Are you being called to be a catechist?

Monday, August 17, 2009

*Maria Jose Mitsoulis - Director of Religious Education

BLOGGER PROFILE

“Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word” is the theme for this year’s Catechetical Sunday, which is set for Sept. 20. Catechetical Sunday is a special day in parish communities because men and women who have said “yes” to God’s call to be catechists are summoned forth to be commissioned by their pastors and community for this important ministry.

Catechetical Sunday is a great day for everyone in the parish, but especially for catechists, who renew their commitment with Jesus Christ, with the community they serve, with themselves and with those children, youths and adults entrusted to them this year.

What is a catechist? What is the role of a catechist? These are very good questions to ask ourselves from time to time. The General Directory for Catechesis tells us that “The Church awakens and discerns this divine vocation and confers the mission to catechize. The Lord Jesus invites men and women, in a special way, to follow him, teacher and formator of disciples.” (GDC 231)

Are YOU being called to be a catechist in your parish community? Are YOU being called to serve and minister, to be a witness to Jesus Christ, to pray and to build up your parish community? We tend to think that a catechist is only called to teach children who are preparing for a sacrament or who are in “in-between” - those non-sacramental grades during a given year. However, a catechist is called to minister to all who seek to deepen their faith, by means of a variety of parish efforts. To this end, programs such as family sessions, scripture study, RCIA, youth groups, and more are provided by the parish catechetical leader, who works in conjunction with dedicated volunteers.

Directors of religious education in many parishes have been hard at work praying for and recruiting catechists for this school year. Volunteers are also needed to work with parents, perhaps by presenting informal instruction in our faith while their children are being taught. In addition, extra assistance in the office, etc. is always welcome throughout the week. Catechists do not only teach formally in classroom settings, however. By their very example they proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, the Religious Education Department is sponsoring our annual “Catechetical Morning” for catechists. Anyely Garcia, my assistant and I, invite catechists from throughout the region to participate. It is a unique opportunity to come together and to be empowered by the Word of God and by the witness of so many catechists in the archdiocese.

Click here for more information on this event and to obtain free material on Catechetical Sunday from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

María José Mitsoulis
Director, Archdiocesan Religious Education Department