The Priest As Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry
Chapter 4
The Priest as Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry (part 1 of 4)

Introduction

Every baptized man and woman, according to his or her state in life and in the church, receives the mission to proclaim the Good News of salvation for man in Jesus Christ. Each is therefore called to exercise his or her particular responsibility. Likewise, every community is called to study deeply the concrete exigencies of the mystery of the Church and of her communion.

A Message to the People of God, III

Ongoing spiritual development cannot be viewed as a part time prerogative. It is a commitment that comes with the water of baptism and the oil of confirmation, nurtured by the eucharist and the supportive community of the parish. Ongoing catechesis is essential to the life of Christians as individuals and as a Church community since all members of the Church are called to bring the Word of God to the world. The Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People states: "But the laity are made to share in the priestly, prophetical and kingly office of Christ; they have therefore, in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole People of God. In the concrete, their apostolate is exercised when they work at the evangelization and sanctification of men." (Apostolicam Actuositatem, 2)

Priests, in turn, are called both to catechize and to help people assume their role in catechetical ministry. Pope John Paul II notes this responsibility as he quotes Lumen Gentium in his apostolic exhortation on the laity. "Indeed, pastors know how much the lay faithful contribute to the welfare of the entire church. They also know that they themselves were not established by Christ to undertake alone the entire saving mission of the church toward the world, but they understand that is their exalted office to be shepherds of the lay faithful and also to recognize the latter's services and charisms that all according to their proper roles may cooperate in this common undertaking with one heart. (Lumen Gentium, 30)" (Christifideles Laici, 32)

Priests must identify and nurture those who have the charism of being catechists, putting special interest in caring for their initial and permanent formation. "To the extent possible, the priest must be the catechist of catechists, forming in these a veritable community of disciples of the Lord which serves as a point of reference for those receiving instruction." (Directory for the Life and Ministry of Priests, 47) The National Catechetical Directory explains: "The person of the catechist is the medium in which the message of the faith is incarnated." (NCD, Conclusion)

Catechists, therefore, possess a role of great importance. Are they able to fulfill this role with conviction? Can they convey the wisdom and confidence of faith that inspires others and touches their hearts? Can they follow the example of Jesus? "When Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes." (Matthew 7:28-29) How can priests help people take hold of this responsibility to catechize with the power of their faith? In other words, how can priests empower those in catechetical ministry?

People sometimes misunderstand the concept of empowerment when used in the context of the Church and catechesis. Some feel threatened by the thought of lay empowerment, believing the clergy will forfeit authority. Others desire it, because they mistakenly perceive empowerment as a source of influence. Both perceptions are misplaced, grounded in a temporal perspective, not a spiritual one. "When man accepts the Spirit of Christ, God introduces him to a way of life completely new. It empowers a man to share in God's own life. He is joined to the Father and to Christ in a vital union which not even death can break." (Basic Teachings for Catholic Religious Education, 14)

The Spirit is the true empowerer. "Catechesis, which is growth in faith and the maturing of Christian life towards its fullness, is consequently a work of the Holy Spirit, a work that he alone can initiate and sustain in the Church." (Catechesi Tradendae, 72) Mary and the disciples were empowered by the Spirit on Pentecost, and so all members of the Church must be open to the same Spirit and to the same results. As the American bishops wrote in their plan and strategy for evangelization in the United States, Go and Make Disciples: "Jesus was led by the Spirit of God to a life of preaching and service, to the giving of himself in sacrifice. Jesus Christ sends that same Spirit upon everyone who is baptized in his name. For we have all gone down into the water of Christ and have all been anointed to bring Good News and be true disciples. [cf. Romans 6:3-4] We have all received his Spirit. This is not a Spirit of timidity or fear, but a bold Spirit of life, truth, joy, and grace." (Go and Make Disciples, page 10)

Priests help people grow in faith through catechesis in all its forms. They also help people realize that they must not conceal the light of faith under a bushel basket. "Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:16) They must help catechists gain confidence in themselves so that, as in the parable recorded by Matthew, they use and develop their talents wisely and not be timid and bury them. (cf. Matthew 25: 14-30)

At the same time, priests must themselves be open to the Spirit and have the confidence and security to allow the Spirit to work in others. "The Church, therefore, does not accomplish this discernment only through the pastors, who teach in the name and with the power of Christ, but also through the laity: Christ 'made them his witnesses and gave them understanding of the faith and the grace of speech (cf. Acts 2:17-18; Revelation. 19:10), so that the power of the Gospel might shine forth in their daily social and family life.' (Lumen Gentium, 35)" (Familiaris Consortio, 5)

The empowerment of catechetical ministry is an example of responding to the movement of the Spirit in the life of the Church.

Synopsis
The examination of empowerment began on the first day of the symposium and continued until it adjourned. In the first three segments of the symposium, the participants examined parishes and the role of catechesis in the parishes, and then discussed the role that priests play in catechesis. In the fourth segment, the participants continued this analysis of the empowerment of catechetical ministry, building on the information developed during the previous three sessions.

The participants observed three roleplays representing encounters a pastor may typically have in the context of catechetical ministry. In roleplay, two people assume the role of a character in a loosely defined situation. Observation of this interaction can provide insights on several levels. In this case it was used to facilitate discussion concerning the situation and the actions taken, the pastor's relation with catechists, and the dynamics of empowerment. You will have the opportunity to participate in the same roleplays. If this is not possible, you can reflect on your own experience and compare it with the experiences of the symposium's participants.

The participants also examined their spiritual journeys and the people and experiences that helped lead them to the priesthood. This exploration helped them identify common elements in their ministerial growth. You will also have the opportunity to consider your ministerial journey.

Reflection Questions
Before reviewing the roleplays and the observations they generated, please take time to complete the last group of reflection, drawing upon your wisdom and parish experience.

After answering the questions, continue with the rest of the chapter. As before, continue to use the responses from the symposium as benchmarks for comparison with your responses. Enter into the proceedings and consider how you would have responded to the comments offered. You may want to take notes as you go along.

Reflection Questions
The Priest as Empowerer of Catechetical Ministry

In catechetical ministry, describe how you personally influence:

How much time do you personally devote to:

Create/describe your parish's "catechetical portrait." Who/what is/are in the picture you would paint? Be as open-ended or as specific as you wish.

Now focus on how you empower one catechist from your parish. For this person, ask yourself:

Responses from symposium participants describing how they empowerer one catechist from their parish. [R-1]

How Priests Empower
During one of the exercises in the previous segment of the symposium the participants were asked: "What is it that you can legitimately say you do to empower catechists or catechetical leaders in the parish?" Since the insights that were expressed helped lay the foundation for the roleplays in this segment and are so closely tied to the topic, the responses are covered here. They are not recorded in order of importance or priority.

Catechetical Development
One pastor said he encourages people to attend diocesan formation programs, such as the three year Master Catechist program, diocesan workshops and Congresses. Another invites the diocese to use parish facilities to conduct programs. Parishioners can easily attend, and they don't have to pay a fee. If programs are in other locations, the DRE organizes transportation using the parish vans. He also shared his personal experience in parishes where schools closed: "Those people who were catechists were now front and center as leaders."

Trust
A priest explained that he empowers catechists through support and trust. He likes to use ideas that catechists offer. He explained, "Trust yourself, trust the Lord as a part of that, and go with it. It will succeed, and if it doesn't, that's where evaluation comes in. But don't question it and talk yourself out of it. Just take the risk, be the dreamer and go with it." As the Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People points out: "It is for the pastors to pass judgment on the authenticity and good use of these gifts, not certainly with a view to quenching the Spirit but to testing everything and keeping what is good (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 19, 21)." (Apostolicam Actuositatem, 3)

However, another pastor added that trusting people requires a positive set of assumptions about human nature. "That it's resilient, creative, capable of responsibilities. Some people, however, harbor negative sets of assumptions. I believe so many people are distrusting of widespread ministry because they essentially are distrusting of people in general."

Affirmation
One pastor asked people why they thought he empowered catechists. "They said that mainly because I, in working with them over the years, affirmed them. I knew them by name and I called people by name and named what they were doing as ministry. And they found that empowering."

Financial Support
Speaking of financial support, a pastor said he attempts to insure that funds are allocated for anything reasonable in the area of catechesis. He also explained that he visits classes and is present for the catechists. Another pastor stated that he empowers catechists by selecting the right personnel for the full time staff.

Personal Development
One priest, referring to catechetical ministry in a parish with many recent immigrants, cited a need "to meet people where they are." In order for people to become skilled leaders, it is necessary to help them overcome challenges they may have in certain areas. "So we start from there, we start from allowing them to learn certain learning skills, reading, writing and expressing themselves, standing up in public in their own language before we even worry about whether they know English or not. So that once they feel confident in their own unique expression, in the cultural expression, hopefully they'll be able to start telling their stories, something more intimate. So I think with faith development comes also the very basic human development aspect."

Respect Time
A participant said one important aspect of empowering catechists is to respect their limited time. Therefore, the parish schedules catechetical sessions to fit into the rhythm of the lives of the parishioners--either before or after Mass on Sunday. The pastor believes that this attention to time is a key to the success of the catechetical program, which has virtually no catechist turnover.

Perception
In one parish the pastor calls the catechetical program the School of Religion in order to put it on an equal basis with the parish grade school and high school in the eyes of the parishioners.

The second 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.