“Timing is everything,” it is often said, and if that be true, the time seems particularly right for a reflection on “Catechesis for Those Returning to the Church.” Consider the times in which we are living. For starters, the message and mission of Blessed John Paul II invited the Church to embrace the challenge of a New Evangelization. Continuing that impetus, Pope Benedict has proclaimed a Year of Faith, beginning in October of 2012. The forthcoming Synod of Bishops is devoted to the same theme, “New Evangelization.” Private initiatives such as the “Catholics Come Home” media blitz have boldly proclaimed... Read more
Categories
- Adult Faith Formation
- Articles from Bishops
- Catechesis and Culture
- Catechizing Children
- Catechizing with Art
- Catholic Schools
- Evangelization
- Leadership & Catechist Formation
- Liturgical Catechesis
- Marriage and Family
- Pedagogy & Methodology
- Personal Witness Stories
- RCIA
- Sacramental Preparation
- Saints and Holy Men & Women
- Scriptural Catechesis
- Spiritual Formation and Prayer
- Youth Ministry
Articles Under: Articles from Bishops
A sure guide During the ‘Year for Priests’ (2009-2010) we have witnessed a time of grace, deepened understanding and increased prayer for priests and priestly vocations which, among the many pastoral initiatives of Pope Benedict’s pontificate, we will always be thankful. In this year now passed, with his predecessors throughout the twentieth century, Pope Benedict wished to raise up in our sight the priestly figure of St. John Mary Vianney. Father Julian Green and others have, in recent editions of The Sower , provided us with excellent articles on the perennial importance of the Curé of Ars as a guide,... Read more
When I was a student in Rome, Thursday was our day-off and we’d often go out of the city to explore different places nearby. I’ll never forget going into a magnificent, mediaeval church with an eye-catching mosaic high-up over the altar. It depicted Christ the Good Shepherd, preaching to his disciples; all sat at his feet eagerly listening. But when you got a bit closer, something about the mosaic seemed odd. Why was it that Christ’s rob were not white but dirty-brown? Why were his listeners laughing, some drinking, everyone clearly having a good time? One was fox dressed up... Read more
Cardinal Bergoglio’s Letter to Catechists of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires for the Year of Faith
Free
On August 21, 2012, the feast of St. Pius X, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio—now Pope Francis—published a letter to the catechists of his Archdiocese of Buenos Aires. This is an exclusive English translation of that letter. “In those days, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” (Lk 1:39) Dear Catechists, It has been a custom now for many years that I write you a letter around the feast of Saint Pius X. In this way I wish to greet you on his... Read more
Read this article in Spanish here . We say at the end of the creed, ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints…’ This ‘communion of saints’ is a very important mystery of our faith. And yet our faith in that mystery can pass ‘just like that.’ We say, ‘. . . the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins . . . ‘ Do we allow those phrases in the Creed to just slip by because we get used to them? Lifted up to heaven during... Read more
Catholic Schools Week gives us all an opportunity to express our gratitude to the parents and families, pastors and parishes who entrust to us the privilege of teaching, and sharing in the Church’s teaching mission. They are good supporters of our work, and with them we share the weighty responsibility of bringing children to Jesus Christ; and bringing Jesus Christ to our children. The teaching vocation During these special days, I hope that you as administrators, teachers and staff, also hear the appreciation of God’s people for your vital work. You are the teaching Christ. You are participants in the... Read more
“And I hold in veneration for the love of Him alone, holy Church as his creation and her teachings as his own.” (J.H.Newman) I want to write about loving the Church. This is especially important in an era when so many institutions are no longer loved and are subject to much cynicism. Loving in the midst of hostility The announcement of Pope Benedict’s State Visit to England almost two years ago seemed to awaken hostility to the Catholic Church to a degree unknown in our own life-times. I could not help but recall in the moments of prayer in the... Read more
On Providence
Free
Homily by the late Bishop Mitrophan (1909-2002) Do we, does each one of us Christians, believe in God’s love, which stretches over and covers the entire world and each one of us? Deists—and many Christians—say, “I believe in the Creator of the world, but I don’t believe he plays a role in the life of the world.” St. John Chrysostom says that those within the bosom of Christ’s Church who reason in this way are worse and more dangerous than unbelievers. We may boldly, and without fear of error, add to the words of this “Teacher of the Whole World”... Read more
Dear Brothers and Sisters, In the last Wenesday's Catechesis we reflected on the opening words of the Creed: “I believe in one God”. But the profession of faith specifies this affirmation: God is the almighty Father, Creator of heaven and earth. Thus I would like to reflect with you now on the first and fundamental definition of God which the Creed presents to us: he is Father. God is Father It is not always easy today to talk about fatherhood, especially in the Western world. Families are broken, the workplace is ever more absorbing, families worry and often struggle to... Read more
And Preparing for the Baptism of the Child Archbishop Kurtz explains how "The Blessing of the Child in the Womb,” approved on 8 December 2011 by the Congregation for Divine Worship for use in the United States of America, can be a pastoral moment of first evangelization of the child and of new evangelization of the family. "The Blessing of the Child in the Womb” was approved on 8 December 2011 by the Congregation for Divine Worship for use in the United States of America. This blessing is a pastoral moment of first evangelization of the child and new evangelization... Read more