★ Publisher Bestseller · Mass-Centered Family Faith Formation

I Am the Way,
the Truth,
and the Life

by Deirdre Nemeth

When 80% of Catholic youth abandon their faith after Confirmation, a bold new program is reversing the trend — making the Mass, not the classroom, the heart of faith formation for the entire family.

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"The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life… the sum and summary of our faith."
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1324 & 1327

Official Church Approval

This book has received both the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur — official declarations that it is free from doctrinal or moral error — affirming its faithfulness to Catholic teaching.

Nihil Obstat
Fr. Yojaneider Garcia · August 15, 2022
Imprimatur
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney · August 19, 2022
Renewed 2025
Both renewed January 23, 2025
✦
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life — Book Cover by Deirdre Nemeth
About the Book

Bringing Families Back to the Heart of the Mass

Originally, religious education was a supplement to the Mass. Over the past century, that relationship has reversed — today, going to Mass is treated as a supplement to religious education. The result: weekly Mass attendance has plummeted from 74% in 1958 to just 17%, and only 31% of Catholics still believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Bearing the official Imprimatur of the Diocese of Paterson and endorsed by the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelization, this book presents the theological foundation and practical blueprint for restructuring parish faith formation around the Eucharist — incorporating six spiritual pillars, family faith sessions, and age-level classes all centered on the Sunday Mass.

Developed over fifteen years of hands-on ministry, this program has already transformed parish life across the Diocese of Paterson, tripling family Mass attendance and proving that parents are far more willing to be led back to the altar than we previously understood.

Three Pillars

The Structure of the Program

I

Catholic Spiritual Pillars

Families experience six pillars of the faith together as a parish community: Sunday Mass, Praying the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation/Confession, Stations of the Cross, and Divine Mercy Sunday — placing the parish priest as chief catechist and central figure in family formation.

II

Family Faith Sessions

Parents and children of all ages gather for interactive sessions centered around the Mass — ranging from thirty minutes to two hours — exploring the faith side by side, sometimes over a shared meal. These sessions are increasingly embraced by families, who look forward to learning and growing in faith together.

III

Age-Level Classes

Thirty-minute classes immediately follow Mass on Sundays, replacing lengthy weekday sessions that competed with the liturgy. Students are more engaged, behavior issues declined dramatically, and volunteer catechists increased — many parents who stayed during the short class went on to become volunteers themselves.

Real Results

Transforming Parish Life

Parishes across the Diocese of Paterson have seen remarkable outcomes after implementing this Mass-centered model — many reporting a threefold increase in the number of times families come to Mass compared to prior years. Over time, many families continue coming on their own, even when faith formation is not in session.

60–90%

Mass attendance reported by parishes during the program — up from as low as 20–30%

6×

Confessors needed during Lent — up from one priest, as families returned to the Sacrament

"This continues to be one of, if not the most effective forms of evangelization that I have ever witnessed. Parents begin to experience the power of life-long faith formation which, by God's grace, opens them up to a more active sacramental life."

Rev. Msgr. Geno Sylva, S.T.D. — Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson, NJ

"Being told I had to go to Mass was not what I wanted but is what I needed."

Parent — St. Mary's Parish, Denville, NJ
Endorsements

Supported by Church Leaders

"I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life demonstrates and communicates the inner connection between liturgy and catechesis in a practical way. The first section of the Dicastery for Evangelization is endeavoring to support initiatives such as these, which are exemplary for the universal Church."

Dr. Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst
Curia Bishop, Delegate for Catechesis, Dicastery for Evangelization — Vatican

"This book is a wonderful contribution to the future of catechesis and parish renewal. By making the Mass the cornerstone of her approach, she offers a transformative framework that invites families into a deeper encounter with Christ and His Church."

Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, D.D.
Bishop of Paterson

"By placing the Eucharist at the heart of faith formation, this program embodies the sacramental core of catechesis, fostering a deep and transformative encounter with Christ. Its family-centered approach further empowers parents to embrace their sacred role as the primary catechists of their children. I strongly encourage all catechetical leaders to implement this program."

Father Yojaneider Garcia
Director, Catechetical Office & Faith Formation, Diocese of Paterson

Bring This Program
to Your Parish

Whether you're a Director of Faith Formation, a catechetical leader, or a pastor seeking renewal — this book provides the theological foundation, practical blueprint, and real-world evidence you need to restructure your program around the source and summit of our faith.

Order from Twenty-Third Publications
Reach Deirdre directly at masscenteredff@gmail.com