Took
place July
15 to 20 in Sydney. Over 200 Chicagoans joined 200,000 pilgrims. Click the logo
to find a follow-up of the event.
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What is a Catechist? Who is the
Catechist?
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Catechists are those who
are called to serve through teaching, witness, prayer, service and building community.
Catechists minister to adults, youth and children in a variety of locations and programs:
parish faith formation & religious education programs, youth ministry programs,
sacramental preparation, RCIA, family programs, Scripture study, and more. Through word
and example, catechists teach the Catholic faith and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. |
| Catechists have a
vocation...a calling from the Lord rooted in Baptism to carry out His mandate to teach the
Gospel. The General Directory for Catechesis tells us that "The Church
awakens and discerns this divine vocation and confers the mission to catechize. The Lord
Jesus invites men and women, in a special way, to follow him, teacher and formator of
disciples." (GDC 231) |
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The call and response to
become a catechist is recognized in the local Church by the bishop. The response to this
call includes willingness to give one's time and talent, not only to catechizing others,
but to one's own growth and understanding of the faith. The call to this ministry often
comes through the pastor, catechetical leader, youth minister, pastoral associate, or
another catechist. |
| Catechists must possess
and exhibit qualities or characteristics necessary to give credible witness to the Gospel.
A catechist must: be a model of Catholic Christian faith and lifestyle; participate in the
spiritual, theological, and methodological training and formation provided by the
Archdiocese of Chicago; know and abide by the parish and/or diocesan guidelines and
policies promoting effective catechesis; and give sufficient preparation time for the
catechetical task |
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If you are interested in becoming a catechist of children,
youth, or adults, contact your pastor or catechetical leader (director of religious
education) at your parish or contact the Office for Catechesis to learn about training for catechists.
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