I  am delighted to add a few words to this very special edition of The Monitor. Here we focus on a very essential ministry, that of catechesis, passing on the Truth and helping to develop faith in our children and young people. 

The Office of Catechesis was recently reconfigured to be the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization, reminding us that we don’t just teach the facts of the Church, which we do, but we also lead people to Christ. Through catechesis of the children our hope is that we are also drawing their families closer to God through His Church.

As we stop to recognize all those who minister in our parishes in handing on the faith, I want to point out that much of this vital work goes unseen. In classrooms and halls around the Diocese of Trenton on virtually every day of the week, some of our roughly 5,000 catechists are teaching and evangelizing in our parishes. 

Since this ministry often happens outside of the visibility of Sunday mornings, many people don’t even know how great the commitment of these men and women really is. So once a year, on Catechetical Sunday, we hold up this ministry and recognize those who serve us through catechesis.

This year’s theme is a very appropriate one, “Do This in Memory of Me.” Focusing on the Holy Mass we begin to prepare to receive the Third English Edition of the Roman Missal. We have been speaking about this among our catechists so that our children will be ready when “the words change.” 

But as the theme for this Sunday reminds us, the new translation is about far more than just words. It is about looking with fresh eyes at how we pray the Mass. It is about looking at something we know and love well, but looking anew, afresh, and hopefully being drawn deeper into that which, sometimes, we are tempted to take for granted. Our catechists are working with the children and adult faith formation programs are helping all of us to be ready.

I am excited about the new translation, and I see this as a chance to draw our children more deeply into something that they will experience at least once a week for the rest of their lives, and as the Church teaches, through the Sacred Liturgy, into eternity. 

“Do This in Memory of Me” reminds us that we gather at Jesus’ command when we come together to hear his Word and receive him in Holy Communion. “Do This is Memory of Me” also tells us that we are people who invite, who call others into this great gift of the Eucharist that literally helps us to become more like him who gives himself to us. 

While Christmas Eve may prove to be an evening of some responsorial chaos as new comers or returning people might be greeted with something different than they experienced before, the new translation will also bring among us some who are dipping a toe in the water of practicing the faith, and we must be ready, well, to pull them in! There will be those who are just curious to see what changed, and it is a precious chance to draw them back into communion through this unique opportunity.

So, to our catechists, thank you. May all of us prepare with joy to enter more deeply into the words we pray and the worship we offer, that all who respond to the call “Do This in Memory of Me” may find ourselves drawn more deeply into God’s embrace.

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