Catechists

What are we about?

The Great Commission:“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them

to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt.28: 19-20)

Evangelization

“The Church ‘exists in order to evangelize,’ that is ‘the carrying forth of the Good News to every sector of the human race so that by its strength it may enter into the hearts of men and renew the human race.’” (GDC, 46)

Catechesis

Catechesis provides the knowledge, skills and experiences to become evangelists

The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ.”

(Catechesis Tradendae 5)

What does this mean?

• Catechesis is about more than religious education

• Catechesis is about faith formation

• We need to know about Jesus

• We need to know Jesus.

How do we come to know God?

Learning and Experience– Creation– Sacred Scripture: Jesus is the Word of God– People: We are the Body of Christ

• Parents, others

• Church: teachings, Tradition, community life

Tasks ofCatechesis

Education for

Community Life

Missionary Initiation

Moral Formation

Teaching to pray

Liturgical education

Promoting knowledge of the Faith

“By deepening knowledge of the faith, catechesis nourishes not only the life of faith but equips it to explain itself to the world.” (GDC, 85)

Goals– Explore Scriptures to

become hearers and doers of the word

– Familiarity with creeds and doctrines

– Learn about Church tradition and history

– Learn about current Church teachings

Promoting knowledge of the faith

• Tools/Resources– Program materials

– Bible

– Catechism

– Websites

– Media

– Other books and resources

Promoting knowledge of the faith

Catechist guide is “cake”• Main substance/tool• Background information• Learning goals

Other resources are “frosting”• Add flavor/texture• Additional information/ideas

Varied activities are “sprinkles”• Add color and fun• Make cake more pleasing• Make cake more memorable• Meets different learning styles• VBS example—same lesson taught

through Scripture role-play, songs, games, video, craft

Liturgical Education

“The Church . . . desires that all the Christian faithful be brought to that full, conscious and active participation which is required by the very nature of the liturgy . . .” (GDC, 85)

• Goals:– Understand meaning of the

liturgy and sacraments– Acquire spirituality, skills

and habits of full, conscious and active participation

– Value the dignity and responsibility of our baptism

– Understand roles of laity and ordained in liturgy and Christian mission

Liturgical Education

Program– Opening gatherings

• Use of traditional prayers

• Variety of prayer experiences

• Liturgical season

– Other• Stations of the Cross

• Explore more children’s involvement during Mass

Liturgical Education

Classroom•Encourage attendance and participation in Mass

•Use prayers, rituals, gestures from Mass and sacraments during class prayer

•Establish class rituals

•Be attentive to liturgical seasons/colors

“When catechesis is permeated by a climate of prayer, the assimilation of the entire Christian life reaches its summit.” (GDC, 85)

Teaching to Pray

• “To learn to pray with Jesus is to pray with the same sentiments with which he turned to the Father:– adoration– praise– thanksgiving– filial (childlike) confidence– supplication– and awe for his glory.” (GDC, 85)

• Our Father is model

Teaching to Pray

– Become familiar with diverse forms and traditions of Christian prayer

– Develop a regular pattern of personal prayer

– Engage in shared prayer with others

– Know and encourage practices of popular piety and devotion

Teaching to Pray-Goals

• Set up prayer space– Liturgical season colors– Holy objects (cross, rosary, Bible,

prayer cards, etc.)– Objects from nature

• Vary prayer experiences– Scripture– Music– Movement– Quiet/reflection– Petition– Traditional prayers– Art

• Prayer for world issues

Teaching to Pray-What We Can Do

“Conversion to Jesus Christ implies walking in his footsteps. Catechesis must, therefore, transmit to the disciples the attitudes of the Master himself.” (GDC, 85)

Moral Formation

– Know and live the Great Commandment, Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, moral teachings of Church

– Understand meaning and nature of sin and power of God’s grace to overcome it

– Know and live Church teaching about respect for life

– Live a life that reflects scriptural values

Moral Formation-Goals

• Be a good witness– “Preach the Gospel always; use

words if necessary.” ~St. Francis

• Expect/show respect from/between students

• Discuss current events, school, peer happenings– Keep eyes/ears open for real-

life opportunities from which to teach

• Be sensitive to family situations– “The Church teaches”

Moral Formation-What We Can Do

“Catechesis . . . seeks to equip the disciples of Jesus to be present as Christians in society through their professional, cultural and social lives.” (GDC, 86)

Missionary Initiation

• Respond to God’s call whether as lay, ordained, or religious

• Be able to speak about faith with others, including those of different religion

• Apply Church’s moral and social teaching in personal, family, work, social life

• Serving, working for justice

Missionary Initiation--Goals

“Christian community life is not realized spontaneously. It is necessary to educate it carefully.” (GDC 86)

“ . . . the teaching of Christ on community life . . . calls for attitudes which it is for catechesis to inculcate (teach).” (GDC 86)

– simplicity and humility– concern for the least– care for the alienated– fraternal correction– common prayer– mutual forgiveness– fraternal love

Education for Community Life

• Cultivate Christian values that foster growth in interpersonal relationships

• Nurture civic responsibility

• Nurture marriage and family life

• Be active in parish life• Support the ecumenical

movement, promoting unity among God’s people

Education for Community Life--Goals

• Classroom– Help students apply

learning to everyday life

– Encourage/initiate service

– Encourage participation at Mass and in parish activities

• Program– Service opportunities

– Family activities

– Socials

Missionary Initiation and Education for Community Life—What We Can Do

• All tasks are necessary– “As the vitality of the

human body depends on the proper function of all of its organs, so also the maturation of the Christian life requires that it be cultivated in all its dimensions.” (GDC, 87)

• Tasks are interdependent and develop together.

• Tasks are accomplished in two ways:– transmission of the

message– experience of the

Christian life

Tasks of Catechesis

Catechists do not merely instruct their students about Christ; they lead them to him. (National Directory for Catechesis, 55E

“No methodology . . . can dispense with the person of the catechist. Only his (her) own human and Christian qualities guarantee a good use of texts and other work instruments.” (GDC, 156)