Getting to know

It is easy for a Catholic Mom or Dad, or aunt or uncle or family friend, to watch a child proceed through the stages of their religious upbringing. 

First the Baptism with the water and cries and beaming relatives, then the years of coloring books and squirming in the pew at Mass. Religion lessons at or after school commence and soon the child marches proudly up the center aisle for First Communion. More faith formation follows with the service projects of teen years. 

Then, however, there comes the disturbing moment at the dinner table when you refer to one of the Ten Commandments and it draws a blank. Oh, and what about the seven deadly sins, or the cardinal and theological virtues? Maybe they don’t even understand the Mass or the Consecration. 

Granted, not all of us could readily answer those questions. But most observers detect a thinning of the knowledge of Catholic belief and practice as recent generations pass.
Parents who were raised Catholic in a more dogmatic time, so to speak, may assume that their kids are learning the lessons that were taught so thoroughly years ago.
Many parents attended Catholic schools but now send their offspring to weekly religious education or faith formation.

When we do that, it’s important to remember that the primary teacher in a child’s life is a parent or guardian. At least in terms of religion, this job may fall to a god-parent or grandparent or family friend. 

The Generations of Faith program, popular for faith formation in parishes, can help in this regard. In it, young, old and those in between share lessons and learning.
If our children receive instruction in weekly classes, our job remains. The job is still large if the children attend Catholic schools. 

Parents can best explain and demonstrate how to pray, to turn to God on a daily basis, to orient our lives with Christ’s message. Parents can lead them through the Catechism, the Bible and other materials. Parents can also introduce them to the other practices, such as the rosary or Holy Week services or charitable service that make up Catholic life. 

Parents are not the only ones nagged by the suspicion that the ball is being dropped during our lateral pass to next generation. 

A recent journal essay highlighted the gap in religious education between a young priest and an older peer. Basically, the younger cleric wished his early faith formation had more doctrine and less in the way of making collages. And the older wished for a less doctrinaire approach, one that beckoned an individual response from each student.
More of us could volunteer to be catechists. Not all are called or chosen; a class of distracted teens on a Monday night can defeat the best-intended teacher. If called, we will need instruction and training. The Diocese offers plenty of chances, as outlined in our pages on Catechetical Sunday. The rewards are many. 

One of our staffers at The Evangelist described it this way: “Being a catechist enriched my life and just the thought of bringing Jesus into the lives of kids made me feel good about myself. Showing them religion and through music, drama and crafts enabled me to show kids that religion touches every aspect of their lives.”

Finally, teaching the faith gives you an out from being a perfect Catholic. After all, those who can’t, preach.

(9/18/08)