September 16, 2007

     This weekend we celebrate Catechetical Sunday.  This is the Sunday where we take the time to recognize the members of our parish who have selflessly accepted the responsibility of teaching the children of our parish.  The ministry of teaching is an important one since it helps to form the minds and hearts of children as they mature in the Christian Faith.

    This Sunday is also a time for all of us to consider our own calling with respect to Christian Formation.  Not all of us are called to teach children in groups but we are all called to help individual children and one another as we journey through life, seeking the truth and attempting to live a life of Faith.  We all know that this vocation is not easy.  We need a tremendous amount of Courage and Strength to remain faithful to the call.  We also need much support from others on the way. 

    This year’s theme for Catechetical Sunday is “Catechesis: Encountering the Living Christ”  It serves as a call to all of us to be open to meeting Christ in our everyday lives and to be a means for others to meet Christ through us.  This theme certainly challenges and inspires us to both be and do more that will help deepen and strengthen our relationship with Christ and with His living body, the Church.  The National Directory for Catechesis, the sources of this year’s theme, states that, “The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ. . .Catechesis is an essentially ecclesial act - an action of the Church.”  (#19B,C).  As the diocese takes the time to recognize, honor, and express its gratitude for the members of our parishes who have responded to their baptismal call to minister as catechists, let us also pray that our whole parish community may become more open to a clearer reflection of the Living Christ in our midst. (Taken fr. Sept. Issue of the Diocesan Newsletter)

    There are many things that could be said about a parish and its Christian Formation program.  The above paragraph tells us what we should be looking for in the best of all programs.  It goes without saying that parents, and indeed, the entire family system must be committed to their faith if any program is to succeed.  Hence the importance of the Generations of Faith.  Through this program we strive to involve all members of the family, not only on the Sundays when we meet but throughout the month with each “real life” activity that is associated with the theme of each year.

    Please take the time to reflect on your own calling in this ministry.  Take the time to pray for all who are involved with children and adults.  Live your lives in Faith and in Love.  And, above all, pray that we will have a successful year as we strive to become more intimate and in deeper communion with the God who loves us all.

                        Lorette P. Nault