Pope Francis Vision for Catechesis Joseph D. White, Ph.D.

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1 Pope Francis Vision for Catechesis Joseph D. White, Ph.D. The Catechetical Legacy of Pope Francis Predecessors Pope Paul VI General Catechetical Directory (1971) Evangelii Nuntiandi (1975) Pope John Paul II Catechesi Tradendae (1979) General Directory for Catechesis (1997) Pope Benedict Address to Catechists and Religion Teachers (2000, as Cardinal Ratzinger) The Current Climate Continued de-christianization in the Western world Growing Church in the developing world Increased attention to the social action of the Church in the World Enter Pope Francis First pope from Latin America; First modern pope from developing world Unprecedented engagement with popular culture Concern for the poor Attention to the global community (e.g., Visit to Lampedusa, Synod of Bishops dedicated to the people in the Amazon region) A Catechesis of Encounter in this stepping out [of ourselves] it is important to be ready for encounter Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others. Pope Francis Homily, Pentecost Sunday 2013 When we live out a spirituality of drawing nearer to others and seeking their welfare, our hearts are opened wide to the Lord s greatest and most beautiful gifts. Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God. Whenever our eyes are opened to acknowledge the other, we grow in the light of faith and knowledge of God. The Joy of the Gospel, 272

2 Opening wide the doors tours of the church, events to draw people in, question cards Community outreach: going where the people are An Inclusive, Welcoming Catechesis all of us are asked to obey his call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the peripheries in need of the light of the Gospel. --Joy of the Gospel, 20. Pope Francis mentions the needs of families of persons with disabilities in his Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (see paragraph 47). When properly understood, cultural diversity is not a threat to Church unity. Joy of the Gospel, 117. Research and implement the new Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities Evaluate other ways to adapt catechesis for diverse learners and persons with disabilities Reflect the diversity of the Church in leadership, planning of events, language and culture. Identify others who are on the peripheries A Kerygmatic Catechesis In catechesis too, we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the first announcement or kerygma, which needs to be the center of all evangelizing activity and all efforts at Church renewal. Joy of the Gospel, 164 Catechesis, as a component of the process of evangelization, needs to go beyond the simple realm of scholastics, in order to educate believers, beginning with children, to encounter Christ, living and working in his Church. Address To Participants In The Plenary Assembly Of The Pontifical Council For Promoting New Evangelization, May Know Christ. Witness Christ. Begin and end with the Paschal Mystery.

3 Provide space for learners to encounter Christ in the Word. A Catechesis of Accompaniment The Church will have to initiate everyone priests, religious and laity into this art of accompaniment which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). The pace of this accompaniment must be steady and reassuring, reflecting our closeness and our compassionate gaze which also heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life. Joy of the Gospel, 169 Be flexible. Practice reflective listening. Meet people where they are. Walk with them as the begin to see where they need to be. This requires patience and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit. Identify skills and attitude shifts needed to form catechetical leaders who practice accompaniment. A Mystagogic Catechesis mystagogic initiation basically has to do with two things: a progressive experience of formation involving the entire community and a renewed appreciation of the liturgical signs of Christian initiation. Joy of the Gospel, Elements of the catechumenate that inspire catechesis (GDC, 91) 1. The baptismal catechumenate constantly reminds the whole Church of the fundamental importance of the function of initiation and the basic factors which constitute it: catechesis and the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The Sacraments of Initiation Remind Us: At the heart of conversion is an encounter with Jesus Christ. We should be grateful for the gift of faith that we have received. We are called by our baptism to be missionaries. ) 2. The baptismal catechumenate is the responsibility of the entire Christian community. Community responsibility reminds us: Catechesis an initiation and apprenticeship in the entire Christian life. (GDC, 30). Catechists teach the art of living and show the path Critical importance of witness

4 Parents are primary catechists of their children, and the parish supports them in that role. 3. The baptismal catechumenate is also completely permeated by the mystery of Christ's Passover. The connection between the catechumenate and the Paschal Mystery reminds us: Of the salvific power of the Gospel That out lives are hidden in Christ (Col. 3:3), we are clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:37), and we are following in his footsteps (I Peter 2:21). 4. The baptismal catechumenate is also an initial locus of inculturation. Inculturation of the Gospel message Seeds of faith in every life across cultures. St. Paul in Athens Seeds of faith in the lives of today s families 5. The concept of the baptismal catechumenate as a process of formation and as a true school of the faith offers post-baptismal catechesis dynamic and particular characteristics: comprehensiveness and integrity of formation; gradual character expressed in definite stages; its connection with meaningful rites, symbols, biblical and liturgical signs; its constant references to the Christian community. Comprehensiveness and integrity of formation Hierarchy of truths 7 major catechetical themes: Divine Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, Church, Morality, Sacraments, Kingdom of God 6 Tasks of Catechesis Gradual character expressed in definite stages Salvation history: God revealed himself as people were ready to heard and understand. Lifelong catechesis and developmental windows Rites, symbols, biblical and liturgical signs A pedagogy of the senses Signs and realities Constant references to the Christian community Foundational mystery of our faith: God is a Trinity Made in God s image, we are created to be in communion with others. Jesus sent his disciples out two-by-two, and promised, where two or three are

5 gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Education for community life is one of the 6 essential tasks of catechesis mentioned in the General Directory for Catechesis: Catechesis prepares the Christian to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church (GDC, 86). Form catechetical leaders in the connection between the catechumenate and all catechesis. Reflect on where people experience the three transcendentals in our culture today. A Catechesis of Mercy I think we too are the people who, on the one hand, want to listen to Jesus, but on the other hand, at times, like to find a stick to beat others with, to condemn others. And Jesus has this message for us: mercy. I think and I say it with humility that this is the Lord's most powerful message: mercy. Homily on March 17, 2013 God's mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones (cf. Ez 37:1-14).... Let us be renewed by God's mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish. Easter Urbi et Orbi message on March 31, 2013 Present sin honestly, present grace generously. Teach conflict resolution skills to adults, children and families Identify ways in which catechetical leaders are called to live out Christ s mercy in their work. How do we equip them to do this? A Familial Catechesis The overall education of children is a most serious duty and at the same time a primary right of parents. Amoris Laetitia, 84 The Church is called to cooperate with parents through suitable pastoral initiatives, assisting them in the fulfillment of their educational mission. Amoris Laetitia, 85

6 Today s Catholic Families: The Current Landscape Some challenges of working with families today Hectic schedules and divided attention University of Michigan study in recent decades 33% decrease in families eating dinner together, 28% drop in family vacations. 100% increase in time children spend in structured sports, and 500% increase in passive spectator leisure time. Recent study by Annenberg Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California showed that 28% of Americans say they are spending less time with their families than in the previous year and this rise appears to be related to more time on digital media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Internet websites. Increasing secularization of modern society Many adults poorly formed in their own faith, and some have little attachment to their faith. (53% of US adults have left the faith of their childhood at some point; 9% leave and return). Developmental Stages of Family Life Families have stages Two often-neglected stages o Family restructuring in the early childhood years o Parenting stress in the teen years Make family-integrated catechesis a priority, not an afterthought. Research best practices and new models for engaging whole families in formation Structuring Catechetical Ministry for Parent Involvement Make the Expectation Clear Give a Variety of Opportunities o Catechetical Assistant o Special Events Team o Parish Ministry Liaison o Special Project Volunteer o Prayer Volunteer o Adult Faith Formation Be understanding

7 Alternative Models: Home-based Model Parents as catechists Potential Advantages Calls parents to their rightful role as primary catechists Allows catechetical leaders to focus on priorities other than weekly grade-level sessions, such as better sacramental preparation, RCIA, adult faith formation Potential Challenges Parents might not follow through Parents might not be well-formed to form their children Loss of larger community experience of formation Potential Solutions System of accountability (e.g., e-assessments) Parent formation sessions (or at least orientation) Combine with family-gathered model and/or other family events. Alternative Models: Family-Gathered Model Periodic whole-family sessions covering major catechetical themes Can include breakouts into age-level groups Potential Advantages Gives parents coaching and practice with talking to their children about faith Forms adults AND children Provides a unique community experience of the faith Potential Challenges Time in between sessions might be too great if there is no follow-up A few sessions in the year doesn t allow for the depth of a more comprehensive approach Didn t we try that before? Potential Solutions Assessments, study halls (e.g., Holy Cross Parish in Atlanta, GA) Need a plan that includes active learning approaches, multi-sensory experiences, community interaction and enough meat to make it feel worthwhile Combining family gathered model with home sessions or summer model

8 A Joyful Catechesis The joy of the Gospel is such that it cannot be taken away from us by anyone or anything (cf. Jn 16:22). The evils of our world and those of the Church must not be excuses for diminishing our commitment and our fervor --Joy of the Gospel, 46 Don t be sourpusses Joy of the Gospel, 46 Radiate joy and enthusiasm. Cultivate gratitude. Keep a sense of humor. A Catechesis that is in Dialogue with the Arts and Sciences Anthropological-cultural change, that today influences all aspects of life and requires an analytic and diversified approach, does not permit us to limit ourselves to practices in pastoral ministry and mission that reflect forms and models of the past. Summa Familiae Cura, September 2017 A special place of encounter is offered by new Areopagi where believers and non-believers are able to engage in dialogue about fundamental issues of ethics, art and science, and about the search for transcendence. The Joy of the Gospel, 257 Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendor and profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties. Joy of the Gospel, 167 A systematic, comprehensive catechesis that incorporates the neurosciences and is based on developmental windows of opportunity. Helping our learners understand the contributions of the Church to the arts and sciences. Connecting what we know from science and art with what we know by faith. A Catechesis that Sends Disciples Forth in Mission In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples --The Joy of the Gospel (120). Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are disciples and missionaries, but rather that we are always missionary disciples. If we are not convinced, let us look at those first disciples, who, immediately after encountering the gaze of Jesus, went forth

9 to proclaim him joyfully: We have found the Messiah! (Jn 1:41). Joy of the Gospel, 120. Emphasize the importance of both knowledge and practice. Provide space and opportunities for adults to become articulate in speaking about their faith. Promote dialogue about the connections between faith and daily life. Name gifts we see in others and call them to use them.