Facilitating Conversion Through Discipleship-Driven Catechesis

In his closing remarks of the 2026 Convocation of the Institute on the Catechism, Bishop Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida and Chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Catechism challenged us to reflect deeply on how each of our individual work in ministry facilitates conversion. This was a timely challenge for Tim and I as we embark on a new season of full time work in service of catechetical leaders. Our desire is certainly not to contribute noise to an already complicated conversation. Nor is it our desire to build a resource or platform geared towards our own notoriety or success. I don't believe most authentically Catholic people set out do either of these things, but how often do we accidentally take that path anyway? Or slip into doing the work for the sake of keeping busy or paying bills? As educators deeply committed to translating neuroscience backed, developmentally appropriate practices of memory and learning into the bedside practice of catechetical spaces, how does that facilitate true conversion? We believe there are a few tactical advantages to focusing on discipleship-driven catechesis using quality education practices to build lifelong discipleship.

• Ours is an incarnate faith. Human bodies- including our brains- matter. Living a vibrant, integrated life of discipleship requires the brain to participate.

• Particularly for those who have not grown up in a faithfully practicing Catholic home, there are real neurological differences that need to be addressed in formation.

• As the brain changes and grows, so does the best way to learn anything- including how to be a friend of Jesus!

• Staying focused on a vibrant expression of friendship with Jesus (discipleship)- particularly lived through prayer, service, and sacraments- means keeping the end goal in mind from the very beginning.

Even before Bishop Pohlmeier asked us to be more intentional about this question of facilitating conversion, I've often been aware of the slippery slope of appearing too reductionist in the work that we do. Human beings are not machines that we can program and then produce a desired outcome based on a particular set of inputs.

In no way are we trying to take credit for what can only be accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit and true encounter with Jesus. We deeply believe, however, that we can safely and responsibly apply what is known about the brain to creating better conditions for conversion. Especially when those encounters take place through intentional discipleship-driven opportunities for prayer, sacraments, and service that catechesis has the capability of providing inside religious instructional settings at parishes and schools and in the resources and support provided to families.

Participating in the 2026 Convocation as concurrent speakers was an absolute joy and honor for Tim and I. We are deeply grateful to Bishop Pohlmeier and all the Bishops of the Subcommittee on the Catechism, USCCB staff, and the members of the Convocation planning committee for their invitation to share our research with the Institute community. We are looking forward to new and continued partnership with catechetical leaders around the country who seek conversion through catechesis while nurturing communities of lifelong discipleship through quality education and authentic faith.

What do faithful Catholics do when Team USA plays during the closing dinner? Put it on silent on the wall, obviously!

Bishop Pohlmeier's challenge was timely in another way as our friends at the Mark 5:19 Project have been similarly reflecting by giving witness to their own conversions to God and to neighbor. Be sure to check out the ongoing Missionary Discipleship Stories series!