Catechists are more than a volunteer because to be a catechist is a “calling”.  The Church sees the ministry of a catechist as an apostolate (the dictionary defines this word in two ways: 1. The office, or responsibilities of an apostle. And 2. A group of people that exists for the spreading of religious doctrine.). This is significant when we consider the importance of passing on the Catholic faith to our students.

The National Directory for Catechesis articulates 6 characteristics that are central to the spiritual life of a catechist (the italics indicate what the Directory says – Page 229):

1. A Love of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and of Christ’s Church, Our Holy Father, and God’s holy people.  Many in my parish are catechists because their child is in the class they teach and this may be true in your parish as well.  However, it is essential to help each catechist see that their authentic witness of the love they have for God, for His Church, the Holy Father and God’s people be evident in their lives. No knowledge, natural talent or charm as a catechist can replace a true love for God or the other people mentioned.

2. A coherence and authenticity of life that is characterized by their faithful practice of the faith in a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage, and joy. The true mark of a disciple is an authentic and genuine witness of life.  Do others see a spirit of faith, charity, hope, courage and joy in us? Pray for the grace to witness these virtues in your life.

3. Personal prayer and dedication to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Personal prayer is foundational to our spiritual lives.  It is essential to our spiritual life.  Through your personal encounter and experiences with God you will be able to draw your students into a deeper faith.  If they don’t see that it is personal for you then it won’t be personal for them. Also, a dedication to the evangelizing mission of the Church is the calling of every baptized follower of Christ. The Church exists to evangelize.  Evangelize what or who? The Good News of the Gospel Message to every soul in the world. The Church’s mission is to reveal God’s plan of salvation to everyone and to help them respond to God’s plan.  We ought to catechize our students with this in mind – that we are helping them know and experience God’s plan of salvation for them.

4. A missionary zeal by which they are fully convinced of the truth of the Catholic faith and enthusiastically proclaim it. Even if we are only missionaries within our own parish there is a great need to have the zeal of a missionary who is “fully convinced” of the truths of the Catholic faith and desires to pass that on with an enthusiasm. After all, our Faith is dynamic and we ought to be compelled to share it in all its fullness and beauty.

5. Active participation in their local parish community, especially by attendance at Sunday Eucharist. Even though it happens, it is hard to understand how anyone would be able to stand in front of their students week after week without participating in the life of the parish – especially at Sunday Mass. The Sunday liturgy is at the heart and center of the Christian life.

6. A devotion to Mary, the first disciple and the model of catechists, and to the Most Holy Eucharist, the source of nourishment for catechists. Look at the saints – all of them had a devotion to Mary and the Holy Eucharist. Mary is our model and the Eucharist is our spiritual food that truly sustains us.

Consider these 6 characteristics as you grow spiritually as a catechist.  Christ is calling you and the Holy Spirit is pouring out the graces you need to be the light of the world.

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Are there any key themes that should be a part of any classroom regardless of the topic of the day?  In 1973, the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in their document “Basic Teachings For Catholic Religious Education” spoke of three themes which should “carry through all religious education” (pg. 3).

1. The Importance of Prayer

“This teaching will take place through experiences of prayer, through the examples of prayer, and through the learning of common prayers(pg. 3).”  Consider focusing on the following:
a. The example of prayer (how is prayer modeled by the catechists)
b. learning common prayer (by memorization)
c. Experiences of prayer (opening and closing each session in prayer, praying the Scriptures, prayer services, intercessory prayer)

2. Participating in the Liturgy

The Bishops documents states, “Liturgy itself educates.  It teaches, it forms community, it forms the individual.  It makes possible worship of God and a social apostolate to men.  The Mass, the Church’s “great prayer,” is the highest, most noble form of the Church’s liturgy.  Effective instruction will therefore help every Christian participate actively in the Eucharistic celebration of his own witnessing faith community (pg. 4).”   Without  connecting students and adults to the liturgy we will struggle to draw people into participation and the very life of the Church.

3. Familiarity with the Holy Bible

At the heart of passing on the Faith is the use of the Scriptures.  The document goes on to say, “The Word of God is life giving.  It nourishes and inspires strengthens and sustains.  It is the primary source, with Tradition, of the Church teaching.”…The words of St. Paul should describe the Catholic students of religion: “From your infancy you have known the Sacred Scriptures, the sources of the wisdom which, through faith in Jesus Christ, leads to salvation (2 Tim. 3:15) (pg. 4-5).”  Using Scripture in the classroom to allow the students to become familiar with the Bible as well as showing them how God reveals His plan to us cannot be underestimated.

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Every catechist desires to grow in his/her ability to be a good communicator and witness of the Faith. Here are 10 skills that will contribute to anyone seeking to pass on the faith and engage the students you are ministering to.

1. Planning Good Lessons - Taking the time to plan your lesson is one of the best gauges of weather your lesson will be successful or not.

2. Leading Prayer Experiences – Helping lead children in pray is a sure way of getting them not only to hear and know “about” God but also to encounter Him.

3. Communicating Effectively – It is important to find ways to communicate to students effectively. Often in our educational environment in the U.S. kids seem to allow very little to go from what they are hearing to what they are actually processing and actually comprehending.  Catechists need to communicate in a way that engages students.

4. Involving Children – The more you involve your students the more engaged they will be and the more they will enjoy their Religious Education experience.  Lecturing or reading from the text alone will not draw the students into the truths and message that you as a catechist are trying to communicate.  At the heart of our message is a person – Christ.

5. Establishing Discipline – Either you discipline the kids or they discipline you. In today’s class environment students that distract draw their classmates attention away from the lesson and onto the themselves.  Classroom time is very valuable and there is no time for students who seek to distract you (the catechist) or the other students from the precious little time you have with your students each week.

6. Using A Variety of Teaching Methods – one week break your students into small groups, another week have them work individually, and another week ask for volunteers, etc… Also, use different ways or means to communicate your message (art, video, music, illustrations to name a few).

7. Asking Questions Properly- if you ask questions that require yes or no answers that is all you will get.  Ask questions that will draw more out of your students and that will draw the students deeper into the subject at had.  Sometimes the very questions that are asked actually distract from the main points you want to make because students begin to share various experiences that don’t help focus on the lesson.

8. Leading Good Discussions – depending on the age discussion has the potential to really help students not only think and absorb what they are learning about but also to draw more out of them because they desire to share. It is not that they don’t have something to share.   It could be that they are not receiving the right questions that will draw them out and allow them to share.

9. Offering Children Positive Feedback – St. Paul said “Encourage one another while it is still today” (Heb. 3:13). Students desire to be encouraged in their lives. It is no different when it comes to their faith.  The only requirement is that you are authentic in your encouragement.

10. Working Well with the Text – The textbook is only a tool. It is not the crux of your lesson.  You as the catechist are the primary communicator, not the textbook.  You are the primary witness and messenger of the Good News, not the textbook or the video you show, or the activity you have your students participate in but you are the one who brings it together so that the students are able to grow in their knowledge of the faith and their relationship with God.  Yes the textbook can be a good guide for what you are going to cover but it should never be the sole thing you depend on to teach your students (I only recommend very small doses of reading out of the textbook).

This was previosly posted on www.catechesisinthethirdmillennium.wordpress.com

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The effective catechist (previously posted on my blog entitled “The Ideal Catechist”) is first and foremost a witness of Christ.  He/She seeks to authentically transmit the truths of the Faith to others by modeling Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through them. Here are a few characteristics (in no particular order) that an effective catechist in a parish would seek to live out in their ministry as catechists.

1. Be active in the community where they serve.

2. Be committed to this apostolate (defined as an association of persons dedicated to the propagation of a religion or a doctrine).  It is more than merely volunteering.

3. Be enthusiastic about the Catholic Faith.

4. Be flexible to allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.

5. Have a growing knowledge of Scripture and Tradition (be immersed in growing in your faith).

6. Love those you are sharing the Faith with.

7. Be patient (meeting the students where they are at).

8. Be a person of prayer (don’t underestimate the power of praying for your students and your ministry as a catechist).

9. Be punctual: Teaching the next generation the importance of being on time is very valuable.

10. Be self-assured: Be sure of what you have prepared and trust the Holy Spirit to lead you.

11. Have a sense of humor – joy and laughter opens others up to the message you are proclaiming.

12. Have a willingness to be a team player – none of use does it on our own – we can always learn from others.

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“Catechesis aims to bring about in the believer an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of his person and message, and a firm commitment to follow him.” (National Directory for Catechesis No. 19A)

Recently I was listening to a presentation about recruiting, training and forming volunteers.  The presenter, Bill Keimig, made some great points about the need to distinguish between catechist training and catechist formation.  He shared some interesting insights regarding the importance of leading catechists to being spiritually formed, i.e., our spiritual lives.  It is imperative that catechists have a foundation in the spiritual life if they are going to help make saints in the classroom.  Seeking to help students be saints is seeking to bring them to what Bill Keimig calls, “The joy of relationship”.  First and foremost the catechist must have a desire to grow in relationship with Christ.  It is also the aim of the catechist to foster a desire in students for this joy of relationship with God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.   The more we focus on it in our own lives the more students and those around us will see Christ working in and through us.  Granted it is the parents primary role to instill this desire in their children, but DRE’s and catechists must also foster this.

Please do not misunderstand, catechist training is very important.  Knowledge of the faith enables us to draw the students into the mystery of Christ and God’s plan of salvation.  Catechists who are seeking to grow in their spiritual lives and seeking to be formed in their spiritual lives are going to succeed more than those who have great skills and tricks of the trade to make their classes fun and interactive.  The more we can engage students the better, however at the heart and center of our mission as catechists is drawing our students into that joy and love of relationship with Christ.

As we begin this new year, together let us resolve as St. Maria Mazarello did to “make up our minds to become saints”.  Together with God’s grace and life in us we can do great things this year!  May God be with each one of you!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments: woleary@kcascension.org

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