Catechist Resources

The Religious Education Program at Holy Spirit depends on the stewardship of hundreds of catechists and volunteers; men, women and older teens, throughout the year. Although the role of catechist may take on many hats at various times, catechists are first and most important of all, a model for children, teens, and adults of all ages, of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. By agreeing to be a catechist, they join a long line of dedicated men and women who have answered God’s call to share their faith with others. As important as that role is though, it is not the most important one in the faith formation of their young learners. That role is reserved for their parents, and our role is to support the parents to the best of our ability.

We assist parents in their children’s Religious Education by making more explicit the teachings of the Catholic Church and helping the children celebrate their faith and apply its teachings to their lives. Catechists echo the word of God to others to deepen their understanding and lead them to deeper conversion of heart and mind to God.

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.

Please click here to go to the OSV website for additional information on the following:

• Sunday Readings & Backgrounds
• Questions of the Week
• Saint of the Week
• Activity of the Week