Defend your faith.

Be prepared.

Learn why and how.

“Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Pet 3:15

Each of us is challenged to make a decision about what we believe. The question Jesus asked the apostles, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29) is the same question he asks each of us throughout the centuries. How we answer his question makes all the difference for our lives. It is the fundamental decision each one of us must make—a decision that will last throughout eternity.

Knowing the Faith

Catholicism is an entire way of life... but today it’s not known. We might be familiar with different aspects of the Catholic Faith. But how does it all fit together? And what difference does it make for our lives?

This fall adults of all ages at St. Matthew’s can discover or re-discover their Catholic faith—and how to live it—in order for them to become witnessing disciples for the New Evangelization. Join us beginning in September!

Day / Time / Location / Dates / Cost
Monday mornings / 10 – 11:30 AM / St. Anthony Room / Sept 15 – Nov 10 / FREE
Thursday evenings / 6:30 – 8 PM / St. Anthony Room / Sept 18 – Nov 20 / FREE

There are many challenges to the formation of adults in our modern culture of which we need to be aware as we go forth teaching and spreading the Gospel. Like Jesus who met the woman at the well, we can engage modern men and women in our current cultural context and understand the many different “soils” in which the seed of the Word of God will be sown.

We also need to recognize that our modern day and age gives us great opportunities and tools to evangelize and catechize adults. We must be confident that their great spiritual hunger and search for the meaning of life can only be satisfied by the truth and life of Jesus Christ.

All parishioners, family and friends are invited. Reservations will be gladly accepted but not necessary. Contact Lorraine Curtin r 614-946-7585. A light supper will be provided for our Thursday evening sessions (free-will donations accepted). If you are in need of babysitting please let us know so that we can make arrangements. CEU credits will be made available upon request.

Questions? Please contact:

Jenna Zins at or 614-471-0212

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

Isaiah 6:8

As St. Pope St. John Paul II stated:

Catechesis aims therefore at developing understanding of the mystery of Christ in the light of God's word, so that the whole of a person's humanity is impregnated by that word. Changed by the working of grace into a new creature, the Christian thus sets himself to follow Christ and learns more and more within the Church to think like Him, to judge like Him, to act in conformity with His commandments, and to hope as He invites us to.--Catechesi Tradendae, 20

Each sessionwillexplore a particular area of our faith. All sessions will be under the direction of Jenna Zins, St. Matthew’s Director of Evangelization, and incorporating a DVD authored by Dr. Edward Sri as well as small group discussions. Come and enjoy aunique experiencethat will transform you and those you love.

Sept 15 or 18

Session 1. Journey of Faith: Trinity, Faith, and the God Who Is Love

  • Why Did God Make Us?
  • The Holy Trinity: One God, Three Divine Persons
  • Faith as Our Response to God
  • Prayer

Sept 22 or 25

Session 2. Divine Revelation: God Seeking Us

  • How Does God Reveal Himself?
  • Jesus as the Fullness of God’s Revelation
  • The Transmission of Divine Revelation
  • Sacred Scripture & Sacred Tradition
  • Apostolic Succession and the Teaching Authority of the Church

Sept 29 or Oct 2

Session 3. The Bible: God's Love Letter to Humanity

  • What is the Bible?
  • God as the Author of Scripture
  • The Bible Tells One Story of Salvation
  • The Canon of Scripture and its Development
  • Interpreting the Bible

Oct 6 or Oct 9

Session 4. The Story of Salvation: Creation, Fall, and Redemption

  • The Story of the Father’s Loving Plan of Salvation
  • Creation
  • The Fall: Original Sin
  • God’s Gradual Plan of Salvation in the Old Testament
  • Redemption in Christ
  • The Church as the Reunited and Redeemed Family of God

Oct 13 or Oct 16

Session 5. Who is Jesus?: Just a Good Man or Lord of Our Lives?

•Jesus is Fully Divine and Fully Reveals God

•The Miracles of Jesus

•Jesus is Fully Human

•Jesus Fully Heals and Restores Our Human Nature

Oct 20 or Oct 23

Session 6. The Paschal Mystery: The Mystery of Jesus' Death and Resurrection

•Why Did Jesus Die?

•Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and Surpasses all Old Testament Sacrifices

•Jesus’ Descent into Hell

•The Resurrection of Christ

•Embracing the Cross in Our Lives and Living the Paschal Mystery

Oct 27 or Oct 30

Session 7. The Holy Spirit and the Life of Grace: God's Divine Life Within Us

•Who Is the Holy Spirit?

•The Holy Spirit and the Life of Grace and Sanctification

•The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit

•How Are We Saved?

•Living in Relationship with the Holy Spirit

Nov 3 or Nov 6

Session 8. Why Do I Need a Church?: The Mystery of the Catholic Church

•The Church is Instituted by Christ Himself

•The Church – Both Human and Divine

•The Church as One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic

•The Gift of the Church in Our Lives

Nov 10 or Nov 13

Session 9. Mary and the Saints: Our Spiritual Mother and the Communion of Saints

•Who Are the Saints? Why Do Catholics Pray to the Saints?

•Mary’s Unique Holiness and Role in Salvation and the Church

•Mary as Mother of God

•The Immaculate Conception

•The Perpetual Virginity of Mary

•The Assumption of Mary

•What Is Devotion to Mary?

Nov 17 or Nov 20

Session 10. The Last Things: What Happens After We Die?

•How Does the Church View Death?

•The Particular Judgment

•Heaven & Hell

•Purgatory & Praying for the Souls in Purgatory

•Indulgences