Responses from Participants, Chapter 4, part 4

Responses from the symposium participants
(Chapter 5, part 2):

I now see that I empower catechetical ministry most effectively by:

Sharing what I have been gifted with.
Supporting and recognizing and receiving catechists as professionals who care about their work and the results it produces.
Really living out of the fact that the Church is a community and together we make up an organic whole. We are the image of God!
Affirming, being present, providing vision.
Letting go. Visiting people, getting to know them, making it easy and comfortable for them to volunteer on a limited time basis and to step down with dignity and a sense of accomplishment. A lot of people doing a little, rather than few doing a lot.
I am most effective because of the way I treat people, the way I celebrate liturgy, and the way I live. I believe that comes from my prayer, my communion with the Lord, and relationships with others.
Bringing and sharing a vision and helping catechists grow through modeling, support, and affirmation.
My vision of the Church, my dedication to forming such Church in the parish, and by being a model for others in ministry.
By direct involvement in catechetical ministry--presence, support, affirmation.
In my leadership role as pastor I need to affirm the faith, proclaim it, experience God's grace in me so that I can effectively speak, act, challenge, name, convert-- and stand in midst of community as priest.
Being more authentically myself and continuing to do what I am doing. (I also need to be more tuned into our catechists.)
Most effectively, by preaching. Also, I empower by walking with catechists, by challenging catechists and parishioners to ask deeper questions of life, and to see the Lord in that.
I now see that I empower catechists most effectively by my passion for what I see is the heart and soul of the good news.
I empower catechists more effectively by coming to know them better, listening, affirming them, helping them to grow spiritually and to live as disciples of Christ.
To the degree that I am open to conversion, dialogue, challenge, presence and loving, I give witness to the Lord we walk with together.
Helping catechists and parents work as partners in catechesis. We are one family and Church in the name of Jesus.

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