Catechetical
Sunday September 17
‘Who do you say that I am’
this year’s theme
by Bryan Reising, director
Religious Education and Adult
Faith Formation
"Who do you say that I
am?" asked Jesus to his disciples of the first century. "Who do you
say that I am?" asks Jesus to us, his disciples today. This is the theme
for Catechetical Sunday to be held throughout the diocese and throughout our
country on
In the Diocese of New Ulm,
most communities are celebrating this day by way of a commissioning service
during the Sunday liturgy. It is a wonderful way to recognize and pray for
catechists. They have answered God’s call to form the faith of our children,
our youth, those who are interested in becoming Catholic, and adults. It is
these people, who encounter Jesus Christ at the Eucharistic liturgy and within
their own faith formation, who will be passing on the faith with all of us!
Those who teach our children
and youth have a unique role of collaborating with parents, godparents,
grandparents, and guardians so that our children and youth have opportunities
to encounter Jesus Christ and learn how to live out their faith. The Church
teaches that parents are the primary educators of the faith (226 and 255 of the
General Directory for Catechesis and
29 D of the National Directory for
Catechesis).
Fr. Jack Brunner, pastor of
St. Anthony Parish in Watkins, will have the commissioning for catechists
during the Sunday liturgy, but always acknowledges the importance of parents.
He said, "We provide family commitment cards and catechist prayer cards
for all who want them. In addition, the homily each year emphasizes the work of
the catechist as some of the most important Christ-like work that is done in
the parish each year. Strong encouragement is given to all the parents
throughout the year to take time and attend class with some of their
students. The more often we can get our
parents to attend, the stronger and more effective our program."
Several other places like St.
Joseph Parish in Lamberton and St. Mary’s Parish in
New Ulm will have a celebration after the Sunday liturgy and commissioning. Sr.
Judi Angst, pastoral minister and DRE of St. Joseph Parish, said, "We are
celebrating Catechetical Sunday with a commissioning of catechists, followed by
coffee and rolls for the parish and registration for the religious education
families."
Those places that have
Catholic schools in addition to a religious education program will also recognized
all their catechists. Holy Family Parish in
It is also encouraged that on
Catechetical Sunday we recognize RCIA teams, those who work with adult faith
formation, those who are involved with young adults and their formation on
college campuses and other settings, those who help form the faith of our
Hispanic sisters and brothers, those who work with persons with disabilities,
and those who work with prison ministry. Sometimes we miss the opportunity to
recognize persons involved with these ministries, and they are catechists as
they help form the faith of many people.
There are many more examples
of how parishes in this diocese support our catechists, our catechetical
processes, and all of us. Catechesis is for all of us because it helps us to
encounter Jesus Christ as our Messiah, as our Savior, as the Lord of our lives.
In addition, catechesis helps us to learn more about our faith, how we can live
out our faith, and become followers and disciples of Jesus Christ.
For further information contact the diocesan Office of
Religious Education and Adult Faith Formation, phone: (507) 359-2966; email:
cblickem@dnu.org.