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Many Are Called: The Vocation of the Catechist
by Steven Ellair

When giving a workshop a few years ago to a group of catechists-in-training, I asked the group to think about their vocation to the ministry of catechesis and what it was that called them to be involved in such an incredible ministry. One lady stood up and declared, "My call? My call took place about three months ago at five o'clock in the evening!" She was, of course, speaking about a phone call by the parish DRE, asking if she might be willing to work with the second grade class that year.

Even though there are countless stories about how people first approach the ministry of catechesis, the fact remains that, at a deeper level, there is a real vocation involved. In fact, receiving a phone call is one of the key indicators that someone may, indeed, have a vocation to catechetical ministry. When a person's gifts are called on and recognized as being useful by leaders in the community, they should carefully consider that the Holy Spirit may be at work!

But "vocation" doesn't only refer to the process of being called to a particular ministry; it also refers to the ministry itself. So what is the vocation of the catechist? What is the function and purpose of this ministry? And what can one do to nurture this vocation?

The General Directory for Catechesis outlines the vocation of the catechist by identifying six tasks of this ministry:

promoting knowledge of the faith,
liturgical education (worship),
moral formation,
teaching to pray,
educating for community life, and
educating for mission (service and outreach).

Underlying the success of any of these specific tasks, however, is a focus on what is really at the heart of the vocation of the catechist: bringing people closer to Jesus! (GDC, 80)

Catechists can be supported in this vocation by gathering as a community, reflecting on ministry and their own particular journey, and continuing to develop their faith through ongoing formation opportunities. They can also be assisted by the background, reflections, and prayers offered in catechist/teacher guides and through programs such as Echoes of Faith©. Whatever methods we choose, it is important to take great care of catechists and their vocations. Both must continue to be nurtured and nourished.

The writer Frederick Buechner defines true vocation as "the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Does this describe our feelings about where we are and what this great vocation is about? I suspect our answer is "Yes!"