Here is a great summary (by James V. Schall, S.J.) of the address that Pope Francis gave to catechists at the International Conference for Catechesis this past Saturday, September 28, 2013.
Approaches/Techniques
Faith that is CAUGHT, not TAUGHT – What Makes a Message “Contagious”
In ministerial circles, it is not uncommon to hear the phrase “Faith is caught, not taught.”The point of the phrase is that faith is something that involves more than just transmitting information. With that in mind, it might be helpful to know just what makes a message go “viral” – what makes a message “contagious.” Seeking answers, I recently read a very good book: Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger (Simon & Schuster) […]
Being a Catechist
I Am a Catechist
A few years ago, I attended a faith formation conference where I heard Jayne Ragasa Mondoy speak. Her presentation on cultivating catechists was a lightning-bolt moment for me when she said, “We don’t do catechesis; we are catechists.” I often say to people, “I teach Sunday school.” Rarely do I say, “I am a catechist.” It seemed like a minor difference, but when I heard Jayne’s presentation, it struck me as the difference between night and […]
Being a Catechist
Catechists as Co-Missionaries
Each year when catechists are commissioned on Catechetical Sunday, I envision Jesus’ Great Commission before he ascended into heaven: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.’” (Mark 16:14–15) The word commission implies both an individual and communal commitment—mission and co-mission. Through the authority of Christ and his Church, each catechist is appointed to carefully and diligently carry out the mission to evangelize and […]
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