On Sept. 20, the church celebrated Catechetical Sunday. The theme, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” This theme resonated throughout as the universal church celebrated and recognized all those involved in the catechetical ministry.
Here parish catechists are formally commissioned and blessed by the pastor, the chief catechist of the parish (even if it was virtual this year). In addition to catechists, many parishes have begun to bless and commission parents, recognizing them as the first teachers of the faith.
Recognizing parents as the “most influential agents of catechesis for their children” has once again been emphasized in the New Directory for Catechesis, published this past summer in Rome and released in English by the U.S. Bishops’ Conference.
The Directory places a stronger emphasis on the importance of family catechetical formation. The document clearly places the family as the first contact of faith while describing the role of parish catechesis as one of support for catechesis in the home. The document continues by stating that, without this firm foundation in the home, it would be difficult for this faith to take root and grow. It also speaks of a challenge that must be addressed:
“The greatest challenge in this situation is for couples (parents) … active participants in catechesis, to overcome the mentality of delegation that is so common, according to which the faith is set aside for specialists in religious education.” (Directory of Catechesis 124).
It is clear, we in the catechetical ministry, are called to pivot. We are challenged to move from being the “sage on the stage” to being the “guide on the side.”
“The church is called to cooperate with parents through suitable pastoral initiatives, assisting them in the fulfillment of their educational mission” (Amoris Laetitia 85).
What might some of those initiatives be? How might parishes support families, aware of the many responsibilities they already have? Perhaps a start is to help our families recognize and celebrate the many ways God is present to them in the everydayness of life, e.g. mealtime, bedtime, celebrating holidays and the other milestones of life. How might we help parents integrate their faith life with their family life? While this is not to put another layer of responsibility on already over-extended parents, the role of catechetical leaders today is to accompany parents as they discover the many ways God accompanies them daily in their faith journey. Parish catechetical leaders are charged to assist parents, not replace them as the first catechists of their children.
In addition to parents and catechists, this document echoes the United States bishops’ call to parish communities reminding them of their responsibility for catechetical formation. The witness of the parish community is an important element in the catechetical ministry.
“The parish serves as an effective catechetical agent precisely to the extent that it is a clear, living, and authentic sacrament of Christ. On the other hand, where a parish is lifeless and stagnant, it undermines both evangelization and catechesis. In such a situation, no catechetical “program” can be expected to overcome the catechetical message of the parish as a whole” (National Catechetical Directory 29 C).
So, as we pause once again to recognize the essential ministry of catechesis, we also take note of the challenge given to us by our bishops over the years and most recently by our Holy Father, Pope Francis. We are charged as parents, catechists and parish communities to embrace a more intentional catechumenal model of formation as we journey together toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sister Kathleen Burton, SSJ, is former co-director of Faith and Family Formation, Diocese of Camden.
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