New Year, New Podcast: The Catechism in a Year

By Jennifer Gregory Miller ( bio - articles - email ) | Jan 27, 2023 | In The Liturgical Year

It’s the end of the month of January. How are you maintaining your New Year beginnings or resolutions?

I do not usually make many new resolutions, but there is something psychologically motivating knowing it is a new year, a clean calendar, a seemingly blank slate to start fresh and new. And usually by mid-January I understand why perseverance in a new habit can be so hard—the calendar may be new, but I still am the same me. I will need some more refinement and chiseling to fit the new habits or actions in my life.

One new habit I took on this January is listening to the The Catechism in a Year (CIY) podcast by Ascension Press hosted by Father Mike Schmitz. I have listened to the The Bible in a Year (BIY) podcast the last two years. I was very inspired and saw some deepening in my prayer life. The podcast not only has daily Scripture readings, but an explanation on the meaning and reflections on how it applies to my life. I looked forward to the daily readings, and was able to work it into my schedule.

The proposition of the new adventure studying the The Catechism of the Catholic Church is appealing. After all, when did I ever find time to read the whole Bible? I didn’t before now, but with small bytes every day, I’ve now read it through twice. The Catechism of the Catholic Church I have studied in parts over the years, but never got around to reading and studying the whole book. I decided to embark on this journey of listening to a bit of the Catechism each day. And, since it’s become a daily habit, I’m doing the The Bible in a Year for a third time.

An added bonus following these podcasts is being part of a community who is also listening, learning and praying at the same time. It is so beautiful to read and pray together. My husband and family and friends are also following along the CIY and BIY. I’m enjoying the conversations and reflections we have been sharing with one another. It also a great reminder of our connectedness in the Mystical Body (or the Vine and the Branches).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a bit harder to follow along without having the text in front of me, so I like to pull out my Catechism to read the passages. But frankly, it’s not the most portable book. My solution is using an online version found right here on CatholicCulture.org. On the homepage, under the section of “Resources” CatholicCulture.org has a digital copy of the Catechism, which is searchable, both by text and passage numbers. I’ve been using this handy tool to pull up the passages for the day.

I’m also taking one extra step in this CIY. I’m a catechist using the approach of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. As I listen to each section, I recall the presentations I use to teach the children that touch on these different aspects of the faith. It’s a good exercise for me to take notes regarding the Catechism in relation to my catechesis work. In my formations, the Catechism was incorporated and implied, but usually not drawn out and referenced within the class. That is the work of the catechist to be able to recognize how the Catechism of the Catholic Church is directly aligned with the CGS. I’m enjoying the process.

It’s not too late to begin both The Catechism in a Year and The Bible in a Year podcasts. Although the material covered will be over a span of a year, it’s the listener who decides the pace. You can make it every other day, binge listen a few episodes at a time, make it The Catechism in TwoYears, or whatever your schedule and ability can handle. I have found the podcasts quite fruitful, and I’ll be praying for all my brothers and sisters who are embarking on the same journey.