What is the Main Event?
The Main Event is a thorough study of the Catholic Faith, beginning in the fall and finishing in the spring annually. It is called the Main Event because it is the most significant annual catechesis (teaching of the Catholic Faith) offered at our parish. Over the course of the year we will 'connect the dots' and reveal the 'Big Picture' of the Catholic faith. We will seek to answer the 'why?' behind the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church by unfolding the story of the Bible and the organic and systematic presentation of the faith found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Who should come to the Main Event?
The Main Event is open to anyone who wishes to come. Any adult Catholic wanting to understand the Faith better – and especially to see the “why” behind many of our beliefs and practices would benefit from this series.
The Main Event will also serve as a venue for catechist certification for catechists in the Diocese of Madison.
The Main Event is also the regular (required) preparation for:
- unbaptized adults desiring the Sacrament of Baptism;
- non-catholic (baptized) Christians desiring to enter full communion with the Catholic Church (wishing, that is, to “become Catholic”);
- adult Catholics desiring the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Where and when does the Main Event take place?
The Main Event meets on Tuesday evenings, at St. Patrick Church (404 E. Main Street). The first meeting for the new year will be September 4, 2012. Sessions will be held on every subsequent Tuesday, with a week off Thanksgiving week (November 20) and a break at Christmastime, with the last session of 2012 on December 18. It will start back up again January 8, 2013 and last until May 7, 2013 with weeks off for Holy Week and Easter Week (March 26 & April 2).
What is the schedule for the evening?
- 6:30-6:45 pm: Evening Prayer
- 6:45-6:50 pm: Opening, Announcements
- 6:50-8:00 pm: Presentation, given by either Msgr. Holmes, Marc Laudonio, or Chris Schmelzer, with Q&A time
- 8:00-8:30 pm: Small Group Discussion
- 8:30-9:00 pm: Social Time
What is the content of the sessions of the Main Event?
The two basic texts for the Main Event are the Holy Bible and the Compendium, which is the shorter version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, arranged in question-and-answer format. The first part of the year will be a DVD series on Salvation History as it unfolds in the Scriptures; participants would greatly benefit from reading the portions of Scripture on which each DVD session is based.
Participants will also benefit from reading the brief section of the Compendium on which most of the presentations are based. The presentations themselves will also draw from the longer Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Compendium is clearly cross-referenced to the Catechism, so motivated participants can also prepare for each session by reading the relevant sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This schedule shows which topics and corresponding Compendium questions will be covered at each Main Event session.
| Date | Topic(s) | Questions |
| September 4, 2012 | Salvation History in Sacred Art | |
| September 11, 2012 | Scriptural and Theological Foundations | 1-32 |
| September 18, 2012 |  Salvation History: Introduction to the Bible |
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| September 25, 2012 | Salvation History: The Early World |
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| October 2, 2012 | Salvation History: Patriarchs |
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| October 9, 2012 | Salvation History: Egypt & Exodus, Desert Wanderings |
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| October 16, 2012 | Salvation History: Conquest & Judges, Royal Kingdom |
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| October 23, 2012 | Salvation History: Divided Kingdom, Exile |
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| October 30, 2012 | Salvation History: Return, Maccabean Revolt |
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| November 6, 2012 | Salvation History: Messianic Fulfillment, The Church |
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| November 13, 2012 | Trinity & God the Father | 33-50 |
| November 20, 2012 | No Meeting - Thanksgiving Week | |
| November 27, 2012 | Creation & The Fall | 51-78 |
| December 4, 2012 | Fullness of Revelation: Jesus Christ | 79-135 |
| December 11, 2012 | The Holy Spirit | 136-146 |
| December 18, 2012 | The Holy Catholic Church | 147-195 |
| Break for Christmas & New Year | ||
| January 8, 2013 | The Blessed Virgin Mary The Last Things |
94-100, 196-199 200-217 |
| January 15, 2013 | The Sacramental Economy | 218-250 |
| January 22, 2013 | Baptism and Confirmation | 251-270 |
| January 29, 2013 | The Eucharist | 271-294 |
| February 5, 2013 | Reconciliation and Anointing | 295-320 |
| February 12, 2013 | Holy Orders and Matrimony | 321-350 |
| February 19, 2013 | No Meeting - Parish Mission at 7 PM | |
| February 26, 2013 | Prayer in the Christian Life Jesus & the Age of the Church |
534-540 541-556 |
| March 5, 2013 | CANCELED - SNOW DAY | |
| March 12, 2013 | The Lord's Prayer: Our Father | 578-598 |
| March 19, 2013 | The Dignity of the Human Person | 357-400 |
| March 26, 2013 | No Meeting - Holy Week | |
| April 2, 2013 | The Tradition of Prayer The Life of Prayer |
557-566 567-577 |
| April 9, 2013 | The Human Community God's Salvation: Law and Grace |
401-414 415-433 |
| April 16, 2013 | Commandments 1 - 3 | 434-454 |
| April 23, 2013 | Commandments 4 – 6 | 455-502 |
| April 30, 2013 | Commandments 7 – 10 | 503-533 |
| May 7, 2013 | Life in the Parish: Deepening Your Roots | |
How will the small group discussion work?
People preparing to join the Catholic Church and receive the Easter Sacraments will be in the same small group each week, as will other regular participants of The Main Event. People who are coming for catechist certification are not required to participate in the small group discussion but are more than welcome to join in!
The presenter will offer discussion questions which the group can use. One or two trained leaders will moderate the discussion in each group. The purpose of the small groups is to share reflections and to grow in community, so the discussion leaders are there to facilitate that (and to clear up any misunderstandings), not to “steer” the discussion.
Must someone participate regularly or could someone come only on occasion?
Only those preparing for a Sacrament have an obligation to attend regularly. Parishioners (or indeed anyone) interested in a particular topic are entirely welcome to come for that session only. But we do anticipate that most participants will be fairly regular in their attendance.
What should I do if I want to attend the Main Event?
No pre-registration is necessary. You may simply come to the St. Patrick Parish Hall on any Tuesday we are meeting. If you would like to speak to someone first, please contact Marc Laudonio (Director of Evangelization and Catechesis) at marc.laudonio@gmail.com or by telephone at 257-5000.
Should I get a copy of the Bible and Compendium before I actually come for a session?
That would be a great idea! The Compendium is available in any bookstore and from your favorite online source. Copies of the full Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the Compendium will also be available for sale at the Main Event. When purchasing a Bible, a Catholic New American Bible or Catholic Revised Standard Version translation is recommended.
And, by the way, what was that “Catholicism 101” that was mentioned in the schedule?
Catholicism 101 is a three-week introduction to the Catholic Faith that is offered on a recurring basis throughout the year. It meets simultaneously with the Main Event.
