Bishop Stasiuk addressed the topic, “We Have the Catechism (Christ, Our Pascha)—What Next?” In his presentation he candidly expressed many of the difficulties that exist in parishes, from size, to lack of children, to commitment of parents, to secularization, that must be confronted in the present age. He cited the need to transform parish life from one of maintenance to one of mission, drawing upon the central theme from the book of Father James Mallon, Divine Renovation: Bringing your parish from Maintenance to Mission.

Rev. Dr. Bryan Kelty, made a presentation about the importance of Sacred Scripture in Catechetical Service and the interrelationship of both in the lifelong formation of Christians.

Considerable time was given to discussing the present state of catechesis with presentations from representatives of the Philadelphia Archeparchy and the eparchies of Stamford, Chicago and Parma.

Nazar Duda and Oksana Boiko, from the UGCC Patriarchal Catechetical Commission made presentations on catechesis for young adults and also on the materials that have been prepared by the UGCC Patriarchal Catechetical Commission.

Sister Luiza Ciupa, a member of the Patriarchal Catechetical Commission, presented insights and the needs for updating the Catechetical Directory of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk, from St. Nicholas Eparchy of Chicago also made a presentation on the importance liturgy to catechesis and how all the members of the entire church must strive to grow into experiencing a living faith, which must include all the services of our liturgical tradition.

In considering future needs, the group would like to see the establishment of a Metropolitan Catechetical Commission, the development of ongoing formation and certification programs for catechists, coordination of the list of catechetical materials available in both the English and Ukrainian languages, and the increased access of these materials on the internet for clergy, catechists, parents, youth, and all the faithful.