FROM THE PRESIDENT ❚
WHO? ME? A MISSIONARY? YES! Anne Comeaux
Being a catechetical leader encompasses many different disciplines or areas of expertise within our faith… liturgy, theology, social awareness, human development, sacramentology…to name but a few. We see ourselves as ministers of the church who have broad knowledge and many skills. The recently published standards, upon which many of us are relying to provide us with guidance in preparation to staff parishes with competent catechetical leaders, list many of the skills and areas of knowledge we must consider. Think of all the titles that might apply to a well-formed catechetical leader: teacher, administrator, theologian, human resource director, trainer, peacemaker, prayer leader. I am feeling pretty confident that not many of us call ourselves “missionaries.” But missionaries we must be and the concept of mission we must pass on to those we catechize.
our actions and words that we believe in Jesus and that there is goodness in his ways. We are charged with making the Beatitudes blossom in our own areas and then extend that activity and word to those not within our physical reach. Since the General Directory for Catechesis was issued in 1997, catechetical leaders have been implementing the concept of catechesis situated in the framework of evangelization. Most of us have looked at evangelization at a parochial level, diocesan level, or maybe a national level. Few of us have acknowledged that we have a responsibility to the worldwide evangelization of people through mission activity. Catechesis on the topic of “mission” should be something we work into our curriculum at every level. Adults travel all over the world for education, business and pleasure. Perhaps some of these world travelers would be interested in forming a parish mission committee so that other parishioners could make connections outside there own little corner of the world. Maybe diocesan
We must tell the adults, youth and children in our sphere of influence that we cannot be an insular church. The Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church, more commonly known as Ad Gentes, quotes another document of the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, when it begins, “The Church has been divinely sent to all nations that she might be ‘the universal sacrament of salvation.’” As I thought about that phrase, “the universal sacrament of salvation” I realized that this is what catechesis is about. We, who are instruments of the church, must make known the wonderful workings of our church toward making salvation the ultimate goal. So, indeed, we are also missionaries.
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Ah, just what we need! Another title and another job to do. Well, as a matter of fact that is true. My diocesan mission office has sent information that says, “Mission is Proclamation and Catechesis — as Christians explicitly communicate the Gospel and welcome believers into the Church.” To “echo” that Gospel we must tell the adults, youth and children in our sphere of influence that we cannot be an insular church. We must make every effort to see that all peoples on every continent are aware of the saving mission of Jesus. We must show by January 2006
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Volume 17, Number 1
staff and directors could work more closely with the local mission office or one of the religious orders such as Maryknoll to develop some curriculum for all levels of catechesis on the topic of missions. Perhaps mission trips can be planned at the parish and/or diocesan levels for all ages. Having been to Honduras as a part of a diocesan team has made a real difference in my life and my ministry. I met with the catechists and those they catechize. It is amazing to me how much they accomplish with so little. They have asked for only what extra materials we might have that could be of use to them. I am blessed to have seen these wonderful people and to have experienced their deep faith and eagerness to continue to fill their people with Catholic teaching. Everyone has the right to know the needs of our sisters and brothers throughout the world. Mission is the way to learn, to catechize and to engage ourselves in their lives. No, not just one more job or one more title. It is a mandate for those of us who are catechetical leaders. Find the many ways your folks will love being missionaries from afar. ❙ cl