Living and Sharing our Faith - A national project of catechesis and religious education 
 
The project is rooted in developments in catechesis and religious education since Vatican II. It was part of the response in England and Wales to The General Catechetical Directory (1971).
 
Vision  
Partnership is crucial to this vision. The Project was established to support the partnership of home, parish and school in their differing and intimately related role in the religious development of children and young people. It soon became clear that for this partnership to flourish, it was vital to support and encourage growth and formation in the adult Christian community, so the title 'Living and Sharing Our Faith' was adopted.

The partnership that is NBRIA (National Board of Religious Inspectors and Advisers)  was, and continues to be, essential in the development of the Project and of each individual resource. The list of authors and publications is patent witness of the richness and diversity of experience and the talents of the members of NBRIA. There are wider partnerships too - with the Bishops' Conference and its agencies, with teachers, clergy and parents.

“Our Faith Story: its telling and its sharing” which was written  in 1985  explored how this “story” would be passed to the next generation at a time of significant cultural change. Our Faith Story, and other subsequent documents, have been significant in determining the shape and direction of Catholic Religious Education and Catechesis in England and Wales. In the twenty years, there have been significant changes in both the national and ecclesial culture, and considerable development and change in government education policies, impacting on all aspects of Catholic life at home, in school and parish.

As part of the on-going review of the work of 'Living & Sharing our faith' the Bishops’ Conference Department of Education and Formation commissioned a research project into contemporary cultural changes in England & Wales which have an effect on our response to the religious education and catechetical needs of the Church.  Following discussion of these issues by NBRIA and the Bishops for the Department for Education and Formation, the CES sought the help of the Heythrop Institute for religion, ethics and public life who produced the document On The Way To Life. This presents an analysis of contemporary culture and relevant developments in theology and provides the foundation for a review of strategy at national diocesan and parish level.

Review

Starting this December there is to be a review and evaluation of the National Project programmers, Walk With Me, Here I Am and Icons. The consultation will involve Bishops,  advisers, catechists, teachers and parents. Question will be asked about how the programme has been used, by whom and what preparation for use there has been. What has worked and why.  What has not been successful or easy and why.

Since these programmes were first produced much has happened in education and in society. The review is taking place against the background On The Way to Life, of the re-examining the Religious Education Curriculum Directory and of embedding the second edition of the Levels of Attainment.