St. Joseph, HOM: May 31, 2014

Quotes: These are some of the quotes that I referred to in the first part of my talk. 

1.       “Very… (early) the name of catechesis was given to the whole of the efforts within the Church to make disciples, to help people to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, so that believing they might have life in His name,(3) and to educate and instruct them in this life and thus build up the Body of Christ. The Church has not ceased to devote her energy to this task.” (CT.1)

2.       John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.”

3.       “All members of the community of believers in Jesus Christ participate in the Church’s catechetical mission. Some are called to more specific catechetical roles… Esteemed members of the Church’s apostolate, they perform ‘a fundamental evangelical service.’” (NDC.53)

4.       “The apostolic work of the catechist springs from the Sacrament of Baptism through which all believers come to share in the prophetic ministry of Christ and the evangelizing ministry of the Church.” (NDC. 54.8)

5.       “The call to the ministry of catechist is a vocation, an interior call, the voice of the Holy Spirit.”  (NDC 228)

6.       “Their personal relationship with Jesus Christ energizes their service to the Church and provides the continuing motivation, vitality, and force of their catechetical activity. Christ invites all catechists to follow him as a teacher of the faith and a witness of the truth of the faith,”(NDC. 54)

7.       “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

8.       “The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ. : only He can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.” (CT.5)

    

      “Like all Christians, catechists are called to continual conversion and growth in their faith and, for this reason, are called to ongoing spiritual formation.” (NDC.55)

      “The catechist needs to be a Catholic who is a model of Christian Virtue and courageous witness to the Catholic faith.” (NDC.55

     

      “Help them develop their spiritual lives-their communion of faith and love with the person of Jesus Christ-by promoting, as much as possible, an intense sacramental and prayer life…”