The Priest As Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry
Chapter 2
Catechesis in the Parish (part 1 of 3)
Introduction
As the twentieth century draws to a close, the Church is bidden by God and by events-each of them a call from him-to renew her trust in catechetical activity as a prime aspect of her mission. She is bidden to offer catechesis her best resources in people and energy, without sparing effort, toil or material means, in order to organize it better and to train qualified personnel.
Catechesi Tradendae, 15
What emphasis should a parish place on catechesis? What emphasis does a parish place on catechesis? What are some of the ways a parish shows this emphasis? The preceding quotation from the apostolic exhortation of Pope John Paul II provides a beginning focus.
Sharing the Light of Faith: National Catechetical Directory for Catholics of the United States (NCD) offers other elements when it explains that "catechesis is a lifelong process for the individual and a constant and concerted pastoral activity of the Christian community" (NCD, 32) and that becoming more Christlike "involves establishing and nurturing a real relationship to Jesus and the Father in the Holy Spirit, through a vigorous sacramental life, prayer, study, and serving others." (NCD, 173) All members of the Church are called to develop and strengthen their loving relationship with God throughout their lifetime, and they are called to help others do the same.
One of the most visible components of catechesis often is organized parish programs, "an education of children, young people and adults in the faith, which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life." (Catechesi Tradendae, 18) Many people think of catechesis primarily in terms of catechetical and sacramental preparation programs for children. However, the early Christians saw catechesis as "the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples" (Catechesi Tradendae, 1), and this same vision remains valid today.
Though some people may see such programs as the most visible manifestation of catechesis, catechesis flows through all aspects of parish life. Of these, the liturgy is preeminent. As the National Catechetical Directory explains, "[catechesis] prepares people for full and active participation in liturgy (by helping them understand its nature, rituals, and symbols) and at the same time flows from liturgy, inasmuch as, reflecting upon the community's experiences of worship, it seeks to relate them to daily life and to growth in faith." (NCD, 113)
Catechesis goes beyond programs, beyond the liturgy. Catechesis is an essential source of life and energy for the other major ministries of the parish. The National Catechetical Directory states that catechesis has four interrelated purposes: "to proclaim the mysteries of the faith; to foster community; to encourage worship and prayer; and to motivate service to others." (NCD, 227)
Every activity of the parish should have as its ultimate goal the message of bringing people closer to Jesus, strengthening their love of God so they willingly and enthusiastically share their love and their faith with others. This may be within a family, within a peer group, or at a community meeting.
The responsibility for parish catechesis is not limited to priests, DRE's, and designated volunteers. Each member of the parish community has a catechetical responsibility. And as part of this responsibility, each member must in turn be catechized continually. As one participant reflected, the connection and synergy of evangelization and catechesis comprise the dynamic that drives a parish. Both catechesis and evangelization are the task of the whole parish.
Synopsis
After having examined the overall life of the parish, the participants reviewed the role that catechesis plays in parish life. The session began with an exercise in which the participants defined their understanding of catechesis. Next, using this as a foundation, the participants reexamined their parish goals and mission statements in light of catechesis. This was first done individually and then the table groups reviewed how these goals affect the impact and implementation of catechesis in the parish. The groups recorded the key points of their discussion on flip charts, and later shared these points with the entire assembly. This chapter will take you through the same process.
Following the initial discussion of catechesis, one of the priests noted that in their brief definitions of catechesis the participants uniformly used "catechesis" rather than "religious education." These two terms are frequently used interchangeably. In fact, in the original symposium agenda, this section was titled "Catechesis/Religious Education in the Parish." Several reflection questions were similarly phrased. This was done because of the usage overlap as well as to be sure to draw upon experiences the participants may have had with varieties of parish programs, such as catechetical programs, schools, and others.
Although the terms "catechesis" and "religious education" are connected, they are different. There are important meanings attributed to each. For ease of reading, the headings and the text will primarily use the term "catechesis." The term "religious education" will be used when it reflects the language of the participants.
Reflection Questions
To prepare for this chapter, please take some time to respond to the following questions. Some of the participants' responses to the reflection questions follow the questions and appear throughout the text. As you read the chapter, continue to consider the symposium discussions a benchmark for comparison with your responses. Engage in a dialogue with your catechetical associates. You can also engage in a mental dialogue with the symposium participants, framing your own responses in reaction to those of the participants.
Reflect on your understanding of catechesis.
How does catechesis influence the life and mission of the parish? What priority does it have in relation to other parish ministries? What role does it play within other parish ministries?
What specific actions are taken to inform the parish community at large about its catechetical role and responsibilities?
What specific actions are taken to identify and/or enhance the catechetical role and responsibilities of families?
Responses from the symposium participants
What is Catechesis?
"What language would you use to describe catechesis in your parish?" The responses of the participants, spontaneous and brief descriptions of catechesis, were recorded on flip charts and remained displayed throughout the symposium. These responses appear on the next page, and fuller references from recent documents of the Church are listed on page 36. Before you review them, take a few moments to reflect on your concept of catechesis, and then record the words or phrases that capture this concept. You may want to paper clip this page so as you work through the rest of this book, you can easily turn back to your definition of catechesis for reference or revision.
As I understand it, catechesis is:
Responses from the symposium participants.
Selected references about catechesis from Church documents.
An understanding of how members of the parish perceive catechesis and the role that it plays in the parish is obviously pivotal to this process. Based on their responses, catechesis to the participants appears to be rooted in the total parish experience. It is a lifelong process, central to the life of the parish, that has the interlocking dimensions of message, worship, community, and service. The responses seemed to be rooted in the experience of catechesis in the parish. Later, one of the pastors commented that none of these spontaneous responses focused exclusively on children. The participants viewed catechesis as a lifelong development of faith. Catechesis may begin with children, but it continues through all ages of the person. Indeed, appropriate catechesis is the right of all believers and members of the parish.
Important Goals in the Life and Mission of the Parish
As the next step in examining the role of catechesis in their parishes, the participants returned to their reflection question booklets and reviewed the mission statement and major goals of the parish, which were qualified as "the stated goals publicized to the parishioners." After this individual review, the people compared, contrasted, and examined this information with the others at their tables.
Before continuing, review the parish goals that you recorded in the reflection questions for Chapter 1: The Parish. Next, compare your parish goals with those listed by the participants. Many of these appear on the following two pages. Though the priests represented communities of vastly differing complexions, their goals are similar.
If the goals of the participants had to be distilled into five main areas, they would probably be akin to the ones listed by this pastor:
Responses from the symposium participants.
Reflection
Once the participants reviewed their goals and mission statements, they were asked to examine two sets of questions which covered the impact and implementation of catechesis. The first set included:
- How does catechesis impact the parish mission or goals?
- How does catechesis impact the other ministries in the parish?
- How does catechesis impact parishioners?
Then, the second question was:
- How do the community and families carry out their catechetical role?
Consider these questions in light of your parish's mission and experience.
The second part of Chapter 2, Catechesis in the Parish in The Priest as Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry will be posted next Thursday. For information about ordering this book, please see the Sadlier Religion Catalog.
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