Catechist Resources

The Religious Education Program depends on the stewardship of men, women and older teens to serve as catechists and volunteers.

Catechists witness what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ to children, teens, and adults of all ages. They have answered God’s call to share their faith with others and lead them to a deeper relationship with God.

Parents are the first and most important teachers of the faith to their children. As catechists, we support the parents by sharing the Catholic Church teachings, showing who it applies to their lives, and celebrating liturgical feasts.
 

The General Directory for Catechesis identifies six fundamental tasks of catechesis (GDC 85-87):

1. Promoting knowledge of faith. By deepening knowledge of the faith, catechesis nourishes not only the life of faith but equips it to explain itself to the world. The meaning of the Creed, which is a compendium of Scripture and of the faith of the Church, is the realization of this task.

2. Liturgical education. Christ is always present in his Church, especially in “liturgical celebrations.” Catechesis helps the children to understand the Church’s sacramental life and give them an experience of the signs and symbols, gestures, prayers and creeds, of the Church.

3. Moral formation. Conversion to Jesus Christ implies walking in his footsteps; a deepening conversion of heart and mind to moral living and what the Church’s Tradition teaches about this message.

4. 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 confidence, supplication and awe for his glory. All these sentiments are reflected in the Our Father, the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples and which is the model of all Christian prayer.

5. Education for community life. Children are lead into a way of life by joining a loving community of faith, learning to live simply and humbly, to care for the poor and alienated, to forgive as they wish to be forgiven, and to join in common prayer.

6. Missionary initiation. Catechesis prepares children to live the Gospel in daily life.

All of these tasks are necessary. Catechists hand on the teaching of Christ to those being catechized; they prepare them for the sacraments instituted by Christ; they orient them toward life lived according to the moral teaching of Christ; and they lead them to pray with Christ. Thus the adequate formation of catechists cannot be overlooked.