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===== Maggie Butler, Fairbanks, Alaska =====

1.  The Diocese of Fairbanks is considered a Missionary Diocese.  It is comprised of 409,849 square miles.  We serve the people of Northern Alaska in 5 urban Road Parishes, 4 rural parishes, 37 Non-Road Mission parishes.  We have one Catholic High School, one Catholic Elementary School.  Almost 3, 000 children are listed under religious instruction in our diocese. .  We have 2 Native Ministry Training Centers, 1 Bishop, 2 Brothers, 24 Priests, 14 Sisters, 27 Ordained Deacons, 2 Seminarians and numerous lay ministers.  
Personally, I serve as a Pastoral Administrator of a rural parish at the end of the road system.  This position challenges me to wear many hats…Director of Adult Faith Formation, Whole Community Catechesis, Pre-Cana instructor, RCIA Coordinator as well as being responsible for all Sacramental Preparations.  Holy Rosary Parish has 34 Families registered. Many of our folks work for Government Agencies such as the Office of Fish and Game, State Troopers, Wildlife Refuge Centers.  We have a few people who work in the Health Care Professions such as Public Health Nurses, Physician Assistants and a few who are teachers in the public school system.  Our parish is located at the end of the road system and at the crossroads of the Alaskan Highway (almost 400 miles from Fairbanks; 96 to Canada) and the Tok Cutoff that leads to Anchorage at 398 miles away.

2.  At Holy Rosary, we use the model of “Whole Community / Intergenerational Catechesis”.  This is the first year this model has been used.  We use the Sunday Scriptures as well as a “thematic” approach.   For example:  Fall: Building the Kingdom of God; followed in Advent by Building your own Bethlehem.  In January we used Baptism and led into the Vocation Awareness area where Baptism allows everyone to have a call (vocation).   During the season of Lent we used Twenty-Third Publications booklet “Follow the Leader” and Pray – Fast – Give for the season.  In May we are going to use Loyola’s Finding God material on “The Yes That Changed the World.  For the first time in many years we will provide Vacation Bible School in the area.   Faith Formation of Adults was successful using The Catholic Catechism for Adults.  We have a Sacramental Program for Reconciliation and Eucharist and use the Family Catechesis method for instructions.  No Confirmation program this year.  

 3.  Recruiting catechists proved fruitless this year.  The adults felt that they needed a “break”.  Schedules for travel (pleasure, work-related etc.)  also contributed to an uneven flow of religious education.  This is what prompted me to try Whole Community Catechesis.  Adult Faith Formation is done in a class-like format.  I meet with two different groups of adult on a weekly basis.  One class is scheduled for the daytime and one in the evening.  The Catholic Catechism for Adults was a great tool for learning and discussing basics like Sacraments and Commandments and often we spent time discussing the person’s life at the beginning of each Chapter.
The Diocese does provide material and class for the training of Catechists.  Distance is a factor in why many do not avail themselves of this opportunity.  Our Diocesan Director makes it as effortless as possible to provide each parish or mission with the materials so that “formation” of catechists can be done without the need to travel.  A leader is needed in each case to “call forth” the men and women to avail themselves of this opportunity.  

4.  I am a big fan of “kits”.  A program, process or educational information all packaged makes catechesis of children, adults, communities etc.  easier.  I operate better when I don’t have to spend a great deal of time researching and then searching for what will be needed to present information.  Time is so precious which makes “all in one place” material so much easier and valuable.  I also appreciate it when “take home” or follow up materials are provided so that individuals (and the community) can gain deeper personal insights on their own time.  For example:  The Catholic Catechism for Adults provided a saint, information, prayers, and questions.  It has great readability as well as being a resource of information for every household.