Grant money available to help parishes purchase DVD box set

The "Catholicism Project," a set of supplemental materials to be used as resources with Father Robert Barron's acclaimed 10-part film documentary and study program on the Catholic faith, is now available on-line on the diocesan website www.dio.org.

Catholicism has been broadcast on EWTN and local PBS stations and is also available as a boxed DVD set. The series was produced and hosted by Father Barron through his Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, based in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Father Barron is scheduled to be a keynote speaker at this year's Diocesan Adult Enrichment Conference Nov. 4-5 in Decatur.

Vicki Compton, director of the diocesan Office for the Missions and one of the project developers, said that the idea for the "Catholcism Project" was inspired by a brown-bag luncheon program offered during Lent for employees at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield. At each of the 10 sessions, an episode of the Catholicism series was shown, followed by a brief discussion period.

"When we saw how much the diocesan staff enjoyed watching and discussing each episode, we were excited to provide encouragement and resources for others throughout the diocese to benefit from the series." Compton said.

Compton began working with Eliot Kapitan, director of the diocesan Office for Worship and the Catechumenate, to develop resources for parish groups or individuals who wish to use the popular DVD series for faith enrichment.

"Catholicism Project" materials include basic series resources such as a journal book with questions, glossary and observations for each episode; a prayer book (with brief opening prayers for each episode); extra resources of liturgical catechesis handouts, ritual texts and prayers; and additional helps for parish and group leaders.

"We have already heard of parishes or groups that will be viewing the Catholicism series for a second or third time," Kapitan said. "There is so much rich material, both in Father Barron's series and now in the diocesan 'Catholicism Project,' that no one should get bored."

Kapitan said the diocesan project can be "a great next step for any existing small or large group seeking to deepen faith and understanding of core Catholic beliefs."

"It is one of many opportunities available in the coming Year of Faith, but it is a really good one," he said.

To access Catholicism Project materials, go to the diocesan website at www.dio.org/catholicismproject.

The 10-episode DVD set is available online through Father Barron's Word on Fire Ministries at www.wordonfire.org or on most sites that sell audio/visual products.

In addition, the diocese can provide grants to help parishes purchase the boxed set, according to Jonathan Sullivan, director of the diocesan Office for Catechesis, one of the project collaborators.

"Every spring our office offers grants to parishes in support of catechist formation and adult faith formation through the Harvest of Thanks, Springtime of Hope endowment," Sullivan said. "These grant monies can be used to purchase the Catholicism DVD series as well as other adult formation materials."

For more information on the "Catholicism Project" materials, call the Catholic Pastoral Center at (217) 698-8500 and contact Compton (ext. 120 or ) or Kapitan (ext. 177 or ). For information on parish grants to help purchase the Catholicism DVD set, contact Sullivan (ext. 165 or ).

Also collaborating on the project were Deacon Patrick O'Toole and Carlos Tejeda of the diocesan Office for Marriage and Family Life; Leroy Jordan of the Office for Social Concerns and Respect Life; Father Kevin Laughery of the Office for Tribunal Services; and Vicki Walker of the Office for Worship and the Catechumenate.