National Catechetical Month 2011

The 20th Anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Celebration, Commitment, Challenge.

Blessed John Paul II has gifted the church with a wonderful gift - the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Promulgated 20 years ago, the CCC has become the resource book of many a formator, student and catechist in the church. Its impact will continue to be felt in many years to come.

    In the spirit of church's great patrimony of its teaching office, three words guide us: celebration, commitment and challenge.

    Celebration. It is just right to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the catechism in every local church, diocese, parish and school and faith community. Blessed John Paul is "great" in so far as he was able to shape the life of the church through his fidelity to the deposit of faith - the "Word of God". The Word is Jesus - fully alive in his church! And the experience of the Word is experienced not only in its worship and witness but also in its teachings. Celebration should come alive in the teaching experience of the catechist.

    Commitment. Constancy of purpose - consistency of words and actions underline commitment. We have a shared mission - to tell and re - tell the story of Jesus in our homes, schools and communities. While the substance of the story and the teachings that folllow from it remain unchanged, the way the story and the teachings can be presented may find new appeal and new expressions. Thus, commitment takes the form of continuous research and study, the use of technology and mass media that the gospel may shine forth.

    Challenge. "Go, Teach all nations!" (Matthew 28) The clarion call is loud and clear. The proclamation of the gospel is the heart of church life. The CCC is an indispensable book in the ministry of proclamation - "kerygma", teaching - "didache". In the end, the authenticity of our teaching is measured according to a life of witnessing - "martyros". The goal is "that Christ be formed is us." Yes, to make saints of our people is the purpose of our ministry of catechesis. Blessed John Paul II proposed the "Program of Holiness" to all of us at the turn of the new millenium. While the world is fast changing and the church faces the challenges of the "new evangelization", we are faced to encounter anew the person of Jesus, the Risen One who lives in the Church that we love.