All Are Welcome
Bring your friends, family, neighbor. Catechetical and Student Blessings will be offered at all Masses the weekend of September 17 – 18, 2016— 5:30 P.M. on Saturday and 8:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. on Sunday. All are invted to the Annual Parish & School Picnic on Sunday at 12 P.M. to celebrate (regardless of which Mass you attended!)
Meet Father Harbaugh
Father Jim Harbaugh, S.J., the newest addition to the sacramental team of parish priests, will be presiding over the Catechetical & Student Blessings as we being the new school year. All students are welcome — students from Saint Patrick Catholic School, Bellarmine Prep, public schools, universities, colleges, trade schools, home schools, parochial schools, private schools — all students regardless of school attending— Catholic (or not).
The word of God nourishes both evangelizers and those who are being evangelized so that each one may continue to grow in his or her Christian lifeNational Directory for Catechesis [NDC] [Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005], no. 17
An Opportunity for Reflection
Catechetical Sunday, which is celebrated annually on the third Sunday of September in parishes across the United States, is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. It is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith. It is an opportunity to recognize God as the source of all wisdom and knowledge for both catechists and students.
Inviting All into a Deeper Prayer Life
The theme for this year is Prayer: The Faith Prayed. Archbishop Sartain notes in his Welcome Message that, “this year’s theme invites all the baptized—especially catechists and Catholic school teachers—to devote themselves to a deeper study and practice of prayer, for their own spiritual good and for the good of those they serve.
What Does “Catechetical” Mean?
The word might be more familiar than you think. Many Catholics have used the word “catechism” for years, and they know it has something to do with the the Church’s teachings. The root word, “catechesis,” is from a Greek word meaning “to echo, or resound.” Catechesis is the act of resounding or bringing the Church’s teachings to the world. A catechist is one who teaches in the name of the Church.
Teaching in the Name of the Church
Catechesis is a distinct and special ministry in the Church. This ministry of teaching in the name of the Church has a profound dignity, which is why catechists are formally commissioned by the Church. It is only fitting that we set aside a day to highlight this ministry and invite the entire church community to think about our responsibility to share our faith with others. How appropriate that the ministry of Children’s Liturgy of the Word resumes this weekend!
The Importance of Education and Learning
Including a Blessing of Students in Catechetical Sunday sends a clear message to the students of the importance of education and learning and most importantly being connected to Saint Patrick Catholic Church faith community who loves and support them.
As students go back to school and another summer has passed, it is a great time to reflect on how a student is called to live out his or her stewardship. The stewardship way of life is for everyone, even those who are young.
Here are 10 things to focus on as the academic year begins.
Parents are the Primary Catechists
Parents are truly the primary catechists of their children. They prepare the soil and plant the first seeds of faith. On Catechetical Sunday, we not only highlight the work of catechists in parishes and schools and the works of the students in being open to learning, but we also commend parents and guardians and encourage them to take seriously their role of making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation. This is why the rite of blessing of catechists and students used on Catechetical Sunday includes a blessing of parents and guardians.
Questions?
Email Laura Dougherty, Pastoral Assistant for Liturgy or call 253-383-2783 x 4109.
