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REFLECTION

In catechesis, we proclaim the Word of God

Each September on the third Sunday of the month, the Catholic Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday. Tradition-ally, this heralds the beginning of parish and school catechetical programs and the calling forth and commissioning of catechists for children, young people and adults.

Annually, the bishops of the United States announce a year-long theme and support this with prayers, blessings, ritual, art and resources. Until recently, the bishops took their annual theme from the liturgical readings of Catechetical Sunday. 

Two years ago, they decided to highlight an important doctrinal element of our faith. So the catechetical year theme for 2009-2010 is, "Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word."

Catechesis is a profound and rich word which people are beginning to use with more familiarity and comfort. Catechesis is a ministry of the Word. The sacred scriptures and the doctrinal foundations of our faith tradition need to be taught systematically and faithfully. Proclaiming the Word of God is a fundamental element of evangelization.

In breaking open the word "catechesis" with new catechetical leaders or catechists, I love to go back to its Greek roots and explain that the word means "to echo or reverberate." 

What we echo by our own words and witness is the original Word of God in this new place and in these new times. When one stands on a high peak of the Adirondacks and shouts a "hello" that bounces across hills and dales, it is not a new word, but the original word heard again and again. 

We who are catechists in the formal sense - or informally, as spouses, parents, friends, neighbors or peers in the workplace - have an awesome responsibility to be faithful sharers of God's Word and proclaim the love and wisdom of God.

Catechists who proclaim the Word of God to children and young people in parishes and schools, to adults in marriage and baptismal programs, to those exploring our faith traditions through the RCIA, and to those who welcome people back to the Church are among the most extraordinary and generous members of our faith communities. We owe them gratitude, support, assistance and prayer. 

But that alone does not really speak fully of our own responsibility. Each member of our faith community has a responsibility to proclaim God's Word in the unique context of his or her life. 

The role of all the baptized is to bring the person of Jesus Christ to the home, neighborhood, marketplace, and the wider world. 

We are all called to exercise this ministry by both word and witness as parents, teachers and professionals in any place where the human family gathers. 

If we embrace our call to proclaim that Word of God, it does mean taking the time to read, reflect, pray and study the Word. 

Twenty-first century life presents abundant opportunities: celebrating liturgy every weekend, listening attentively to the readings and homily, praying with Scripture, reading quality literature and periodicals, taking advantage of parish or diocesan adult faith formation opportunities, exploring the web, downloading books and articles on an iPod, online courses, and CDs and DVDs.

There is a rich buffet of opportunities to grow in our understanding of and skills in proclaiming the Word of God. We have really been presented an endless gift certificate.

In "The Prophetic Spirit of Catechesis," Sister Anne Marie Mongoven, OP, speaks of the catechist who proclaims the Word of God as both a bridge and a prophet. She writes that we announce what the Church has seen and heard in the past and invite those we catechize to open their eyes and ears to see and to hear what God has done and is doing now. 

If we do not accept the role of being bridge builders and those who speak for God in the everyday situations of life, how will God be known and embraced? 

It is a great honor to serve the catechetical and youth ministry leaders and catechists of this Diocese. Their faithful proclamation of the Word of God continues to be one of our greatest gifts and resources. May this year be filled with blessings for those who faithfully, humbly and generously proclaim the Word of God. 

(Jeanne D. Schrempf is director of the diocesan Office of Evangelization, Catechesis and Family Life.)

(09/17/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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