CATECHESIS

- The Invitation to Faith

- The Tasks of Catechesis
The Great Commission:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all that I have commanded you.”
(Mt.28: 19-20)
Evangelization
“The Church ‘exists in
order to evangelize,’
that is ‘the carrying
forth of the Good News
to every sector of the
human race so that by
its strength it may enter
into the hearts of men
and renew the human
race.’” (GDC, 46)
 Catechesis
Catechesis provides the
knowledge, skills and
experiences to become
evangelists
The definitive aim of catechesis
is to put people not only in
touch but in communion, in
intimacy, with Jesus Christ.”
(Catechesis Tradendae 5)
 What does this mean?
• Catechesis is about • We need to know
more than religious about Jesus
education • We need to know
• Catechesis is about Jesus.
faith formation
Catechesis is ‘the transmission of God’s
words to invite others to faith hence,
• The focus is on God’s Word, His revelation, His will
(emphasis is theocentric and not anthropocentric)
• The primary obligation of the catechist, is to be faithful to the
message. We are to pass on the ‘whole truth’, and avoid
‘supermarket Catholicism’
Mother Teresa: “God does not ask us to be successful – only
faithful’
• Faith as transmission bonds us more closely to the Church.
Our mission as catechists is done in the name of the Church
and for the Church.
 Catechesis – An Invitation to Faith

• Faith is a gift, we have to be patient to those we

invite to the faith
• In inviting people to faith, we have to listen and be
sensitive to those whom we teach
• Our catechetical approach has to be ‘content-
centered’ and ‘person-centered’
• We transmit the Word of God for the purpose of
inviting a response of faith.
 What does faith response mean/involve?
• The faith response must include the following elements:

• Faith in the person of Jesus Christ (those we serve

must be helped to believe in Jesus)

• Faith in the message of Jesus (catechists should solicit

a response of faith to the teachings of Jesus in the
Scriptures as well as to the teachings of the Magisterium,
‘the authentic teachers ‘ in the Church.
 Vatican II says that the goal of
catechesis is faith:
• “Living faith” • “Conscious • “Active faith”
• Not just mental faith” • Faith that leads
assent but one • A faith that can to action (work
that leads a be expressed for social
person to and justice,
conversion, to communicated international
prayer, to convincingly peace, etc.)
friendship with to others
God
How do we come to know God?
Learning and Experience
– Creation
– Sacred Scripture: Jesus is the Word of God
– People: We are the Body of Christ
• Parents, others
• Church: teachings, Tradition, community life
 Promoting
knowledge
of the Faith
Education Liturgical
for education
Community
Life
Tasks of
Catechesis
Teaching
Missionary to pray
Initiation
Moral
Formation
 Promoting knowledge
of the faith
Goals
“By deepening
– Explore Scriptures to
knowledge of the faith,
become hearers and doers
catechesis nourishes of the word
not only the life of – Familiarity with creeds
faith but equips it to and doctrines
explain itself to the – Learn about Church
world.” (GDC, 85) tradition and history
– Learn about current
Church teachings
Promoting knowledge
of the faith
• Tools/Resources
– Program materials
– Bible
– Catechism
– Websites
– Media
– Other books and
resources
Catechist guide is “cake”
• Main substance/tool
• Background information
• Learning goals

Other resources are “frosting”

• Add flavor/texture
• Additional information/ideas

Varied activities are “sprinkles”

• Add color and fun
• Make cake more pleasing
• Make cake more memorable
• Meets different learning styles
• VBS example—same lesson taught through
Scripture role-play, songs, games, video, craft
Liturgical Education

“The Church . . . desires

that all the Christian
faithful be brought to
that full, conscious and
active participation
which is required by the
very nature of the
liturgy . . .” (GDC, 85)
 Liturgical Education
• Goals:
– Understand meaning of the liturgy and
sacraments
– Acquire spirituality, skills and habits of
full, conscious and active participation
– Value the dignity and responsibility of
our baptism
– Understand roles of laity and ordained
in liturgy and Christian mission
 Liturgical Education
Classroom
•Encourage attendance and
participation in Mass
•Use prayers, rituals, gestures
from Mass and sacraments
during class prayer
•Establish class rituals
•Be attentive to liturgical
seasons/colors
Program
– Opening gatherings
• Use of traditional prayers
• Variety of prayer
experiences
• Liturgical season
– Other
• Stations of the Cross
• Explore more children’s
involvement during Mass
Teaching to Pray

“When catechesis is
permeated by a
climate of prayer, the
assimilation of the
entire Christian life
reaches its summit.”
(GDC, 85)
Teaching to Pray
• “To learn to pray with Jesus is to
pray with the same sentiments with
which he turned to the Father:
– adoration
– praise
– thanksgiving
– filial (childlike) confidence
– supplication
– and awe for his glory.” (GDC,
85)
• Our Father is model
 Teaching to Pray-
Goals
– Become familiar with diverse
forms and traditions of
Christian prayer
– Develop a regular pattern of
personal prayer
– Engage in shared prayer with
others
– Know and encourage
practices of popular piety and
devotion
Teaching to Pray-What We Can Do

• Set up prayer space

– Liturgical season colors
– Holy objects (cross, rosary, Bible, prayer
cards, etc.)
– Objects from nature
• Vary prayer experiences
– Scripture
– Music
– Movement
– Quiet/reflection
– Petition
– Traditional prayers
– Art
• Prayer for world issues
Moral Formation

“Conversion to Jesus
Christ implies walking
in his footsteps.
Catechesis must,
therefore, transmit to
the disciples the
attitudes of the Master
himself.” (GDC, 85)
 Moral Formation-Goals

– Know and live the Great

Commandment, Ten
Commandments, Beatitudes, moral
teachings of Church
– Understand meaning and nature of
sin and power of God’s grace to
overcome it
– Know and live Church teaching
about respect for life
– Live a life that reflects scriptural
values
Moral Formation-What We Can Do

• Be a good witness
– “Preach the Gospel always; use words if
necessary.”
~St. Francis
• Expect/show respect from/between students
• Discuss current events, school, peer
happenings
– Keep eyes/ears open for real-life
opportunities from which to teach
• Be sensitive to family situations
– “The Church teaches”
Missionary Initiation

“Catechesis . . . seeks to
equip the disciples of
Jesus to be present as
Christians in society
through their
professional, cultural
and social lives.” (GDC, 86)
Missionary Initiation--Goals
• Respond to God’s call
whether as lay, ordained, or
religious
• Be able to speak about faith
with others, including those
of different religion
• Apply Church’s moral and
social teaching in personal,
family, work, social life
• Serving, working for justice
 Education for Community Life

“Christian community “ . . . the teaching of Christ on

life is not realized
spontaneously. It is
necessary to educate it
carefully.” (GDC 86)
community life . . . calls for
attitudes which it is for catechesis
to inculcate (teach).” (GDC 86)
– simplicity and humility
– concern for the least
– care for the alienated
– fraternal correction
– common prayer
– mutual forgiveness
– fraternal love
Education for Community Life--Goals

• Cultivate Christian values

that foster growth in
interpersonal relationships
• Nurture civic
responsibility
• Nurture marriage and
family life
• Be active in parish life
• Support the ecumenical
movement, promoting
unity among God’s people
 Missionary Initiation and Education for
Community Life—What We Can Do

• Classroom • Program
– Help students apply – Service opportunities
learning to everyday – Family activities
life – Socials
– Encourage/initiate
service
– Encourage
participation at Mass
and in parish activities
 Tasks of Catechesis

• All tasks are necessary • Tasks are

– “As the vitality of the interdependent and
human body depends develop together.
on the proper function • Tasks are
of all of its organs, so accomplished in two
also the maturation of ways:
the Christian life – transmission of the
requires that it be message
cultivated in all its – experience of the
dimensions.” (GDC, 87) Christian life
Parish catechetical programs need to
include the following elements:

Message Mission Community

Prayer and Moral Service and

Worship Formation Justice
 Message

Scripture and the teachings of the

Church are to be presented within the
context of the faith story of each
person, the culture and capacity of the
learner.

Prayer and Worship

Learners should be exposed to many

forms of prayer and worship to help
them become persons who are in love
with Jesus and who have the ability to
to participate fully, consciously and
actively in the liturgical and
sacramental life of the Church.
 Community

Christian community is formed through

interaction, faith sharing and
genuine care for each other.

Service and Justice

Students are to be exposed to the
call to service and justice, which is
inherent in the message of Jesus and
the teachings of the Church.
 Moral Formation

Moral formation is necessary so that the

students learn how to apply the
teachings of Christ to their lives. We
need to help them learn how to live the
Catholic Christian way of life, which is
more than avoiding evil.

Mission

How will your parish spread the

Good News? While not all are
called to work in foreign lands, all
are called to invite others, in
various ways, to a relationship with
the Lord.
Catechists do
not merely
instruct their
students about
Christ; they
lead them to
him.
National Directory for Catechesis, 55E
(
“No methodology . . .
can dispense with the
person of the
catechist. Only his
(her) own human and
Christian qualities
guarantee a good use
of texts and other
work instruments.”
(GDC, 156)