Issue 12: Summer 2019

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The word ‘CATECHIST’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘to echo’. As Catechists or teachers of RE we do not proclaim our own word. We echo the message of Jesus Christ our Lord. This newsletter aims at providing parish catechists and teachers of RE in schools some support in terms of reflections, ideas, useful resources they can use and so on. Feel free to share with other colleagues and friends. There is also a pdf version which you can download by clicking on the thumbnail below.

In this issue

Catechesis for Young People

Quote

The World Needs You

Inspiring Teachers and Catechists - Romano Guardini

Christ Our hope

Catechesis for Young People

In its endeavour to preach the Gospel to others, the Church always strives to reach out to different groups of people, from infants to the elderly. While each of the different age groups or categories of people bring with it particular challenges, reaching out to young people is perhaps the most challenging.

This is mainly due to the multitude of challenges young people themselves face - the pressure from their peers, the impact of social media demands of the education system and family pressures generally. It is also true that often, the way things are done in the church are not exactly appealing to them - not ‘cool’ enough or in line with the way they celebrate and do things when they get together. On the other hand it is also true that so many young people are open to new initiatives that show why they are the ‘hope’ for the future. They are the ones who are able to dream of a better future and have the eagerness to do something about it.

The challenge facing us as catechists, teachers and parents working with people of this age group is to help direct the good in them and harness it to encourage them to use their thoughts and their energies to commit themselves to good causes that give meaning to life in different fields both within and outside of the Church. The invitation Jesus himself made to the young man in the Gospel still holds - ‘Come follow me’. It is an invitation Jesus makes to every young person, whatever way of life they decide to pursue.

Quote

Therefore young people cannot be considered only objects of catechesis, but also active subjects and protagonists of evangelization and artisans of social renewal.

General Directory of Catechesis, paragraph 183

The World needs you

My dear young people, the world today needs you, for it needs men and women who are filled with the Holy Spirit. It needs your courage and hopefulness, Your faith and perseverance. The world of tomorrow will be built by you. As you receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit You will be able to help to bring to the world the fruits of reconciliation and peace.

Message to Conrimation Candidates by Pope John Paul II

Inspiring Teachers and Catechists - Words of Holy Wisdom

ROMANO GUARDINI - Spiritual Writer

Born in 1885 in Verona north Italy, Romano Guardini lived most of his adult life in Germany. He studied economics and chemistry, but became a priest in 1910. He lectured on the philosophy of religion and was extremely popular with youths. His thoughts and writings were very avant-garde having strong influence on the vision of the Second Vatican Council. Both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis hold him in high regard. He died on 1st October 1968.

The word is a thing of mystery, so volatile that it vanishes almost on the lip, yet so powerful that it decides fates and determines the meaning of existence. A frail structure shaped by fleeting sound, it yet contains the eternal: truth.

from MEDIATIONS BEFORE MASS

Associations that are to endure, to grow and become fruitful must become ever more pure in the truthfulness of each towards the other; if not, they will disintegrate. Every falsehood destroys the community.

from THE VIRTUES

Jesus was no cold Superman -he was more human than any of us. Entirely pure, unweakened by evil, he was loving and open to the core. His ardour, truth, sensitivity, power, capacity for joy and pain were unlimited, and everything that happened to him happened in the immeasurableness of his divinity.

from THE LORD

Christ Our Hope

Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world. Everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life. Easter is the beginning of a new world, set free from the slavery of sin and death: the world open at last to the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of love, peace and fraternity.

Easter Sunday Message 2019 by Pope Francis

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