Let the Little Children Come to Me
On the weekend of 10-11 February 2024 we celebrate Catechist Sunday. Please join in and celebrate the work of the catechists within our Parish.
The word of God nourishes both the teacher and those who are being instructed so that each one may continue to grow in his or her Christian life.
The ministry of the Word is a fundamental element of living our faith through all its stages, because it involves the proclamation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God
Why do we celebrate Catechist 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 honour those who serve the Christian community as catechists. The document fostered the concept of Catechist Sunday.
Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. Catechist Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in passing on their faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechist Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
What does the word “Catechist” mean?
The word might be more familiar than we think. Many Catholics have used the word "catechism" for years, and they know that it relates to the compendium of the teachings of the Church. The root word, "catechesis", is from a Greek word meaning "to echo, or resound". The act of catechesis is the bringing of the teachings of the Church 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?
The work of a Catechist 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 life of the Church - her inner growth and correspondence with God’s plan depend essentially on catechesis”. 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, recognised on Catechist Sunday?
Parents are truly the primary teachers of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. On Catechist Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools, but we also commend parents and guardians and encourage 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 Catechist Sunday includes an optional blessing of parents and guardians.