Catechesis

Image credits: Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci, Louvre, Paris, France

What is Catechesis?

“The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch but in communion, in intimacy, with Jesus Christ: only he can lead us to the love of the Father in the Spirit and make us share in the life of the Holy Trinity.” Catechesi Tradendae, 5

The Department of Catechesis promotes knowledge of the faith, liturgical education, moral formation, education in prayer, education for community life and missionary initiation in the church through its catechetical ministry in parish religious education programs, Catholic schools, and the training and formation of Catechetical Leaders and catechists.

We assist the bishop in proclaiming the Gospel through the Religious Education activities of the diocese. 
Our mission is to support life-long growth in faith for children, youth, and adults and to help them grow as disciples.
 

"Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for our children.  They have a unique responsibility for the education of their children; they are the first educators, or catechists. They catechize primarily by the witness of their Christian lives and by their love for the faith. One way that parents communicate Christian values and attitudes to their children is by loving each other within the context of a Christian marriage and their love for Christ and his Church. Their participation in the life of the parish--above all Sunday Eucharist--their willingness to evangelize and serve others, and their dedication to daily prayer demonstrate the authenticity of their profession of faith."  National Directory for Catechesis, 54C, USCCB  
                
"The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.  The right and duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable."  
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2221             
Image credits:  The Holy Family, Joseph Paelinck, The Getty Center, Los Angeles, California   
 

The Role of the Parish

Each parish in the Diocese of Trenton provides a religious education program which is overseen by the pastor and the parish catechetical leader.  The function of these programs is to provide a systematic and organic doctrinal enhancement to the formation provided by the liturgy and the formation provided in the family home. Parish religious education programs are not a substitute for the formation with takes place in the liturgy and the family home. 

In addition to the leadership of the pastor and the catechetical leader, many other parish members serve as catechists and perform other duties critical to the administration of the religious education program. Each member of the parish also serves as a witness to those being formed in the faith. 
 

Sacramental Preparation  

-First Penance

Policies regarding sacramental preparation are based on the Sacrament Guidelines established by the Diocese of Trenton and supervised by the pastor and catechetical leader of each parish.

Image credits:  Pentecost, Jean Restout, Louvre, Paris, France