Catechetical Sunday aims at discipleship

Published: September 5, 2017

Catechetical Sunday will be celebrated Sept. 17 in Catholic parishes across the United States. On this day, parish religion and Catholic school teachers are commissioned to share their ministry for the 2017-2018 school year.

In addition, a special collection will be taken up to support catechetical ministry in the Diocese of Little Rock. Half of the collection remains in the parish, while the other goes to support catechetical ministry needs in Catholic parishes across Arkansas. For more information, contact Dianne Brady, director of stewardship and development, at (501) 664-0340.

This year's theme is: "Living as Missionary Disciples." It was chosen in response to Pope Francis’ call to all the baptized to grow closer to the Lord and to take up their proper role as “missionary disciples.”

The word, "catechetical" is derived from the root "catechesis," which comes from the Greek word meaning "to echo or resound." Therefore, catechesis is the act of echoing the Catholic faith. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church. Yet all Catholics, by virtue of their baptism, are called to echo the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Catechetical Sunday is a time for everyone to reflect on how we can share the faith.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) offers materials to assist catechists, school teachers and families to better understand and rededicate ourselves to this mission as a community of faith. For more information, contact Fr. Erik Pohlmeier, diocesan director of faith formation, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 359.

The following prayer is one of the resources provided by the USCCB. For more prayers or other resources, visit the USCCB website.

A Catechist’s Prayer

Father of all families, you have called me to serve
the family in truth and love as a catechist.
May I be faithful to this call, rooted in your Word,
and open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
May I use these gifts, especially the gifts of faith,
hope, and love, to serve the family as a witness to you,
who are love and life and the source and destiny of all families.
Let your Spirit enlighten my mind and strengthen my heart
so that I can be a path of Christ’s love to families,
especially those in need, the homebound and aged,
the disabled and disheartened.
Through the intercession of Mary and Joseph,
I pray for the Church, the Bride of Christ,
whose mission to build a civilization of love
passes through the family.
Amen.