National Directory for Catechesis

1. National Directory for Catechesis Divine and Human Methodology

2. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it. (Is 55:10-11)

3. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies • Points to remember about the NDC • Ideas about catechesis in general • Purpose of catechesis is to proclaim the Gospel and to bring people into communion with God • All Catholics have a catechetical responsibility and right • Involves both life-long learning and teaching others about the faith • All of Church life is catechetical

4. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies God’s Word has mighty powers; It effects the purpose for which it is intended. More than a message, it is an event that inspires, even compels, Action. Christ’s missionary command impels us to carry God’s Word to the end of the earth. God infused humanity with the grace of the Holy Spirit in order to bring forth the divine fruit of conversion to Christ and confession of faith.

5. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology God’s Revelation is the self-disclosure of the loving communion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in which He makes known the mystery of His divine plan. This methodology engages persons and communities in light of their circumstances and their capacity to accept and interpret revelation.

6. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies • Catechetical Methodologies • Divine Methodology as a model and goal • God’s Revelation is how he makes known his divine plan for human salvation • God engages persons to accept and interpret Revelation • Jesus is the preeminent model and God’s Eternal Word become flesh • Jesus’ relationship with his disciples reveals God’s Revelation and serves as a model • Jesus relied on multi-dimensional methods

7. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology • Pedagogy of God • The Church confesses one God and Father from whom all things are, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through who all things are, and one Holy Spirit in whom all things are.” • The inner life of the Trinity and the actions of the divine persons are undivided and inseparable • Who God is and what God does forms a unity of divine life and activity • The work of revelation is the common work of the three divine persons • Each person of the Trinity shows fort what is proper to him within the one divine nature

8. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology • God the Father • The father made himself known in creation and in his eternal Word, Jesus Christ • Through the mystery of the incarnation Jesus revealed God as Father and Creator • Out of nothing and through his eternal Word and Spirit the Father created all things and all things are good. • By his Word the father upholds and sustains the whole creation • He made a covenant with his people that bound them to him and him to them in an everlasting pledge of love • He transformed events in the life of his people into encounters with himself • The moral law which derives from the law given to Moses can be defined as Fatherly instruction

9. Chapter 4 Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology • Jesus Christ: The preeminent model for the communication of the faith and the formation of believers in the faith because he became truly human while remaining truly God. • God’s eternal Word became flesh to help us know God’s love, to save us, to be our model of holiness, and to have us “share in the divine nature.” • In the mystery of the Incarnation, Christ joins divinity with humanity in teaching the faith and forming disciples. • In a sign of basic human affirmation Jesus chose his disciples they did not choose him. • He established a bond of friendship • He engaged them in conversation • He gave them hope • He taught them publicly and privately • He taught them to pray • He sent them out on mission • He promised to send them the holy spirit who would lead them to truth

10. Chapter 4 Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology “The wholeness of Christ’s life was a continual teaching: his silences, his miracles, his gestures, his prayer, his love for people, his special affection for the little and poor, his acceptance of the total sacrifice of the Cross for the redemption of the world, and his Resurrection are the actualization of his word and fulfillment of revelation.” (Catechesi Tradendae)

11. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology • Holy Spirit • unfolds the divine plan of salvation within the Church • animates the Church and directs her mission • Makes the Paschal mystery of christ present in the humand mind to accept Christ • Converts the human heart to love Christ • Encourages the human person to follow Christ • Makes new life in Christ possible for believers “The Holy Spirit, the artisan of God’s works, is the master of prayer.” (CCC 741) The Holy spirit draws all humanity to Christ and, through Christ, into communion with the Trinity

12. Chapter 4 Divine and Human Methodology • God’s Own Methodology • The Church: Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit continues God’s own methodology in a living catechesis • Seeks to discover the most fruitful way to announce the Good News and looks first to the method used by God • Progressively and patiently proclaims the Gospel respecting the freedom of individuals and taking into consideration their “slowness to believe.” • Reflects God’s own methodology for communicating the faith through the lives and teachings of the martyrs and saints, in the treasury of her teaching, in the witness of catechists, and in various examples of Christian life. “From her beginnings the church, which ‘in Christ, is in the nature of Sacrament,’ has lived her mission as a visible and actual continuation of the pedagogy of the father and of the son.” (GDC 141)

13. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Catechesis and Divine Methodology Catechetical methodology must exhibit a twofold fidelity. It must be faithful to God and to his Revelation. It must respect the liberty and promote the active participation of those being catechized.

14. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Catechesis and Divine Methodology conveys God’s loving plan of salvation in the person of Christ emphasizing God’s initiative in it, attentive disclosure of it, and his respect for individual liberty. • Emphasizes God’s love and human response • Accepts the progressive nature of Revelation • Recognizes the centrality of Jesus Christ • Values the community experience of faith • Rooted in Interpersonal relations and dialogue • Utilizes signs that link words and deeds, teaching and experience • Draws its power from the Holy Spirit

15. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology A variety of methods is required in order to ensure that the gospel is proclaimed “to all nations.” The variety in the methods used is a sign of life and resource.

16. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Learning through Human Experience • Human experiences provide the sensible signs that lead the person, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, to a better understanding of the truths of faith. • Human experiences are the means through which human beings come to know themselves, one another, and God • Jesus became human so then human experience is the locus for manifestation and realization of salvation in him. • Use of human experience in catechesis. • Catechesis links human experience to the revealed word of God, helping people ascribe Christian meaning to their own existence • Catechesis enables people to explore, interpret, and judge their basic experiences in light of the gospel • Catechesis helps people relate their experiences to the most profound questions in life

17. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Learning by Discipleship • The Christian faith above all is is conversion to Jesus Christ, full adherence to his person and the decision to walk in his footsteps. • By following the example of Christ’s self-giving love, we learn to be Christian disciples in our own time, place, and circumstances. • Mary is the first disciple, a unique instrument of revelation and a model for disciples Catechesis nourishes a living, explicit, and fruitful faith lived in discipleship to Jesus Christ. The disciple is brought to intimate communion with Jesus Christ and a deeper understanding that “by grace you have been saved through faith, and it is not from you, it is a gift of God.”

18. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Christian Community • The Christian Community is the context in which individuals undertake their journey in faith toward conversion to christ and discipleship in his name. • The parish is the place where the Christian faith is first received, expressed and nourished. • It is where Christian faith deepens and where the Christian community is formed. • In the parish members of the Christian community become aware of being the people of God. • In the parish the faithful are nurtured by the word of God and nourished by the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The parish serves as an effective catechetical agent precisely to the extent that is a clear, living, and authentic sacrament of Christ.

19. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Witness of the Family • The Christian family is ordinarily the first experience of Christian community and the primary environment for faith growth. • Within the Christian family, parents are the primary educators in the faith and the first heralds of the faith with regard to their children. • Family members learn more of the Christian life by observing each others strengths or weaknesses than by formal instruction • Often extended family members take on primary responsibility in transmitting the faith to the younger members

20. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Witness of the Catechist • Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit catechists powerfully influence those being catechized by their faithful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the transparent example of their Christian lives. • For catechesis to be effective catechists must be fully committed to Jesus Christ • Catechists must hand on the teachings of Christ; • must prepare those being catechized for the sacraments instituted by Christ; • must orient them toward life according to the moral teaching of Christ; • must lead them to pray with Christ

21. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Learning by Heart • Use of memory has been an integral part of the faith since the beginning of Christianity • The principle formulations of the faith; basic prayers, key biblical themes, personalities, and expressions; and factual information regarding worship and Christian life should be learned by heart • These ensure an accurate exposition of the faith and foster a common language of the faith among all faithful • In this way certain elements of the catholic faith, tradition, and practice are learned for a lifetime, form a basis for communication, allow people to pray together in common language, and contribute to the individual’s continued growth in understanding and living the faith

22. Things that should be learned by Heart • Prayers such as the Sign of the cross, Lord’s Prayer; Hail Mary, Apostles’ Creed, Acts of faith, Hope, and Charity, and the Act of Contrition • Factual information contributing to an appreciation of the place of the word of God in the Church and the life of the Christian through an awareness and understanding of the key themes of the history pf salvation; the major personalities of the old and New Testaments; and certain biblical texts expressive of God’s love and care • Formulas providing factual information regarding the Church, worship, the church year, and major practices in the devotional life of Christians including the parts of the Mass, the list of sacraments, the liturgical seasons, the holy days of obligation, the major feasts of Our Lord and the Blessed Mother, the lives of the saints, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the various Eucharistic devotions, the mysteries of the rosary, and the stations of the cross • Formulas and practices dealing with the moral life of Christians including the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the gifts of the holy Spirit, the theological and moral virtues, the precepts of the Church, the principles of Catholic Social teaching and the examination of conscience

23. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Christian Living • As a general condition of Christian life, the faithful actively respond to God’s loving initiative • through praying, • celebrating the sacraments and the liturgy; • living the Christian life; • fostering works of charity and works of justice • promoting virtues from the natural law such as liberty, solidarity, justice, peace, and the protection of the created order Both the private practice and the public witness of knowledgeable and committed Christians are indispensable factors in the sanctification of the world. A responsibility to which all Baptized are called.

24. Chapter 4Divine and Human Methodology • Elements of Human Methodology • Apprenticeship (the art of Spiritual direction) • Linking an experienced Christian believer or mentor with one who seeks a deeper relationship with Christ and the church is essential • It is a guided encounter with the entire Christian life; a journey toward conversion to Christ • It is a school for discipleship that promotes an authentic following of Christ based on acceptance of one’s baptismal responsibilities, the internalization of the word of God, and the transformation of the whole person to “life in Christ.” • Learning by apprenticeship normally includes the profession of faith, education in the knowledge of the faith, celebration of the mysteries of the faith, practice of Christian moral virtues, and dedication to the daily patterns of Christian prayer.

25. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies • Catechetical Methodologies • Relationship of catechesis and Revelation • Catechesis conveys God’s loving plan of salvation • Methods aim to harmonize the personal adherence to the content of the revealed Christian message • Catechetical methods must be faithful to God’s Revelation

26. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies • Catechetical Methodologies • Divine Methodology as a model • Emphasizes God’s loving initiative and a person’s free response to it • Accepts the progressive nature of Revelation • Recognizes the centrality of Jesus • Values the communal experience of faith • Is rooted in interpersonal relationships • Uses signs • Draws on the power of the Holy Spirit

27. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies • Catechetical Methodologies • Human Catechetical Methodology • The Church does not rely on any single human methodology • Situation of those being catechized is integral to the successful transmission of the Gospel • Transmit both the content of faith and the source of that content • Two primary catechetical methods are inductive and deductive

28. Catechetical Ministry and Methodologies • Catechetical Methodologies • Mass media and catechesis • All means should be employed • Learn the culture created by the mass media • Develop a critical sense to evaluate media Whatever method is used, all catechesis occurs within the life of a worshipping community. Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, this community gives praise and thanks to God. God’s own methodology always remains the model for all human methodologies