'Life is Christ' is theme for all

The beginning of the catechetical year in a parish or Catholic school is a time of hope, anticipation and new beginnings.

Catechetical and youth ministry leaders have worked all summer to select texts and teaching materials...recruit, interview and form catechists...coordinate school calendars with parish calendars...register new and returning families...and plan for all the classes, sacramental preparation, celebrations and special events for the academic year.

In other words, when the calendar turns to September, parish life returns to high gear from the summer hiatus.

Celebration

The new catechetical year is marked on the third weekend of the month as "Catechetical Sunday." Across the country, this weekend, Sept. 17-18, celebrates this year's theme: "Life is Christ."

This is a time when parishes recognize, affirm, bless and commission those called from the community to share the rich doctrines, Scripture and traditions of our faith. Those people lead children, youth and adults in prayer; witness to their own lives as disciples of Jesus Christ; and provide opportunities for acts of service, justice and peace.

Catechetical Sunday affirms all those who share in this ministry: catechetical and youth ministry leaders, catechists in parishes and Catholic schools, youth ministers, campus ministers, parents, bishops, priests, deacons, parish life directors, diocesan offices, diocesan newspapers, and publishers of catechetical materials.

The weekend also recognizes that faith is first nurtured in the home and family, and calls families, parishes and the Diocese to a partnership that will provide the best environment for faith to grow for each person.

Paul's insight

This year's theme, "Life is Christ," is taken from a letter St. Paul wrote from his prison cell to his beloved Philippian community.

Reflecting on his own faith journey and the uncertainty of his fate, he exhorts these new Christians to live as witnesses to Jesus Christ. Paul's words become the echo of God's words.

This is the essence of authentic catechesis, as the root of that word means literally "to echo." The echo that we are called to proclaim in word and witness is the person, message and mission of Jesus Christ, and to know Him so fully and intimately that for us "life is Christ."

Going deeper

The theme is not just for Catechetical Sunday and forgotten on Monday. It is meant to be proclaimed, broken open in prayer, studied and reflected on, and lived out intentionally by each child, young person and adult.

We are called to wrestle with its meaning as individuals, families and members of faith communities.

It prompts many questions:

* What does it really mean to say that the center or essence of my life is Jesus Christ?

* How easy is that to say, believe and live when life, family, friends, work, school, church, home, country and other prized values are also cherished and at the center of our lives?

* Is our relationship with Jesus one in a line of treasured values and relationships, or is it the one that gives life and meaning to the others?

* Will our children and young people hear the words as a catechetical sound-bite, or will they catch the meaning in the witness of those who try to live it out?

* Is it an impossible dream or an incredible challenge?

NDC for U.S.

Our Diocese and the Church in the United States have been given a great gift this fall in the publication of the National Directory for Catechesis (NDC).

This new catechetical resource provides a vision, plan and guide for catechesis for children, young people and adults of all ages. It views catechesis with a wide lens, and calls each of us to renew our commitment to echo the word of God in these new times.

The Evangelist highlights this document in this special section. In addition, the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis will provide formation opportunities throughout the year and at Spring Enrichment 2006 to study this document.

Linking to Jesus

The NDC holds that the purpose of all catechesis is to put each person into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, and to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ into every part of life and society.

It proclaims that this is our mission, a mission that is never separated from the person of Jesus Christ. The National Directory calls for a renewal of catechesis as a priority in the Church's mission so that each person -- with faith, courage and confidence -- can proclaim and live "life is Christ."

(Jeanne Schrempf is director of the Albany diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.)

(9/15/05) [[In-content Ad]]