Ideas

"The parish is, without doubt, the most important locus in which the Christian community is formed and expressed." General Directory for Catechesis (GDC) #257

"Catechesis is a responsibility of the entire Christian community." GDC# 220

The Born of the Spirit and We are Strong Together catechetical resources provide opportunties for a continual link with the parish. Family, parish and catechist can work together in building a strong spiritual foundation for the children and youth. The Born of the Spirit resources include a section with links between the themes and the parish.

Check our catechetical programs page for more information on the programs.

Whole Community Catechesis in Plain English

by Bill Huebsch [23rd Publications 2002]

Whole community catechesis is drawn from the consideration of the way Jesus taught, the teachings of Vatican II, the General Directory for Catechesis.
There is a growing consensus in the catechetical community in the US that the "school-house" framework lacks essential elements to catechesis. It offers suggestions on linking liturgy and catechesis, making Christ the centre of catechesis.

Submitted by Patricia Lawson

Sts. Simon and Jude Parish in Nackawic held its annual Advent Wreath Making for families on the first Sunday of Advent. Families gathered in the Parish Center before Mass to make wreaths together, share ideas on Advent projects to "keep awake, be ready" and live as people of Light. Fr. Leon Creamer, visiting from the Miramichi, blessed the wreaths and in his homily explained that Jesus was telling us to be alert always for His coming, not to be caught up in the routine of daily existence but to remember the purpose of our living - to put on Christ and be prepared always. The Advent Wreath Making activity is sponsored by the Our Lady's Circle C.L.C. with the help of Sts. Simon and Jude's Youth Group and Connie
LeBlanc, Catechist Co-coordinator for the parish. Blessed Advent Everyone!
(This is wonderful idea to engage family and parish in catechesis.)

Bringing the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany Season together with story, song, and action by walking toward Christmas as a parish.
St. Theresa's Parish in Fredericton is taking a walk Toward Christmas which involves using the "Walking Toward Christmas" song from the Year 1 resource and walking to various stations/symbols during mass where a story is proclaimed. Each Sunday during the entrance procession a verse of the "Walking Toward Christmas" song is sung and a Advent-Christmas-Epiphany symbol is introduced with a story.
Each year level/grade will have an opportunity to take a walk toward Christmas with their catechist(s) and group.
For an outline click here.
For notices to the catechetical group, click here.