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PRAY and REFLECT
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Issue 10: Autumn 2018
Download the pdf version of this issue by clicking here.
The word ‘CATECHIST’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘to echo’. As Catechists or teachers of RE we do not proclaim our own word. We echo the message of Jesus Christ our Lord. This newsletter aims at providing parish catechists and teachers of RE in schools some support in terms of reflections, ideas, useful resources they can use and so on. Feel free to share with other colleagues and friends. There is also a pdf version which you can download by clicking on the thumbnail below.
| In this issue |
| Catechesis and Prayer |
| Quote |
| Inspiring Teachers and Catechists - The Word of Modern Saints |
| Online Resources |
Catechesis and Prayer
Paul’s plea to the Ephesians “Pray at every opportunity” (Eph 6:18) was not only directed to the Christians at Ephesus at the time of writing. It is surely an advice that concerns anyone who decides to be a disciple of Christ. If we truly mean what we say that we are his followers we use every opportunity we can to relate to and stay in touch with him. In an age when we are so keen to add all our friends to our contacts on our mobile phones and we often follow so many others on a range of social media sites, it would be interesting to ask, ‘Would Jesus be one of my contacts?’ or ‘How often do I get in touch with him?’
A good understanding of the importance of a life of prayer is even more vital for any catechist or teacher who is trying to pass on our living faith to others. A good understanding of a sound life of prayer is so vital for the catechist personally in his or her spiritual journey. It is also however crucial that talking about and teaching what makes a life of prayer is always a central part of our programmes. Many well known writers have written so much about different aspects of a life of prayer. One of the four main parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church is also dedicated to Prayer. Many people however still say they often struggle to find time or get into the habit of praying and making this a regular feature of their normal lives. It is this common struggle that makes it vital for us to address this important aspect of Christian life in our RE or catechesis regularly and in different and creative ways. Without it there is the risk of teaching RE as just another academic subject rather than a way of life that leads to an ever closer relationship to Jesus.
Quote
"Prayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains."
St John M Vianney
Inspiring Teachers and Catechists - The Words of Modern Saints
Both Pope Paul VI (1897 - 1978) and Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917- 80) of El Salvator will be declared Saints by Pope Francis in Rome on 14th October 2018.
Paul VI was Pope from June 1963 till August 1978. One of his most powerful documents on evangelisation is Evangelii nuntiandi - On the Proclamation of the Gospel, 8 Dec 1975. The following is a short extract:
“The first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentically Christian life...‘Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.’ ... It is therefore primarily by her conduct and by her life that the Church will evangelize the world, in other words, by her living witness of fidelity to the Lord Jesus - the witness of poverty and detachment, of freedom in the face of the powers of this world, in short, the witness of sanctity.” (paragraph 41)
Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot dead while celebrating Mass by government soldiers on 24th March 1980. He was martyred for speaking out against injustice in favour of the people of El Salvador.
“You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish.”
“If God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my death be for the freedom of my people. A bishop will die, but the Church of God, which is the people, will never perish. I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador.
Online Resources
Pray online
Go to www.sacredspace.ie.
SDC Website
Resources for Catechists and RE teachers. Includes PowerPoints, Worksheets and Lesson Plans for First Communion and Confirmation programmes and a lot more.
Visit on sdc.me.uk
Catechist Magazine
The website of the American ‘Catechist magazine. Provides ideas, reflections and resources for catechists in parish religious education programs, and for teachers of religion in Catholic schools.
Download the pdf version of this issue by clicking here.
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