A Celebration of all those who teach and/or share their faith with others!

Sunday, Sep. 20 is Catechetical Sunday and the theme this year is taken from St. Paul’s words in his first letter to the Corinthians, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” 

We celebrate all the wonderful volunteers and staff who commit their time and effort to leading our children and adults in faith formation.  We also celebrate and are grateful for our parents who are the primary catechists of the faith life of their children.  Thank you, parents for taking on this commitment with your family, especially this year in light of the pandemic.  You began the process by preparing the soil, planting the seeds and you continue the watering and nurturing of your child’s life in faith. 

Diane shares her experience of being a catechist and a parent; “We are all called to be catechists, to pass on our faith through our words and actions. When we live out our faith authentically, we can become an inspiring example to others. My desire and goal as a catechist is to help others see faith as so woven into every part of their life that they do not think of it as a separate entity. I like to talk with young people about things they encounter in their daily lives and help them connect it to God’s infinite love for them. Our relationship with God and our understanding of the world can be so intricately linked to be a guide for us if we learn and allow it”. 

This year’s theme reminds us that catechists and parents are the instruments through which many come to encounter Christ and hear Christ’s invitation to new life in him. 

Thank you catechists and families for partnering with us as we accompany and form loving disciples that transform the world!

A Celebration of all those who teach and/or share their faith with others!

 

Sunday, Sep. 20 is Catechetical Sunday and the theme this year is taken from St. Paul’s words in his first letter to the Corinthians, “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you.” 

 

We celebrate all the wonderful volunteers and staff who commit their time and effort to leading our children and adults in faith formation.  We also celebrate and are grateful for our parents who are the primary catechists of the faith life of their children.  Thank you, parents for taking on this commitment with your family, especially this year in light of the pandemic.  You began the process by preparing the soil, planting the seeds and you continue the watering and nurturing of your child’s life in faith. 

 

Diane shares her experience of being a catechist and a parent; “We are all called to be catechists, to pass on our faith through our words and actions. When we live out our faith authentically, we can become an inspiring example to others. My desire and goal as a catechist is to help others see faith as so woven into every part of their life that they do not think of it as a separate entity. I like to talk with young people about things they encounter in their daily lives and help them connect it to God’s infinite love for them. Our relationship with God and our understanding of the world can be so intricately linked to be a guide for us if we learn and allow it”. 

 

This year’s theme reminds us that catechists and parents are the instruments through which many come to encounter Christ and hear Christ’s invitation to new life in him. 

 

Thank you catechists and families for partnering with us as we accompany and form loving disciples that transform the world!

Blessings

 

Blessing of Catechists, Teachers and Parents

At the conclusion of the General Intercessions

Our blessing today this Sunday is for three groups of educators.

 

Catechists teach young people and adults about our faith, who Jesus is, and what we believe and how to live out our faith.

 

Teachers in all schools – Catholic, Public, Charter and Private schools form the minds of our young people in math, science, writing, language, social studies, the arts and more.

 

Parents and guardians are the primary educators of their children, and this year, in the pandemic, we bless you in a special way as you take on primary responsibilities of education.

 

To our Teachers: You who teach young people in our public and parochial schools…are you willing to serve as witness and role model of Christian faith and values to your students?  We are.

 

To our Catechists: You who serve as catechists – are you willing to give witness to what you teach by your way of life? We are.

 

To our Parents and Guardians: Parents, you have accepted the responsibility of raising your children in the faith, and being their primary educators, so that keeping God’s commandments, they may love the Lord and their neighbor as Christ has taught us… Are you willing to renew the promises you made at your children’s baptism? We are.

 

Blessing of the Teachers and Catechists

Lord God, source of all wisdom and knowledge, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to proclaim his message of faith, hope, and love to all nations. In your goodness bless our brothers and sisters who have offered themselves as catechists for your Church. In the same way, bless the members of our community who teach in the public square. Strengthen them with your gifts, in order that they may teach by word and by example the truth that comes from you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Blessing of Parents and Guardians

Students lay hands on their parents’ heads and repeat the lines of the blessing after the President/Presider.

God our Father, give these mothers, fathers, and guardians -- strength and wisdom as they care for and educate their children.

 

Show them how to raise their families with patience and tenderness. Give them strength during the times of greatest difficulty and help them recognize the little joys that are part of each day.

May they grow in wisdom, understanding, and grace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.