Saint Jose de Anchieta – Patron Saint of Catechists
Nurturing the Seed of Faith
“Catechists carry out a mission invaluable for the transmission and growth of the faith…[by encountering] all those who are waiting to discover the beauty, goodness and truth of the Christian faith.”
Pope Francis (Antiquum Ministeruim)
A catechist is someone who passes on the faith. Catechesis comes from the Greek meaning “to echo”, because our first calling, as baptised Christians, is to transmit to others the Good News of Jesus Christ that we have received.
On 11 May 2021, whilst launching his recent Apostolic Letter, Antiquum Ministerium (“Ancient Ministry”), Pope Francis acknowledged the need of the Church to evangelise the contemporary world in the face of “the rise of a globalised culture” and to recognise “those lay men and women who feel called by virtue of their baptism to co-operate in the work of catechesis” (AM). It is by the dedicated service of catechists that the seed of faith can grow and mature.
Indeed, our own teams of parish catechists are vital to the spiritual well-being of our parish. We are very grateful to those parishioners who are already very dedicated catechists – we couldn’t do what we do without them!
The catechists’ main method of sharing the faith is to begin with the love of God. St Augustine wrote that the life of faith begins with knowing that God loved us first – which is why communicating God’s mercy for us, through the life of Jesus is the starting point for all catechesis.
Each parish needs energetic catechists, who learn the art of how to best transmit the faith to each individual – their role is to help us each discover a life of closeness to God, where we allow God’s love to flourish within us and are better equipped in our Christian walk, so as to be an good example to others.
Catechists in Bishop’s Stortford
Our catechists assist with this ongoing formation in the faith in a variety of different ways:
- RCIA: In this parish, there are catechists helping both adults and children take their first steps in the faith. Our wonderful team of RCIA catechists journey with individuals who wish to enter the Catholic Church or who have questions about their faith
- Baptism: Similarly, a couple within our parish community takes time to prepare the parents of infants being baptised, so as to help them appreciate the significance of choosing to bring their child into the family of the church.
- First Holy Communion: We also have a dedicated team of First Holy Communion catechists, whose role is to help prepare primary aged children to discover the wonder of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and of the Eucharist
- Confirmation: Another important “rite of passage” is the sacrament of Confirmation, where our teenagers and young adults are invited to consider what it means to make their own commitment to their faith and to the Church.
- Marriage: Our priests, as well as married couples volunteering as catechists, also help prepare engaged couples for the Sacrament of Marriage.
Do Get in Touch!
We are currently especially in need of parishioners willing to accompany our young people, as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation and also in their journey towards adolescence and through the teenage years generally. But there are many other areas of sacramental preparation where your help is also needed.
If you are not sure, you might like to speak to someone who is already a catechist in the parish – no doubt, they would attest to how rewarding being a catechist can be!
If you feel moved to find out more and get involved (even if you are not sure how!), then please do get in contact, in the first instance, with our Catechetical Co-ordinator, Mrs Sophie Sullivan, and we will be able to talk through the possibilities. her email is: bstortfordcatechist@rcdow.org.uk or contact Debbie at the parish office to leave your details.
“The role of catechist is of the highest importance.”
Ad Gentes (Second Vatican Council)