September 17, 2010
DREs share plans for Catechetical Sunday
This Sunday has been designated Catechetical Sunday. It offers parishes the opportunity to call their catechists forth to be commissioned for their ministries.
DREs in the Diocese of Evansville were invited to share their parish plans for Catechetical Sun-day with the Message. Here are their responses:
• Marty Horning, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville: I, along with Father Gregory. sent a letter to each catechist in our Religious Education program, school, Liturgy of the Word, Youth Ministry, RCIA and Why Catholic (facilitators) concerning the theme of Catechetical Sunday and the importance this plays in their teaching ministry to St. Benedict Cathedral folks, young, not so young and folks of all ages.
We thanked them for all they do for this parish community and beyond. All catechists are asked to attend the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Sept. 18, or the 8:30 a.m. Mass or the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sept. 19.
Father will address the catechists and give each a special blessing as they carry out their ministry during the coming year. I sent with each letter a laminated copy of the “catechist prayer” provided through the USCCB. This works best for our parish as people’s lives are so darn busy.
• Daughter of Charity Jean Widener, Nativity Church, Evansville: We will have a commissioning prayer service for our teachers from pre-K through the RCIA program during Mass. The children and parents will also receive a special blessing. Each catechist in the program will receive a certificate of commissioning and a cross pin of enduring love that goes with the cerfificate. The classes will start after the 9 a. m. Mass.
• Sue Kroupa, Good Shepherd Church, Evansville: Everyone involved gets up to introduce themselves and Father gives a blessing.
• Bernie Heeke, Precious Blood: We have a breakfast planned for all catechists after the 8 a.m. Mass
• Janie Kempf, St. Anthony Church, St. Anthony: We actually celebrated Catechetical Sunday on Aug. 29th.
Father commissioned all the catechists, and other members in the catechetical ministry, such as sponsored couples, Education/faith Formation commission members, RCIA catechists and committee members, youth group leaders, Why Catholic? core members, Liturgy of the Word with children catechists.
After the commissioning, Father — with the congregation extending hands forward — blessed all the ministers. It was very touching. After Mass, the ministers walked out first and people had a chance to “meet and greet” the catechists.
• Laura Goedde, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, Holy Cross Church, Fort Branch: We will have a special recognition for catechists at the 8:45 a.m. Mass at Holy Cross and at the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul.
• Max Pawlowski., Sacred Heart Church, Vincennes: We’re going to have a special blessing for catechists during Mass and our deacon, Phil Pierpont, is going to visit all the classrooms for a special blessing for the new catechetical year.
I think we’re also going to hand out special holy cards with a picture of Pope Benedict on them to emphasize to the kids the unity of the Church.
• Sherie Cooley, St. Francis Xavier Church, Poseyville, and St. Wendel Church, St. Wendel: We will have a special blessing for the catechists at the 9 a.m. Mass at St. Francis Xavier.
• Deborah Findley, St. Clement Church, Boonville: Father Lowell Will will give a blessing to all the catechists at the 10:30 a.m. Mass that day at St. Clement Church.
• Julie Sutton, St. John Church, Loogootee: We acknowledge our catechists by name in the bulletin on Catechist Sunday. We usually give them something small on whatever day they teach.
• Colleen Ataras, St. Mary Church, Sullivan: A letter from Father Frank Renner, said the parish will do the following: Introduction of Catechists, Calling Forth By Name, Commitment of Catechists, Commitment of the Parish to Support Catechists, General Intercessions and Prayer of Blessing, Blessing of Lapel Pins for Catechists, Presentation of Lapel Pins and Certificates, Blessing of Parents and Guardians after Communion.