Sunday, Sept. 16 has been designated by the U.S. bishops as Catechetical Sunday. This year’s theme: “Catechesis: Encountering the Living Christ.” Who are the catechists? We all are. You are — especially parents, even children who teach each other — within the family unit, and, of course, catechism teachers. “The role of the catechist is that which each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith, being a witness to the Gospel, and rededicating oneself to the mission of the Church...The entire parish catechizes and is catechized when it gathers to reconcile, to heal, and to celebrate the presence of the living Lord.”

What is catechesis? It is teaching the catechism, teaching the doctrines of the faith, and leading people to know and be in communion with Jesus Christ. “Catechesis leads people to enter the mystery of Christ, to encounter him and to discover the meaning of their lives in him.” This is done formally in religious education classes. But “nothing can be done in the classroom that will replace the lived reality of Christian witness and ministry.”

The holy Scriptures tell of various ways in which people before us encountered Christ. A famous one was the Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1:19) who, when knocked to the ground, heard Jesus ask: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” The experience brought Saul to a new life in Jesus, a new mission as Jesus’ apostle to the Gentiles, and even a new name, Paul.

Another example is Christ’s appearance to Peter and other disciples at Lake Galilee (John 21:15:19) after the Resurrection: “Peter, do you love me?” Then “feed my flock.” Peter is also forewarned that discipleship would take him where he would rather not go. Self-giving, even death, is the cost of mature faith and fidelity in following Christ. If not called to martyrdom, all of us are called to a growing selflessness and maturity, having once said “Yes” to the Lord. “The maturation of the Christian life requires that catechesis be cultivated in all its dimensions: knowledge of the faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, belonging to parish community and even a missionary spirit.”

Another encounter with Jesus was that of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42). This woman, lonely from broken relationships, greets Jesus with suspicion, at first, until it is revealed to her that he is the Messiah. She leaves her water jug behind and goes off to evangelize her townsfolk: “I have found the Savior of the World.” The essential mission of the Church is to share with others the Gospel message of God’s unconditional and redeeming love — the Good News of Jesus Christ. A “threefold process of catechesis begins with conversion, extends to mature faith and culminates with active discipleship.” This threefold process applies to us all. As much as possible we even become mentors and models of active discipleship for others.

The family is the first place where faith is “caught” and “taught” and where it should mature and grow into active discipleship. “Parents are the first and foremost teachers; and personal example is their primary tool. The simplest of family rituals, such as prayer at mealtimes or an occasional ‘family fun night’ can create an atmosphere where Christ is found...A regular commitment to Sunday Mass and reception of the Sacraments weaves Christ into the weekly fabric of family life.”

In addition, our new relationship with Jesus requires that parents and children alike continue to grow in knowledge of the faith, in participation in the life of the Church and in a deepening union with Jesus. Children, too, are part of the catechetical process. Often they ask searing questions, express awe, gratitude and sorrow, and provide the whole family with beautiful glimpses into God’s unconditional love and presence.

Good discussion and planning questions for Parish Pastoral Councils would be: How do we call people to ongoing catechesis and intensified communion with Christ? How do we get them to recognize the role of each family? How do we get young people to learn their faith and to live as disciples of Christ — now and throughout life? How do we develop ways for the family and the parish jointly to address these challenges, as our Third Diocesan Synod requested?

In brief, national Catechetical Sunday reminds us and stimulates us to live our faith fully and to view passing it on to others as both a privilege and a challenge.

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