Being a catechist, according to Pope Francis, is a “vocation to the service of the Church, [the faith that] has been received as a gift from the Lord, must in time be transmitted.”
The Holy Father also emphasized the importance of returning to that gift, which was the “first announcement or ‘kerygma’ (*) that changed the catechist’s life.” This announcement has to accompany the faith that is already present in the “religiosity of our people.”
A catechist, Pope Francis continues, “walks from and with Christ,” and she or he cannot be a person who starts from her or his own ideas and tastes, but from Jesus.
That's why many parishes today call Catechetical Ministry with a new name: Faith Formation - not Religious Education or CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), referring to an association established in Rome in 1562 for the purpose of religious education.
As of Dec. 31, 2015, there were 3.1 million catechists in the world, a surge from 173,000 catechists in 1978.
(*) Kerygma (from the Greek "keryssein") refers to the initial and essential proclamation of the gospel message. The word appears nine times in the New Testament. It is the very heart of the gospel, the core message of the Christian faith that all believers are call to proclaim.
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Youth Faith Formation
It’s not only about “teaching” children; it’s also about supporting this ministry (hospitality, technology,…). You can also help even if you’re busy (monthly, as needed). For more info, contact Sharlene.Pereira@dsj.org.
Christian Initiation of Adults
You may want to join a team of catechists to guide adults in their journey to Christ, to be welcomed to the Catholic Church with the initiation sacraments. For more details, call 408-725-3939 and leave a message for Arlene & Tony.
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