Catechists now seen as people with a vocation

"There's a difference in the mindset," said Sister Patricia Conron, CSJ, associate director: catechist formation for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC).

Both the Vatican's "General Directory for Catechesis" and the New York State bishops' document, "The Catechist in the Third Millennium: Call, Mission and Formation," see the catechist as having a vocation.

Calling

Those who are called to this vocation, the bishops write, possess compassion and kindness, common sense, a sense of humor, an open and understanding heart, and a sense of self-worth.

In addition, Sister Patricia said, catechists must be flexible and patient, and have good communication skills and a spirituality that reflects a personal relationship with God.

Adults and children

"Once I recognize that this is my formal vocation," she said, "I may teach for a time and then take time to further my own formation. Then I may work with adults, moving to a different way of expressing my vocation as a catechist."

It's important for people to know that the call to be a catechist doesn't necessarily mean working with children. At Our Lady of Grace Church in Ballston Lake, for example, those who work with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), youth ministers and those who present the children's liturgy of the word are catechists.

"A lot of people are surprised by this," said Mary Salm, pastoral associate for faith formation. "They don't recognize this as catechesis."

Called

Those who think they might be called to this vocation but have reservations have opportunities to learn more.

"I encourage them to be a catechist aide," Ms. Salm said. "A lot of people are comfortable in the classroom but not being the presenter." After serving as a catechist aide, such people may gain the confidence to go ahead and become a catechist, she said.

Training

Catechist certification programs are easy to fit into a busy schedule, she noted. Basic certification requires attending four two-hour courses. The OEC offers a basic certification retreat that provides all of the course work in a one-day retreat setting. Eleven basic retreats will be offered in various parts of the Diocese this fall (see box on page 14).

Catechists at Our Lady of Grace have opportunities to participate in cluster and deanery certification as well, Ms. Salm said. In addition, there are videos that can be used for formation.

While parishioners benefit greatly from the ministry of catechists, catechists also gain from the experience.

"It is one of the greatest ministries of the Church," Sister Patricia said. "It is an opportunity to partner with parents in sharing faith. Catechists also greatly enrich their own faith and relationship with God. They get to interact with wonderful folks, and there is the satisfaction in knowing they are responding 'yes' to God's call."

(09-16-99) [[In-content Ad]]