By Sr. Nina Caccam, SJBP
This weekend, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa joins with the whole Church in celebrating, Catechetical Sunday. This year’s theme will be “Stay with Us.”
Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. It is also an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
This weekend, those whom the Community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry. It has been customary for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa to do the blessing and the commissioning of those who will be taking the leadership role as Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators to guide the CCD Program in their respective parishes.
Together with their pastors and parents of our CCD students, they will journey with the young people in their preparation to receive the Sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
We pray that as the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we as a community will continue to yearn for God’s presence and together, we say: “Stay with Us Lord.” This is a plea of hope and faith that God will always be with us in knowing and finally deepen our relationship with Him in all our catechetical endeavors together with the young people entrusted to our care.
Catechetical Sunday also signals the beginning of the new CCD school year. Immediately after this weekend, different parishes will also do the commissioning of their respective CCD teachers and catechists. This year the Office of Religious Education will be reaching out also in different parishes to do orientations for parents.
We, as a diocese, recognizes the importance of the Church’s teaching ministry and to honor those who are teaching CCD as catechists. The root word, “catechesis,” is from the Greek word meaning “to echo or resound.” Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church’s teachings to the world. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church.
