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Catechesis: Encountering the Living Christ
by Steven Ellair

One of the most memorable experiences I have had of a Catechetical Sunday celebration took place in a parish I discovered while traveling. Approaching the entrance to the church, I was handed a little note card which had the Catechetical Sunday theme for that year printed on one side and a note on the other thanking me for sharing in the ongoing mission of spreading the Good News. “Happy Catechetical Sunday!” was the greeting shared by the ministers of hospitality.

As I settled in a pew, an elderly lady turned to me, smiled, and said, “Thank you for your service as a catechist. This day is for you!” I returned the smile but knew she must have mistaken me for somebody else on the parish’s catechetical team. However, as people began filling in the pews around us, I watched as this lady turned to each person and thanked them in the same way as she had me. It was then that I realized she wasn’t mistaken at all. She was merely expressing an understanding of catechetical ministry much larger in scope than often celebrated.

I had a sense I was going to witness something quite different at this parish. And sure enough, as the commissioning began, the first to stand and be recognized for their catechetical service were parents. Next were all family members. Continual recognition of different groups of people followed until the entire parish was standing, even the smallest of children. The applause was unending. It was at this time that the “formal” catechists of the parish were called to stand in front of the entire community to be recognized. The response was truly amazing.

Whether we commission and recognize the entire parish or only the formal catechists in our parish, the important point is that we truly mark the day as special. Let us renew the vigor with which we commission, recognize, and celebrate those who lead others to an encounter with the Living Christ. Then all of the people in our pews, parishioners and visitors alike, will understand that we are celebrating an essential ministry in the Church.

“Happy Catechetical Sunday!”

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