Image: Aaron Burdon on Unsplash
By Christine Wood
The Second Vatican Council envisioned an “army of catechists” who help clergy in their work of evangelisation. Pope Francis’s recent his apostolic letter, Antiquum Ministerium, established the ministry of lay catechist as a “stable form of service” in the local Church. The lay catechist is at the service of the local bishop.
Pope Francis spells out the formation required for catechists: “They should also receive suitable biblical, theological, pastoral and pedagogical formation to be competent communicators of the
truth of the faith and they should have some prior experience of catechesis.”
The Holy Father is clear that this ministry isn’t for everyone but is a true vocation in the life of the Church. Those who step up to become catechists are responding to God’s call to serve the Church in this particular way. He explains these people are “men and women of deep faith and human maturity, active participants in the life of the Christian community, capable of welcoming others, being generous and living a life of fraternal communion.”
Perhaps these words of Pope Francis are encouraging for many of you who have been active in RCIA for many years. You might have felt this call from God and, drawn to helping adults in their journey towards God, you’ve joined your local RCIA team. This is a great service to the life of the Church!
Many, however, have not had the opportunity to receive adequate formation for this important ministry. In Tasmania, Archbishop Julian Porteous established the Order of Catechist last year with the aim of forming catechists to serve their local parish communities in evangelisation, RCIA, sacramental preparation, youth ministry, and children’s catechesis. Formation requires two years of study in the areas of Scripture, liturgy, doctrine, moral life, prayer, and catechetical methodology.
Currently, there are 45 people in catechist formation program in the Archdiocese of Hobart. They have completed an ‘Overview of the Catholic faith,’ and those who wish to focus on children’s catechesis have completed a course on ‘Christian Discipleship & Sacramental Preparation.’ The next compulsory course is an ‘Introduction to Scripture.’ Those seeking to focus on RCIA will take a special course next year, learning about the catechetical, pastoral, and liturgical dimensions of RCIA. All the courses are offered through the Verbum Domini Biblical & Catechetical Institute either in the classroom or via zoom.
This ministry of catechist is a central pillar in the renewal of parish communities. Catechists play a leadership role, supporting the clergy, in the work of evangelisation and formation of the faithful. It’s been amazing to observe the participants in our formation program go deeper in their faith and grow in their life with Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is truly a work of God that is planting seeds for the future of the Church in Tasmania.
