Articles by Fr. David Loftus

About Fr. David Loftus

Fr. David Loftus, a priest of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, is a graduate of both All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland, and Boston College. Fr. Loftus currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Northridge, CA. He formerly served in the Office of Religious Education in Los Angeles and maintains membership in the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership, in which he has served as Vice President. Fr. Loftus is the author of several articles for Catechetical Leader magazine and has speaking engagements nationally and internationally.

A Comprehensive Approach to Catechesis

Fr. David Loftus

I have previously discussed the “grave responsibility” a pastor has in ensuring that the catechetical ministry of the parish is well-resourced and comprehensive in its approach. This responsibility requires a consideration of those who are served by our catechetical efforts. We must also remember that our actions teach as much, if not more, about what we believe as our words do. Make no mistake about it—everything we do and don’t do in our parish says […]

The Commitment to Catechesis

Fr. David Loftus

The overarching goal of catechesis is to “encourage a living, explicit and fruitful faith.” (General Directory of Catechesis #66) We strive to achieve this goal through instruction and experience. In my experience, most of our efforts in parish catechetical work tend to focus on doctrinal instruction. I can still hear my grandmother’s voice in my head, saying, “if only they knew their commandments.” She was convinced that “doctrinal instruction” alone could resolve all our difficulties […]

The Pastor and Catechesis

Fr. David Loftus

“It is a proper and grave duty,” reads the Code of Canon Law, “especially of pastors of souls to take care of the catechesis of the Christian people so that the living faith of the faithful becomes manifest and active through doctrinal instruction and the experience of Christian life.” (#773) I may not remember much of my canon law from seminary, but whenever I see the word grave I know it refers to something that […]