THE OC

(Open Catechesis)

VISION

Or an Open Letter to Priests and Bishops on the OC Initiative

OC or Open Catechesis is an attempt to provide ongoing Catechetical support in a Personal and supportive way utilising our resources in a new way.

As we enter the third Millennium it is becoming evident that our Clergy are overworked and that their number is diminishing. At the same time the demands to spread Gods Word have never been higher and Catechetics (on average) so neglected. Neglected not only by the Priest whose schedule is full but also by the Parishioner who on average has had no Catechetical instruction since they were at school. Sporadic Presentations and RCIA courses have their place but they always miss those who are shy of asking questions and those who go home burning with questions with no one to ask or those whose interests or problems are elsewhere.

How do we provide Catechetical Instruction on a 24hr basis on subjects the individual is interested in and at a level they can understand, together with the possibility of ongoing dialogue in a personal manner?

How do we provide Instruction to everyone regardless of Age, Ability or Demand?

How do we get across to other Faiths what we believe in an authoritative manner in a non-threatening and mutually beneficial environment?

How do we reach those who have no Faith but are burning with questions and if answered in a secure environment may lead them to the happiness of Gods Word?

How do we do all this with the minimum demand on manpower and in a credible and efficient manner?

  I believe the answer may be this proposal for OC (Open Catechesis), the details are laid out in the Papers which follow my task here is to open up your imagination to the possibilities if this project succeeding.

By using a consultative Network linked via Computer over the Internet we are able to provide a flexible and Encyclopaedic resource which grows better with size, reducing demand on the individual members and providing diverse input so that the user of OC has the best support available.

By allowing the user to ask questions in a number of ways via mail, phone or personally via Parish groups and to enter into dialogue with OC we provide what is required at a level they can understand and in a secure environment, where they will not be intimidated by the perceived simplicity or otherwise of their problem.

By creating and running Parish groups we provide personal friendly contact and support by people they know can be trusted.

PLEASE REMEMBER that the user need know nothing about Computers or be on the Internet this merely provides the mechanism for the operation of the Consultants, however by maintaining a Website OC is able to satisfy demand on a global basis as required.

The rest of the details regarding OC are set out in what follows please read it and give your support to a desperately needed project which could revolutionise the transmission of our Faith throughout the Church.

              Thank you for your time and for reading.

               God Bless You

                Peter Dixon  17/1/2000 [OC CORE]