8/2/2019 A Catechist is--For New Catechists

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A CATECHIST(Catechist expectations on other side)

A catechist is faith, hope, and love attached to arms and legs, aches and pains,family duties and not enough time.

A catechist is an ordinary person who is extraordinary because he or sheteaches as Jesus did.

A catechist is faithful to the past, open to the future, but especially dedicatedto deepening the faith of the present generation.

From the poem A Catechist Is by Msgr. John Francis Murphy

The following are personal traits of one who may be called to be a catechist:

an active faith life expressed in the worshipping community;

an interest and concern about peoples growth in faith;

an ability to relate well with others;

an integration of prayer into ones personal life;

a willingness to be of service to the Church;

a sense of humor and flexibility.

In addition to these personal traits,a catechist needs above all the quality of a mature, articulate faith.

It is essential that catechists take time tolearn more about the faith they want toshare and about the art of sharing itpersonally and effectively. The responseto the call of being a catechist includeswillingness to give time and talent, notonly to catechizing others, but to ones owncontinued growth in faith andunderstanding.

Learning and teaching information is notan adequate description of the catechetical

process. It is not just teaching andlearning content, but teaching and learninga faith-filled way of life. Catechesis isabout conversion and living out thatconversion. It goes beyond handing on abody of truths.

Becoming a catechist is not a matter oflearning how to do something TO thestudent; nor is it learning how to dosomething FOR the student. Rather, it islearning how to do something WITH thestudent. The emphasis is on relationship.The catechist is seen as a witness to and aprophet of the message communicated.

Catechists, like most people, need to bewanted. They want to be helpful. Theyhave found something valuable, and they

want to share it. However, one mustremember that faith grows as eachindividual freely accepts or rejects Godsinvitation to grow. Catechists cannotsimply tell students what to do orstereotype them. Growth in faith cannotbe programmed. It is a delicate flower, amystery with its own unique rhythm andsurprising path of enlightenment.

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(from Sharing the Light of Faith, NationalCatechetical Directory for Catholics of theUnited States)

As catechists participate in thecatechetical ministry, their religious liveswill be intensified and they will findthemselves growing in the qualitiesneeded for successful ministry to others. Itis these human and Christian qualities ofcatechists, more than their methods andtools, upon which the success of catechesisdepends.

Response to a Call:The response to this call, which

comes from the Lord, includes willingnessto give time and talent, not only tocatechizing others, but to ones owncontinued growth in faith and

understanding.

Witness to the Gospel:For catechesis to be effective, the

catechist must be fully committed to JesusChrist. Faith must be shared withconviction, joy, love, enthusiasm, andhope. This is possible only when thecatechist believes in the Gospel and itspower to transform lives. To give witnessto the Gospel, the catechist must establisha living, ever-deepening relationship withthe Lord. He or she must be a person of

prayer, one who frequently reflects on theScriptures and whose Christ-like livingtestifies to deep faith. Only men andwomen of faith can share faith with others,preparing the setting within which peoplecan respond in faith to Gods grace.

Commitment to Church:One who exercises the ministry of

the Word represents the Church to whichthe Word has been entrusted. Thecatechist believes in the Church and isaware that, as a pilgrim people, it is inconstant need of renewal. Committed tothis visible community, the catechiststrives to be an instrument of the Lordspower and a sign of the Spirits presence.

The catechist realizes that it isChrists message which he or she is calledto proclaim. To insure fidelity to thatmessage, catechists test and validate theirunderstanding and insights in the light of

the Gospel message as presented by theteaching authority of the Church.

Sharer in Community:The catechist is called to foster

community as one who has learned themeaning of community by experiencing

it. Community is formed in many ways.Beginning with acceptance of individualstrengths and weaknesses, it progresses torelationships based on shared goals andvalues. It grows through discussion,recreation, cooperation on projects, and thelike.

Christian community is fosteredespecially by the Eucharist, which is atonce sign of community and cause of itsgrowth. The catechist needs to experiencethis unity through frequent participation

in the celebration of the Eucharist withother catechists and with those beingcatechized.

Catec h is t Expec ta t ions :

A Catechist is a role model of Catholic

teachings and values. In addition

catechists are expected:

to make a good faith commitment forthe school year

to work as a team with co-catechist

to work as a team with other membersof the religious education team, withthe pastoral staff, and with parents

to have good attendance with anearnest effort at securing a substitutefrom the substitute list and timelynotification of co-catechist andDRE when absent

to make a good faith commitment toknow the catechetical guidelines atGood Shepherd and to follow them

to follow the catechetical program

to pray for your students, theirfamilies, and your ministry.