Partners in Wisdom and Grace ─ Catechesis and Religious Education in Dialogue

"A stimulating analysis ... [and] ... valuable constructive appraisal. Kravatz's engaging discussion of catechesis and religious education challenges catechetical leaders and religious educators to think more deeply about how to educate in faith in our religiously diverse, globalized world."---Harold D. (Bud) Horell, assistant professor of religious education, Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education, Fordham University

"Written to foster collaboration and conversation arising from a shared journey whose goal is faith formation in the twenty-first century ... indeed a new vision for a new century of educational ministry in the Catholic Church."---Dolores Henchy, professor of religious education, designer/developer of the online graduate programs in religious education at Felician College

"A long overdue and vital response to ... linguistic babel ... written with a clarity and incisive analysis ... Her approach is thoroughly original and concrete in its particularity. Through the particular lens of the National Directory of Catechesis, [Kravatz] leads us out towards a universal reframing of the meaning and identity of the field of religious education."---Kieran Scott, associate professor of theology and religious education, Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education, Fordham University

Creative tension calls for a dialogical conversation in order to find mutual ground that can be beneficial for both partners. Partnrs in Wisdom and Grace explores the possibility of such tension created by the absence of religious education as a dialogical partner in the National Directory for Catechesis published by the U.S. Bishops in 2005. These queries are central: Will catechesis take religious education as a conversation partner? And, will religious education roturn the favor?

This book concludes that catechesis and religious education remain distinct enterprises that have their own specific identities and make their own particular contributions toward educating for a religious way of life. This is an invitation for catechesis and religious education to generate a continuous healthy dialogue and mutually enrich each other while maintaining their distinct identities.

Marylin T. Kravatz is executive director of the online graduate programs in religious education and assistant professor in religious studies/religious education at Felician College in Lodi, New Jersey. She has served and continues to serve in the catechetical ministry of the Church and in religious education. She has been a parish catechetical leader for the Archdiocese of New York and regional director for the Office of Faith Formation in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. Kravatz serves as an independent oducator/teacher for catechist training and formation, as well as a keynote presenter on church-related and ministerial issues for parishes and dioceses.