Who were, and are, the catechists in my life?  The September mission intention –  that catechists may give witness by living in a way consistent with the faith they proclaim –  took me down memory lane:  my mother sitting me on my parents’ double bed to teach me the Sign of the Cross, my father making sure we children got to church, challenging me to keep up with him on the fifteen minute walk (for him) and run (for me) to the early Sunday Mass at St. Ignatius Church. 

When primary school started, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary took over:  eight years of questions and answers from the Baltimore Catechism; thorough altar boy training so that we could guide our Jesuit pastors through the Holy Week services; Scout training, a first step in group cooperation and service; monthly confessions and Stations of the Cross.

Then the Jesuits at St. Paul’s took their turn.  Lots of good examples of Jesuit life made my discernment to join the novitiate clear, so here I am!

Were these people catechists?  Some did teach me the basics of Catholic faith, but all showed me the way to live my faith.  Therefore yes, they are all catechists, as is anyone who shows me the right way to live.  They need not be Christians to do this. 

However parishes in India and Nepal do have specially designated and trained catechists who provide teaching, and especially pastoral service to parishioners scattered through far-flung villages.  These men and women are essential supporters to the parish priest who cannot meet all the people’s needs.  Some receive a stipend, some do not.  Some are very well trained, others not.  But all the effective catechists provide excellent service to their friends, especially through example. 

Who is the ideal parish catechist?  Pope Francis offered some suggestions on August 2, 2014: (c.f. Theresa Noble, Five Tips for Parishes from Pope Francis, IGNITUM TODAY website)

1. DON’T Be Like A Custom’s Office, rather welcome everyone who comes to our doors.

2. DON’T Be Tarantulas, rather open that door with tenderness, ready to meet the visitor’s needs.  If there is no sign of threat the visitor can easily request help.

3. DO Put Those Who Are “Distant” First, so that those who come with needs, but have felt far from the Church, can gain the great courage they need, without worrying about the past breaks from the faith community.  Perhaps the visitor will not come back, but leaves knowing there will be a welcome if there is a return. 

4. DO Get the Laity Involved.  These are the parish catechists, perhaps travelling great distances, perhaps going to groups alienated from church life, perhaps helping the pastor with financial, liturgical, and other practical advice.

5. DON’T Gossip Or Cause Division, rather build community, always looking for ways to see the good in the other.  The catechist brings unity to the parish community.

So I ask myself:

1. How approachable am I?

2. Do I encourage visits, despite other plans?

3. Do I welcome those whom I see as distant, hard to get along with, difficult to deal with?

4. Do I encourage others to team up to meet others’ needs?

5. Do I work hard to block negativity in myself and others, so that I can enjoy building up what is good in me and others?

I’ve written earlier about two of my favorite catechists, Boniface Rai and Krishna Nepali (Oct. 23, 2014).  May they be models for all Church parishioners, as we continue to be catechists through example.