Directory for Catechesis highlights multiple roles of a catechist

Within each of the parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen can be found a group of unsung volunteers that quietly carries on the work of helping to form the future of the Church.  These volunteers bring a vast array of life experiences to their ministry and were called to ministry in a multitude of ways and for a multitude of reasons.  These noble volunteers are our parish catechists.

The Directory of Catechesis, developed by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization and approved by Pope Francis on March 23, 2020, highlights several roles taken on by each parish catechist.  Taking a brief look at some of these roles sheds light on the importance of this ministry and the profound influence that a parish catechist can have in the life of a child, especially if the parish catechist is the child’s primary connection to the faith.

The parish catechist is “a witness of faith and keeper of the memory of God.”  The living witness to the Gospel that is evident to the children in the person of the parish catechist is priceless. Nothing gives a parish catechist more credibility than when a student observes the catechist attending and engaging in the Mass, waiting in line for Reconciliation, or quietly praying.  The kindness and compassion of a parish catechist can also serve to introduce children to the love of Jesus, especially if the life of the child is difficult.  Children also appreciate when parish catechists share of themselves in the classroom with stories and examples that reveal the lived faith in the lives of the catechists.  As a “keeper of the memory of God”, when the parish catechist communicates the faith, the “memory of God’s history with humanity” is revealed.  This perspective illumes the incredible responsibility of the parish catechist and emphasizes that, even with the availability of a multitude of modern teaching tools, it is the person of the faith-filled parish catechist that is most important when communicating the person of Jesus to children.

The parish catechist is also a “teacher and mystagogue,” who not only transmits the mystery of the faith, but is also tasked with leading the children into this great mystery. As explained in the beginning section of the Directory for Catechesis, catechesis “does not only concern the mind, but also the body and above all the heart.”  The parish catechist is charged with engaging the children in doctrine, liturgy, prayer, morality, and community life to prepare them for and lead them to an encounter with Christ.  This requires a healthy and robust knowledge and experience of the faith and is no small endeavor!

The parish catechist is also called to be an “accompanier and educator” who considers each individual child in the classroom and crafts the presentation of the faith in a manner that considers the particular needs of each child.  While tuning the catechetical experience to age, maturity, learning differences, and experience in the faith, there is a need to be an “expert in humanity” such that the catechist can make the Gospel message relatable to each child in a particular way that turns each heart and mind to Jesus.  Given the multitude of challenges and distractions in the lives of children today, the complexity of this challenge cannot be understated!

As the catechetical year proceeds, and our parish Religious Education programs buzz with activity, let us not forget to pray for our parish catechists, who give so much of themselves in service to the Church.  Let us hope that they never lose heart in times of great challenge and that they always embrace the opportunity to be instruments who lead children to Jesus.

St. Gregory the Great, patron saint of catechists, pray for us!

Jill Kerekes serves as diocesan director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children.