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Welcome to the Ministry of the Catechist
No methodology, no matter how well tested, can dispense with the person of the catechist in every
phase of the catechetical process. The charisma given to him by the Spirit, a solid spirituality and
transparent witness of life, constitutes the soul of every method."
General Directory for Catechesis #156
Who is the Catechist?
Catechists are those who are called to serve through teaching, witness, prayer, service and building community. Catechists minister to adults, youth and children in a variety of locations and programs: parish faith formation programs, Catholic schools, youth ministry programs, sacramental preparation, Christian initiation programs, family programs, and ministry formation programs (Section III). The Vatican document The Catholic School also addresses this topic when it says:
Helping others to encounter and accept Jesus, that is to turn from sin and to begin to live one’s life as His Children, depends not so much on subject matter, nor on our methodology, but on Jesus’ message itself as it is witnessed in the people who teach and minister to youth. The effectiveness and extent to which the basic Christian message is transmitted through ordered, systematic catechesis depends a great deal on catechists and leaders…. The decisive task to which catechetical personnel are called demands that in following in the life and footsteps of Jesus, the Teacher, they reveal His “Good News” not only by every word but also by every deed and gesture, their very lives. this constitutes the difference between a parish or school catechetical program which is permeated by the Holy Spirit and one whose religious education is merely regarded as a kind of academic subject like any other
"ideal qualities for which all catechists should strive": Catechists…
- respond to a call;
- witness to the gospel;
- as a minister of the Word they are committed to the Church;
- foster community;
- are servants of the community; and
- must have certain knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully carry out their ministry.
Parish catechists, many of whom are volunteers, may be engaged in catechizing
adults, young people, children or those with special needs. Theirs is a
particular way of carrying out the promise the Church makes at every Baptism: to
support, pray for, and instruct the baptized and foster their growth in faith.
Their fundamental tasks are to proclaim Christ’s message, to participate in
efforts to develop community, to lead people to worship, and to motivate them to
serve others” (Sharing the Light of Faith, 213).
Responsibilities of the Catechist
A catechist must be willing to accept and fulfill to the best of his or her
ability the following responsibilities associated with the catechetical
ministry:
- to be a model of Catholic Christian faith and lifestyle;
- to participate in the spiritual, theological and methodological training
provided by parish and diocesan formation and certification programs.
- to know and abide by the parish, Catholic school, and/or diocesan guidelines and
policies for promoting effective catechesis;
- to give sufficient preparation time for the catechetical task;
- to contribute to and support, by one's presence, a spirit of community with
other catechists, and the people whom one catechizes.
It is the responsibility of the pastor and those in parish/school leadership to
invite catechists to understand this and take ownership of their
responsibilities and to hold catechists accountable for them.