By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor
Top photo caption: USCCB image
When it comes to passing along the Catholic faith, who bears responsibility? Every Catholic, by virtue of his or her Baptism.
Catechetical Sunday brings that obligation front and center.
“Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each of us plays in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel,” said Michelle Angelo-Santoro, associate director of the diocesan Department of Catechesis.
As students return to the classroom this month, the Church marks Catechetical Sunday 2026 on Sept. 20, when special Masses honor catechists in religious education programs and recognize Catholic school teachers, adult faith formation leaders, OCIA team members, youth ministers and parents.
Some 2,090 catechists currently serve in the Diocese of Trenton.
“We are incredibly grateful to all those who have answered ‘yes’ to God’s call to serve as catechists,” Angelo-Santoro said, “and for their willingness to share the faith with those God has entrusted to their care.”
Good News and Encounter
Catechetical Sunday is also a time for catechists to rededicate themselves to their mission, Angelo-Santoro said.
“Many parishes will formally call forth and commission their catechists for this ministry,” she said.
The theme chosen for this year’s event, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me … to bring good news to the poor,” comes from Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1.
“For a catechist it’s an excellent passage to ponder and pray about … [because] it reveals Jesus’ mission,” said Angelo-Santoro. “Anointed by the Spirit, he is sent to bring the Good News of salvation, hope, healing and freedom especially to the poor, the brokenhearted and the forgotten.”
Catechists, she noted, are called to take up that same mission, sharing the Holy Spirit they themselves received through the Sacraments.
“The catechist can encounter a particular kind of spiritual poverty in those who do not yet know or understand God’s love for them, those wounded by sin or struggling with doubt, and those who cannot yet fathom the depth of God’s mercy,” Angelo-Santoro said.
“The goal of the catechist is not simply to impart information, but to provide opportunities for others to encounter the living God, who alone has the power to transform hearts,” she continued. “It is a true gift and privilege to participate in another person’s encounter with Christ and … to accompany them on their journey of faith.”
Support for Certification
The Department of Catechesis has observed a significant increase in the number of catechists participating in its basic Certificate in Catechesis.
“We attribute much of this success to the important role parish catechetical leaders play,” Angelo-Santoro said. “Parishes are making catechist formation a priority and helping catechists recognize both the importance and the benefits of continuing to grow in their faith and in their ministry.”
This year a new initiative was added, “Together in Formation,” a supportive small-group approach to completing the theology
component of the certificate.
“This hybrid option allows catechists to complete the required materials for each session independently and then come together
as a group for discussion, reflection and shared learning,” she explained.
Benefits have included greater engagement, accountability, support and motivation, department members observed.
“Consistently, 25 to 30 catechists gathered each month … and a real sense of community developed among them,” Angelo-Santoro said. “Many have now completed the basic training requirements and earned their Certificate in Catechesis.”
In addition to certification courses, ongoing formation opportunities that continue to attract catechists include the annual Catechist Formation Day, CAT CHATs, Crash Courses in Confirmation – and this year, the addition of a Crash Course in First Eucharist.
Angelo-Santoro said the Department of Catechesis looks forward to new ideas that will continue to develop under the leadership of its new director, Jessica Donohue.
“We are grateful to welcome Jessica and look forward to continuing the work and vision that was established under Denise Contino, who will continue to support the Department of Catechesis in her new role as executive director of the Office of Pastoral Life and Mission,” she said.
This year’s annual bilingual Catechist Formation Day will take place March 6 at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold, and will welcome Suan Sonna, director of apologetics for the Diocese of Bridgeport as English keynote speaker and Father Pedro Repollet from the Archdiocese of Newark as Spanish keynote speaker. The theme is “Ready to Respond: Sharing and Defending the Catholic Faith with Confidence, Clarity, and Charity.”
“The goal of the day is to help catechists understand not only ‘what,’ but also the ‘why’ behind what we believe,” Angelo-Santoro said. “This deeper understanding better prepares us to respond to the instruction given in 1 Peter 3:15: ‘Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.’”