Whole Community Catechesis (WCC)

Who?

Everyone—All Immaculate Conception Parishioners and Guests

• Singles and Couples
• Empty Nesters
• Young Adults
• Children and Teenagers
• Moms and Dads
• Grandmas and Grandpas
• Students
• Retirees
• Widows and Widowers
• Married, Separated, and Divorced Individuals
• Family members of different faith traditions
• Visitors from out-of-town
• Friends from other parishes
• Everyone in the household

What?

WCC is a Generations of Faith approach to faith formation that provides an integrated and comprehensive approach that equips the parish to become a community of learning. WCC promotes lifelong faith formation that is centered in the events of church life, embraces all ages and generations, and promotes faith growth at home through parish preparation programs.

When?

WCC Gatherings are scheduled throughout the year. Gatherings are normally presented twice in a week to accommodate household schedules. See WCC Calendar for more information on scheduled Gatherings.

Where?

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Campus and the De Sales Faith Formation Center.

Why?

WCC Gatherings embrace the vision of faith formation found in the General Directory for Catechesis. The parish is viewed as a learning community which requires a community or ‘whole church’ paradigm of faith formation. Through our WCC process we aim to:

• Transform the focus on children-only by implementing lifelong faith formation for all ages and generations, including and especially adults.
   
• Transform "start and stop" catechesis by implementing lifelong and continuous faith formation: learning for a lifetime through involvement in the events of Church life.
   
• Transform age segregation by implementing intergenerational faith formation: making connections among the generations in learning programs and parish involvement.
   
• Utilize the events of church life as the curriculum for all ages and generations: tapping into the educative and transformative power of the Liturgical Year, sacramental celebrations, community prayer, works of justice and service, and by providing catechesis that prepares everyone for learning by participating in the events of church life.
   
• Transform catechesis that is viewed as a separate program by implementing a more collaborative and integrated process that involves all of the parish ministries in faith formation. Catechesis is interconnected with liturgy, sacraments, the Liturgical Year, justice and service, and prayer.

How?

Households or individuals that are interested in participating in our parish faith formation Gatherings are invited to sign-up in the Gathering Area the weeks prior to the event.