Sacramental Preparation || Who are Catechists? || Training and Formation

Since the Second Vatican Council, many different lay ministries have been developed in the Catholic Church. Most of these are liturgical  -  Readers, Extraordinary Ministers, Music Ministries, Welcomers, etc.

In many other countries, it is the ministry of Catechist which is central, a ministry at the very heart of the life of faith of Christian community. This needs to become more so in East Anglia as well.

It is diocesan policy that every parish has a Parish Coordinating Catechist, working with the Deanery Coordinating Catechist to ensure the best possible catechesis, adult formation, sacramental preparation, etc. The Deanery Coordinating Catechists are invited members of the Diocesan Commission for Evangelisation, which works with the Bishop to oversee and further religious education, catechesis and evangelisation in the diocese.

This webpage has been established at the request of diocesan catechists at their annual meeting in September 2007. It will be developed slowly but surely as a resource for the many different areas of catechesis. Please do not expect too much too soon.

Sacramental Preparation
	RCIA Baptism First Confession & First Communion Confirmation Marriage    Other catechetical roles   Children at non-Catholic schools Children's Liturgy Ongoing catechesis of children between sacraments Adult religious education and formation Children and adults with learning difficulties Parents

Who are the most important catechists in the diocese? One answer is the bishop, assisted by his priests and deacons, but another is parents who are the prime educators of their children in the faith. Teachers in our Catholic schools also play a central role. Parish and deanery catechists have a vital part to play. All together are called to "speak the truth in love", the truth of Jesus himself who is our Lord and Saviour.

At heart of all catechesis is Christ himself. Not Bible stories or doctrines about Jesus and his Church (both of which are essential), but the person of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states clearly:

There is only one Teacher - the Christ! Our ministry is a sharing in his, and all we do must be done in his name, and in his way. We can learn a great deal about how to catechise simply from reading the Gospel accounts of how Jesus taught and touched the lives of others.

This is our ministry together - as ordained ministers, catechists, teachers, parents - to be people through whom Jesus himself can speak with his saving love to others, young and old. Our task is to echo the good news of great joy which was the song of the angels that first Christmas, and the message of the angels, Mary of Magdala and the apostles that first Easter. Joy - a joyful love - should be the mark of all who seek to teach the faith; it is an essential mark of a catechist. The children and adults with whom we share our faith should always hear it as good news of great joy.

All ministers need ongoing formation and training. Please make use of the opportunities available in the diocese and elsewhere. Our Diocesan "Learning Together" Study Days will often be helpful. Consider enrolling for the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS). There are details of both of these courses under "Adult Education" on this website. There are many other resources, for example: the Margaret Beaufort Institute in Cambridge and the Maryvale Institute (http://www.maryvale.ac.uk).  Our Lady's Catechists run postal courses for catechists (http://ourladyscatechists.org).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church and other teaching documents are available on this website on the "Our Catholic Faith" page

Above all, however, we need to grow in our personal relationship with the Risen Jesus. As we minister, we are not only passing on information about Christ, but sharing with others our own joyful and loving relationship with him.

Sacramental Preparation || Who are Catechists? || Training and Formation

print this page