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September/October 2008 | Volume 19, Number 5 | $6.00
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C AT E C H E T I C A L LEADER
I N T HIS I SSUE : Catechists: Living Windows Review: The Craft of Catechesis
CATECHETICAL UPDATE:
What Our Catechetical Wisdom Figures Teach Us
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A PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CATECHETICAL LEADERSHIP (NCCL)
C AT E C H E T I C A L L E A D E R
Table of Contents
September/October 2008 Cover Photo: Potomac River along the Mt. Vernon Highway by Joyce A. Crider.
In Every Issue 2 From the President Mary Ann Ronan Being Our Own Advocates 3 From the Executive Director Leland Nagel To Be Held in High Esteem 11 Books in the News Reviewed by The Catechism of the Catholic Church Stella Marie Jeffrey and the Craft of Catechesis 15 Echoes of Faith Jo Rotunno Teaching Children to Pray 16 Diocesan Directors’ Forum Rosie Bartel Catechists: The Lifeline of Faith Formation 20 Notable Resources Dan Pierson
Features Significant Role page 4
The Esteemed Role of the Catechist 4 The Significant Role of the Catechist 6 Catechists: Living Windows
Donald W. Wuerl Harry Dudley
Catechetical Update Update: Wisdom of Our Mentors page U1
What Our Catechetical Wisdom Figures Teach Us U1 The Wisdom of Our Mentors Kathy Hendricks U4 Pay Attention to the Wisdom Figures Janet Schaeffler O.P.
Living Windows page 6
NCCL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NCCL STAFF
Ms. Mary Ann Ronan President St. Paul Parish, Phoenix, AZ
Janet Schaeffler, OP Secretary Archdiocese of Detroit
Rev. David Loftus Vice President Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Mr. Leland D. Nagel Executive Director Washington, DC
Dr. Lorraine S. DeLuca Treasurer Diocese of Beaumont
Dr. Chela Gonzalez At-Large Archdiocese Diocese of Santa Fe
C AT E C H E T I C A L L E A D E R
Ms. Michele Harris At-Large St. Francis de Sales Parish, Salisbury, Delaware
Mr. Peter Ries At-Large Diocesan Director Lansing, Michigan
Mr. Thomas Quinlan At-Large Diocese of Joliet
Dr. Michael Steier Ex-officio USCC Department of Education
Mr. Leland D. Nagel Executive Director Mrs. Patricia Dudley Office Manager
Dr. Anne Roat At-Large Diocesan Director Lafayette, Indiana
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
BEING OUR OWN ADVOCATES
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mary Ann Ronan
I was just previewing “We Are the Ones” from Joel Barker’s The Star Thrower Story. This five-minute DVD is based on a message from the Hopi Nation elders: to embrace the concept of looking to ourselves for leadership and positive change. As catechetical leaders, we need to know ourselves, examine our relationships, and nourish our souls to be disciples of Jesus. Maximizing our leadership potential is critical for each of us as members of NCCL. As diocesan directors, staff, and parish catechetical leaders, we are called to exercise both strategic and operational leadership. This leadership has two parts: vision and implementation.
We need to look to ourselves for leadership and positive change. In catechesis, our vision is the Reign of God and we get there through Scripture and tradition. Holding this vision means we cannot be content with where we are. You and I must be moving — and to move we must examine who we are, where we need to go and how are we going to get there. We have two great catechetical themes this year: the Year of St. Paul and The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. Paul’s encounter with Jesus propelled him to be a missionary to the gentiles. He took Jesus to the wider community and the church became richer. How will these themes impact our vision and implementation? What does evangelization mean for us in catechesis?
means we are owners and have a stake in the organization. NCCL sends you Catechetical Leader, Monday morning emails from Lee Nagel, timely information about issues related to catechesis and links to enhance your ministry, an annual conference for professional development. Having a stake calls you to share in the leadership of the organization through discernment of new leadership in the organization and being involved in the nomination process; voting for leadership; and, when bylaw changes are announced, to study their meaning for the organization. Having a stake calls you to voting, serving on a committee, being a chair or co-chair. Having a stake also calls us to be stewards financially, making a contribution (no matter how small or large) to Echo the Promise and/or our Annual Campaign. We need to be our own advocates in the ministry of catechesis. Have you ever given a copy of Catechetical Leader to your bishop, pastor, parish administrator, academic dean or anyone else in pastoral leadership? If a certain topic is covered in CL that would assist you in getting the word out about your role in catechesis, why not share our magazine? In Leading at a Higher Level, authors Ken Blanchard and his wife Margie Blanchfield say, “Leadership is not about love — it is love. It is loving your mission, it is loving your customers, it’s loving your people, and loving yourself enough to get out of the way so other people can be magnificent.” What do you need to do this year in your ministry to love more? Start working on your undergraduate degree, your masters, your doctorate? Participate in professional development in your diocese or at our annual conference? Find a spiritual director to help nourish your soul? Pray, meditate, pray with the Scriptures? Seek out daily Mass, a small faith community that prays the Lectio Divina? Both St. Paul and the bishops’ Synod on the Word of God challenge us as leaders. ❙
As leaders in diocesan offices and parishes, we are also called to exercise our leadership in NCCL. Being members of NCCL
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TO BE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM Leland Nagel
It’s a word that seems to be losing its meaning . . . esteemed. In the last few months I have been asked to join an esteemed organization; I have listened to the esteemed members of a panel and heard someone speak gratefully of a person whom they called an esteemed counselor. In the not too distant future someone will be elected to the esteemed office of president. It is hoped that he will be a man of esteemed character.
apparent reason except that they were loved — loved unconditionally by the One who created them. I am reminded of the movie Stranger than Fiction, in which the author changes the ending of her book so that the main character doesn’t die. This is her rationale: “But if a man does know he’s about to die and dies anyway — dies willingly, knowing that he could stop it, then — I mean, isn’t that the type of man you want to keep alive?” That is precisely what a catechist does — keeps the person and the message of Jesus Christ alive.
What does it mean to be held in high esteem? I believe that respect and honor are its cousins; but well-beloved is its twin. Just as we are all called to catechize, we are all loved by God. Furthermore Jesus Christ is the heart of catechesis. I have always appreciated the Trinitarian concept in the Introduction to the National Directory for Catechesis where it states that our missionary mandate was born in the Father’s heart, articulated in the Son’s announcement and present in the mystery of the church. If you don’t see that as a place of honor, you missed its power.
How do you recognize persons who have been called to accept the esteemed role of catechist? The National Directory for Catechesis gives us a clue when it states that a catechist is someone who has encountered Christ, has been converted by Christ, follows Christ, shares in Christ’s life and mission, possesses a living social conscience, and is wellrooted in the cultural environment.
However, just as there were three disciples who journeyed to the top of the mountain where Jesus was transfigured and just as there were three disciples, in fact the same three, whom Jesus asked to come closer and stay awake while he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, there are those who are called forth to teach, to catechize, to spread the good news. The National Directory for Catechesis reminds us that while all are called to catechize, some are called to the esteemed role of catechist.
I can’t give you ten proven ways of recognizing an esteemed person but I can offer you some clues that might indicate you have a potential candidate who may respond to the call to be a catechist. This person ■
hangs around after Mass, talking with fellow parishioners;
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invites other people to share coffee and donuts after Mass;
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While all are called to catechize, some are called to the esteemed role of catechist.
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I find that catechists are also beloved in this role because they “know and love the culture and the people to whom they bring the message in order to make them new in Christ” (NDC). It is very difficult to not love someone who loves you. What makes catechists well beloved is they can openly share their encounters with the living Christ. They are able to engage those they catechize in the same way that they have been engaged by the person of Jesus. Ultimately they can embrace the whole person for who that person is: one made in the image and likeness of God, yet often misses the mark. In this acceptance catechists visibly express what it has meant to them to be embraced by the risen Christ. So full of God’s blessings and love, they just can’t keep it to themselves. They become witnesses and in their testimony they become evangelists; not preachers nor proselytizers, but disciples. It is no wonder that catechists are held in high esteem. After all, one can’t give esteem; I’m not even sure one can earn esteem. It seems to me that esteem is conferred on those who willingly sacrifice and love for no
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smiles (maybe even glows) while singing the Holy, Holy Holy and the Great Amen; actively engages in community affairs for the common good; financially contributes to the church and other charitable causes; promises to pray for you and means it — and you know it’s true; expresses ownership by using the words “our” and “my” when talking about the parish; forgives, rarely if ever condemns, is full of hope, and practices acceptance; performs one or more of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy; lives a life characterized by the words of Paul:
“Be always joyful, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God for you” (1Thes 5:16-18). Find someone who possesses some of these attributes and extend an invitation to that person to embrace the esteemed role of catechist. I can almost guarantee a positive response. ❙
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The Significant Role of the Catechist by Donald W. Wuerl Archbishop of Washington
The beginning of the pastoral and academic year prompts us to look at the role of the catechist and recognize once again how significant this ministry is for the life of the church. We realize how dependent good parish life is on these generous and caring people who make possible the annual unfolding of the religious education programs in all their many formats. In practical terms, the high regard the parish has for its catechists, both volunteer and career, rests in no small part on the fact that without them a very important dimension of the parish’s ministry would be greatly diminished. Catechists are recognized for the valuable and very practical teaching contribution they make to the life and mission of the church at the parish level. There is a deeply theological reason for our esteem and our appreciation. The actual day-to-day living out of this mission may appear to be routine because we are so familiar with it. Catechists share in one of the essential ministries of the church — teaching the faith. Yet, seen in a larger context, the role of the catechist is much more than simply presenting course material to a specific group of people with all the challenges that represents. This parish activity is a vital part of a great continuum of testimony that traces its origin and identity back to the very beginning and into the very heart of the church. In his encyclical letter "Deus Caritas Est" ("God Is Love") our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, taught us that the “Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her threefold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God (kerygma-martyria), celebrating the sacraments (leitourgia), and exercising the ministry of charity (diakonia)” (25). The catechist, in the proclamation of
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the word, is engaged in this work reflective of the church’s “deepest nature.” The catechist stands in the midst of the church as one caught up in all of the particularity of his or her teaching situation. At the same time, he or she advances a twenty-century-long activity that mirrors and embodies the “church’s deepest nature.”
HERALDS
OF A
RECEIVED TRADITION
The starting point for these reflections on the important role of the catechist today as an integral part of the mission and ministry of the church is the homily given by our Holy Father at the April 17 Mass he celebrated in the Archdiocese of Washington during his apostolic journey to the church in the United States. In recognition of the significant role of catechists, special places were reserved at that Eucharistic liturgy for both national catechetical leaders and numerous parish catechists. The pope began by telling us, “In the exercise of my ministry as the successor of Peter, I have come to America to confirm you, my brothers and sisters, in the faith of the apostles (cf. Luke 22:32). I have come to proclaim anew, as Peter proclaimed in the day of Pentecost, that Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah, risen from the dead, seated in glory at the right hand of the Father and established as judge
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of the living and the dead (cf. Acts 2:14 ff ).” The Holy Father reminded us of our part in the church’s mission to proclaim the good news and to do so in communion with the successor of Peter so that we are able to demonstrate our connectedness to the faith that comes to us from the Apostles. It is the task of the church to pass on from generation to generation the Gospel of Jesus Christ who came among us as our Lord and Savior. Each member of the church participates in this mission and therefore bears a responsibility to share the faith. We do this out of a sense of our own identity as members of the body of Christ with confidence because we can verify that what we proclaim is the faith that comes to us from the Apostles. We not only have a message to announce but we do so with assurance. We are heralds of a received tradition that offers the words of eternal life.
GROUNDED
IN THE
GOOD NEWS
At the heart of the catechist’s identity and ministry as a member of the church and one specifically designated or commissioned to participate in the church’s teaching ministry is the message — the good news. Each of us must be grounded in the word of God as it is proclaimed in the church. In this word we find the meaning and focus of our life and the content and purpose of our teaching ministry. The Synod of Bishops’ meeting scheduled for October 5-26 in Rome has as its topic, “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.” The working paper for this reflection
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The catechist advances a twentycentury-long activity that mirrors and embodies the “church’s deepest nature.” by the church universal echoes the understanding of the directive role that the word of God has for the catechist. God’s word grounds the teaching of the faith and offers verification of a living continuity with the Lord. At the same time, it is clear that the word of God is the content of our message. It is what we proclaim and why we take on this mission with zeal and confidence. Christ continues to remain with us in his church — his new Body — alive in the gift of his Holy Spirit. The church is the guarantor that we can stay connected to the Gospel message, to the teaching of the Apostles and, therefore, to Christ. We need to know our faith so that we can bear witness to it in our day and circumstances. Because of our fidelity to the faith as the church has passed it on, we are capable of sharing in this ongoing apostolically-rooted tradition. Thus, we have the confidence of knowing that what we proclaim is true. Catechetical ministry in all its forms can claim to participate in the perennial task that traces its origins to the tradition of the Apostles just as it can claim that its message is that which comes to us from the Apostles. In this sense, the catechist is part of a great chain of living continuity that reaches back to the apostolic church and reaches out to those today who want to hear and be formed in that life-giving word. It is easy to see why the church places so much emphasis on the catechist.
STORYTELLER
OF THE
FAITH FAMILY
Those who teach in the name of the church make an awesome claim. We claim to present the words of everlasting life. On our own we simply do not have those words. We cannot even
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Catechists: Living Windows by Harry Dudley
When entering a Byzantine Catholic church, one can’t help but notice the place of honor and esteem given to the icons. The Eastern way of venerating an icon is to bow deeply and make the sign of the cross. Why is this done? Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe icons to be “windows into heaven.” Icons are reverenced not for themselves but for the greater mystery to which they invite us. The National Directory for Catechesis speaks of the esteemed role of the catechist. I believe that we should hold them in great esteem for many of the same reasons that we should reverence icons. From the beginning, following acceptance of Christ’s missionary mandate to go and make disciples, catechists have made and continue to make an outstanding and absolutely necessary contribution to the spread of the faith by their great work (AG, 17). I would like to explore some of the parallels between catechists and icons. In describing icons, among other things it is said that they share in the mystery of the incarnation as they remind us of our call to holiness, instruct us in the true faith, show us examples of holy life, and urge us to live a holy life Likewise, catechists ought to be seen as being more than teachers. Like the icons, they share in the mystery of the incarnation as windows to heaven. Catechists bring Jesus and the saints to life, catechists are to make Christ and his life come alive in the minds and hearts of seekers today. Catechists do not merely instruct us about Christ; they lead us to him. (NDC no.55E) They do this through their own love for the Lord. In other words, catechists are the living windows to heaven for us. This is why the National Directory for Catechesis states so strongly that formation for catechists must be given a high priority. Let’s explore how catechists and icons are alike, especially as they
carry out the six fundamental tasks of catechesis (GDC no. 8487, NDC no. 60-62). Catechists remind us of our call to holiness — teaching us to pray and providing liturgical education. In their own striving for holiness, they show us that this striving is possible and desirable as they witness to their belief in Jesus’ Gospel and its power to transform lives. They especially do this when they lead us in prayer, thus teaching us to pray and inviting us to join the church in her contemplation of the mystery of Christ.
We hold catechists in esteem for being icons of Christ for us. When catechists prepare their sessions and consciously connect the prayers, environment and lesson to the liturgical season and Sunday or daily liturgy, they prepare us to more actively participate in the liturgy and receive the sacraments as food and strength for the journey of living an active Christian life. Catechists instruct us in the true faith. Catechists are witnesses when they model the importance of being a hearer of the Word. They inspire us when they strive to make words of Christ their own and to pass on faithfully what they have received (John 7:16). Catechists instruct us in the true faith when they help us to know that the message they share is not a human doctrine but it is the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. Catechists model for us that growing in the faith is a life-long journey when they participate in ongoing formation so that they can more faithfully, completely and systematically present the teachings of the church they have come to know from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults.
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Artist: Michael O'Neill McGrath OSFS www.beestill.com
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LIVING WINDOWS
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As Pope Benedict XVI said in his homily at National Stadium in April, “The fidelity and courage with which the church in this country will respond to the challenges raised by an increasingly secular and materialistic culture will depend in large part upon your own fidelity in handing on the treasure of our Catholic faith. Young people need to be helped to discern the path that leads to true freedom: the path of a sincere and generous imitation of Christ, the path of commitment to justice and peace.”
Salvi, 13-15), giving rise to a form of piety which sometimes emphasizes our private relationship with God at the expense of our calling to be members of a redeemed community. Yet from the beginning, God saw that ‘it is not good for man to be alone’ (Gen 2:18). We were created as social beings who find fulfillment only in love — for God and for our neighbor. If we are truly to gaze upon him who is the source of our joy, we need to do so as members of the people of God (cf. Spe Salvi, 14).”
Catechists show us examples of holy life when they strive to live as Jesus did. They connect us to a life lived according to the teaching of Christ when they share the examples found in the lives of the saints and other living models of the faith. When catechists make an effort to know the lives of the saints and to share their example with us they help us to see that a moral life is possible. When they study the stories of American Catholics from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults they encourage us to believe that it is possible to live a moral life in our own time and place.
When catechists awaken in us a hunger for greater unity among Christians in order to give greater witness to the world — they are educating us to community. When they train us to come to know our Catholic identity and uniqueness as well as our similarities and differences in a respectful way — they allow us to live in contact with other Christians and respect the faith of others. In short, catechists help us to appreciate ecumenism so that we can better live in community and participate actively in the life and mission of the church.
In his April 2008 message to the U.S. Bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the Holy Father noted: “We need to reassess urgently the values underpinning society, so that a sound moral formation can be offered to young people and adults alike. All have a part to play in this task — not only parents, religious leaders, teachers and catechists, but the media and entertainment industries as well. Indeed, every member of society can contribute to this moral renewal and benefit from it.” Catechists urge us to live a holy life when they help us to appreciate that our Catholic faith is essentially ecclesial, and without a living bond to the community, our individual faith will never grow to maturity. Our catechists help us to see our connection to parish life and to participate fully in it. They help us to know in a practical way what the role of the community of the church is in our living a holy life. As Pope Benedict said to the U.S. bishops: “In a society which values personal freedom and autonomy, it is easy to lose sight of our dependence on others as well as the responsibilities that we bear towards them. This emphasis on individualism has even affected the Church (cf. Spe
When catechists help us realize that the Gospel has to be preached and taught as an integral way of life, offering an attractive and true answer, intellectually and practically, to real human problems, they initiate us in to the very mission of the church to go and make disciples and to transform the world. They invite us to proclaim “the great works of God” and to invite all people to enter the community of those saved by the blood of Christ and granted new life in his Spirit. They inspire us to be drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is beautiful, good, and true; a life of Christian witness nurtured and strengthened within the community of our Lord’s disciples, the church. When catechists instruct us to see what we hold in common with other religions while not minimizing the differences between and among them, they prepare us to become leaven for the society in which we live and strive to work for peace and justice with all women and men of good will. These entire six tasks of catechesis are summarized in the very life and person of the catechists. The word that convinces its hearers is the word that comes from the speaker’s life. Today’s catechist
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is a witness. John Paul II expressed it well in Ecclesia in America: “[Your] faith and [your] witness of life are an integral part of catechesis.” One might rightly say that the first text that those being catechized have in their hands is the life of the catechist. At our last Archdiocesan Catechetical Day, Archbishop Wuerl said “Perhaps [the work of catechetical leaders and catechists] is not as appreciated as it should be . . . Not only is our catechetical mission at the heart and necessary in the life of the Church. Catechesis is essential in the life of the New Creation!” He went on to say, “What do catechists bring? They bring faith. They bring an invitation to encounter and to apprentice to the risen Lord. They bring the hope of a new Kingdom — the possibility of a new way to live. Is there any gift more needed or important?” Is anything more important than what catechists do in union with the church? Is it any wonder we should esteem this work and those who do it? When we enter our parishes on Catechetical Sunday we should remember to give catechists and their work a place of honor, respect and gratitude. We should reverence them not for themselves but for the greater mystery to which they invite us. This is one reason why we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. It is a time to set aside and remember how important the work of catechesis is and to call all in the parish to partner in this work of forming disciples. Like St. Paul, the evangelist and Apostle, catechists exemplify the manner in which we cooperate with God’s grace to endure the growth of faith and remind us that it is God who causes the growth. We can now say that catechists, like icons, share in the mystery of the incarnation as they remind us of our call to holiness, instruct us in the true faith, show us examples of holy life and urge us to live a holy life. May we continually thank our catechist and catechetical leaders for what they have done and continue to do for us. We can give no greater esteem than by supporting their work and partnering in spreading the kingdom. The world is in need of seeing the living image of Christ. We hold catechists in esteem for being icons of Christ for us and for calling and inspiring us to also be icons for a world very much in need of him. ❙
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Eight Beatitudes for Catechists Ukranian Catholic Religious Education Center, Eparchy of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan www.ucrec.ca/catechists Blessed are the catechists who listen to their students, especially the one with repeated questions, for they possess The Ears of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who see the needs of their students, especially the ones unrecognized by others for they possess The Eyes of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who speak kindly to their students, especially the ones without positive motivation, for they possess The Mouth of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who gently touch their students, especially the ones who feel the stings of home violence, for they possess The Hands of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who think prayerfully of their students, especially those who don’t know God, for they possess The Mind of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who show love to their students, especially the ones with unlovable traits, for they possess The Heart of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who walk patiently with their students, especially the ones lacking spiritual guidance for they possess The Feet of CHRIST. Blessed are the catechists who persevere in their faith sharing ministry, especially when their efforts seem in vain, for they possess The Healing Presence of CHRIST and theirs is the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. — Sr. Marie Roccapriore, MPF
Dr. Harry Dudley is director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.
Correction: In CL's July-August article "Problem/Opportunity" by Mariette Martineau, there was an error. In the paragraph supporting the role of family as primary educator, a significant word [not] was omitted. The text should read, "Parishes whose sacramental preparation does not intentionally include the families of the candidates are seriously failing to respond effectively to this challenge." We apologize for any misunderstanding this typographical error may have caused.
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What Our Catechetical Wisdom Figures Teach Us | Volume 19, September/October 08
CATECHETICAL UPDATE A publication of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
THE
WISDOM OF OUR MENTORS by Kathy Hendricks Elaborate lamp from Herculaneum, as depicted in Le Antichità di Ercolano. 18th century engraving
It was one of the liveliest meetings I have ever attended. The NCCL board had begun to discuss the nominees for its annual award. The list had been narrowed to five and the advocacy for each person was fierce. One by one, board members spoke of the enormous impact a nominee had on his or her education, leadership role, personal spirituality, and faith. The impassioned tone of the conversation, respectful as it was, showed how deeply impacted we are by the wisdom of our mentors. When I received the invitation to write an article on wisdom figures in catechesis, I was delighted with the prospect of highlighting the contributions wisdom figures have made to the ministry of catechesis and their lasting impact on those who carry it out. On the other hand, I was concerned about narrowing the list to a number manageable enough for a magazine article. I have necessarily focused on just a few of the contributions the following seven women and men have made to catechetics. Viewed together, however, I believe they illustrate a measure of the depth and scope of work that has been done over the past several decades, as well as the great insights each figure has brought to the field.
Johannes Hofinger, SJ Seeking Right Balance Speaking at the 1992 Johannes Hofinger Religious Education Conference in New Orleans, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez described the gathering’s namesake as a man garbed in a dazzling, multicolored dream coat. It is a vivid way of symbolizing Fr. Hofinger’s
untiring yet inspired work in reclaiming the core message of Christianity in such a way as to help the learner live a faith life filled with a passionate love for God. A native of Austria, Hofinger is said to have been inspired early in life by some of the poor catechesis he received. It compelled him to seek more effective methodologies that would not only give the learner a grasp of doctrine but a lived experience of it as well. He believed that the teaching of doctrine had to be sound as well as engaging. The objective, he noted, was not to form children into theologians but rather into loving, compassionate, and grateful children of God. A key aspect of this process involves the catechist. Thus, Hofinger advocated the best use of educational psychology and methodology coupled with a catechist’s commitment to embody the message. He regarded knowledge of sacred Scripture and the liturgy as key to Christian initiation. The catechist, then, not only needs to lead students to these sources but also must have experienced them for him or herself. The annual conference that is named after Hofinger and takes place in the archdiocese where he served for seven years as the associate director of religious education is thus a fitting tribute to this pioneer of contemporary catechesis. His many books and articles along with his extensive travel (he circled the globe sixteen times) influenced a broad spectrum of Catholic educators and ministers during his lifetime and will most certainly extend well into the future.
Francois Darcy-Berube Breaking New Ground In 1961, as the Second Vatican Council was still underway, a team of over thirty Canadian educators, theologians, psychologists, and
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sociologists came together to write a religious education curriculum. Published first in Canada as the Canadian Catechism, the series was published in the United States by Paulist Press as Come to the Father in 1967. Its principal author was Francois Darcy, a native of France and graduate of the Sorbonne and L’Institute
Viewed together these figures illustrate the depth and scope of work that has been done over the past several decades.
Catholique. As part of this team, Darcy would meet her future husband and collaborator, John Paul Berube, and spearhead the development of a catechetical series that would be among the first to epitomize the spirit of Vatican II. Dr. Darcy-Berube’s contribution to the project was pivotal and the series went on to influence the methodology and construction of future catechetical programs in numerous ways. One of these was the departure from the standard Q&A format of typical catechisms to a progressive understanding according to the child’s moral and spiritual development. Another was the Trinitarian perspective that is reflected so strongly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Darcy-Berube also broke ground when it came to the inclusion of parents in the catechetical process. She saw them as integral to a child’s formation of faith, another perspective that is reflected in catechetical documents that name parents as “primary educators” and the home as the “domestic church.” Come to the Father included pages written exclusively for the parents as a way to involve them in the formal catechesis of their children. The catechist’s supportive relationship with parents was also a key component of the series as it reinforced the primacy of the home as the locus of catechesis for children. Later in her life, Darcy-Berube devoted an extensive amount of her work to sacramental preparation and the process of Christian
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initiation for children. She wrote and taught on the progressive nature of initiation and affirmed the movement from Baptism to the onset of adulthood as a whole rather than fragmented steps along the path. She emphasized the critical role of the parish community within Christian initiation through its living witness of faith. In her book, Catholic Education at a Crossroads: Moving On in the Spirit (Paulist Press), Darcy-Berube raised questions that are as timely today as they were when the book was first published, over thirteen years ago. One is whether we are dangerously close to returning to a contents-only approach to catechesis or whether we will seek a more holistic one that embraces creative, innovative, and groundbreaking possibilities for drawing people to Christ. In an interview conducted shortly after the book’s publication, Darcy-Berube framed the hope she carried about the long-range answers to such questions by quoting a Japanese proverb. A tree, she said, makes a lot of noise when it falls but very little as it grows. Such a response seems to characterize the gentle nurturance this wise woman gave to so many over the years.
Maria de la Cruz Aymes SH Embracing a Wide World Involvement in the work of catechesis can take a person in surprisingly unexpected directions. Such was the experience of Sr. Maria de la Cruz Aymes. A native of Mexico, she grew up in a bilingual household and was fluent in both Spanish and French. After joining the Society of Helpers, Sr. Maria was sent to their convent in New York City where, along with other responsibilities, she taught catechism classes to impoverished children of Puerto Rican descent. It was a seminal experience that would influence her understanding of and appreciation for cultural heritage and the pluralistic reality of the church. As Sr. Maria advanced her own education, her work expanded and eventually brought her to the Archdiocese of San Francisco where she evaluated the religious education programs for Catholic students who were attending public schools. She discovered programs in a great deal of disarray and hampered by materials that were inadequate and ineffective. This experience compelled her to develop a program that would be more engaging for stu-
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dents and the catechists who taught them. With the help of Fr. Johannes Hofinger and others, the On Our Way series was completed and published by William H. Sadlier, Inc. It became an overnight success — so much so that it ended up being published in twelve different languages. Sr. Maria continued her work on curriculum materials, authoring or co-authoring over one hundred texts, including Lord of Life and God With Us. Her early research for the Archdiocese of San Francisco also led Sr. Maria to recognize the great need for developing training materials for volunteer catechists. Two of the most popular of these was the video series, “Feed My Lambs” (Argus Communications), and a program for Hispanic catechists, “Fe Y Cultura” (Paulist Press). Sr. Maria’s sphere of influence continued to widen when she attended the 1971 International Catechetical Congress as a delegate from the United States. This prestigious gathering of catechists from around the world produced an outline that would eventually lead to the development of the General Catechetical Directory. Sr. Maria’s extensive linguistic range, her education and expertise in catechesis, and her understanding of the vast appreciation of the diverse richness of the multi-cultural church made her a natural choice for president of the council, a position she held twice. Tracing the extensive trail that Sr. Maria blazed leaves one awash in admiration for such a vibrant and innovative catechetical leader.
Carl Pfeifer and Janaan Manternach Models of Creative Collaboration Catechesis is not a solitary endeavor, but one that involves partnership and teamwork with colleagues and coworkers. No two people illustrate this more vividly than these next two wisdom figures. In the early 1960s Fr. Carl Pfeifer, SJ, and Sr. Janaan Manternach OSF, worked side by side as associate directors of the National Confraternity of Christian Doctrine Center at the United States Catholic Conference. One of their key accomplishments was coauthoring the catechetical series, Life, Love, Joy, which replaced the Baltimore Catechism that was in wide use at that time. Their expertise and their experience at the USCC and in the field also involved them in the development of pivotal documents on catechesis, including To Teach As Jesus Did, The General Catechetical Directory, and the National Catechetical Directory.
© 2008 by National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
When the USCC reorganized their educational department in 1974, Pfeifer and Manternach stayed for a time and then established their freelance writing and consultant business, Life, Love, Joy Associates. Their partnership took an even more profound turn when Carl received his laicization from the Jesuits and Janaan a release from her Franciscan vows and the two married in 1976. As their interest and involvement in catechesis continued to blossom, they entered the doctoral program at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore and were each awarded their Doctor of Ministry degrees in 1985. A main focus of their subsequent work in catechesis was the revision of Life, Love, Joy and its evolution into the series, This Is Our Faith. This, in turn, led to an extended partnership with the series’ publisher, Silver Burdett Ginn. The couple became internationally known and respected as speakers at catechetical conferences and the annual summer workshops sponsored by Silver Burdett Ginn. Together, they wrote numerous books and articles filled with practical and inspiring ideas for catechists and catechetical leaders. Manternach’s great love of children’s literature, seeded through her early work as a teacher, and Pfeifer’s talent as a photographer and his interest in the creative use of audiovisual media, filled their work with color and further developed the artistic and evocative elements of catechetical ministry. Their collaboration remained vital right up until the time of Pfeifer’s death in the summer of 2007. Their devotion to one
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another and to their catechetical calling is both an inspiration and a reminder of the creative possibilities that arise when we pool our talents, share our resources, and work together with a spirit of dedication and generosity.
Maria Harris Bringing the Arts to Spirituality Mention the name, Maria Harris, and one is likely to think of religious imagination and artistic expression. Well-respected by both Catholic and Protestant religious educators, Harris is widely known for her inventive work in integrating the arts with religious education and women’s spirituality. Her gifts as both singer and pianist were cultivated early in childhood by her mother, a talented musician. She began her work in the field of education when, as a Sister of St. Joseph, she taught music in parochial schools. She later joined the staff of the Office of Religious Education of Rockville Centre where she directed the programs in adult education. As she continued her own studies in the fields of education and religious studies, Harris was invited to teach at institutions of higher learning, including Immaculate Conception Seminary, Andover Newtown Theological School, and Fordham University. In 1968 she co-authored her first book, Experiences in Community, with her future husband, Dr. Gabriel Moran, professor in the department of Humanities and the Social Sciences at New York University. It was the beginning of a life-long collaboration.
known of these was the dance, which she used to outline the steps of women’s spirituality (Dance of the Spirit: The Seven Steps of Women’s Spirituality) as well as to describe the graceful movement of the teacher in the roles of contemplative, ascetic, creator and sacrament. Harris’ involvement with other religious institutions and organizations made her a strong advocate for interreligious dialogue. This brought a breadth to her work that earned her the respect and admiration of her many colleagues around the world. She also provided much-needed support and affirmation for catechetical leaders through the publication of her books and articles for DREs. In his eulogy for his beloved wife in 2005, Moran described his wife as a woman who was cherished by the broadest array of people. It was a fitting tribute to a woman who reached across so many thresholds with a song of hope, imagination, and grace. While this is certainly not a definitive list, it is one that I hope will serve to surface for the reader some reflections about the gifted community in which we are all privileged to serve. ❙ Kathy Hendricks, widely published author and consultant on catechesis, has been involved in catechetical ministry for over thirty years.
One of Harris’ key contributions to the field of religious education was her belief in the centrality of spirituality in the educational process. She viewed teaching as an art that required the use of creative imagination and a dynamic interplay between the teacher and the learner. In her writing and her presentations she used evocative metaphors to illustrate her points. One of the most well
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PAY ATTENTION TO THE WISDOM FIGURES by Janet Schaeffler, OP To do justice to the title of this article is a monumental task; in reality, difficult to confine to one article — and that tells us what a great gift we have been given! Thus, this is just some beginning thoughts. Your commission: continue the reflection for yourself. Let us first look at some catechetical leaders par excellence who offer foundational principles for catechetical ministry, for all ministry. When Blessed Pope John XXIII announced plans for the Second Vatican Council, someone asked him why he wanted to do that. His opening address to the council fathers gave several reasons, but in answer to this question, he replied, “to make the human sojourn on earth to the Father a little less sad.” In many ways, this echoes the admonition of St. Francis of Assisi, “You should never let anyone leave your presence in sadness.” The catechetical enterprise is about boldly proclaiming the Good News. Does it always sound good? In a related vein, in 1988 Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw, Michigan said in a homily during a Mass for the Michigan Religious Education Leadership Conference that it was his dream one day, “because of our religious formation we will stand out in the world because of our mercy as clearly as the Amish stand out because of the horse and buggy.” He spoke about a trend in the church (and all organizations, citing immigration policies as one example) toward corporate severity. Bishop Untener asked the question: “How many of you have a picture of the foot washing on your wall at home?…the washing of the feet is optional at Mass on Holy Thursday…” Should it be? Was it for Jesus? Continuing the challenge (which is still relevant, twenty years later), Bishop Untener said, “Would the people you teach be more likely to be able to recite the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes…I dream of the day when our religious education will so remarkably stress the gentleness, forgiveness, and love that Christians are called upon to live that this will be our trademark in the world. I
dream of the day when our youngsters will find it as natural to help in a soup kitchen as we once found it natural to have a sock hop…I dream of the day when a peace march might be as normal as a paper drive was for us…I dream of the day when youngsters will be able to recite the Gospel passage “I was hungry…” as perfectly as we could recite catechism answers…There is a lot of misery in our world, and it desperately needs a merciful church. I pray that the church you proclaim will be a church manifestly filled with mercy.” With these foundational principles established, let us reflect on a few other catechetical leaders who have touched us with their wisdom.
Wise people in our community can help us discern all the wisdom that surrounds a new approach.
Asking the Right Questions John H. Westerhoff has always challenged us in many ways. Perhaps one that undergirds all we do is examining the questions we ask; not being afraid to ask the right questions. Westerhoff suggests that often we have asked the wrong questions: “Faced by curricular needs, we turn to technology and neglect new ways of being together. Faced with non-responsive students, we turn to psychology to understand and control behavior instead of reflecting on the meaning of two persons in relationship. Confronted by difficulties in classroom discussion, cooperation, or morale, we consider the latest group-dynamics technique, instead of rethinking the nature of community…Perhaps we need to rethink and reshape the institutions within which peo-
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ple dwell, and begin struggling with what it means to be Christian together.” (Will Our Children Have Faith, Morehouse Publishing, 2000) Perhaps the most significant challenge Westerhoff poses for us is that the key question(s) is not: will our children have faith? what do I want that person to know or be? Perhaps the key questions for a Christian to ask are these: What can I bring to another? How will I be a Christian for my child? How will I be a catechist? What do I have to bring to another?
Offering a Holistic Vision Religious literacy is not measured by accumulating knowledge but by its assimilation: How is faith lived? Francoise Darcy-Berube, especially in her Religious Education at a Crossroads: Moving On in the Freedom of the Spirit (Paulist Press, 1995), continually called us to a holistic vision of religious education. An integral part of that vision includes religious literacy, especially making doctrinal formation intellectually meaningful and enriching so that youth and adults are motivated to pursue it. Darcy-Berube believes that the intricacies and evolution of Catholic doctrine on minor points are not relevant for today’s learners. As she says in that book,”But the way we as Catholics theologically interpret the Bible, for instance, concerning creation, the resurrection, human rights, the dignity and equality of all people, and the preference for the poor, is extremely important. The doctrine of the Church on the struggle for justice and peace is eminently relevant and eminently part of our Catholic Christian identity — much more than the doctrine on indulgences.”
Relying on the Wisdom Mary Perkins Ryan, who worked alongside many of our other well-known wisdom figures, left a large heritage. She
brought together the movement for liturgical and catechetical renewal and made the connection between the two a national movement. She was the first executive editor of The Living Light (1964-1973) and edited PACE (Professional Approaches for Christian Education) for fifteen years. Her twenty-four authored works covered many topics from the sacramentality of life to social justice concerns in catechetics. Her article in PACE 4 (1973), “Keep that Salt-Shaker Handy,” reminds us about filtering everything through the multiple gifts of wisdom we have because of our faith community. With the image of salt (“Take it with a grain of salt”), she recalls that salt both heals and flavors. (The old baptismal rite used salt as a symbol of wisdom. The Latin word for wisdom, sapientia, comes from a root meaning “taste.”) Wisdom is defined as “the power of judging rightly…based on knowledge, experience, understanding...” Christian wisdom, then, is this power enlightened by faith, supported by community. Thus, Ryan’s advice was that when we are gifted with a new idea, a new approach, a new initiative, we recall that we have many filters, many wisdom figures in our community. They can help us learn more and discern all the wisdom that surrounds the new approach as we digest it and see how and where it fits. Ryan wrote this essay in 1973. Interestingly, nine years earlier she had written a book that was misunderstood by some; in reality, it anticipated today’s recognition of the involvement of all in catechesis. Many in the community thought that Are Parochial Schools the Answer? was an effort to close parish schools. In her vision, she was simply calling for the involvement of the whole community in the catechetical enterprise, especially arguing for the importance of adult catechesis.
Catechetical Update Is Now Available Online Catechetical Update is a valuable resource for our members. You can now access the pages free of charge from the NCCL website (www.nccl.org) under the “resources” tab. You must login as a member in order to view the page and download the articles.
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Engaging Ordinary Life One piece of wisdom — that people’s lives are directly engaged in the catechetical process — pervades our catechetical documents, our textbooks and resources, and has been reiterated by all of these wisdom figures. But perhaps no one has done it more gently and more consistently — and modeled it all they did — as Janaan Manternach and Carl Pfeifer.
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“silver book” which brought liturgy and catechesis together and intimately involved families in sacramental preparation.
Putting Mission Over Membership The overarching goal of faith formation is a sense of mission rather than the enhancing of membership. Again, we have always known this (we hope), but with the deepening commitment to and understanding of the meaning of adult faith formation, it is (or should be) always before us. One person who does that for us is Jane Regan.
That people should learn from experience, by doing, has been a central proposal of the major educational theorists of the twentieth century. In catechetics, we have even deeper reasons for turning to people’s lives: First, God continually reaches out through the ordinariness and everydayness of people’s lives, loving and inviting response. Second, to catechize for faith as a way of life, people’s own lives must be engaged. When we do not engage people’s real experiences, what is taught may go to their heads, but may not find its way to their hearts and hands. Manternach and Pfeifer’s writings and workshops always gave us methods for the practical processes of catechesis, rooting the message and meaning of our tradition in the life experience of the learner.
In “Catechesis That Is Genuinely Adult,” she wrote, “The effective formation of ministers is essential to the life of the parish, but it is neither sufficient to the mission of the Church nor adequate as the total expression of adult catechesis. At its most integral, adult catechesis provides all participants with the means and perspective that allow them to live out their baptismal lives in engagement in the mission of evangelization” (The Living Light, Fall 2000). Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us reminds us, “Adult faith bears the fruit of evangelization…the witness of the word is essential, but a living witness in the service of love and justice speaks with special power today.”
Putting Hospitality First
“I will be with you always…”
We are indebted to Christiane Brusselmans for so much, yet all who knew her first ascribe hospitality to her. In her funeral homily, Fr. Jim Dunning said, “Say Christiane Brusselmans and people immediately think hospitality — ebullient, warm, accepting, welcoming hospitality…In Luke’s Gospel (24:13-16, 28-35), the disciples ‘compel’ Jesus to eat with them. Luke uses the same verb when the man sends his servant to compel strangers, the poor to come to his banquet. Christiane also compelled people to come together…” Her hospitality and warm acceptance, compelling people to come together, bore fruit in so many different ways: numerous symposiums to study and vision the future of catechetics, the gatherings in Europe and America that resulted here in the formation of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate, the “gold book” and the
© 2008 by National Conference for Catechetical Leadership
A few years ago, a couple days before my six-year old nephew died suddenly, I was taking care of him and his newborn sister. As I was feeding Abby, Tyler talked incessantly by my side. All of a sudden out of blue, he said to me, “You know, Janet, God is a part of every family.” I close with this story for many reasons. Certainly, the greatest wisdom is to always recall that message in all we are and do: God is with us, God is constantly present. Secondly, although there are countless “famous” catechetical wisdom figures we haven’t talked about here — but don’t forget to pay attention to the ordinary wisdom figures in your daily lives who speak to you of God, of faith, of life, of your ministry. ❙ Janet Schaeffler, OP, is associate director for adult faith formation for the Archdiocese of Detroit.
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BOOKS IN THE NEWS
PLAYING A PART IN THE SYMPHONY The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Craft of Catechesis by Pierre de Cointet, Barbara Morgan, and Petroc Willey. Introductory essay by Christoph Cardinal Schonborn. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2008, 153 pages, $10.85. Reviewed by Stella Marie Jeffrey
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pon my return from an icon workshop, I noticed the penetrating eyes of Jesus Christ the Teacher on a postcard in my stack of mail. The advertisement depicted the cover of a new book, The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Craft of Catechesis. Intrigued with the phrase “craft of catechesis” I ordered yet another book. Chapter one addressed my first question, “What do they mean by the craft of catechesis?” The term (craft) is used here to evoke the notion of working with loving intelligence, uniting intellect, will, and practical skills in a patient work of drawing out the very best from the material with which one is involved...a craft that involves the heart, the mind, and the hand...we develop the skills of this craft as a participation in the work of grace in our lives; as St. Augustine said, “Indeed, we also work, but we are only collaborating with God who works.”
ABOUT THE BOOK’S AUTHORS Petroc Willey, Ph.D., STL is currently the Deputy Director of the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, England and the editor of The Sower. He has been a lecturer in Christian Ethics at Plater College, Oxford.
Repeatedly the image of a symphony is used to further illustrate this collaboration between God and us. As catechists, we can imagine ourselves as playing one of the instruments, taking our part in the harmony of faith and playing our special notes — musicians, craftsmen of catechesis. The book is addressed to every craftsman of catechesis and specifically names as catechists bishops, diocesan staff, priests, religious, laity and parents whether this “takes place in the parish, the home or the school.” Most readers will appreciate the book’s relatively short length (152 pages), its easy concentric writing style and numerous analogies to life. The preface introduces the chapter titles, calling them “pedagogical keys for our teaching and learning.” One’s interest is piqued — how exactly did they find these keys and how do they open the door to faith? Then each chapter explains a key or two, how it does or does not work, and where the key is demonstrated in the CCC. The authors then make suggestions for
Father Pierre de Cointet, STL, PhD. works in the formation of priests and laity and teaches philosophy and anthropology at the Studium of Notre Dame de Vie in Venasque, France. Barbara Morgan is the retired director of the office of catechetics and assistant professor of theology at Franciscan University in the United States.
Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Archbishop of Vienna and editor of the CCC, personally encouraged the writing of this book and facilitated the collaboration of catechetical experts from England, France and the United States, including assistance from the Bethlehem Community in my home Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. continued on page 12
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catechetical application. In this way, the Craft of Catechesis sets out to show how the CCC imitates the divine pedagogy while being “the sure norm for teaching the Faith...offered to every individual...who wants to know what the Catholic Church believes” (Fidei Depositum) “the utterly reliable place to which they can turn”: The underlying thesis and conviction of this small book, then, is that the CCC not only offers us a new, definitive account for our time of the content of the Catholic Faith; its value for the catechist lies more broadly in the pedagogy that informs every page. Those participating in the teaching mission of the Church can learn from the CCC not only what is the Deposit of Faith but also how to receive and to hand on that deposit in a truly ecclesial way. In other words, the CCC is both for teaching and learning how to teach. It is no small thing to be, as the CCC is, an excellent instrument for both learning and teaching, just as it is no small thing to be oneself both a learner and a teacher. This requires drawing together the contemplative and the active dimensions of our lives, the uniting of the two. The titles of the eight chapters and the three-page conclusion should alleviate any concerns that this work is going to somehow create cookie-cutter catechists and catechesis. The Craft of Catechesis An Organic Pedagogy: Savoring the Nexus Mysteriorum A Personal Pedagogy: Teaching the Living Realities of the Faith A Realist Pedagogy: Teaching the Faith as One, True, Good and Beautiful A Purposeful Pedagogy: Teaching the Story of Salvation A Practical Pedagogy: Identifying and Selecting Teaching Points A Scriptural and Liturgical Pedagogy: The Word Made Flesh A Prayerful Pedagogy Building on these chapter titles, the concluding pages, entitled “Putting It All Together,” list twelve keys to the craft of catechesis: namely, catechesis is to be “holistic, graceful, organic, personal,
true and attractive, purposeful, faithful, evangelizing and practical, scriptural, liturgical and prayerful.” These are the keys needed by every catechist in order to unlock the faith for themselves and others, to truly engage in the craft of catechesis. To further assist the reader in understanding this craft of catechesis, the authors carefully distinguish between a method of teaching and the pedagogy of God. By method we mean a specific way of organizing and structuring one’s teaching so as to bring about learning. This book is not directly about such methods of teaching; it concerns God’s pedagogy which is something much more all-encompassing. In fact, this pedagogy is informed by a largesse that can welcome every authentic and creative teaching style. The foundation for this distinction is grounded in the General Directory for Catechesis, which “calls upon catechists to consider ‘the demands’ and ‘the originality’ of ‘the pedagogy which is proper to the faith’ (No. 31).” In addition, the footnotes assist new catechists in deeper study both of the history of catechesis and understanding current catechetical debates. References are made to a wide array of sources including Plato’s Craftsman, Jungman’s kerygmatic catechesis, Thomas Groome’s head-heart-hand catechesis, Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poetry and Fr. Marie-Eugene of the Child Jesus’ spiritual writings (1, 4, 12, 74, 133). The footnotes also provide new insights into common stories such as the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24 and answers to questions like, “What section of the CCC does Pope Benedict XVI consider to be ‘among the richest most profound texts?’” (81, 115). Finally, the Craft of Catechesis is set within the context of understanding authority. In the introductory essay Cardinal Christoph Schonborn asks, “By whose authority is the CCC offered to us? And what is the nature and character of that authority?” Schonborn asserts, “It is only by clarifying the meaning that the Church attaches to her authority to teach that we can move forward in our understanding of the role of the CCC for the work of catechesis.” We cannot help but hear Jesus’ mandate, “Go therefore…teaching…all that I have commanded you” (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). ❙ Stella Marie Jeffrey is director for evangelization and catechesis for the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota.
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ECHOES OF FAITH
USING ECHOES OF FAITH PLUS Teaching Children to Pray by Jo Rotunno Teaching others to pray is one of the six tasks of catechesis described by the National Directory for Catechesis (NDC, 20). As your catechists launch another year of leading children, youth, and adults to a deeper life in Christ, you naturally are concerned with their ability to lead prayer well in their catechetical settings. Echoes of Faith Plus was designed to assist them, your catechists, in a number of ways. Let’s focus on three key ways in which children can deepen their lives of prayer and see how Echoes can help. Children learn through inculturation. As the National Directory teaches, “Catechesis for prayer begins when children see and hear others praying and when they pray with others, especially in the family.” Parish catechetical leaders need to give serious attention to a family catechesis through which parents can enrich their own prayer lives and learn simple skills for leading prayer within the home. Since catechists need similar opportunities, busy parish leaders might consider using the Prayer and Spirituality module of Echoes Plus in a joint setting where catechists and parents can both be enriched and where they can discuss their mutual concerns about assisting children in this critical area of their faith formation. If you are the one who will be facilitating the Echoes module with your catechists, be sure not to overlook the ritual prayer experience that concludes each module. Just as children learn through inculturation into the church’s ritual life, so too will your catechists. In addition to the video reflections, you’ll find a number of useful articles and ideas in the companion booklet. Dr. Tom Groome prepared an excellent article, “Prayer: The Way of Love” in which he includes a number of practical ideas for incorporating prayer into daily life. The two bonus interviews with Fr. Lou Cameli and Fr. Ron Rolheiser are additional opportunities for adult formation. Children learn by doing. The original Echoes of Faith was certainly concerned with the forming of children for a life of prayer. The series contains a number of helpful examples of catechists setting up prayer centers and leading children in classroom prayer. I think especially of the modeling in the Getting Started module. Echoes Plus, however, has a number of additional helpful features.
We wanted to emphasize to a greater extent the importance of inviting children to participate in effectively-led ritual prayer in their catechetical settings, so we added a fourth video segment to the four grade-level Methodology videos. This new segment teaches catechists simple ritual prayer forms that are easy to incorporate and don’t take excessive time in their already jam-packed catechetical sessions. The video both models and explains to them the importance of creating an environment and structure for classroom prayer that is achievable and that can be executed with confidence by most catechists. Children like answers to their “Why?” questions. Young people will often tell their catechists that Mass on Sunday, which for us is the core of our sacramental life, is boring and uninteresting to them. They don’t get the point of all the ritual and, sometimes, can’t see what is going on. This can be due to a number of reasons — the poor quality of the liturgy in progress, a feeling of exclusion, poor modeling from neighboring members of the assembly, or a lack of understanding of what the ritual means. Your catechists have a number of background tools on liturgy and sacraments available to them, starting with their catechist guides. Publishers expend a lot of time and money in giving catechists a wealth of background material to support their teaching. Echoes offers them formation to accompany the facts. Catechists who use the Liturgy and Sacraments module will gain good basic knowledge about the nature of liturgy and ritual, the meaning of sacrament and the presence of the risen Christ within them, and some beginning understandings of the church’s sacramental practice. But they will also have the opportunity to connect their new knowledge with their own lives and to reflect on the importance of sacramental living. The bonus interviews with Sr. Kate Dooley reflecting on her lifetime of teaching this subject to both children and adults and the interview with Fr. Larry Mick on the RCIA will continue to enrich your catechists in additional ways. Prayer in all its forms and participation in the ritual prayer of the church are critical to faith formation. I hope you’ll take advantage of some of the suggestions offered here to help the children, youth, and adults in your catechetical programs to prayer together often and well. ❙ Jo Rotunno is director of marketing and electronic media for RCL Benziger.
NCCL wishes to offer our sympathy and prayers to Jo Rotunno and her family on the death of her mother, Molly McClure, on August 15, 2008.
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DIOCESAN DIRECTORS’ FORUM
CATECHISTS: THE LIFELINE OF FAITH FORMATION by Rosie Bartel
Catechists are the faith formation lifeline between the local church and the diocese. There is a special union between catechists and those they catechize. Many live in the same communities and experience similar life demands, creating a natural sensitivity within the catechists to the needs of those being catechized. Personal witness to the Gospel is vital to the work of the catechists founded on commonalities with those to whom they give witness. Catechists 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 and religious education programs, youth ministry programs, sacramental preparation, RCIA, family programs, scripture studies and adult faith formation offerings. Catechists teach the Catholic faith and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and example. The call to be a catechist is a vocation, a call from God rooted in baptism. To be a catechist is not to volunteer for a service, it is answering this special call. The call to this ministry often comes through the pastor, parish director, catechetical leader, youth minister, pastoral associate or another catechist. The response to this call, recognized in the local church by the bishop, includes a willingness to give of one’s time and talent, not only by catechizing others, but also by growing in one’s own faith.
TASKS
OF THE CATECHIST There is a profound dignity to teaching in the name of the church. No ministry in the church compares to that of catechist. There are more than 500,000 catechists opening the doors to the living Christ through the six tasks of catechesis named in the National Directory
for Catechesis: ■
Knowledge of the faith
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Understanding of the liturgy and sacraments
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Moral formation in Jesus Christ
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Deepening the life of prayer
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Preparation to live in community
■
A missionary spirit
As adults, youth, and children encounter Christ, they discover the meaning of their lives in Christ. Catechists inspire learners to enter into the mystery of Jesus Christ and show others how to live as Christ’s disciples. The tasks of catechists are to fill the minds of the learners with knowledge, to touch their hearts, and to move their hands to action. The learners need to know the faith taught by the church. They need to accept the faith, cherish it and adopt its values. Finally they need to live the faith through loving service. This vision for catechesis is rooted in the Gospel message. Catechists are entrusted with opening the hearts and minds to the message of Jesus. They are the link between the learners and the larger church. They carry out the vision for catechesis. The bishop as the chief catechist hands down his vision for catechesis through the catechetical office of the diocese. This office shares in this work with the priests, religious and lay people. The bishop’s role as the chief catechist does not detract from the status of the others, who share in the work, but rather enhances their apostolic activities. Catechists participate in the priestly, prophetic and royal ministry of Christ by virtue of the baptism and confirmation. They prepare for this role by being a practicing Catholic who participates fully in the life of the church. They prepare for their work by receiving appropriate catechetical training. They are commissioned to participate in the calling “to teach as Jesus did.” Their personal relationship with Christ energizes their service to the church and motivates them for their catechetical ministry. To be effective, catechists must understand, love, live, and proclaim the message of Christ with conviction and enthusiasm. The proclamation of this message leads all learners to a deeper faith, a greater participation in the worship life of the church and a more dedicated service life. This call demands formation for those engaged in it.
ROLE
OF THE DIOCESAN OFFICE The diocesan catechetical office has an important role in the formation of catechists, who answer this call to ministry. As the agent of the bishop, the diocesan catechetical leader carries out the bishop’s vision for catechesis. The diocese needs to develop a catechist formation program to assist the catechists, who respond to the call from God to share the faith with others. The formation of catechists has a three-fold purpose:
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To provide the spiritual growth of the catechist
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To increase the theological knowledge for the one who is catechizing
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To expand skills in teaching methods through study and practice
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Prayer is also an integral part of the formation of catechists because God is the source and enabler of all catechesis. A diocesan catechetical office develops a catechist formation program that has levels of certification. Each level of certification is recognition by the church that the catechists have completed a higher level of formation. Catechists are given an opportunity through certification to become effective educators of adults, youth, and children. The goal of any catechist formation process is to insure that the tradition of the church is handed on to all learners in our parishes, schools and catechetical programs and to support catechists in their vital ministries with adults, youth and children. When catechists are well formed, they truly become the lifeline of the faith formation programs in our church. ❙ Rosie Bartel is the religious education director for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. She is the Milwaukee Province representative on the NCCL Representative Council.
Advertisers’ Directory
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Driven by a vision of lifelong catechesis, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Religion Publishers strives to involve all members of the parish faith community through resources that are age-appropriate, systematic, and intentional. For more information, visit us online at www.harcourtreligion.com.
RCL Benziger is committed to all those we serve through the production of effective and engaging Catholic faith formation materials for lifelong learning. We are proud to be your partner in ministry. Visit us at RCLBenziger.com or call toll free 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
Since 1832, William H. Sadlier, Inc. has been a family owned and managed publisher dedicated to developing quality catechetical materials that address the needs of the Catholic community. William H. Sadlier, Inc. • 9 Pine Street New York, NY 10005-1002 • 800.221.5175
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C A T E C H E T I C A L L EADER EDITOR: Joyce A. Crider, President and CEO, Visual Dynamics, Inc., 1216 Deerfield Point. Alpharetta, GA 30004 EDITORIAL CONSULTANT: Mary Kay Schoen DESIGN: Rings Leighton Design Group PUBLISHER: Leland D. Nagel PRINTER: Tri-State Printing Company Catechetical Leader (ISSN: 1547-7908) is published six times a year by the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL), 125 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20017. Authors’ views do not necessarily reflect those of
NCCL. Letters to the editor and submissions of news items are encouraged. Send to Catechetical Leader at the address above or email nccl@nccl.org. Phone: (202) 884-9753 Fax: (202) 884-9756. Contact NCCL for reprints. Copyright 2008 by NCCL Subscription rates: (U.S. addresses): One year $24; two years, $42; three years, $54. (Foreign addresses): One year $48; two years, $86; three years, $114. NCCL members receive Catechetical Leader as a part of membership. To subscribe, send name and address with check or credit card number to NCCL at address above.
Bulk rate subscriptions: 2–5 subscriptions, $22 each; 6–10 subscriptions, $20; 11–20, $18; 21 or more, $16. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NCCL, 125 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20017.
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THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE
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begin to understand who God is and what he wants to say to us. It is Christ who comes among us to reveal to us who God is — our Father — and, therefore, who we are. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. We no longer have to rely on our words. We have his word.
are all gifts of God. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church recalls for us, sacred Scripture, tradition and the magisterium of the church, in accord with God’s wise design, are so linked that each in its own way under the action of the Holy Spirit contributes effectively to the salvation of souls (cf. 95).
In Saint John’s Gospel we read, “Then many of his disciples who were listening said, ‘This saying is hard; who can accept it?’” Jesus said to them, “‘The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’ . . . As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, ‘Do you also want to leave?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God’” (Jn 6:60, 63, 66-69).
Authentic Catholic faith is never partial or selective. It is always universal. We say yes to the whole mystery of the faith and to each of its elements because of our personal faith in God. We believe the truth that God reveals because we believe God, and we believe that God is still teaching in and through the church. When Peter came to recognize that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, he was prepared to believe any word of Christ, for it was clear to him that God is always to be believed. “‘You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God’” (John 6:68-69).
The catechist, through his or her words and deeds, bears witness to Jesus, tells the story of Jesus, lives the message of Jesus. Teacher is an ancient and well-honored title. The teacher is the storyteller of the faith family. He or she passes on the collective memory of the community, the deposit of faith, so that each generation can benefit from the living faith of the past generations. We begin to share when we tell others of Jesus. We live and talk in such a manner that the truth of what we proclaim inspires others to accept and follow the Lord. This is the primary role of the catechist — to tell the story of Jesus with such conviction and with such witness power that others want to follow him. Faith is awakened and is nurtured with this witness.
WITNESS
TO THE
FAITH
This proclamation of the kingdom of God is more than personal enthusiasm. It is anchored in the knowledge that Christ has died and that Christ has risen. Hence, the creed, the summary of our faith. Witness to the faith necessarily involves content. The creed is the summary of who Jesus is and what he does. It is the framework for the passing on of the story. In recent years there have been splendid developments in the church’s expression of her faith. A contemporary catechist must take into account the wealth of the teaching of the church, especially as summarized in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Tradition, Scripture and the living magisterium, with the presence of the Spirit guiding the faithful to be open to the truth,
LEAVEN
IN THE
CULTURE
The teaching of the faith — the work of the catechist — takes place in a specific context. For us it is our culture, our society. In his talk to the bishops of the United States at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on April 16, the Holy Father reminded us that we live in a land of strong faith where religious freedom is practiced and protected: “America is also a land of great faith. Your people are remarkable for their religious fervor, and they take pride in belonging to a worshipping community. They have confidence in God, and they do not hesitate to bring moral arguments rooted in biblical faith into their public discourse.” It is within this context that the pope tells us that our knowledge of the faith is important so that we can truly be a “leaven” in society. We teach, but we teach with a purpose. The goal is transformation not only of the individual but of our whole culture. The catechist can be “leaven” by bringing to those being formed in the faith an awareness of their own potential to change the world in which we live and make it more truly a reflection — a manifestation — of God’s kingdom among us. It is not an exaggeration to envision achieving a world of truth, justice, compassion, understanding, peace and love. The proclamation of the kingdom that Christ came to announce was at hand is precisely to engage us in living those realities in such a way that the kingdom is actually manifested in our world. The catechist helps to fashion another generation of those who can move forward the goal — to manifest the kingdom.
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A BLESSING
FOR THE
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PARISH
Each year at the urging of the bishops, a Sunday in September is designated as Catechetical Sunday. This year it is September 21, 2008. The purpose is to call attention at the parish level to the work — the extremely significant work — of the catechist and to remind all of us that catechesis is a responsibility of the entire faith community. In many dioceses, this Sunday is designated as a time for the commissioning of catechists, most of whom are lay volunteers. For the parish, catechists are a blessing for so many reasons. They embody one aspect of the parish’s responsibility to teach the faith. They do so in an orderly and systematic manner. They also do so under the direction and the guidance of the pastor, thus assuring their connectedness with the teaching of the church — their part in the apostolic mission to ensure that the faith of the Apostles is proclaimed and lived among us today. It is not only encouraging but edifying to think that each of the catechists and all those involved in the parish catechetical endeavor are part of a far larger ecclesial action than is immediately evident in the classrooms and settings where they help form the next generation of Catholics. When we speak of the esteemed role of the catechist, we necessarily
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reflect the far larger picture of how each individual is personally identified with the ongoing effort of the whole church to make Christ known so that he is embraced and becomes the source of new life.
PROCLAIMING
WITH
CONFIDENCE
In assessing the catechetical enterprise today, we can do so with confidence. There will always be challenges, and even difficulties, associated with passing on the faith. What marks the current moment is a deepening awareness of both the importance of what we have to say — the message — and the willingness of so many — faithful and informed catechists — to pass on the message. Catechists courageously and lovingly proclaim the message of Jesus. This the church has always done with confidence and assurance because we know that even in the face of difficulty or indifference we can joyfully, confidently and lovingly articulate and share the words that give life. Looking to the future of catechesis, we should do so with hope, confidence and enthusiasm knowing that we bring something to those we teach that no one else can. We share the story of Jesus. ❙ Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, S.T.D., is Archbishop of Washington.
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NOTABLE RESOURCES Books, websites, and media for the enrichment of the parish catechetical leader. Compiled by Dan Pierson Into the Fields Many diocese offer formal systems for the formation and certification of catechists. Diocesan staff and parish catechetical leaders use a variety of published resources for the implementation of diocesan standards. These may include Echoes of Faith (RCL Benziger), Catechist in Formation (RCL/Benziger), Catholic Update (St. Anthony Messenger), What Do I Do Now: A Guide for the Reluctant Catechist (Pflaum), The Catechist’s Toolbox: How to Thrive As a Religion Education Teacher (Loyola Press), or Catechist’s Companion (Our Sunday Visitor). Joining that list is Twenty-Third Publications, who has recently published Into the Fields: Catechist and Teacher Formation for the Whole Community. Into the Fields consists of thirty sessions with ten sessions per year for a three-year curriculum: Basic Catechetical Skills and Attitudes (Year 1) Styles of Teaching and Learning (Year 2) Teaching Specific Catholic Topics (Year 3) A corresponding Facilitator Manual offers a detailed outline for each of thirty sessions, including PowerPoint presentations. During my initial review, I thought Into the Fields was a very unrealistic, involved, and lengthy program. Upon further study and exploration, I realized that it is flexible, easy to use and adaptable. Parish catechetical leaders can customize their catechist formation by selecting individual sessions and offering them in a schedule that is best for the catechists. While the majority of catechists will attend group sessions, catechists can work independently on selected titles that are critical to their immediate needs. Those catechists who are teaching Confirmation, adult faith formation or RCIA may want to use topical resources from the Growing Faith Project, fortyeight booklets on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a comprehensive program for adult faith formation. For more information visit www.intothefields.org and www.growingfaithproject.com
The Gospel Truth The Gospel Truth: A Lectionary-Based Catechism for Adults by Ken Ogorek is a comprehensive one-volume resource for catechists, Catholic school teachers, leaders of Children’s Liturgy of the Word, adults, and parents who have time to pray, read and discuss the Sunday readings as a family. RCIA participants and home-schooling families will find this a valuable resource. When I first heard of The Gospel Truth I was afraid that it would be one more catechismtype book written in church language and disconnected from the life experiences of readers. Surprise! The Gospel Truth presents the “truths of the Catholic faith” in engaging language while including references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults. Ken Ogorek, director of religious education for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, presents a comprehensive resource that connects the teachings of the Catholic Church to the full text of the Sunday Gospels. The design for each Sunday in the three-year cycle includes these topics: ■
The Gospel Reading
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Truth of Our Catholic Faith
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A Question for Me
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A Question for the Child in My Life
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My Role in the Community
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For Depth and Further Reflection (Recommended readings from Scripture and the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)
Europe. Recently the Maryvale Institute of England, a Catholic college with emphasis in catechesis, theology and philosophy, has joined with Franciscan University of Steubenville to make the journal available in the United States. Petroc Willey, editor, said that The Sower is aimed at forming catechetical leaders in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, General Directory, and the apostolic exhortation Catechesis Tradendae (Catechesis in our Time), all of which capture the church’s vision of catechesis. Each quarterly issue, rich in content, focuses on a particular theme, together with regular features: “The Bishop’s Page, Learning Through Art, Omnes Gentes: News and Views, Catechetical Saints”, etc. Previous issues highlighted The Paschal Mystery, Liturgy and Catechesis, Catechist Formation, Compendium of the Catholic Church, Whole Community Catechesis. The theme of this year’s July-September issue is The Year of Paul, and includes an article by Bishop Richard Malone, Bishop of Portland Maine, entitled, “Paul: A Catechist’s Model of Conversion.” In addition to The Sower, the recently formed catechetical institute at Franciscan University includes publications, conferences and presentations, and consultation to diocesan and parish catechetical leaders. Single subscription rate is $26.00 with significant discount for bulk orders and diocesan-wide programs. For additional information or to receive a complimentary issue, contact Colleen D. Raimone, United States Editorial and Publications Director, at 740.283.6235 or crainone@franciscan.edu. ❙
A Closing Scriptural Reflection
For additional information visit the book’s companion website, www.kenogorek.com. To order, contact E.T. Nedder Publishing/ Paulist Press or Ken at ogorek@iwon.com The Sower For the past 90 years The Sower, a quarterly catechetical journal, has served the catechetical leaders in the United Kingdom and
Dan Pierson served as director of religious education for the Diocese of Grand Rapids for seventeen years. He is the founder of faithAlivebooks.com and works with religious publishers in product development, marketing and sales.
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