Catechists focus of statewide meeting

All of the state's bishops participated in the event, which was held in two locations -- Douglaston and Syracuse.

More than 160 directors of religious education, youth ministers, Catholic school principals and teachers from the Albany Diocese attended the Syracuse meeting.

Goals

* new catechetical ministers receive initial orientation and training before or during their first year of ministry,

* catechists participate in ongoing training and formation,

* catechists be certified or working toward certification according to the guidelines and processes of their own diocese, and

* parishes, schools and diocesan offices and agencies provide adequate staffing and resources to accomplish this goal of formation and certification.

Challenges

"All of us in leadership know how difficult it is to staff our programs," he said. "We must believe God is calling sufficient numbers for this ministry."

In an effort to find catechists, parishes in some places shied away from asking volunteers to participate in catechist formation programs. "Sometimes, in the past, we thought if we expected too much of our volunteers we would lose them," Bishop Hubbard said. "If we failed, it is because we asked too little."

He encouraged the development of creative catechist formation programs that would meet the needs of today's catechists who often have busy schedules. He also called for catechist formation to become a priority.

"Life is not the same as it was 30, 20, or even 10 years ago," he said. "If the faith we cherish is to be known and lived out, then catechists must be a priority."

Bishops' reports

* Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester highlighted the progress made in religious education programs across the state over the past ten years, including increased attention to parents as the primary educators of their children, the development of comprehensive youth ministry programs, the establishment of professional standards, growing adult faith formation programs, and the growth of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adult programs.

* Bishop Paul Loverde of the Ogdensburg Diocese said this new effort will build on the success of the past. "The goal of this new document is to ensure excellence in catechesis," he said. "Our parishes and schools will become alive with Jesus. We will become both evangelized and evangelizing."

* Bishop Henry Mansell of Buffalo spoke of the challenges of this new initiative. With more lay people taking on the roles of religious education director, principal and teacher, there is a need for pay increases and professionalism. "We know we're going to have more lay people doing more things," he said. "We must build up the leaven on the yeast that makes a difference."

Optimistic view

"It is a time of optimism despite -- or because of -- the challenges," she said.

Some areas where the Church must be stronger, Sister Maureen said, include seeing catechesis as a lifelong process, offering solid moral formation, offering better education about Church history and social justice, seeing the integral link between catechesis and liturgy, and having a sensitivity to the culture of the people.

She stressed that catechesis is a lifelong process. "It isn't over because one has received Confirmation," she said. "Formation doesn't end once you reach a certain level of certification."

Hopes

"This will be a great challenge, not just in New York State," he said. "My hope is that your effort here in New York will be matched many times over. Do not think you are asking too much of catechists. You cannot ask less.

"The energy and time given to training catechists has an enormous pay off," he said. "Alone, I can catechize some in my parish; but by training and forming catechists, I can do so much more."

For parishes, he said there is no greater priority than catechists. Well-formed catechists ensure the faithful handing on of the Faith.

(11-12-98) [[In-content Ad]]