Catechetical Sunday, which is observed on the third Sunday in September, is a celebration of catechists and all teachers of the Catholic faith.  This year it is celebrated Sept. 20. Catechesis is a distinct and special ministry in the Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church makes clear, “Catechesis is intimately bound up with the whole of the Church’s life . . . her inner growth and correspondence with God’s plan depend essentially on catechesis” (no. 7). This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are recognized by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others.

Many parishes not only recognize but also bless those who serve in the catechetical ministry on this Sunday. This day provides 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. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

This year’s theme, “Safeguarding the Dignity of Every Human Person,” reminds us that the dignity of each human person rests in the biblical teaching (Gen 1:26-27) that he or she is made in God’s image and likeness. It also reminds us that we the baptized may need to actively support and protect others from all sorts of harm, cherishing human life from the moment of conception to a natural death.  We are called to uphold the dignity of all people, including migrants, the poor, victims of trafficking and people with illnesses and disabilities.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website provides information about this theme.

Most parish religious education programs begin their traditional programs around this time in September.  One of the “Six Tasks of Catechesis,” promoting knowledge of the faith, is a reminder to all catechetical leaders (directors/coordinators/administrators of religious education) and catechists to make sure that the Diocesan Elementary Religion Guidelines as well as the RCL Benziger Family Life Program for the protection of children and youth form the framework for all instruction.  Yet, there are many other topics that surface during the course of a year that provide teachable moments for all in the catechetical ministry and should be included in parish and school programs.

The Year for Consecrated Life is still being celebrated throughout the world. All parishes and schools are invited to celebrate this gift to the Church.  Perhaps we can take a closer look at the many ways religious communities have helped safeguard the dignity of the human person through the hospitals, orphanages and schools they established and the many outreaches through Catholic social services.  We are invited to end this year, set apart to mark the contributions consecrated religious have made to the Catholic Church in the United States, with a celebration on or around Feb. 2, 2016, the World Day for Consecrated Life.  This day was chosen by Pope  John Paul II in 1998 to annually mark the charism of Consecrated Religious Life in the Church.

The World Meeting of Families later this month and the Ordinary Synod of Bishops on the Family in October invite all those who not only plan but are also a part of programs to look at ways to strengthen marriage and family life in the Diocese of Trenton, to safeguard the dignity of the basic unit of society, the family. 

On Nov. 7, the people of the Diocese will join its Chief Shepherd, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in making a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the house of Mary, in Washington, D.C. This is a wonderful opportunity, especially to prepare for a holy year, to carry on the long-standing tradition in our faith of making pilgrimages to holy sites to pray, to ask forgiveness, to seek guidance, and to atone for sinfulness. This is one way to pray for those who suffer abuse, for victims of human trafficking, for those experiencing persecution, and for all people who suffer the loss of dignity given to one made in the image and likeness of God.

On Dec. 8, Pope Francis will officially open the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, a Holy Year of Mercy. His letter includes wonderful ideas to incorporate into the parish programs and schools:  create a “door of mercy” in your school/parish building; read and discuss the parables of mercy; pray the psalms of mercy; find ways to promote living the Spiritual Works of Mercy and  the Corporal Works of Mercy, and discover timely ways to live out the Beatitudes.

Pope Francis’ recent Encyclical, Laudato Si, calls each of us to care for our common home so that all people may have decent access to water, be free from pollution and its effects, be able to appreciate the diversity of life (organisms, plants and animals) that make our earth the magnificent creation God intended.  Perhaps this year invite each family to decide on one way to show an intentional care for our common home.

There are so many opportunities for those involved in the ministry of catechesis, in the formal programs and at home, to find ways to take a strong stand for upholding the dignity of life of each person they meet in the course of this coming year.  Let’s each and every one of us make this year’s theme an integral part of our daily living!

Sister Mary Agnes Ryan serves as diocesan director of the diocesan Ministry of Catechesis and Evangelization.