Catechetical Sunday

09-15-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Catechetical Sunday

This weekend, the Church celebrates Catechetical Sunday when all those who serve in Religious Education and Formation Programs are blessed and commissioned for their ministry. The theme for Catechetical Sunday this year is “Stay with Us.” We are blessed with 56 volunteer Catechists in our parish. Last week, I was so excited to see our children and Catechists when I visited the classes to welcome them back to the 2019/20 RE program. I thank all of our Catechists for responding to God’s call to serve our parish community through their ministry. Let us give them our support as they help our children and teens grow in their faith. The following Q & A from the US Bishops Conference website might help to clarify some of the questions you might have concerning Catechetical Sunday.

Why do we celebrate Catechetical Sunday?

In 1935, the Vatican published “On the Better Care and Promotion of Catechetical Education,” a document that asks every country to acknowledge the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who serve the Christian community as catechists. For the fi rst few years after Catechetical Sunday was established, national catechetical congresses were held in conjunction with the celebration. Beginning in 1971, the USCCB’s Department of Education began producing materials to help parishes celebrate the event at the local level. When the Committee on Catechesis (now named the Committee of Evangelization and Catechesis), was named by the Conference as a standing committee, it continued to publish Catechetical Sunday materials each year. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the third Sunday in September as Catechetical Sunday.

What does the word “Catechetical”mean?

The word might be more familiar than you think. Many Catholics have used the word “catechism” for years, and they know it has something to do with the compendium of the Church’s teachings. The root word, “catechesis,” is from a Greek word meaning “to echo” or “resound.” Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church’s teachings to the world. A Catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church.

Why do we have a special day set aside to commission catechists?

Catechesis is a distinct and special ministry in the Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes clear, “Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church’s life . . . her inner growth and correspondence with God’s plan depend essentially on catechesis” (no. 7). This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others.

How are parents, the primary catechists of their children, recognized on Catechetical Sunday?

Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. On Catechetical Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools, but we also commend parents and guardians, encouraging them to take seriously their role of making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation. This is why the rite of blessing of catechists used on Catechetical Sunday includes an optional blessing of parents and guardians.

Thank you and Remain Blessed.

Fr. James