We celebrate and pray for all who come forward for this ministry. They are people who are willing to share their own faith and have the courage to listen to the faith stories of others, without judgment but with a sense of wonder and awe. Catechists are moms, dads, stepparents, grandparents, foster parents, godparents, and all who form children at home, in the domestic church. Catechists serve the RCIA, welcoming people who want to know more about the life of the Church, and if they fit in. They serve as youth ministers, helping to animate the young church. Catechists are a part of adult faith formation, and also about the work of forming our young disciples in faith. They work with couples who are preparing for marriage, they teach religion in our Catholic schools, and we could go on and on.
God bless catechists, people like you and me, who are willing to step forward and accompany someone on their journey in faith.
Catechetical Sunday is this Sunday, September 18th. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. The theme this year is “This is my body given for you”. Luke 22:19
There will be a special blessing at the 10:30 am Mass for all of the catechists and assistants in our K-12 Faith Formation Program. We invite and encourage everyone involved in our program to attend this Mass and receive a special blessing.
Happy Catechetical Sunday!
Blessing for Catechists
Heavenly Father, you are the source of life and love.
Send down your Spirit upon these catechists.
Inspire them to be not only teachers of your truth, but witnesses of your love.
Give them the courage to heal.
Help them to see the pain of those around them so that they may offer hope through loving gestures of support and prayer.
May they be merciful to others as you are merciful.
Give them the joy to proclaim the Good News of salvation.
Help them see your will at work in their lives so that they may share it with others.
May they, in their words and deeds, offer continual praise to the one who saves us.
Give them the wisdom to teach.
Help them discover the mysteries of our faith in new and exciting ways.
May their curiosity inspire those who they instruct to become your loyal disciples.
We pray to you, almighty Father, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ the Master-Teacher, the Healer, and the Savior,
and in unity with the Holy Spirit who inspires us with knowledge, courage, and understanding. Amen.*
* This blessing is based on the principles in the book To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, which is inspired by the threefold ministry of Jesus Christ
