A boy stands on the beach, where hundreds of starfish have been swept up by the waves and stranded there to die. He’s throwing the starfish back in the water, one by one, so each can survive. An adult watches him for a minute from up on the boardwalk, and yells down, “You can’t possibly throw all those starfish back in the water. You could stand there all night throwing starfish — it won’t matter.”
The boy looks around, throws another starfish into the water, and says, “Well, it matters to this one!”
That well-known story, attributed to American anthropologist and philosopher Loren Eiseley, and its poignant final phrase, “It matters to this one,” encapsulates the inspiration felt by many of our catechists who will be recognized this Catechetical Sunday, Sept. 18. Each year, this day is set aside by the Catholic Church to bring heightened awareness to the role each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. It celebrates our parish catechists, including those who serve adults, young adults and youth, and our Catholic school teachers and staff for their contributions to the faith formation of the families they serve.
In these first months as the diocesan director of religious education, I have had the immense privilege of spending one-on-one time with many of the parish catechetical leaders who serve in our parishes. While I still have many more to visit, I have noticed that despite their individual approaches to their ministries, a common thread connects them. I begin our time together asking, “What drew you to and what keeps you in this ministry?”
Two common themes have emerged from the responses I have received so far: (1) Catechists are in this ministry because they were invited. Someone they encountered extended an invitation to be a catechist. (2) They stay in this ministry because they are inspired each and every time, that what they are sharing about our faith matters to whom it is shared with. “It matters to this one …”
One by one, each catechist inspires some aspect of our faith to matter in our lives. Once it matters in our lives, our relationship with Christ is deepened. As Pope Saint John Paul II said in his Apostolic Exhortation “On Catechesis in Our Time,” “the primary and essential object of catechesis is ‘the mystery of Christ.’ … It is to seek to understand the meaning of Christ’s actions and words and the signs worked by Him, for they simultaneously hide and reveal His mystery.”
Catechists are companions who facilitate encounters with Jesus Christ. By modeling and sharing experiences of faith, catechists lead others into a deeper experience of their faith. While some of us have formalized catechetical roles in our parishes or schools, ALL are called, by virtue of their Baptism, to catechize. We share equally the sacred call to “walk with” and accompany others on the journey of discovery as we strive to strengthen our own relationship with Jesus Christ.
A particular beauty is found when that mystery is reciprocated.
As catechists accompany others, they in turn become catechized! So often, I recall the times in my roles as spouse, parent or teacher when my husband, child or student catechized me. What a beautiful, never-ending cycle of faith development and formation! One that should be celebrated, respected and encouraged.
On this upcoming Catechetical Sunday, I invite you to welcome the wonderful opportunity to not only recognize those with formal catechetical roles in our parishes and schools, but also consider the opportunity to recognize the sacred role you have as a catechist to make the faith matter in the lives of the people who matter to you.
Dr. Lee DelleMonache is director of religious education for the Diocese of Camden.
Catechetical Sunday
Catechetical Sunday, which will be celebrated this year on Sept. 18, is an opportunity to reflect, by virtue of Baptism, the role each person has in passing on the faith. On this day, those who serve as catechists are called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. This year’s theme, established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is “This is my body given for you” (Luke 22:19). Look for Catechetical Sunday articles and coverage in the Sept. 16 and 23 issues of the Catholic Star Herald.
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