More than 180 parish ministry staff members, consecrated religious and clergy gathered at Pickerington St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish on Aug. 31 for the Parish Staff and Ministry Leader Day hosted by the Diocese of Columbus’ Department of Evangelization.
The day began with attendees praying the rosary and attending Mass and concluded with an opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Dr. Marlon De La Torre, the senior director for the Department of Evangelization, explained the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), or the catechumenate model, to bring individuals who are unbaptized, or baptized but not Catholic, into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) adapted the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), the official text which governs entrance into the Church for adults and children who have reached the age of reason (age seven). The USCCB has adapted the rite to reflect the proper Latin language of the Church.
The USCCB is one of various bishops conferences to translate updated versions of rites in the Church, such as RCIA, to reflect the original Latin. The USCCB is awaiting final approval from Rome for the revised model.
The catechumenate model is a central option for parish catechesis, De La Torre said, as opposed to the RCIA model.
Such instruction should be a progression of faith, with no beginning or end. The catechist, or person teaching about the Catholic faith, is to walk with the catechumen, a person preparing for initiation into the Church, toward God so that their “soul is never left alone,” De La Torre said.
Walking with an individual in their faith formation is the Church’s preferred method since the beginning of its history, he said, with the model developed by St. Augustine.
De La Torre also referenced St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of the diocese, who wrote that the heart converts the heart, as one person’s heart influences the heart of another.
“We’re going to take his namesake and apply it to this diocese,” De La Torre said.
In RCIA, individuals seeking initiation into the Catholic Church were known as candidates. In the new catechumenate model, such individuals will be referred to as inquirers, catechumens or the elect, depending on where they are in the progression of faith.
The educational progression begins with pre-evangelization, or pre-catechesis. In this stage, a person seeking initiation into the Church is inquiring and must reach an understanding of what it means to be a child of God.
“We want them to be profoundly shaken by the Gospel,” De La Torre said of how he wants catechists to walk with an individual one-on-one so they come to be moved by the Gospel, rather than begin their journey by being taught information in a class.
The catechist will meet with a child or adult, determine the state of the individual’s relationship and understanding of Jesus Christ and His Church and begin walking with the individual.
“You’re going to find out if they understand the concept of God.”
Resources, books and materials should be secondary, De La Torre said, because they cannot determine the disposition of the soul.
Pre-catechesis should be conducted in a one-on-one interview. In this stage, he said, the inquirer typically knows that they want to become Catholic, but they do not yet fully believe in the Catholic faith.
Eventually, the individual will progress into “investigation,” he said, where they believe but need more clarity.
Once an individual has a firm understanding of God and what it means to be a child of God, they will progress into stage two, the catechumenate stage, and are considered a catechumen. The time it takes to progress will vary from person to person.
In the catechumenate stage, the catechist will begin teaching Church doctrine. He encouraged catechists not to deviate from what the Church prescribes, and the Department of Evangelization will come “on site” if a parish needs support.
In the third stage, the child or adult must go through a period of purification and enlightenment, De La Torre said. This period focuses on spiritual preparation, interior reflection and repentance.
For catechesis, he encouraged having a sacred space in every classroom, or a space that includes statues, religious images or objects, and sacred religious imagery on the walls. The catechist should determine if the catechumen is moved toward Jesus Christ by observing the imagery and through silence.
In the final stage, known as the mystagogy, a catechumen is prepared to continue living out the Catholic faith. Mystagogy is Greek in origin and can be translated as “savoring the mysteries” or “leading the one who is initiated.”
It is the period following an individual’s conversion to Jesus Christ. At this stage, catechetical preparation is completed and the individual has been initiated, or brought into full communion with the Catholic Church, but the progression of faith does not end.
“You allow the student to leave with an identity that is different than what they came in with before,” De La Torre said.
In addition to the catechumenate model, he proposed the whole family catechesis model for religious education in parishes. Whole family catechesis is designed for families and children to learn together.
The model is a revised version of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, or CCD, which was an association established in Rome for the purpose of giving religious instruction. It is a parish religious education program.
Parents are the primary educators of the Catholic faith, De La Torre said. In whole family catechesis, the catechist serves as a guide and presents a lesson, while parents are present in the classroom and teach their children.
The model is based on a four-week rotating cycle. The catechist introduces a theme and topic the first week, which is followed by parents teaching the second week. The catechist then presents a lesson during the third week of the month, and parents teach the following week.
The catechist will introduce intercessory prayer, and parents will pray aloud with and over their children, he said.
There are four tasks for whole family catechesis: promote the faith, teach the liturgy, moral formation and establish community. Being intentional in establishing community is important, De La Torre said, as many people leave a parish because of not being surrounded by a loving community.
De La Torre said the whole family catechesis model is focused on teaching children how to pray and incorporating the use of sacramentals, such as the rosary, a crucifix and other sacred objects, for a hands-on approach.
The model also includes time for a communal celebration among families each month, including sharing a meal, Mass and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament together.
Jason Spoolstra, the new associate director of the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life, explained the work he will do for marriage preparation in the diocese, which includes Natural Family Planning classes for couples who are engaged to be married, a Pre-Cana retreat and work with marriage mentor couples.
Liz Christy, the diocese’s associate director of missionary disciple formation, spoke of the importance of catechesis in each stage of life.
“All of these different ministries in our parish are intertwined,” she said. “The catechumenal model, whole family catechesis, marriage preparation – it’s all intertwined. It’s all part of a bigger design that our Lord designed.
“We’re all on a progression. We’re starting at one point, but we’re not staying there. … We have to progress in our faith. We have to help others progress in their faith, and that’s all part of God’s design.”
Christy also spoke of the important role that catechists play in faith formation, and, as teachers, catechists need to be formed themselves.
“The goal is to form catechists throughout this entire diocese, whatever ministry you’re working in, also for parents, also just for lay people,” Christy said. “We all need to be formed as catechists so that we can do what the Lord is calling us – to invite other people in.”
The Department of Evangelization proposed three levels of formation for catechists: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Beginner-level training will be provided by the department in a one-day session, Christy said, with other experts as needed.
Department staff members will travel throughout the diocese to various deaneries for the training, she said. The diocese is divided into 10 deaneries, which are based on geography and were implemented in July after new clergy assignments took effect.
Intermediate-level formation will be provided online by the Catechetical Institute of Franciscan University of Steubenville. The training offers several different tracks including child-age catechesis, youth ministry, OCIA and a track for parents.
“It’s going to take some time, and it’s on your own timeframe,” Christy said. “We’re not mandating anything, but it’s available. … You can study independently and just on your own time, or you can gather in groups.
“So, if you are in charge of a ministry at your parish, you can say, ‘OK, once a month or every six weeks, I’m going to bring my leaders together, and we’re going to take one more chunk of it or one more piece of it.’ So, that’s up to you to decide how you want to do that.”
De La Torre said the diocese is keen on ongoing formation to help catechists be properly trained.
“We’re offering a baseline – a diocesan baseline – and then utilizing Franciscan University to assist us with that baseline moving forward,” he said.
Advanced-level certification is achieved through degree programs, Christy said.
Further information on catechist formation will be provided in a catechist handbook, Christy said, which is being developed and will be available on the Department of Evangelization website, www.ColumbusCatholic.org/Evangelization.
“The aim or the principle of a parish catechist is to have an awareness, one, of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” De La Torre said. “Some of the (educational) content itself is aimed at helping the catechist grow in his or her own personal relationship. That’s key.
“An awareness is important, meaning that the disposition of the catechist is based on how he or she practices their faith, and then the knowledge of it is visible. So, that’s the base that we’re looking for for the entry level, level-one type of beginner catechist.”
He said it is also important that “somebody knows how to disseminate, articulate and break down the teachings of the Church in a clear manner.
“We’re big on not regurgitating information but actually helping you demonstrate how this connects with daily life.”
While there are “baselines that I am required to execute per the magisterial teachings of the Catholic Church,” he said, the proposed models for parish catechesis will serve as diocesan guidelines and are aimed to help parishes.
De La Torre said he hopes that the new structure will appeal to parishes “because you’re literally in the ministry of saving souls.”
For more information on the catechumenate model or whole family catechesis, send questions to mdelatorre@columbuscatholic.org.