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Whole
Community Catechesis
Fr. Neil Draves-Arpaia
Director
frneil@stclementschurch.com
Dear Brothers
and Sisters in Christ,
St. Paul’s
letter to the Philippians reads,
“My prayer is that your love may more and more
abound, both in understanding and wealth of experience, so that
with a clear conscience and blameless conduct you may learn to
value the things that really matter, up to the very day of
Christ. It is my wish that you may be found rich in the harvest
of justice which Jesus Christ has ripened in you, to the glory
and praise of God.” (Phil 1:9-11)
This prayer on behalf of the Holy Apostle is likewise our
prayer and wish for all who call St. Clement’s Parish their
spiritual and sacramental home. We are committed to putting
this prayer into action in various ways but especially by
fostering faith formation programs for all ages. Through our
faith formation programs may our love for God and neighbor
deepen in understanding and wealth of experience. By God’s
grace and our openness to the working of God’s Holy Spirit may
we all learn to value the “things that really matter” and be
found “rich in a harvest of justice,” which is the fruit of
Christ’s word having taken firm root in our hearts and minds.
Nothing is more central and critical to one’s faith
formation than a regular, committed participation in the
sacramental life of the Church, especially the celebration
of the Eucharist (Mass) every Sunday and on the Holy Days of
Obligation. Since the Eucharist is the source and summit of the
life of the pilgrim church on earth (Vatican II), we must
publicly affirm that participation in faith formation programs
is secondary to one’s participation in Sunday Mass and other
sacramental celebrations.
This year our catechetical focus is Catholic Social
Teachings, which is the body of doctrines and fundamental moral
principles based on the message of Jesus that guide the Church
as it addresses contemporary problems and issues in a secular
society and world community. By instructing and reflecting on
these teachings of our Church we are shaped into a people who
affirm human dignity, who act to protect human life at all
times, who promote justice at home and in the workplace, and who
use our best God-given gifts to build a world based on peace and
compassion out of love for our neighbor, whether friend or foe.
By living these truths and building up society on these
principles the faithful of Christ show themselves to be
instruments of the Lord’s peace and servants of the divine
compassion. These are principles we should strive to model and
teach to our children from an early age.
During the coming year there are six (6) units of focused
learning and reflection. Families, individuals, or households
are asked to participate in one of the required introductory
sessions that includes an hour of age-specific learning for
children and youth (K-12) and also options for adult catechesis,
such as a bible study, theological reflection, or “how to carry
on the learning at home.” This is a graced opportunity for all
ages to pray together before we adjourn to our respective
learning centers or classrooms, to learn together about
the truths of our faith, and it concludes with a brief time
to reflect together before we return to our homes.
We will continue to make available Introductory Session
Sign-Up forms throughout the year so that we are able to
plan accordingly in advance. ALL INTRODUCTORY SESSIONS WILL
TAKE PLACE IN ST. CLEMENT’S GYM. FOLLOW-UP SESSIONS WILL TAKE
PLACE IN EITHER THE SCHOOL OR THE PARISH CENTER.
Children and youths in grades K -12 are asked to
participate in the appropriate follow-up session, which
continues to explore the assigned theme in greater depth and at
an age-appropriate level. These follow-up sessions are in
response to the expressed preference of parents that our
children and youth receive more frequent and well-organized
catechesis. At the same time, may we not forget that faith
formation is a life-long journey that does not end with
Confirmation. The dates of the required introductory session,
topic, and the follow-up sessions are listed on the enclosed
insert (schedule).
Let us pray for one another that we may not receive God’s
grace in vain, and that we may grow in wisdom and grace before
God and God’s people. May the peace of Christ, Teacher and
Lord, be with you. |
