Catechetical Sunday

Saturday, Sep. 16, 2023 - Sunday, Sep. 17, 2023

Location: All Parishes - Nationwide
Contact: Dianne Brady
Phone: (501) 664-0340, ext. 391

Those whom the community has designated to serve as catechists are called forth to be commissioned for their ministry on this day. Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of their baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.

The word, "catechetical" comes from the root word, "catechesis," which is a Greek word meaning "to echo, or resound." Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church's teachings to the world. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church.

Catechetical Sunday allows parishes to recognize and thank those who give generously of their time and gifts in the work of catechesis. The special collection taken up on this day helps to fund those catechetical programs in Arkansas. It is divided equally between the local parish religious education program and the diocese’s Office of Faith Formation.

This year's theme is "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened." (Matthew 11:28) It is designed to remind us of the invitation we receive from the Lord Jesus to follow him and the promise that he doesn’t want to add to our burdens; he wants to lighten them.

Resources are available to celebrate this day from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, including a reflection on the theme, prayers and certificates for catechists in English and Spanish. For more information, contact Dianne Brady, director of the diocesan Stewardship and Development Office, at (501) 664-0340.