Catechesis is evolving into much broader process

So said Rev. Richard Malone, secretary for education for the Archdiocese of Boston, at a recent Albany diocesan in-service day, hosted by the Office of Religious Education and the Office of Continuing Education for Clergy.

The meeting, which was attended by 170 priests, parish life directors, catechetical leaders, youth ministers and Catholic school personnel, focused on the Vatican-produced GDC, a guide for bishops and others responsible for catechesis.

Changes ahead

* Linking catechesis with evangelization so that catechesis is seen as a moment in evangelization,

* Viewing faith formation as a life-long process, not something that ends at Confirmation or graduation from Catholic school,

* Having catechists look at the culture people are living in to better understand the faith formation needs of the people, and

* Helping catechists see their ministry as a vocation, not just another volunteer commitment.

Soil analysis

"Before you think about sowing the seed, you need to analyze the soil," he said. "The preacher should approach life with Scripture in one hand and the newspaper in the other. The task of catechesis is to help people come to a theological reading of modern problems."

While the Church in the past has focused its catechetical efforts on children, Father Malone said the primary focus should be on adults. But he emphasized that lectures are not enough.

"When we put all of our eggs in the basket of an adult education lecture series, we're not doing what we should," he explained. "We need to look creatively and freely at every area of parish life to see places where catechesis fits in."

Mission of all

"Everybody has to get on board with this," he explained. "Turf issues have to go away. It's the responsibility of the whole faith community. The work is not limited to time for formal catechesis. It's the words to the songs we sing at Mass; it's the way people are greeted."

Hospitality plays an important role in a parish's catechetical efforts. Some in-service participants pointed out that when a non-Christian wants to be baptized, the Church welcomes them with open arms. However, when baptized Catholics come forward wanting their child baptized or seeking marriage, parishes are quick to ask, "Are you registered?"

Priorities

According to participants, the challenges include: reaching out to those who say they are Catholic but don't attend Mass, hospitality, helping people see that catechesis is a life-long process, helping catechists see their ministry as a vocation, providing initial and ongoing formation opportunities, empowerment of creative leadership, teaching non-Catholic and unchurched students in Catholic schools, providing faith formation opportunities to diverse Catholic school faculties, helping those in school ministry see the central mission of catechesis and evangelization, and offering family centered and inter-generational opportunities for formation.

Participants said they are ready to face those challenges. For example, Maureen Joy, catechetical leader at the Church of the Holy Cross in Morris, said, "I'm going home with increased hope and a broadened vision. There are real challenges, but we all share the same challenges."

JoAnn Stankavage, religious education associate at St. Mary's parish in Oneonta, said the challenge of ongoing catechist formation is "a large one. It's humbling to think about providing catechist formation. But this has always been the case. Now we have the Pope and bishops telling us this is what we must do. They're supporting the work we've been doing all this time."

Parents' role

"The challenge is how to get the people in the parish to understand," explained Mary Mulligan of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Gloversville. "How do we get parents to be part of their child's religious education and part of the parish?"

Rev. Thomas Krupa, pastor of Sacred Heart in Castleton, is convinced the challenges aren't insurmountable. "I'm very positive these things will happen," he said. "If we constantly take baby steps, it will happen. I'm very encouraged by the wonderful response today."

(04-08-99) [[In-content Ad]]