Catechesis for today:  from classroom to mission

By Bernadette Gopaul-Ramkhalawan

Discipline is needed if we are to succeed in anything. A disciplined prayer life allows us to be formed as disciples of Christ. Note the words ‘discipline’ and ‘disciple’ comes from the same root word.  A ‘disciple’ is one who is ‘disciplined in the way of Christ’. As disciples, we must have a disciplined prayer life so that we can lead others in the way of prayer.

There are various forms and types of prayer, and each does something specific to the mind, heart, spirit, body and soul. Therefore, it is important to use each form and type of prayer in our lives.  We need to pray both individually and communally. We need to use vocal, meditative, and contemplative prayer.

As Catholics, we have books of prayer which are very good but tend to keep us in the vocal level. We need to develop our meditative skills such as guided meditation, nature walks, reflection on Scripture or spiritual reading, and rest with God in contemplation.

The fruits of our contemplation is what we would give to the world through our mission. When we learn and practise these we would be equipped to integrate and teach them in our sessions, helping people to become more intimate with God and others. Prayer always causes the person to empty him/herself for the sake of others.  Prayer is the response of a heart that is growing in love.

Mission

Mission is what our Christian life is about. Christians are missionaries in the world.  Christians are at the service of the world. Mission is not an event one does now and then. It is an integral part of everyday life.

What then is mission and why is it important? Mission is  about service that elevates the life of others. There are human needs all around us and so we must educate ourselves on the model that the Church uses to guide us in our missionary work.

The Church stands on two feet: charity and  social justice. Charity is the relief work that we do such as giving hampers, and social justice is the work we do in addressing the root causes of social ills.

We need to learn the ‘See, Judge, Act’ method so that we can integrate mission in our lives. We need to (see) become aware of the needs and ills around us, then (judge) whether it is a social justice issue or charity issue or both. Finally, we need to act, either with a social justice response such as advocacy or human development, or charity such as relief. Many times, it is a combination of both.

21st century demands and changes in Catechesis

Catechetical sessions should be mission sessions. People learn what they live. We need to move away from the classroom and academic approach to catechesis and move to an apprenticeship, workshop, practical approach to our catechesis.

As people begin to engage in the Christian living and practical ways of being a Christian, they begin to encounter Jesus in new and dynamic ways. Jesus begins to relate to them through the work they do. God’s grace begins to pour into their hearts and minds, and transformation and conversion are experienced. This is the method of forming disciples in this age.

Grateful for our vocation to be a catechist

These are exciting times to live in and our divine call to be a catechist in these times is even more exciting. The Holy Spirit should be ablaze in us as we carry out our work, sincerely loving those we catechise.

This Jubilee Year calls us to be pilgrims of hope and so we renew our commitment as a catechist and go forward bringing hope to all we encounter and catechise.  With grateful hearts we thank God for the privilege to serve as a catechist.

We pray for God’s blessings as we re-commit ourselves as catechists and ask God’s Spirit to transform us to be even more loving and harmonious as we build the Body of Christ. We ask our Holy Mother to intercede for us on our journey of faith.