Hug a Catechist for Lent
Very few catechists command the instant respect of a Scott Hahn or a Marcus Grodi. Most of them are ordinary people with ordinary lives and an extraordinary love of their faith.
The lay catechists in our parishes are seldom afforded the respect and admiration they deserve. In today’s church, when obedience has become a rather rare commodity, the laity fails to understand the authority of the catechist. The parish priest who has chosen this person for the position gives this authority. Their authority is not the same as the priest, whose authority is not the same as the Bishops, and so on. But they do have a position of authority.
Often they are marginalized and ignored. In many cases outright animosity is often the reward for teaching the truths of the faith. Just let their audience hear something they don’t want to hear and they run to the pastor. If the catechist is lucky, the pastor will defend them, assuming, of course, the correct thing was taught.
They also struggle with the issue of “familiarity.” It’s just so-and-so from down the street. What do they know or who do they think they are? I’m guessing that Peter Kreeft is just plain old Pete in his own parish.
Pope Benedict had this to say on February 8 concerning catechists:
"They undoubtedly deserve the gratitude, encouragement, and constant attention of their pastors," he said, "so they always systematically receive a solid Christian formation, taking into account as well that they are called to carry Christian values into the various areas of society: the world of work, of civil society and of politics."
To honor the catechists who give of their time and talent, I’m declaring this Lent a time to hug a catechist. Next time you see a good catechist, thank them for the job they do. It’s much harder than you think it is.
11 comments:
As a parish catechist myself, I must thank you for posting this.
Thank you.
I am very grateful to those dedicated souls who, for usually no pay and little thanks, give up their time to help teach our kids about their faith.
Aren't you a catechist? I can't be there to hug you (or the Critter) but a big *MUAH* for all the good work that you do:0)
BTW, I haven't forgotten about your meme. I just don't want to post it to soon after the last one I did.
Tom
(((HUGS))) to you Adrienne.
Ukok - hugs and thanks to you
Melody - it's always nice to hear someone actually appreciates the catechists.
Tom and Angela - I really wasn't hinting for hugs (although they are always welcome). It was mostly 'cause Adoro suffered so much before her class and I was just ripped a new one for informing someone about the Freemasons. It can be a dangerous job.
...and, Tom - believe it or not (this is a secret so don't tell anyone) - I hate confrontation so much I become physically ill when I am attacked. Major anxiety attack, etc.
Why on earth would anyone want to attack someone so nice? Besides, doesn't Tony "dispose" of any troublesome characters that come your way? LOL!
Tom - NOW you know why I have Tony. LOL
our parish, as well as all 8 parishes in our deanery or vicariate, have a twice a year adult formation series entitled the 'Faithful Living Series'. it is 4 or 5 sessions once a week. one series is done during advent and one in lent.
we start the lenten saeries this coming tuesday.
many, if not most, of the parishes are using a dvd pre-packaged program - listen to and watch a dvd presentation given by a priest, then have discussion.
our leadership team, based on parishioner input, prefers a live speaker ... but there is that identity thing of, "Oh, that's just Adrienne."
our pastor and our deacon are both too busy, so others are called on to be the catechists, the speakers here in our parish.
some do a better job of speaking to adults than others. many seem to work with kids / children OK, but ask them to speak to adults and it is a no go.
i get to do session one next tuesday.
"What is temptation, really?"
pray for me.
We are blessed in my parish with a couple of truly holy and knowledgable catechists. One is a teacher in the local school and the other an older lady.
God bless them.
I would like to, I really would.
I love our catechists, they're great people. But the well-meaning DRE is abysmally ignorant, the catechists recruited and approved by this DRE include those in irregular marriages, those not in full communion with the Church, some who are non-practicing...
Pray for us.
my mum's a catechist.. she often faces comments like 'why is SHE giving the talks? why can't a priest do it?' No matter that she's a good teacher and uses her CCC to good effect. They want some kind of degree or cassock.
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