Catechesis is the ‘principal proclamation,’ the way to truth
September 9, 2020 at 7:04 p.m.
Over the weekend, I painted my dining room.
Typical to any house project, that spruce up led to another, and by the end of the day, our entire living room and entryway had been rearranged – including a small table at the front door and on it, an open Bible.
In our house, there are many icons of the Catholic faith displayed – a crucifix, saint statue, Rosary. The inclusion of the Bible, however, was a direct result of a recent conversation I had with my father.
“Have more religious artifacts around the house,” he said, reflecting on ways he passes on the faith to his grandchildren. “When little children come over, they are going to be very curious. ‘What is this?’ they ask. ‘Well that’s the Bible.’ ‘What is that?’ ‘Well that’s a painting of a guardian angel.’
“Just a few little things will pique the interest of a child,” he said.
Our conversation occurred just days before The Monitor Magazine went to press, an issue that discusses this year’s Catechetical Sunday theme, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you” (1 Cor 11:23). On the following pages, you will read about new models of religious education coming to our parishes in these times of COVID-19. Whether virtual or in-person, catechists in the Diocese agree: This is the year of the Domestic Church. “Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God” (CCC 2226).
Similarly, all of us have the responsibility to not only continually learn about our faith, but to exercise our beliefs every day. Throughout our IN FOCUS section this issue, you will read about our calling as Catholics to ensure that media in all its forms is being used to spread truth – to “Help us to speak about others as our brothers and sisters” (Pope Francis, World Communications Day 2018). And in VIEWPOINTS, columnist Tony Magliano calls upon our obligation as Christians to help one another, which falls in line with the importance of the 2020 U.S. Census, featured on ISSUES & ADVOCACY.
My house project may have started with a welcoming coat of green paint, but I hope it leads to a more meaningful conversation – one that says, “God resides here.”
“Just think of a beautiful church you’ve been in and ask yourself, ‘What is it about this church that I find so inspiring?’” my father asked during that conversation. “Maybe it’s the art, the architecture, the music all pointing toward the Liturgy. Picture that the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary and Joseph – built that church, and you’re the child. And just like the Holy Family built that church, the human family should build their home.”
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Over the weekend, I painted my dining room.
Typical to any house project, that spruce up led to another, and by the end of the day, our entire living room and entryway had been rearranged – including a small table at the front door and on it, an open Bible.
In our house, there are many icons of the Catholic faith displayed – a crucifix, saint statue, Rosary. The inclusion of the Bible, however, was a direct result of a recent conversation I had with my father.
“Have more religious artifacts around the house,” he said, reflecting on ways he passes on the faith to his grandchildren. “When little children come over, they are going to be very curious. ‘What is this?’ they ask. ‘Well that’s the Bible.’ ‘What is that?’ ‘Well that’s a painting of a guardian angel.’
“Just a few little things will pique the interest of a child,” he said.
Our conversation occurred just days before The Monitor Magazine went to press, an issue that discusses this year’s Catechetical Sunday theme, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you” (1 Cor 11:23). On the following pages, you will read about new models of religious education coming to our parishes in these times of COVID-19. Whether virtual or in-person, catechists in the Diocese agree: This is the year of the Domestic Church. “Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God” (CCC 2226).
Similarly, all of us have the responsibility to not only continually learn about our faith, but to exercise our beliefs every day. Throughout our IN FOCUS section this issue, you will read about our calling as Catholics to ensure that media in all its forms is being used to spread truth – to “Help us to speak about others as our brothers and sisters” (Pope Francis, World Communications Day 2018). And in VIEWPOINTS, columnist Tony Magliano calls upon our obligation as Christians to help one another, which falls in line with the importance of the 2020 U.S. Census, featured on ISSUES & ADVOCACY.
My house project may have started with a welcoming coat of green paint, but I hope it leads to a more meaningful conversation – one that says, “God resides here.”
“Just think of a beautiful church you’ve been in and ask yourself, ‘What is it about this church that I find so inspiring?’” my father asked during that conversation. “Maybe it’s the art, the architecture, the music all pointing toward the Liturgy. Picture that the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary and Joseph – built that church, and you’re the child. And just like the Holy Family built that church, the human family should build their home.”