VISION FOR FAITH FORMATION
The comprehensive vision proposed by the General Directory for Catechesisincludes six essential and interrelated tasks for catechesis (see #85):
1.) Promoting knowledge of the faith:Catechesis fosters "the gradual grasping of the whole truth" through a study of Tradition and Scripture. This task is realized by deepening one's knowledge of the Creed, "a compendium of Scripture and of the faith of the Church."
2.) Liturgical education:Catechesis teaches the meaning of the liturgy and sacraments, aiming to bring the faith to a "full, conscious, and active participation."
3.) Moral formation:Catechesis fosters conversion of life by transmitting the spirit of the beatitudes and values of the Decalogue, and witnesses to the "social consequences of the demands of the Gospel."
4.) Teaching to pray:Catechesis calls the disciples to pray with sentiments of Jesus' prayer: "adoration, praise, thanksgiving, filial confidence, supplication, and awe." The Our Father is a "summary of the entire Gospel," and handing it on is a "true act of catechesis."
5.) Education for community life:By means of an apprenticeship (the catechumenate) that witnesses to (1) a spirit of simplicity and humility, (2) solicitude for "the least," (3) concern for alienated, (4) fraternal correction, and (5) mutual forgiveness.
6.) Missionary initiation:By equipping the faithful, especially the laity, "to be present as Christians in society through their professional, cultural and social lives." (Sowing Seeds 24-25)
The Directory emphasizes that all of these tasks are essential.
The tasks of catechesis, consequently, constitute a totality, rich and varied in aspect. All of these tasks are necessary. As the vitality of the human body depends on the proper function of all of its organs, so also the maturation of the Christian life requires that it be cultivated in all its dimensions: knowledge of the faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, belonging to community, missionary spirit. When catechesis omits one of these elements, the Christian faith does not attain full development. (GDC #87)
The Role of the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) in Catechesis:
Parents are the first and foremost catechists/formators of their children. They catechize both formally and informally but powerfully by example and instruction. They communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and his Church and for each other, by reverently receiving the Eucharist and living in its spirit, and by fostering justice and love in all their relationships. Their active involvement in the parish, their readiness to seek opportunities to serve others, and their practice of frequent and spontaneous prayer, all make meaningful their professions of belief. Parents nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of lived faith. Parents should frequently be reminded of their obligations to see to it that their children participate in catechetical programs sponsored by the Church.
When children are baptized, the Church community promises to help parents foster their faith. It keeps this promise first of all by its own witness as a worshiping, believing, serving community, and also by providing formal catechesis for adults, youth and children. Adult catechesis helps them nurture faith of their children.
The Church community also keeps its promise to parents by providing programs intended specifically to help them in their catechetical role. Such programs focus on the task of parents in relation to particular moments or issues in the child's religious life, such as sacramental preparation and moral development. They also seek to familiarize parents with the stages in the children's growth and the relevance these have for catechesis.
When formally participating in the catechesis/formation of their children, parents must be mindful of the preeminent right of the Church to specify the content of authentic catechesis. They (parents) also have an obligation to catechize according to the teaching authority of the Church.
Topics for studybeyond classroom texts can include but are not limited to:
Creation and the Fall
Salvation History
The Trinity
Jesus as Messiah
The Holy Sacraments
The Formation of the Church
Prayer
The Mass
Saints
Mary
Pope
In addition to lectionary-based teaching (weekly readings at Mass)