University of Dallas Ministry Conference Notes
10/23/2009

Keynote by Abp. Donald Wuerl
Teaching the Faith: Challenges and Opportunities

What does the Church bring to me?
 - an encounter with Jesus
 - invites us to faith
 - proclaims the Truth

"I don't have those words" - words of Spirit and Truth

Points:
 1. What is it we proclaim?
 2. How can we be certain it is the truth?
 3. What is our personal role?

Synod: The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church
  There is more to life than we can express with our own words.
  In Christ we have those words because we have his words. The Holy
    Spirit in the Church preserves and passes on those words.

"I find it amazing that you know somebody who knew somebody who knew
 somebody ... who knew Jesus."  Letter from 4th grader after Bishop's
 visit.

The Church is not incidental or secondary to salvation. Through the Church,
  we receive His words. "He who hears you, hears me."

Our connectedness to Christ's church enables us to verify the truth of
  what we say.
  Apostolic tradition; Apostolic succession; Apostolic guarantee of truth.
  Sequence from the Church Fathers:
    Church from the Apostles,
    The Apostles from Christ,
    Christ from God.

The Church is structured, visible, and identifiable. "The Church is the
  home of the Word of God." - Pope Benedict.

We bring Christ to the world.

Context:
  A generation or two not instructed in the faith.
  A diminishment in the passing on of the faith.
  Reduced participation in the Sacraments.
  Catechesis is lacking.

Hurdles:
  1. Secularism - looks to the limits of the secular world for answers.
        Technology tells us how, only faith tells us why.
  2. Materialism - physical world = reality
  3. Individualism - American mindset.
  
  The temptation is to put the Church aside and use the wisdom of our
  culture to address the world's problems.
  "Master, where would we go. You have the words of everlasting life."

The further the culture gets from Christ, the more hollow are its answers.

What do we do?
  - Encounter the Lord Jesus
  - Tell the story
  - We're not bystanders; we're participants in the mystery.
"I'll be with you until the end of time." It will take that long.

The Creed is the framework. The Catechism is the primary resource.
  The catechist, the teacher, is the living witness.
  3 characteristics:
    - Knows the faith
    - Lives the faith
    - Proclaims the faith

Our job is to participate in the Pentecostal outpouring.

John Paul II:
  "Open wide your hearts to Christ; do not be afraid." (when made Pope)
  "Set out into the deep; do not be afraid." (new millenium)