catechetical agenda for the third millennium

Catechetical Agenda

for the Third Millennium

in the Path of the

New Evangelization

A Dream House called Catechesis in the

Philippines

Some Fundamental Guiding Principles

ground and background of the catechetical agenda

Good Catechesis is essential to the New

Evangelization.

renewed catechesis in the Philippines: - Christo-centric and a priori rooted in the Word of God - authentically Filipino (inculturated) and - systematic

GDC 237 In formation,

account must also be taken of the concept of catechesis,

proposed by the Church today.

It is a question of forming catechists so

as to be able to transmit not only a teaching but also an integral

Christian formation, by developing

"tasks of initiation, of education, and

of teaching".

Catechists must be

able to be, at one and

the same time,

teachers, educators

and witnesses

of the faith.

Good catechesis: - initiating the catechized (young and old) in faith, - educating them to faith and - teaching them the truths of faith.

New Evangelization and New Catechesis:

essentially spiritual

New Evangelization

New Catechesis

both New Evangelization and

New Catechesis: essentially

spiritual.

the foundation of evangelization

and the New Evangelization

is the personal encounter with

Jesus Christ in the Church.

Synod Fathers:

The work of the New Evangelization

consists in presenting once

more the beauty and perennial newness of

the encounter with Christ to the often

distracted and confused heart and

mind of the men and women of our time,

above all to ourselves.

Message to the People of God

PCP II: to know, to love, to follow Christ in the Church which he founded.

This is why we need to contemplate the face --- and the heart of Christ. We have to retell his story to ourselves, that we may, more credibly, more authoritatively, tell it to others. This is our belief.

NEW: WE

- make this personal encounter with

Jesus in today’s perplexed society

our primary focus

- explicitly prepare the evangelized for this

encounter-

- consciously foster it during the process of evangelization

Pope Francis:“When the

Church works

without referring to Christ,

she becomes a social

worker.”

The Holy Spirit: the primary

agent of evangelization.

The new NCDP & the old NCDP: “All catechesis ultimately depends on the work of the Holy Spirit.”

NE requires pastoral

conversion

Proposition 22:

The New Evangelization requires personal and

communal conversion, new methods of evangelization and renewal of the pastoral

structures, to be able to move from a

pastoral strategy of maintenance to a pastoral

position that is truly missionary.

PCP II: “At the beginning of all renewed evangelization is conversion. Unless a person turns away from

sin and turns to God, undergoes a change of

mind and heart, and decides to follow Christ, no evangelization will

bear fruit.”

“Conversion then requires the renewal of people’s relationships and their

social structures. By reason of our pilgrimage to the

Kingdom of God, we need to change our own hearts and the social, economic,

political and cultural systems that have promoted massive

poverty and inequity.”

Authentic pastoral conversion that “moves us to attitudes and initiatives”:

to evaluate and let go pastoral structures that no longer respond to the evangelical demands of the current time


2) to adopt those that will make us our catechetical work effective in today’s context;


3) to move from a pastoral strategy of maintenance to

a pastoral position that is truly missionary.

IMPLICATIONS: the need to look into the existing pastoral structures that define our

catechetical work 1) be humble to admit their limitations due to

the changing circumstance;

2) be creative to think out of the box in renewing the pastoral structures;

3) be courageous to bolt out of the maintenance mode

In doing catechesis todaywe are

missionary catechists - looking toward a vision, - afire with passion - and a sense of

mission.

12 point Agenda for the Catechetical

Ministry in the Church

in the Philippines

Foundation: Personal encounter with Jesus

1. The Primacy of the Scriptural Word of God in the New

Catechesis

Petroc Willey and his co-authors: “Scripture leads the presentation of doctrine.

It is not a mere add-on or afterthought…. Scripture is itself the “driving force” of

doctrine, its inspired source…. Scripture provides the soul, or “form”, in and through which the doctrine of the Faith is proclaimed

and unfolded for our attention; it provides the starting point for the presentation of

doctrine, and it provides its heart…. (O)ur own catechetical practice should be

driven by Scripture and immersed in Scripture.

Points to Ponder- How can our catechetical practice be ‘driven by Scripture and immersed in Scripture’ such that there is an explicit moment for the personal encounter with Christ to take place?

- How can we train our catechists toward a catechetical pedagogy that is scriptural and liturgical?

- How can we initiate and educate the catechists and the catechized to give importance to the Scripture and give witness to the Scripture in their daily life?

2. Re-launching the Catechisms - CCC/CFC – in

the New Catechesis

Points to Ponder- To what extent does the CFC comply with the criteria set by GDC on local catechisms?

- How can the catechists use and present the CCC and CFC creatively and meaningfully to the “new youth”?

- Taking the YouCat as a model, is it timely to produce local catechisms according to age level, regional contexts (Tagalog, Bisayan, Mindanao and the Muslim context, forms of catechesis (initial, adult, family, etc)?

Flooring: Catechumenal ProcessNew Evangelization is not a question of inventing new strategies “as if the

Gospel were a product to be placed in the market of religions”; rather it is rediscovering “the ways in which

Jesus approached persons and called them, in order to put these

approaches into practice in today’s circumstances.”

GDC the baptismal catechumenate:

a model in the

Church for

catechesis in its various stages and

should inspire contemporary catechesis.

3. Making the Post-baptismal

Catechumenate the Framework for All

Catechetical Processes

CCC 1231affirms: … “By its very nature infant

Baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumenate

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI

in his conversation with

Peter Seewald said: “…. we are heading

increasingly toward a

form of Christianity based on personal decision. And it will decide in turn to the extent to which the general Christian character remains at work.

I would say that the task today, is … to consolidate, enliven, and enlarge this Christianity of personal decision, so that more people can consciously live and profess their faith again.

Points to Ponder- How can we have the political will to take seriously the post-baptismal catechumenate as the model for our catechesis today?

- How can the post-baptismal catechumenate be introduced in the formation of catechists, particularly in catechetical methodology?

- How can post-baptismal catechumenate be applied in the catechesis of children and young in the parishes and in the schools, in the catholic schools?

Walls (Forms/Levels of Catechesis)

4. Adult Catechesis through BECs

Synod Fathers in Proposition 28: ADULT CATECHESIS

“One cannot speak of the New Evangelization if the catechesis of adults is non-existent, fragmented, weak or neglected. When these defects are present, pastoral ministry faces a very serious challenge.”

Synergy of Adult catechesis with the Basic Ecclesial Communities of the parish: an instance of pastoral conversion

Points to Ponder-How can adult catechesis be organized in the parishes and in the BECs?

-To what extent do the catechetical centers form catechists to be catechists for adults?

- How can adult catechesis be organized as a post-baptismal catechumenate for adults?

5. Family Catechesis or Catechesis at

Home and BEC

Synod Fathers: A new evangelization is unthinkable without

acknowledging a specific responsibility

to proclaim the Gospel to families and

to sustain them in their task of education.

Points to Ponder-How can family catechesis be promoted in the parishes, in the BECs, and in the catholic schools?

-How will the catechists be trained to be involved in doing family catechesis?

- How will parents, grandparents, and other adult members at home be trained to do family catechesis?

Inside the House

(Content of

Catechesis)

6. Liturgy and

Liturgical

Catechesis

The Synod Fathers in Proposition 35

the liturgy, a very important aspect of the New Evangelization is, therefore, the primary and most powerful expression of the New Evangelization.

Points to Ponder-What can be the road map for highlighting the intrinsic connection between liturgy and catechesis in the catechetical ministry?

-How should liturgy be taught to the catechists so that they can apply in actual catechesis the axiom: lex credendi, lex orandi?

- How can the catechized be helped to appreciate the liturgy of the Church and participate in it worthily, with dignity and actively?

7. Popular Piety & Marian Devotion

The Synod Fathers “… (A) true place to encounter Christ and an expression of the

faith of the Christian people in the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints, the New Evangelization recognizes

the value of these faith experiences and encourages them as ways to

grow in Christian virtue.”

The Synod Fathers“Pilgrimages to shrines and

sanctuaries are an important aspect of the New Evangelization. Not

only because of the millions of people who continue to

make these pilgrimages but because this form of

popular piety at this time is an especially promising

opportunity for conversion and the growth of faith.

GDCPopular devotions have to be guided by a catechesis that is biblical, doctrinal, liturgical, ecumenical and

anthropological to avoid the possible errors (fanaticism,

superstition, syncretism, religious ignorance) that may result when these

practices lack the catechetical support.

Paul VI In Evangelii Nuntiandi popular piety “can make a Constantly increasing contribution towards bringing the masses of our people into contact with God in Jesus Christ.”

Points to Ponder-What steps should be taken so that our Marian devotions and other forms of popular piety can become effective means for New Evangelization and New Catechesis?

-How will the catechists be trained to be adept in using popular devotions as means and occasions for catechesis?

- How can the young be helped to continue to value popular piety as a means of deepening their faith?

8. Social Teachings

(Justice, Peace, Integrity/ Stewardship of Creation) & Education to Love

The Synod Fathers in their Proposition 24

on “THE SOCIAL TEACHING

OF THE CHURCHan irreplaceable means

of education in the faith

ongoing catechesis as well continuing formation of the clergy, seminarians and religious in the New Evangelization should be permeated with the Church social teaching and its Compendium be used as an invaluable sourcebook.

The Synod Fathers in Proposition 56: “STEWARDSHIP OF CREATION.” serves as a witness to our faith in the goodness of God’s creation demonstrates a sense of solidarity with all those who depend for their life and sustenance on the goods of creation shows inter-generational solidarity with those who come after us, and is a clear witness to the responsible and equitable use of the goods of the earth, our common home.

Education to lovea very urgent need to be addressed not only because of the sex education mandated in the RH bill that will be taught in the elementary schools but the culture that prevails and imposes on children and youth erroneous ideas and hedonistic practices regarding God’s gift of sexuality

Points to Ponder-How can ECCCE and ACCRE synergize to study the existing catechetical modules on these urgent issues and come out with a systematic and integrated, contextualized and developmental catechesis on justice, peace, integrity of creation and education to love?

-How are the catechists formed to discuss these issues effectively with children and the youth?

- Are there Catholic youth who can serve as role models to their peers on living out the teachings of the Church on these issues of justice, peace, integrity of creation and sexuality?

9. Vocation & MissionThe Synod Fathers“Through exemplary Christian adults, the saints, especially the young saints, and through committed youth ministers, the Church is visible and credible for the youth.”

A synthesis of the pastoral care

for the young:

“Wherever they are, at home, in school, or in the Christian community, it is

necessary that evangelizers meet the young and spend time with them; propose to them and accompany them

in following Jesus, guide them to discover their

vocation in life and in the Church.”

The crown of youth ministry

and youth catechesis:vocational

discernment that leads to

the development

of true missionary

spirit

GDC: often forgotten or taken for granted

Catechesis is also open to the missionary dimension (CT 24b). This seeks to equip the disciples of Jesus

to be present as Christians in society through their professional,

cultural and social lives. It also prepares them to lend their cooperation to the different

ecclesial services, according to their proper vocation…. It is also

important that every means should be used to encourage vocations to the Priesthood, and to the different

forms of consecration to God in religious and apostolic life and to

awaken special missionary vocations.

GDC in the section on youth catechesis:

“Emphasis should also be placed on vocational

discernment, Christian involvement in society

and on missionary responsibility in the

world.

Points to Ponder-To what extent is the vocational orientation included in the catechetical program for the young?

-How can the catechists help in the vocation promotion of their parish or religion teachers in their school?

- How are children and the young be gradually introduced to the concept of life is a vocation that is lived in a specific response to a call to work, love and mission?

Roof skylight: Paradigm Shift in the formation of

the catechists

10. Paradigm Shift in the Formation of the Catechists:

Ecclesial and Integral Formation

The Synod Fathers insist that they “need to be well prepared ….” and (w)ithin the possibilities of the local situation they are to be provided “with strong ecclesial formation,” consisting of Spirituality, Scriptures, Doctrine, and Pedagogy.

Ecclesial Integral formation also includes the cognitive, affective and behavioral aspects of the formation of the ministers of the Church.

Integral ecclesial formation: Formators help catechists become pastoral ministers, evangelizers, educators in the faith

Integral ecclesial formation: catechetical centers and colleges offering religious education shift paradigm in the formation program and pedagogy of the catechists and religion teachers

Integral ecclesial formation: the academic curriculum is balanced with evangelizing spirit and pastoral approaches so that they are also comfortable in other ecclesial settings, such as the family, basic ecclesial communities, the parish community, etc.

Integral Formation

with emphasis on the affective dimension of

faith

There are many who have been catechized and have Jesus in their heads but not in the heart. One reason is that our catechesis has been confined to the activity of the mind and often has not been integrated with the “heart.”

Points to Ponder-What are needed to make the formation program of the catechists shift paradigm?

- Are the formators of the catechists and the catechetical leaders ready to shift the paradigm of the catechetical formation program?- How will the catechists be trained to give due importance to the affective dimension of faith?

Catechetical Environment: structures outside and within the ministry of catechesis

11. Social Communication & New

Media

Catechesis as Communication

Process

Points to Ponder-How can Catechetics be programmed in an interdisciplinary approach with Communication Studies so that catechesis will be considered as a communication process?

-How can catechists become communicative evangelizers for the New Catechesis?

- How will the catechists be trained in doing catechesis as a communication process?

12. Synergy in Structures

Synod Fathers Proposition 42: INTEGRATED PASTORAL ACTIVITY to “animate and lead a renewed pastoral activity able to integrate the variety of charisms, ministries, states of life and resources.”

Synergy means that the various agencies and structures on which catechesis is founded (ECCCE, Catechetical Centers, Dioceses, Parishes, BECs, Schools, etc.) “must be coordinated within an organic missionary project, capable of communicating the fullness of Christian life to everyone, especially to those who feel themselves far from the Church’s care.”

1. a restructuring of ECCCE or a pastoral conversion that will make this commission not an administrator of catechesis but a model facilitator of catechesis for the regional and diocesan catechetical offices. In turn the regional and diocesan offices will point for the parishes, BECs, families, schools, etc how to be facilitators rather than inspectors of catechesis.

2. an upgrading of the catechetical centers and colleges offering Religious Education (the institutions making up ACCCRE) through the process of accreditation or assessment so that the paradigm shift of the formation program of the catechists and religious educators and Christian Living teachers may take place.

3. a collaborative research program between ECCCE (and its regional or diocesan counterparts) and among colleges offering Religious Education and other research groups to gather data and come out with scientific studies on the many concerns and issues related to catechesis.

Points to Ponder-How can the Synod Fathers’ proposition regarding Integrated Pastoral Activity be worked out in catechesis?

-How can ACCRE synergize with ECCCE in view of the New Evangelization and New Catechesis?

- To what extent do the stakeholders in the catechetical ministry ready for synergy?

Conclusion: Mary, the Star of NE Today Mary is the “Missionary” who will aid us in the difficulties of our time and with her nearness open the hearts of men and women to the faith. We fix our gaze on Mary. She will help us to proclaim the message of salvation to all men and women, especially to the young, so that they too may become agents of Evangelization….

Acknowledged as the Star of the New

Evangelization, Mary guides us on our

way. Our journey,

as Pope Benedict XVI told us,

can seem like a path across the desert.

As stars shine more brightly

at night in the desert, so the light of Mary,

the Star of the new evangelization, brightly

shines in heaven on our way.

To her we confidently entrust ourselves.

Amen.

PCP II:“A renewed catechesis: the first element of a

renewed evangelization