The Six Tasks of Catechesis #4: Teaching to Pray, or Praying Our Faith

by Bill Smith

The fourth of the Six Tasks of Catechesis is teaching to pray, or in terms of the remembering phrase HELP ME, praying our faith. Read what the bishops say:

Conversion to Christ and communion with him lead the faithful to adopt his disposition of prayer and reflection…His prayer was always directed toward his Father. Catechesis should invite the believer to join Christ in the Our Father. Prayer should be the ordinary environment of all catechesis so that the knowledge and practice of the Christian life may be understood and celebrated in its proper context (NDC 20).

Let’s look at the forms of prayer presented in Part Four of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Blessing, adoration, and praise are like complimenting God for His accomplishments and who He is. Petitions, including asking for forgiveness, are ways of placing our concerns and worries before God and expressing sorrow. When those concerns and worries are for others, that is intercession. Thanksgiving is a response to God’s gifts.

10 Opportunities for Building Adult Faith Formation

by Bill Smith

To make adult catechesis a priority, look at what is already happening in your parish and then at ways to enhance or expand formation, starting with these 10 opportunities for building adult faith formation.

Leading Others to an Experience of the Real Presence

by Kathy Henry

Many years ago I was challenged by a young high school student who accused me of telling her what to believe. We were discussing Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians regarding receiving the Eucharist unworthily (1 Corinthians 11) and whether or not Catholics must believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion in order to “receive worthily.” The idea that she must believe this to be true in order to receive the Eucharist bothered her so much that she stopped receiving. I do not know if she ever resolved this conflict, or if she ever returned to the sacrament.

The Six Tasks of Catechesis #3: Moral Formation, or Living Out Our Faith

by Bill Smith

The third of the Six Tasks of Catechesis is moral formation, or in terms of the remembering phrase HELP ME, living out our faith. Read what the bishops say:

Jesus’ moral teaching is an integral part of his message. Catechesis must transmit both the content of Christ’s moral teachings as well as their implications for Christian living. Moral catechesis aims to conform the believer to Christ—to bring about personal transformation and conversion. It should encourage the faithful to give witness—both in their private lives and in the public arena—to Christ’s teaching in everyday life. (NDC 20)