Catechetical Newsletter

(Click here for a list of previous articles to read.)

Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word
by Jo Rotunno

In my early years as a parish catechist, I always enjoyed the ritual celebration my parish incorporated into the liturgy for Catechetical Sunday (celebrated this year on September 20.) Our parish had over a hundred catechists, and we were all commissioned on this day each year and given a pin to identify us as ministers of the word to the children of our parish. I think it was during those beginning years that I developed my first awareness that I was more than a parish volunteer—I had a calling and a responsibility to do the best I could to echo God’s word in the hearts of my young learners.

This year’s Catechetical Sunday theme reminds us of two important aspects of our ministry. First of all, we are proclaimers of the word of God as it is revealed to us both in Sacred Scripture and in Sacred Tradition. To do that well requires that we be in daily touch with God’s word ourselves and that we be as well informed as we can be about what our Church teaches. The Catholic Bishops of the United States suggest that catechists reflect daily upon the Scriptures. You can find an excellent article on their Web site for Catechetical Sunday describing the lectio divina process of biblical reflection that has provided so many with the cornerstone of their daily scriptural prayer. There is another helpful article in the companion booklet for the Echoes of Faith Plus module on Sacred Scripture.

Secondly, this year’s theme vividly reminds us of the evangelizing nature of all catechesis. Our catechesis must always touch the heart as well as the head. The National Directory for Catechesis reminds us that “…catechesis promotes and matures initial conversion, educates persons in the faith, and incorporates them into the life of the Christian community” (NDC, 19D). The learners we will meet this year will come to us from many backgrounds and with stages of faith and understanding. The one common denominator they all have is a need to deepen their relationship with the Lord.

We know from our own experience that in spite of our own faith in Jesus Christ, we continually need to be re-evangelized. We need a constant prompting from the Spirit in order to keep the flame of faith burning within us. So it is with those we catechize. Our passion for the word of God in all the ways it is revealed to us will do more than anything else to engender a deeper faith in our learners.

An evangelizing catechesis is important for every age and stage. We begin with our youngest learners sharing with them the stories of God’s love. We continue through the grades expanding their experience of the Scriptures and introducing them to the riches of their Catholic tradition. We keep the flame alive in our adult community by giving seekers opportunities to grow in knowledge and wisdom. If we do a good job at every stage in touching both head and heart, we are empowering our learners to respond by wholeheartedly taking up the mission of Jesus Christ.

As you listen to the Gospel this coming Catechetical Sunday you will hear the words of Jesus inviting us to welcome the child among us, saying “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.” As you listen, remember that for Jesus this child symbolizes every individual of every age with whom we will have the opportunity to share God’s powerful word in the year ahead. Bon voyage!

Adult Formation
The Faith Connection®

Whole Community Catechesis
Online Resource

Sacrament Preparation
Eucharist and Reconciliation

If you would like to receive this newsletter through email, click here.