The role of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ.

Catechesis leads people to enter the mystery of Christ, to encounter him, and to discover themselves and the meaning of their lives. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in passing on the faith. Today we recognize those who are engaged in the ministry of religious formation; from those who work with the youngest children to those who are companions for adults seeking to know more about their faith. Catechetical Ministry is one of the ways in which we model generosity and gratitude. "The object of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. Catechesis leads people to enter the mystery of Christ, to encounter Him, and to discover themselves and the meaning of their lives in him." (National Directory of Catecheis. no. 19B) On January 12, 1935, the Congregation on religious education in Rome decreed: In order that the minds of the Christian people may be directed to religious instruction, let a Catechetical Day be established in each parish. On this day, let the Feast of Christian Doctrine be celebrated with as much solemnity as possible. And so on Catechetical Sunday this year, September 16, 2007, we celebrate and honor all the volunteers who so generously give of their time and talent to continue to hand on the faith of our Church. In Maine alone, that number is approximately 7,000 persons working with adults as well as children in initiation, baptismal preparation, marriage and religious education programs. Each year the Bishops Conference chooses a theme for our reflection and this year that theme is Encountering the Living Christ. What a beautiful thought for us to meditate on. Where do you meet the living Christ? In your family, friends, in school and at work? What about the hidden Christ in those persons we meet or see who are in need of help? Do you see Him there? And the stranger who appears and helps us in our need, is that Him? The main purpose of all Catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. As the National Directory of Catechesis says so well: At the heart of catechesis we find, in essence, a Person, the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. May this year be a special one for all those involved in this important ministry and may they in a very special way encounter Christ in all those they meet. Barbara A. Smith Diocesan Director, Office of Catechetics and Initiation At the Plenary Session in January 2005 the Bishops of the South African Catholic Bishops Conference agreed to institute one Sunday in the year as Catechetical Sunday. The date chosen for this year is today 17th Sunday of the year. The theme this diocese chose for the day is Catechesis: finding the hidden treasure in the Church.

The aim of Catechetical Sunday is threefold. 1. To bring to your awareness the Churchs approach to catechesis called for by Vatican 11, as outlined in the General Directory for Catechesis and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. All are called by God to mature in the faith; therefore catechesis is for the whole community and for every person in it.

2. To highlight the purpose of catechesis as being for Initiation into, belonging to and involvement in the Catholic community. Catechesis is a task involving: knowledge of the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church, moral formation, prayer, education in the liturgy, and it is for active participation in the life of the Church. The reception of the Sacraments, Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation and Confirmation are highlights on that journey of formation, however, it does not end there. Catechesis is meant to be a life long journey towards communion and intimacy with Jesus Christ, according to the General Directory for Catechesis. Formation is more than instructions in preparation for the Sacraments it is a kind of apprenticeship of the entire Christian life, it promotes a following of the Person of Jesus Christ, in such a way that the person is enriched at a deep level so that s/he can become a disciple of Christ, professing faith in him from the heart. This catechesis and faith formation lays down the basis on which the person will follow Christ and the journey continues for the whole of life based on conversion and nourished by the reception of the sacraments.

3. Faith-formation and catechesis involves the whole community and as a journey of Initiation is one of the best ways of building up strong Christian and Catholic individuals and communities, states Cardinal Napier in the introduction to the Pastoral Statement on Catechesis 2003. As parish communities we know that we are a nucleus of the universal church. It is here that Christians are born into the faith, educated in it, live it and celebrate it. The parish community supports the adults, youth and children who are being prepared to be fully initiated into the Church. It is in the parish we become aware of being the people of God in a particular way. As adults in the parish we have a responsibility and are encouraged to develop our faith, it springs from the seed of faith that is planted within and which hopes to mature as the adult grows in age and responsibility. Only in becoming adults in the faith can we always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that you all have (1 Peter 3:15), and fulfil our duties towards others in all spheres of life as is required by the vocation given to each in baptism. The adult Catholic Christian is like the leaven introducing and witnessing to the values of the Kingdom of God, and demonstrating the beauty and liberating power desired by Jesus Christ (Adult Catechesis in the Christian Community). In the parish community the adults

have a special role to play as role models for young people who need to be confronted with and challenged by the faith of adults. Parents and families are the primary educators of your children; you receive this grace in the sacrament of Marriage. Parents are the first communicators of the faith you do so by word and by example. You bear witness to good human and Christian values in the home, you teach moral formation by helping to form the consciences of your children. In the home the first steps of prayer are taught. As parents it is good to take an interest in all your child is being taught in the school and the parish, including the religious formation of your child. As parents take responsibility for the faith development of your children and youth and do not pass over the full responsibility of it to catechists or catholic schools. Grandparents have a direct role to play very often nowadays in the family. The young adults of our communities continue to grow in understanding of our rich Christian heritage. You give witness to and support the youth who are in the parish who look to you for direction and example. Faith-formation and catechesis is not the prerogative just of the catechists who willingly give of their talents and time each week to catechize the children and youth. They are fulfilling a special role, which flows from their baptism. Catechists are sowers of the Word of God, they work to plant it in the hearts of those they catechize, they lead them to say yes to following Christ as his disciples. The catechists of children and youth need the support of parents and families in this task. My brother priests, I invite you as the chief catechist in your parish to encourage this initiative by walking with your people on their journey of faith; my dear people I encourage you to be open and to accept a greater responsibility for faith formation and catechesis in the on-going journey of faith of each one in the parish. I your Bishop Buti Tlhagale, commit myself to ensuring that catechesis is a priority in this diocese. Yours sincerely in Him.