DENISE CONTINO, DIOCESAN DIRECTOR OF CATECHESIS, shared the following message for Catechetical Sunday, which the Church observes this year Sept. 17.
We can all agree that passing on the faith is a necessary element to the mission of the Church. Who is passing on the faith in your parish? Most likely we think about the parish catechist or the Catholic school teacher, and yes, these folks are passing on the faith. Many other people pass on the faith too: RCIA teams; baptismal ministry teams; youth and young adult teams, Marriage Ministry teams, Parish leaders, Parents, Grandparents, and many more faithful servants.
Annually the Church celebrates all catechists, those passing on the faith, on Catechetical Sunday. This day provides an opportunity to recall that all the baptized have a role in handing on the faith. Passing on the faith can happen in our daily lives, within our families, the larger community, and in the work in the local parish.
Each year the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops decide on a theme for this day. This year the theme is from the Gospel of Matthew, “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened” (Matthew 11:28). This theme helps us see that the Lord Jesus is inviting us to follow him and provides us with the promise that passing on the faith is not to add to our burdens, but to lighten them. The 2023 theme helps us to remember that Catechesis is Jesus himself. It all is from HIM!
Read the complete message HERE.