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PRAY and REFLECT
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Issue 7: Autumn 2017
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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 |
| Liturgical Education |
| Catechesis according to the General Directory |
| Inspiring Teachers and Catechists - St Giuseppe Moscati |
| Online Resources |
Liturgical Education
One of the most crucial dimensions in catechesis is formation for a better understanding of our LITURGY. Liturgy is the public duty and worship that we direct towards God through a range of different acts and celebrations. Hence by definition it is something we do REGULARLY as our life journey develops and our faith grows. As the journey continues we need further catechesis to develop and deepen our knowledge and understanding of so many important aspects of our Christian faith, including Liturgy and celebrations.
It is probably true that the main reason why some young people and others fail to see the need for taking part in Sunday mass is the lack of understanding of what happens at this event that is the cornerstone of our worship. How many of our children and young people understand the different parts of the Holy Mass, the different prayers or the different seasons or feastdays of the Liturgical year?
It is our duty as educators of the faith to transmit this bank of knowledge about our Christian Liturgy in order that those we teach not only continue to ‘attend’ Sunday Mass but to ensure they look at the celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy in general as that community celebration to which they want to be conscious and active participants.
"It is more necessary than ever to intensify liturgical life ... by means of an appropriate formation ... of all the faithful."
St John Paul 2
Catechesis
Catechesis, along with promoting a knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy and the sacraments, must also educate the disciples of Jesus Christ “for
prayer, for thanksgiving, for
repentance, for praying with confidence, for
community spirit, for understanding correctly the
meaning of the creeds…” as all of this is necessary for a true liturgical life.
(From the "General Directory for Catechesis, paragraph 85).
Inspiring Teachers and Catechists - St Giuseppe Moscati
Doctor and Witness
Giuseppe was born into a noble family on 25th July 1880 in Benevento near Naples in Italy. When still very young, Giuseppe lost some of his siblings and these early deaths influenced the choice of his future career and vocation – he felt that he was called to become a medical doctor. While studying he showed a lively intelligence which amazed his tutors. Then, the faculties of philosophy and medicine were hotbeds of revolutionary atheism. Giuseppe was admired not only for his dedication but also for his exemplary Christian witness.
Following his graduation as a medical practitioner in 1903, Giuseppe continued his specialisation by research in Chemical Physiology up to professorship. Inspite of the opposition of some colleagues, he even installed a crucifix where he worked. He would encourage his students: “Remember that in choosing medicine you are committing yourselves to a sublime service. With God in your hearts, persevering in practising the good with faith and enthusiasm, deaf to both praise and criticism, aiming only to do good.”
During the tragic events of the Vesuvius volcano eruption in 1906, which devastated nearby Naples, and the cholera epidemic which struck Naples in 1911, Dr Giuseppe showed heroic and commendable dedication. Without anyone knowing it, he chose celibacy in order to devote his life fully to God in caring for the sick and the poor.
In 1915 Italy entered World War I. Dr Giuseppe was not allowed to go to the front. He was put in charge of the hospital for the wounded. His Christian witness never faltered. Some of his medical students later testified that Prof Moscati “shaped our hearts and souls. He spoke to us of God, of his Providence, of the Christian faith. Joy beamed from his face, and we followed him into the churches of Naples to attend Mass.” By the age of 47 his health was spent. He died during Holy Week in the afternoon of 12th April 1927: he collapsed in his office where he was seeing yet more patients. He was declared a saint by Pope John Paul II. His feast day is 16th November.
Quotes by St Giuseppe Moscati
"Let us practise charity; let us not forget to make an offering of our actions every day, every moment, doing everything for love's sake."
"Love the truth; show who you truly are without fear. And if the truth earns you persecution accept it .... And if you must sacrifice yourself and your life for the truth, be strong in the sacrifice."
Online Resources
SDC
Resouces for Catechists and RE teachers on this website. Includes PowerPoints, Worksheets and Lesson Plans for First Communion and Confirmation programmes and a lot more.
4 Catholic Educators
Includes clipart resources and lesson plans, mass readings, Bible crosswords and puzzles and more.
Download the pdf version of this issue by clicking here.
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