Parish Plan Program

Purpose Of The CDU Parish Plan

The Parish Plan is intended to meet the needs of an increasing hunger among parish adult groups who want to enrich their spiritual lives, and growing closer to God, learn more about the teachings of the Catholic Church which guide the faithful to an ever-deepening relationship with God.

Referring to the two disciples who were visited by the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35), the U.S. Bishop?s noted the central importance of building a relationship with Christ through ongoing adult faith formation:

Why were their hearts burning? They were burning because in Jesus the disciples caught a glimpse into the heart of God and found their world made new. They saw for an instant the full scope of the Father?s loving plan and its high point in Christ?s death and resurrection. In that perspective, the pathway of their lives opened from confusion and despair into conviction and hope, and they began to grasp the height and depth of God?s mysterious love.

Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us
A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States
U.S. Catholic Bishops Statement, 1999, no. 11

The Parish Plan is one of the many ways CDU has responded to the U.S. Bishops? concern that parishes create ways to encourage and help adult Catholics nourish and grow in their faith - a faith that is "living, explicit and fruitful."

While it is called a "Parish Plan," it is designed to be effective within any group including religious communities and non-parish based apostolates such as Legion of Mary, Regnum Christi, homeschoolers, etc.

Spiritual formation of parishioners and those involved in parish programs and apostolates is paramount.

The format of the Parish Plan for each parish can be formal or informal depending on the "personality" and resources of each parish. It is intentionally designed to provide educational structure with administrative flexibility to meet the needs of each parish and group.

CDU Parish Plan Synopsis

The Parish Plan offers two formats or options of group study for taking a CDU Continuing Education course. Both options require a Parish Plan Coordinator and a minimum of three participants. All tests in the Continuing Education program are open-book and intended primarily as learning tools.

Follow these links to learn more about the Parish Plan Program

• The Basic Programs
• What will the Parish Plan Program do?
• What Is The Role Of A Parish Coordinator?
• Who Should Be The Parish Plan Coordinator?
• Fee Schedule

The Basic Programs

Option One: Group Study with the Parish Plan Coordinator

This option enables parishioners to study independently and/or with a group under the direction of a competent local coordinator, at a significantly reduced cost. It allows the participants the freedom to combine systematic independent study with convenient periodic group discussions or supportive presentations. The Parish Coordinator plays an active and central role in facilitating the group course including all contact with CDU, grading, and group gatherings.

Option Two: Group Study with CDU

Under this option, a group of three (3) or more parishioners study independently and/or with a group, submitting assignments directly to CDU, at a reduced cost. The role of the Parish Plan Coordinator is minimal with this format, since all of the scoring and grading is done through CDU. However, this option allows parishioners to have the advantage of a group support system as they pursue their studies.

What will the Parish Plan Program do?

The Parish Plan Program will:

• enrich parish programs by expanding and nourishing the personal spiritual formation of the participants and leaders;
• provide adult formation for parish groups such as women?s and men?s groups, young adult groups, bible study groups, The Legion of Mary, Regnum Christi, Cursillo, etc.
• meet the needs of parishioners who are unable to attend regular adult religious education classes;
• address needs related to providing not only a systematic and thorough presentation of Church teaching, but also a variety of specific topics related to doctrine, ethics and spirituality;
• offer in-depth information using primary Church documents and sequential lessons prepared by highly qualified specialists in each area;
• assist in the ongoing formation of catechists for your parish religious education program;
• supplement the Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist and Marriage preparation programs; and
• clarify and highlight the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

What Is The Role Of A Parish Coordinator?

No two parishes are alike in their needs and resources. Because of our mission and our unique format, CDU is able to offer the greatest flexibility to meet the needs of parishes today. The Parish Coordinator?s role can be tailored to fit each parish: either formal or informal. The parish may choose:

1. A single Parish Coordinator who would be responsible for overseeing the parish?s program of multiple courses within the parish. This type of Parish Coordinator may choose to delegate certain aspects or all of the administration of each course to "course facilitators."
2. A Parish Coordinator for each course?resulting in the possibility of multiple Parish Coordinators at a parish. The role of Parish Coordinator would be tied to each particular course and would dissolve at the end of each course.

Who Should Be The Parish Plan Coordinator?

The Catholic Distance University believes the following people are qualified to act as Parish Plan Coordinator. These qualifications are especially important for coordinators under Option One, which requires more theological expertise and familiarity with the distance-learning format. We recommend that any person wishing to serve as a Parish Plan Coordinator should be approved by the Pastor.

• The Pastor, Associate Pastor, or another priest associated with the parish;
• The Director of Religious Education;
• Anyone who has a degree in religious education or theology from a Catholic college or university;
• Anyone who has received a Catechetical Diploma (or sufficient instruction in the Faith) from a Catechetical Institute;
• A current or former CDU student who has completed at least one full-length course;
• Anyone designated by the Pastor.

NOTE: Completion of a distance learning course enables the coordinator to experience firsthand the unique benefits and challenges of distance learning. This, in time, assists him or her in meeting the concerns of adult learners who may not have used this method of education.

Fee Schedule

The Parish Plan Coordinator should send a single payment covering everyone?s tuition on the plan together with each student?s enrollment form in a single mailing to CDU.

Prices below are per student.

Option One: Group Study with Parish Plan Coordinator

Option Two: Group Study with CDU