Are you called to catechetical work?

If the book were updated, it would certainly include many professions and jobs in areas of health, medicine, technology, communications, finance and human services that were not even dreamed about 25 or 30 years ago.

Another career not found in the book was emerging in early 1970s -- the professional catechetical leader. The window that Pope John XXIII opened for the Church during the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s brought an invitation to the entire People of God to live out their Baptism by using their gifts and talents to bring the Gospel to the world.

And people accepted that invitation. The first wave of persons who entered graduate programs in religious education and theology were priests, and women and men from religious communities who responded to emerging needs and new priorities. They created pathways for the second wave -- laypeople from all walks of life and all age groups.

Inspired by the vision of the Council and motivated by a renewed theology of Baptism, the laity have continued to fill catechetical leadership positions in parishes, Catholic schools and diocesan offices.

In the mid-1970s, the Church published a vision for the formation of youth, and youth ministry became an exciting part of ministry. With formation and experience, professional youth ministers took positions alongside catechetical leaders and a new ecclesial career was born.

Today in the Diocese of Albany, 198 catechetical leaders and 78 youth ministers serve in both full-time and part-time positions. The catechetical/youth ministry leader of 2000 bears a striking similarity to those who began these ministries in the post- Vatican II era. They come from rich life experiences and often previous careers in education, health services, social services and business. They have often served as catechists and in other leadership roles in the parish community. The majority are women, and most are parents.

Some enter this ministry from college or graduate schools; others, as a re-entry into the workplace or as a second or third career. They are people of great faith who believe they have been called by God to this ministry. They are people of prayer who see the Eucharist as central to their lives. They are faithful to the teachings of the Church and believe in a collaborative vision of ministry where the gifts and talents of all are affirmed and respected. They love people and love their ministries.

For those of us who have chosen a career as a professional catechetical or youth ministry leader, it has been "the ride of a lifetime."

Today, a national concern has risen that is being felt in our own Diocese: a growing shortage of qualified and formed catechetical and youth ministry leaders. The first and second wave of post-Vatican II ministers are retiring, and the need for professional catechetical and youth ministry leaders has increased.

I believe that God is calling enough laborers for all the vineyards. Our staff has determined that our ministry needs better marketing and public relations. Many people do not know what a catechetical leader or youth minister does all day...and all year. We have kept our light under a basket; the ministry we love is largely unknown by the Diocese as a whole.

So what do parish catechetical and youth ministry leaders do all day? They are primarily adult educators who work with catechists, parents, parish staff and peers. Their highest priority is to recruit, train, support and form their catechists and youth ministry volunteers. They assist their catechetical team by reviewing, selecting and adapting catechetical materials to their own situations.

They plan, schedule, arrange and direct catechetical and youth ministry sessions, parents programs, sacramental celebrations, prayer experiences, retreats, and community-building events. They work collaboratively with the pastor, staff and other ministries in the parish. They ensure that the administrative and catechetical policies and processes of the Diocese are implemented.

They nurture their own faith through liturgy, prayer, reading, retreats and sharing with their own peer group. They attend many meetings in their parish, deanery and Diocese. They communicate with the parish through meetings, phone, e-mail and correspondence. They work with love and joy to build the reign of God.

The qualifications to explore this ministry include:

* A vibrant faith and desire to grow in relationship with Jesus;

* Faithfulness to the teachings of our Church;

* A commitment to the primacy of the Eucharist and liturgy as central to one's life;

* The ability to genuinely love people;

* The ability to be collaborative, open and flexible;

* A sense of humor;

* A willingness to gain the skills, knowledge and aptitudes for this ministry through on-going formation and networking with others:

* The ability to work flexible hours, some evenings and weekends;

* The ability to be welcoming and hospitable;

* A desire to share the Good News of Jesus with all you meet.

Our office invites each person in our Diocese to prayerfully consider if you are being "called by name" to be a catechetical or youth ministry leader or if you know somebody with the gifts to be this leadership person in our Church.

Our staff welcomes your questions and interest, and would love to assist you in exploring this ministry as a future option in your life. Our office can form new ministers through training and mentoring, and offers on-going support and resourcing.

In the weeks and months ahead, look for a new publicity and marketing campaign from our office. We ask the readers of The Evangelist to pray for vocations to this ministry, and to assist family members and friends to discern if God is calling them or you to catechetical or youth ministry leadership.

And if our marketing plan is successful, catechetical and youth ministry leaders will certainly be featured in the next edition of Richard Scarry's book.

(Jeanne Schrempf is director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. It can be reached by calling 453-6630.)

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