Directory of Catechesis: Guiding the Church in Teaching Christ

2. Introduction

3. Vision • “The Vision for Catechesis is totally bound up in the missionary mandate of the church to go and make disciples

4. Christ is the Center • Teaching Christ • Teachings of Christ

5. “Catechesis is the word used to describe this essential ministry of the church through which the teachings of Christ have been passed on to believers throughout the ages.”

6. The Lineage of the Directory • Vatican II • General Catechetical Directory (1971) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (1972-74) Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975)

7. Lineage Cont’d • National Catechetical Directory (1979) Catechesi Tradendae (1979) • Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992-94) • General Directory for Catechesis (1997) • National Directory for Catechesis (2005) • US Catholic Catechism for Adults (200?)

8. Signs of Vitality • Challenges

9. Purpose of a Directory • To provide fundamental theological and pastoral principles • To offer guidelines • To set forth the nature, purpose, object, task, basic content, methodologies

10. Proclaiming the Gospel in the United StatesChapter 1

11. “The circumstances in which the catechetical process takes place condition both the reception of the Gospel and the response to it.”

12. Freedom Mobility Interest in Science and Technolgy Religious Freedom Globalization Pragmatism Economic Freedom

13. Diversity • Religious Diversity • Cultural Diversity • Diversity within the church • Ethnic • Autonomous churches • Regional

14. American Catholics • Demographics • Personnel • Families and Home

15. Catechesis Within the church’s Mission of EvangelizationChapter 2

16. Evangelization is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the church, her deepest identity. She exists to evangelize.

17. Dynamics of Evangelization Preevangelization Missionary Activity Permanent Continuing Catechesis Initiatory Catechesis Mystagogy

18. Catechesis—An essential moment in the Church’s Mission of Evangelization • Nature and Purpose—to mature initial conversion, to make it into a living, explicit and fruitful confession of faith. • Initiatory and Ongoing Catechesis

19. Six Tasks of Catechesis • Knowledge of the Faith • Knowledge of the meaning of Liturgy and the sacraments • Moral Formation in Christ • Teaching the Christian how to pray with Christ • Prepare Christian to Live in Community and participate actively in the life and mission of the Church • Promotes Missionary Spirit

20. Inculturation • The insertion of the Gospel message into cultures

21. “A faith that does not become culture • is not fully accepted, • not entirely thought out, • not faithfully lived.” John Paul II

22. Definition • “The penetration of the deepest strata of persons and peoples by the Gospel which touches them deeply, ‘going to the very center and roots’ (EN 20) of their cultures” (#109) • A Double Movement of Mutuality Local Culture Christian Faith

23. Principles for Inculturation • Compatibility with the Gospel • Communion with the Universal Church

24. Basic Principles of Catechesis • Sacred Scripture • Catechism of the Catholic Church • National Directory for Catechesis • The General Directory for Catechesis • Magisterium of the Church • Second Vatican Council • Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us

25. This is Our Faith;This Is theFaith of the ChurchChapter 3

26. “The presentation of the Gospels should be done in such a way as to elicit an encounter with Christ, who provides the key to the whole biblical revelation and communicates the call of God that summons each one to respond.”

27. Catechesis must be centered in the Gospel because “Jesus Christ is their center.” • Jesus is the definitive Revelation of God • Gospel message proceeds through Christ, to the Father, in the Holy Spirit • Leads to profession of faith in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

28. Trinitarian Character of the Christian Message • Central mystery of Christian Faith and Life • Moral implications for Christians gathered into the unity of the Holy Trinity

29. Evangelization • Christ’s message of liberation is situated within “the specifically religious objective of evangelization.”

30. Inculturation of the Christian Message • Process that brings the transforming power of the Gospel to touch persons in their hearts and cultures at their deepest levels.

31. Catechesis in a Worshiping CommunityChapter 5

32. Catechesis in a Worshiping Community “…faith gathers the community for worship, and worship renews the faith of the community.” Second Vatican Council clearly identifies the rites of the Church with the Paschal Mystery of Christ, adequately integrated with the Eucharist as the principal celebration of that mystery

33. Baptismal Catechumenate:Inspiration for All Catechesis • Inspires a continuing catechesis • Gospel message engages the culture of the catechumens – take flesh • Fruitful blend of instruction and formation in the faith • An admirable model for the whole of the Church’s catechetical efforts

34. Church: Sacramental Reality • “Ecclesial” aspects of the church’s life • Transformation of our humanity • Moments of reflection shared with one another in community • Persons participate knowingly, devoutly, and actively in the sacraments

35. Catechesis and Liturgy • Liturgy is inherently catechetical • It is not simply the knowledge of God—one comes to know the living God

36. Adult Education for Life • “In other words, sacramental life is impoverished and very soon turns into hollow ritualism if it is not based on serious knowledge of the meaning of the sacraments, and catechesis becomes intellectualized if it fails to come alive in sacramental practice.”

37. “When catechesis is permeated by a climate of prayer, the assimilation of the entire Christian life reaches its summit.”

38. Liturgical Year • Catechesis for recognizing God’s presence in time, for keeping time holy, and for the interiorization of the liturgical year is directed to every Christian • Parish liturgies that allow this to happen are essential • Liturgy Committees that are well formed for service

39. Sacred Art, Architecture, and Music • Turns human minds, hearts, and souls towards God • Enhances prayer • Creates an atmosphere for communal worship that gives glory and praise to God

40. Catechesis for Life in ChristChapter 6

41. Persons are made to Live in Communion with God We are born through the creative energies of God present in the procreative activities of a man and a woman. -story of life -genes, culture, consciousness, history -supported and energized by forces rooted in God (Scripture) -filtered through nature, human society

42. Challenges to the Dignity of the Human Person -Right to life: abortion and euthanasia, Capital Punishment -Biological and technological developments -Treatment of immigrants and illegal aliens

43. “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.” Lev.19:2 • Moral Formation in Christ • The Human Community • Moral Formation in the Gospel Message • Catechesis on the Decalogue

44. Catechesis for life in Christ stirs the heart, enlightens the mind and it inspires the soul - forms correct consciences -choose what is morally good -avoid sin -live according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit

45. Catechizing the People of God in Diverse SettingsChapter 7

46. Catechesis Directed Towards Discipleship • Adult Catechesis • relates the content of faith to life experience • enables one to read the signs of the times in light of the Gospel • Elderly • Young Adults

47. Faith Development is Lifelong • Catechesis of Adolescents • Profession of Faith • Celebration of the Christian Mystery • Life in Christ and Christian Prayer • Comprehension Program of Pastoral Ministry for Youth

48. Catechesis of Infants and Children • Parents’ role is irreplaceable • Structured Catechesis • Memorization, Ritual and the use of senses in the study of religion

49. Principles, Guidelines for Presenting the Gospel in Diverse Setting • Catechesis: • Person with Disabilities • Special Situation

50. Interreligious Dialogue • The Unity of the Church • Ecumenical Catechesis • Catechesis in relation to Jews • Other Non-Christian Religions