In this issue, we specifically look at catechesis for children from four to thirteen years old. In the next issue of The Catechetical Review we will include high school age students with adults. Children In all our discussions regarding persons with disabilities, we continuously repeat that our attitude must be that of Christ. In essence that means that we must love. Jesus loved children: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mt 19:14). He also tells us, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and... Read more
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Articles Under: Pedagogy & Methodology
Autism has captured the attention of many people through the media, and yet there remains a great deal of ignorance about it. The organization, Autism Speaks , states: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. [i] For some, their knowledge of autism comes from movies and television. In 1988, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise starred in Rain Man , about the relationship between two brothers. The Hoffman character, Raymond... Read more
What is the significance of St. John Paul’s statement that the Catechism was published in order to enable catechesis to be renewed at the “ living sources of the faith ”? [i] The Living Sources Most importantly, St. John Paul draws our attention to the action of the Trinity in catechesis. The “living Sources” are the Persons of the Trinity. The sources we seek, and from which our catechesis is perpetually renewed, are not in the past but in the living present. Christ comes to reveal the face and love of the Father. [ii] Christ himself is the teacher, speaking... Read more
Vayan, pues, y enseñen a todas las naciones: el mandato evangélico de catequizar a todas las personas Como lo dice San Pablo, nuestra actitud tiene que ser la de Cristo. La Segunda persona de la Santísima Trinidad se hizo hombre para salvarnos de nuestros pecados. "Se despojó de sí mismo, tomando condición de servidor," y murió en una cruz (Filipenses 2: 7-8, Biblia de Jerusalén. Ed. Desclée de Brouwer, 2009). Durante su breve estancia en la Tierra, Jesús sanó a los leprosos, y también a los ciegos, los sordos, cojos y paralíticos. En los Evangelios, encontramos historias específicas de milagros,... Read more
The Catechism is an outstanding teaching tool that can provide excellent guidance for our lesson and session planning. In part one, using the topic of heaven as our example, we looked at how the Catechism offers us a Christ-centered framework for our lesson and session planning. We saw that the Catechism helps us to articulate the heart of every topic in a Christocentric way. The Catechism also assists us in securing learning objectives in each of the four parts of the Catechism — the faith professed, celebrated, lived and prayed—by using the cross-references and subject index to identify key content... Read more
For Understanding and Conversion : Serving Those with Cognitive Disabilities In this column, we have been discussing catechesis for persons with disabilities; and up to this point, we have focused particularly on those persons with physical disabilities. While the next article in this series will consider autism spectrum disorders, we turn here to learning disabilities and developmental disabilities. Here is a point that we must emphasize: even if some people have disabilities that can impair their ability to understand the teachings of the Catholic Church, they can still have a profound love for Jesus Christ. In fact, the National Directory... Read more
One Advent, I was captivated by the phrase “Desire of Nations” in the “O Antiphons,” particularly the word “desire.” [i] When I checked the etymology of the word “desire,” I was intrigued to know that it is derived from the Latin de sidere , that is, “from the stars.” Desire, then, is similar to the light falling from the stars; we can see the starlight but we cannot possess these ephemeral rays. Paradoxically, once we possess something, we no longer desire it. We can desire and long for a vacation in the mountains, but once we have arrived at our... Read more
As a time of immense grace, this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis is an opportunity for the Catholic Church and for each one of us to reflect ever more completely the merciful love of the Father (Lk 6:36). Holy doors are open in every diocese throughout the world; these open doors are symbols of hope, healing, and love; and they announce the mercy of God, who is “the beating heart of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every person.” [1] Each of us in ministry or service to... Read more
I would like to quote a relatively unknown theologian. She lives in my house, is ten years old, and her name is Grace. Two years ago, after returning from parish catechesis one morning, I was looking with her through her textbook. I closed the book and asked, “Grace, who is God?” My daughter paused thoughtfully and, with her lovely smile, responded, “God is a waterfall…and we are all his thirsty flowers.” Taken aback, I have frequently now pondered and prayed with this metaphor. It illustrates for me the energy, the outward movement, of God’s perpetual and total gift of himself... Read more
Catechesis for persons who have physical disabilities is not that difficult. Only in rare cases will catechists need to make small adaptations in lesson content, unlike when preparing lessons for those with some cognitive difficulty. The greatest challenge that catechists face in preparing lessons for persons with physical disabilities has to do with making sure that the catechetical materials and the facilities are as accessible as possible. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops writes, concerning the need to welcome persons with disabilities: Since the parish is the door to participation in the Christian experience, it is the responsibility of... Read more