Whether you are a beginning catechist or a returning catechist, it is good to be familiar with the Church’s documentary tradition when it comes to catechesis. Over the years, the Church has provided us with numerous resources to guide and inspire the ministry of catechesis. Here are just a few of what I consider to be some of the most inspiring lines from these documents (this list is not intended to be definitive…if there are excerpts from documents that you’d like to share, by all means, please send them along!). As you prepare for the upcoming year, use these excerpts (and the questions I’ve provided) to reflect on your call to serve the ministry of catechesis.

 

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for.” (#27)

 

·         How is God drawing you to himself?

·         In your own search for truth and happiness, what paths brought you closer to God? What paths steered you in the wrong direction?

·         What messages from society/our culture are leading those you teach down the wrong path as they search for truth and happiness?

 

The General Directory for Catechesis

“This comprehensive formation includes more than instruction: it is an apprenticeship of the entire Christian life…”  (#67)

 

·         Who apprenticed you into the Christian life? How did he/she/they do this?

·         How can you apprentice those you teach into the Christian life?

·         What does it mean to you to think of your teaching as more than instruction but as an apprenticeship?

 

The National Directory for Catechesis

“Catechesis must make it clear that the person of Jesus Christ offers a realistic alternative to immediate gratification and the satisfaction of personal needs.” (#4C)

 

·         How can/do you invite those you teach to encounter the person of Jesus, not just the idea of or memory of Jesus?

·         What factors in society/culture encourage the concepts of immediate gratification and the satisfaction of personal needs?

·         How can/do you present Jesus as an alternative to these?

 

 

Catechesi Tradendae (On Catechesis in Our Time)

“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ.” (#5)

 

·         What in your life fosters communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ?

·         What can you offer to those you teach to put them in communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ?

·         What factors foster communion and intimacy in human relationships? How can these be applied to our relationship with Jesus Christ?

 

 

Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization in the Modern World)

“Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach…” (#15)

 

·         How do you understand the word evangelize? What does it mean to evangelize? How is catechesis related to evangelization?

·         If evangelization (preaching and teaching) is the Church’s deepest identity, what does that say about the importance of your role as a catechist?

·         As a catechist, how can/do you evangelize those you teach?

 

 

Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us (A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States)

“We are entering a period of new vitality for the Church, a period in which adult Catholic laity will play a pivotal leadership role in fulfilling the Christian mission of evangelizing and transforming society. For adults to fulfill their roles in this new era of the Church, their faith formation must be lifelong, just as they must continue to learn to keep up in the changing world.” (#29)

 

·         How is your role as a catechist helping/challenging you to keep up with a changing world?

·         How is your role as a catechist contributing to your own lifelong formation?

·         How can you encourage those you teach to see that faith formation is a lifelong task?

 

 

Go and Make Disciples (A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States)

“This is crucial: we must be converted—and we must continue to be converted! We must let the Holy Spirit change our lives! We must respond to Jesus Christ. And we must be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who will continue to convert us as we follow Christ. If our faith is alive, it will be aroused again and again as we mature as disciples.” (#14)

 

·         How are you experiencing conversion at this time in your life?

·         How does serving as a catechist foster your own conversion?

·         How do you call those you teach to change their lives?

 

 

Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions

“Central to our identity as Catholics is that we are called to be leaven for transforming the world, agents for bringing about a kingdom of love and justice.”

 

·         In what ways do you see yourself a being a “leaven for transforming the world?”

·         How can you call those you teach to become agents for bringing about a kingdom of love and justice?

·         What does it mean to say that working for justice is central to our identity as Catholics? What implications does this have for you ministry as a catechist?

 

Guidelines for Doctrinally Sound Catechetical Materials

“Effective catechesis…requires that the Church’s teaching be presented correctly and in its entirety, and it is equally important to present it in ways that are attractive, appealing, and understandable by the individuals and communities to whom it is directed.” (II – Guidelines for Presenting Sound Doctrine)

 

·         What are you doing to ensure that you are presenting the Church’s teaching correctly?

·         How can/do you make the Church’s teaching attractive? Appealing? Understandable?

·         Considering the age level you teach, what is needed to make the Church’s teaching attractive, appealing, and understandable?

 

 

Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry

“Renewing the Vision takes up the Holy Father’s challenge by focusing the Church’s ministry with adolescents on three essential goals: (1) empowering young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; (2) drawing young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community; and (3) fostering the personal and spiritual growth of each young person.”

 

·         How can/do you empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today?

·         How can/do you draw young people to responsible participation in the parish community?

·         How can/do you foster personal and spiritual growth of those you teach?