The Priest As Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry
Chapter 3
The Priest in Catechetical Ministry (part 3 of 3)

A Balanced Approach
The discussion evolved into an examination of approaches to take in catechesis. It began with one priest's observation that the effective spreading of the Christian message needs to be accomplished in ways that are inviting in nature. He explained that he had experienced a heavy-handed type of approach, and to him it was a serious impediment to his Christianity. He believes this experience is not uncommon, and suggested the need to examine carefully why this happens and how to do it differently.

Reflecting on this observation, another pastor said he initially emphasizes learning by living or experiencing the faith. Reflection and articulation follow. "It's only to the degree we succeed in living and celebrating the giftedness and the faith and who we are as God's people that we have anything to reflect about anyway." His parish has tried to accentuate a model of discipleship. "And so we see what we're about in parishes is about living, about developing, about discipleship, about celebrating. And so only after that does then the educational component get plugged into the system."

Referring to the earlier reflection on catechetical approaches that may be impediments rather than implements, the pastor spoke of an imbalance. In some cases, emphasis falls predominantly on the educational component of catechesis, almost to the exclusion of a faith lived. "A twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, fifty-two-weeks-a-year parish catechizing community" is effective more than one whose limited focus is only on the programmed educational model. For him, the stories of catechetical efforts that have been shared at the symposium are coming from a different paradigm, one in which education and discipleship are in a synergistic balance.

Another participant observed that although parish staffs and catechetical teams may be working out of a catechetical faith formation model, many parents of children attending catechetical programs have only experienced an educational model because that is what they encountered when they were young. The challenge, and perhaps the frustration, in this ministry comes when parents view catechesis in terms of an educational goal and not in terms of a catechetical faith formation or a transformational goal.

One of the participants described a program he has used to involve parents in the catechetical process. After prayer and some reflection at home, three families come to the rectory for dinner, which is served by parishioners who are senior citizens. After dinner the children share stories about Jesus. "It's an experience of family, it's a story of Jesus and a part of the liturgy. And you could tell afterwards that these kids had a totally different experience."

He spoke of the genuineness and excitement with which the children spoke. "They were jumping out of their seats trying to tell you the story. And the parents were sitting there like, 'I never thought this was possible.'" He concluded, saying he thinks this process could begin to involve parents in small communities. Often, parents do not participate because they are busy, but their experiences at this level might be a preparation of future small community members.

A fellow pastor agreed with the need for developing small groups, because he believes the church needs to gear itself much more to the adult. "If you have a young congregation in their mid 30's like mine, most of them have been out of the church for years and a very important part of helping them come back is small groups. The church doesn't resource small groups nearly well enough compared to say, the evangelical church. And there are times of the year, like Lent, when people do expect to do something special." Before Lent begins, he mails a personalized letter to each family in the parish inviting them to participate in six home sessions. This approach elicits a good response. "Last year, with 350 active families we had a couple of hundred people in the Lenten groups."

One of the last people to speak said: "I think we are overlooking what we do every Sunday. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives." He explained that, like others, he was not sure why he had received an invitation to the symposium, so he went back to the parish and asked the catechists, the DRE's, and the principal at the school: "What was it I did that you felt empowered you?" They told him it was the homily and the liturgy every Sunday. From the experience of the Sunday liturgy they felt renewed, reinforced, and supported.

"They said it was not uncommon that the kids who were at that liturgy, on Monday morning the first thing that they wanted to talk about was the homily. Their experience prior to that was they would be trying to present a certain image of God in the classroom," but the Sunday homily did not support their efforts. "So that when they heard from the priest, from the pulpit giving a homily that reinforced and undergirded what they were attempting to present to the class, they got life from that. It really did empower them."

He continued, explaining that "being in the Bible Belt, you learn very quickly the importance of the homily." People in that area of the country demand quality preaching, and if they do not receive it, they will turn elsewhere. In addition, he explained that seventy percent of the marriages in his state are ecumenical, inter-faith marriages and many of the non-Catholic spouses come to the liturgy on Sunday. And so often it is the homily, in addition to Eucharist, that brings people to the Church.

In conclusion, he expressed his belief that people are looking for passion. "They are looking for the word that is delivered with conviction and passion. That's power. That really is a power. I just could not let us overlook what we do every week. There's nothing that I do every week that has the potential to touch six hundred people except that one hour."

Reflection
At the end of the session, the participants were asked to list the five most important things that they do in catechetical ministry. Please take time to answer the same reflection.

The five most important things I do in catechetical ministry are:

Responses from symposium participants listing the five most important things they do in catechetical ministry as priests. [R-1]

Summary
The observations about the role of the priest in catechetical ministry built naturally upon the discussions that preceded this session. In the segment on the parish, the participants spoke of parishes that display a strong sense of stewardship and entrust people with a sense of discipleship. The discussions about catechesis in the parish showed how these attributes are woven into catechesis and illustrated how all members of the church community are called to develop and strengthen their loving relationship with God throughout their lifetime and to help others do the same.

The examination of the priest in catechetical ministry further demonstrated how the parishes of the participants emphasize the community's ongoing responsibility for catechesis and its implementation, and how they incorporate stewardship and discipleship in catechetical ministry. During the discussions, some key themes emerged.

In explaining what he would say to a newly ordained priest about the role of the priest in catechesis, a participant's response offered a capsule version of the points just made. He wrote that a priest should listen, be attentive, support and encourage involvement of parishioners, nurturing them to use their gifts in service of the parish. The priest also needs to collaborate with staff members and parish leaders to enliven and strengthen the presence of the Kingdom in the parish. At the same time he should gently challenge the parish and catechists to re-think, stretch themselves, and grow to a fuller expression and understanding of their faith.

The Next Step
The next section will examine more closely the concept of the priest as empowerer of catechetical ministry.

First, review your notes and reflections as well as the material in this chapter. In order to process this information, take some time to answer the questions on the following pages. Your responses can help you examine the role of the priest in catechetical ministry in your parish. You can also use them as part of a broader planning segment in Chapter 6.

Planning Notes
The Priest in Catechetical Ministry

The first part of Chapter 4, The Priest as Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry from 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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