the role of catechesis is communion with jesus christ

7/29/2019 The Role of Catechesis is Communion With Jesus Christ

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The role of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads people to enter

the mystery of Christ, to encounter him, and to discover themselves and the meaning of

their lives. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the role thateach person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in passing on the faith.

Today we recognize those who are engaged in the ministry of religious formation; from

those who work with the youngest children to those who are companions for adultsseeking to know more about their faith. Catechetical Ministry is one of the ways in which

we model generosity and gratitude.

"The object of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads people to

enter the mystery of Christ, to encounter Him, and to discover themselves and the

meaning of their lives in him." (National Directory of Catecheis. no. 19B)

On January 12, 1935, the Congregation on religious education in Rome decreed:

In order that the minds of the Christian people may be directed

to religious instruction, let a Catechetical Day be established in eachparish. On this day, let the Feast of Christian Doctrine be celebrated

with as much solemnity as possible.

And so on Catechetical Sunday this year, September 16, 2007, we celebrate and honor allthe volunteers who so generously give of their time and talent to continue to hand on the

faith of our Church. In Maine alone, that number is approximately 7,000 persons working

with adults as well as children in initiation, baptismal preparation, marriage and religiouseducation programs.

Each year the Bishops Conference chooses a theme for our reflection and this year that

theme is Encountering the Living Christ. What a beautiful thought for us to meditate

on. Where do you meet the living Christ? In your family, friends, in school and at work?What about the hidden Christ in those persons we meet or see who are in need of help?

Do you see Him there? And the stranger who appears and helps us in our need, is thatHim?

The main purpose of all Catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. As the National

Directory of Catechesis says so well: At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a

Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth.May this year be a special one for all those involved in this important ministry and may

they in a very special way encounter Christ in all those they meet.

Barbara A. SmithDiocesan Director,

Office of Catechetics and Initiation

At the Plenary Session in January 2005 the Bishops of the South African CatholicBishops Conference agreed to institute one Sunday in the year as Catechetical Sunday.

The date chosen for this year is today 17th Sunday of the year. The theme this diocese

chose for the day is Catechesis: finding the hidden treasure in the Church.


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The aim of Catechetical Sunday is threefold.

1. To bring to your awareness the Churchs approach to catechesis called for by

Vatican 11, as outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis and theCatechism of the Catholic Church. All are called by God to mature in the faith;

therefore catechesis is for the whole community and for every person in it.

2. To highlight the purpose of catechesis as being for Initiation into, belonging to

and involvement in the Catholic community. Catechesis is a task involving:knowledge of the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church, moral formation,

prayer, education in the liturgy, and it is for active participation in the life of the

Church. The reception of the Sacraments, Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation andConfirmation are highlights on that journey of formation, however, it does not end

there. Catechesis is meant to be a life long journey towards communion and

intimacy with Jesus Christ, according to the General Directory for Catechesis.Formation is more than instructions in preparation for the Sacraments it is a kind

of apprenticeship of the entire Christian life, it promotes a following of the

Person of Jesus Christ, in such a way that the person is enriched at a deep level

so that s/he can become a disciple of Christ, professing faith in him from theheart. This catechesis and faith formation lays down the basis on which the

person will follow Christ and the journey continues for the whole of life based on

conversion and nourished by the reception of the sacraments.

3. Faith-formation and catechesis involves the whole community and as a journeyof Initiation is one of the best ways of building up strong Christian andCatholic individuals and communities, states Cardinal Napier in the introductionto the Pastoral Statement on Catechesis 2003.As parish communities we know

that we are a nucleus of the universal church. It is here that Christians are born

into the faith, educated in it, live it and celebrate it. The parish community

supports the adults, youth and children who are being prepared to be fullyinitiated into the Church. It is in the parish we become aware of being the people

of God in a particular way. As adults in the parish we have a responsibility and

are encouraged to develop our faith, it springs from the seed of faith that isplanted within and which hopes to mature as the adult grows in age and

responsibility. Only in becoming adults in the faith can we always have your

answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have(1Peter 3:15), and fulfil our duties towards others in all spheres of life as is required

by the vocation given to each in baptism. The adult Catholic Christian is like the

leaven introducing and witnessing to the values of the Kingdom of God, anddemonstrating the beauty and liberating power desired by Jesus Christ (AdultCatechesis in the Christian Community).In the parish community the adults


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have a special role to play as role models for young people who need to be

confronted with and challenged by the faith of adults.

Parents and families are the primary educators of your children; you receive this grace

in the sacrament of Marriage. Parents are the first communicators of the faith you do so

by word and by example. You bear witness to good human and Christian values in thehome, you teach moral formation by helping to form the consciences of your children. In

the home the first steps of prayer are taught. As parents it is good to take an interest in allyour child is being taught in the school and the parish, including the religious formation

of your child. As parents take responsibility for the faith development of your children

and youth and do not pass over the full responsibility of it to catechists or catholicschools. Grandparents have a direct role to play very often nowadays in the family.

The young adults of our communities continue to grow in understanding of our rich

Christian heritage. You give witness to and support the youth who are in the parish wholook to you for direction and example.

Faith-formation and catechesis is not the prerogative just of the catechists who willingly

give of their talents and time each week to catechize the children and youth. They arefulfilling a special role, which flows from their baptism. Catechists are sowers of the

Word of God, they work to plant it in the hearts of those they catechize, they lead them to

say yes to following Christ as his disciples. The catechists of children and youth need

the support of parents and families in this task.My brother priests, I invite you as the chief catechist in your parish to encourage this

initiative by walking with your people on their journey of faith; my dear people I

encourage you to be open and to accept a greater responsibility for faith formation andcatechesis in the on-going journey of faith of each one in the parish.

I your Bishop Buti Tlhagale, commit myself to ensuring that catechesis is a priority in

this diocese.

Yours sincerely in Him.

the role of catechesis is communion with jesus christ

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