Dear Readers,

It’s good to be back after a busy summer away. I hope you’re all refreshed from your break time and excited about starting a new year of teaching the Faith in your homes, schools and parishes.

This month, I’m featuring an excerpt from my new catechetical booklet, “Be an Amazing Catechist: Sacramental Preparation,” the second in a series from Our Sunday Visitor. (The Spanish-Language version of my first booklet, “Be an Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children,” is also now available.) Here are some links to reviews of the new booklet, followed by an excerpt from the first chapter:

REVIEWS

Faith & Family’s Daria Sockey

Amazing Catechists’ own Christian LeBlanc

Catholic Vitamins’ Deacon Tom Fox (scroll down to second feature)

EXCERPT

Here I Am, Lord!

The catechist receives a call within a call.

“At the origin of the catechist’s vocation, therefore, apart from the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, there is a specific call from the Holy Spirit, a ‘special charism recognized by the Church’ and made explicit by the Bishop’s mandate. It is important for the catechist candidate to recognize the supernatural and ecclesial significance of this call, so as to be able to respond, like the Son of God, ‘Here I come’ (Heb 10:7), or, like the prophet, ‘Here I am, send me’ (Is 6:8).” (Guide for Catechists, p.4)

Answering the call of the Church to become a catechist – or to continue to persevere in the work you have already been doing – opens your life to a powerful outpouring of graces. We are not just deciding to embark on this journey with our students, but entering into a supernatural agreement with Christ Himself.

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
(1 Peter 2:9)

When, in humility, we genuinely open ourselves to the teachings of His holy Church, we find ourselves greatly blessed; because answering this particular call is no mere act of service. God does not call us only to teach, He calls us to Himself. He calls us to conversion.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Jesus Christ loves each of us so much, that if you alone existed on earth He still would have suffered and died to save you. Each one of our souls is precious to Him beyond measure. Before He created us, the Father saw each of us in His mind’s eye and loved us into being. Before our bodies took form, He had already called us to a purpose.

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

If you recognize this call within a call, and take each sacramental lesson and prayerfully apply it to your own life — a little at a time — Jesus Christ will transform your life in His glorious power.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:17-19)

God bless you!

Sincerely in Christ through Mary,

Lisa Mladinich
Founder, Amazing Catechists^TM