in the near future at times when the people who could not make the evening study groups.

**Joe 5859** · #5 Sep 17, '12, 8:52 am

Are you using the Study Guide and Workbook that go along with it?

DCNBILL · #6 Sep 17, '12, 9:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe 5859

Are you using the Study Guide and Workbook that go along with it?

Yes that is what we are using as our study materials.

**Contarini** · #7 Sep 17, '12, 9:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightingFat

My Parish Priest has asked me to help him run the Catholicism Project for our Deanery this October. Has anyone got any experience of this course? What works, what doesn't? Hints and tips? Things to watch out for? I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom!

Thanks

Mark

What exactly does "running the Catholicism project" mean? For whom is it "run"? Does it basically mean showing the movies?

I've been reading Fr. Barron's Catholicism (and I just found his more academic book The Priority of Christ, which I knew I owned but had been unable to locate for months--turned out it had slipped down between my desk and the wall!) and I think it's wonderful. I kind of wish it was used in RCIA (perhaps it is in some places), although the RCIA program I just joined uses a book based on the Catechism and gives everyone a copy of the Catechism, and you can't fault that!

Edwin

Christmastwin · #8 Sep 17, '12, 9:52 am

I just got the DVDs recently and watched the beginning last night. Fantastic! The footage alone is breathtaking. I got them 50% off as they are expensive. Couldn't pass it up.

Good luck with your project!

Joannm · #9 Sep 17, '12, 11:30 am

We did it in our parish last year and used the study guide. It worked out well.

**Joe 5859** · #10 Sep 17, '12, 12:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Contarini

What exactly does "running the Catholicism project" mean? For whom is it "run"? Does it basically mean showing the movies?

That's part of it. But there is a study guide and workbook available which gives group discussion questions and other things.

I guess it would be similar to the Great Adventure studies. The video presentation is one component. But then there is always opportunity for discussion. And don't forget the coffee and cookies.

Joannm · #11 Sep 18, '12, 4:01 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe 5859

That's part of it. But there is a study guide and workbook available which gives group discussion questions and other things.

I guess it would be similar to the Great Adventure studies. The video presentation is one component. But then there is always opportunity for discussion. And don't forget the coffee and cookies.

Before I got into the questions in the study guide I would ask the group what stood out for them. That sometimes led into such a great discussion that we didn't have time for the study questions. It is also good if you have a big group to divide them up into smaller groups for discussion.

**Joe 5859** · #12 Sep 18, '12, 11:51 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joannm

Before I got into the questions in the study guide I would ask the group what stood out for them. That sometimes led into such a great discussion that we didn't have time for the study questions. It is also good if you have a big group to divide them up into smaller groups for discussion.

That's great. Yeah, when it comes to parish programs, I always look at the discussion questions as optional conversation starters. The whole point is to reflect on the material. Of course, if you have someone in your group who likes to continue to veer the discussion off topic, it can be useful to use the questions to reign the conversation back in.

nichola · #13 Sep 21, '12, 5:02 am

We're watching the episodes at our parish weekly and they're absolutely brilliant, very informative and thought evoking. We watch one episode on a Thursday evening in its entirety and then spend some time in groups discussing the episode and reflecting on it. It's so great to share the faith with other people and hear their thoughts and ideas.

Cairisti · #14 Sep 23, '12, 9:12 am

Our parish did the series this summer. The workbook was helpful as well. It's great series to use.

Crescentinus · #15 Sep 23, '12, 9:56 am

I think that it needs to be spread here in Asia.