Interested in Being a Catechist?
Help your own Catholic faith come alive by sharing what we believe as Catholics with the youngest members of our parish community. Please consider becoming a Catechist (Teacher) or Classroom Aide.
Resource material and support provided. Contact Dolores Ann Mihaliak, Director of Religious Education at 860-666-3562 or [email protected] for more information about this amazing opportunity to share your gifts & talents.
Resource material and support provided. Contact Dolores Ann Mihaliak, Director of Religious Education at 860-666-3562 or [email protected] for more information about this amazing opportunity to share your gifts & talents.
The Catechist's Ministry
The mission of the catechist is to nurture in the young people an ever more mature faith in Jesus Christ, a deeper knowledge and love of His person & message and a firm commitment to follow Jesus. Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the task of Catechesis is built on these four “pillars”: What a Catholic believes, how Catholics worship, how Catholics live, and how Catholics pray.
Believe
Teach the young people the Doctrine of the Catholic Church and establish a common Language of Faith so that they progress from year to year in understanding & expressing the beliefs & practices of the Catholic faith.
Worship
Engage the young people in understanding the sacramental life of the Catholic Church & liturgical calendar. Provide them with opportunities to develop the skills needed for full participation in the sacred rites & celebrations of the Catholic Church.
Live
Focus attention on the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Through a consistent presentation of the Scriptures & with special emphasis on the Commandments & the Beatitudes, help the young people develop an informed conscience & encourage them to practice the virtues that lead to charity & justice.
Pray
Provide the young people with a vast variety of prayer experiences, including vocal prayer, spoken & sung, meditative prayer & contemplative prayer. Children’s natural inclination for prayer is fostered through group practice & respect for individual spiritual needs.
When these elements are combined in a Catechetical presentation, the Gospel message can be effectively taught & faith formation is more likely to progress. The purpose of all Catechesis is to call people to a personal encounter with Christ, form them into His disciples, help them through the participation in the life of the Catholic Church, to make a permanent commitment to live as Jesus taught us to live.
Catechist's Prayer
Lord God, Source of all wisdom and knowledge, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to proclaim his message of faith, hope, and love to all nations. In your goodness, Strengthen all Catechists with your gifts, That they may teach the young people by word and example, The truth which comes from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Believe
Teach the young people the Doctrine of the Catholic Church and establish a common Language of Faith so that they progress from year to year in understanding & expressing the beliefs & practices of the Catholic faith.
Worship
Engage the young people in understanding the sacramental life of the Catholic Church & liturgical calendar. Provide them with opportunities to develop the skills needed for full participation in the sacred rites & celebrations of the Catholic Church.
Live
Focus attention on the moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Through a consistent presentation of the Scriptures & with special emphasis on the Commandments & the Beatitudes, help the young people develop an informed conscience & encourage them to practice the virtues that lead to charity & justice.
Pray
Provide the young people with a vast variety of prayer experiences, including vocal prayer, spoken & sung, meditative prayer & contemplative prayer. Children’s natural inclination for prayer is fostered through group practice & respect for individual spiritual needs.
When these elements are combined in a Catechetical presentation, the Gospel message can be effectively taught & faith formation is more likely to progress. The purpose of all Catechesis is to call people to a personal encounter with Christ, form them into His disciples, help them through the participation in the life of the Catholic Church, to make a permanent commitment to live as Jesus taught us to live.
Catechist's Prayer
Lord God, Source of all wisdom and knowledge, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to proclaim his message of faith, hope, and love to all nations. In your goodness, Strengthen all Catechists with your gifts, That they may teach the young people by word and example, The truth which comes from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
