Why a Catechist?
Posted By Carlos on April 29, 2009
For me, it’s a calling. It’s something I feel comfortable doing, I have fun at and it gives me a feeling of fulfillment; but it didn’t start out the way.
My first experience teaching catechesis was a couple of years after graduating college. My parish in New York was in need of Catechists (as most parishes are) and the idea of doing that sounded like something I would enjoy. Now I don’t know how someone feels a “calling”, and I’ve never asked a priest or seminarian to describe how they knew they were being called; but this sounded more like a really fun activity then a calling.
My class at the time was made up of students from 3rd to 8th grade that needed to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion, sort of like a catch up class. Unfortunately, that “activity” lasted about 6 months because my job offered me a promotion that required me to move to the Boston area. At least I was able to get the class through Reconciliation before having to hand them off to another teacher. After moving, life took over and the teaching of Catechesis took a back seat.
Now, let’s fast forward 12 years into the future. At that point, being a Catechist was something I did once a long time ago. My daughter was entering the 1st grade then and we were enrolling her in our parish’s religious education program. Lo and behold, our parish was in dire need of Catechists. Sound familiar?
So my wife asked me the question that started it all, “Do you think you might want to teach CCD?” At first I dismissed it with the thought that I couldn’t commit the time, but within a week I was in touch with the coordinator and being slotted to teach a 6th grade class on Monday evenings.
That was last year. Yes, only one year ago. But the year changed me. What was hesitation before the year began has turned into a real desire, drive and love of sharing the faith with my students. Is that what a calling to a ministry feels like? Was it always there and I just didn’t know it? Did it take me 13 years to figure if out?
So, for me it’s a calling, but it didn’t start out that way … or did it?
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A great post! I used to teach RCIA and adult classes, then got slotted into a kiddie vacancy…..turned out the kids are better students in some ways than the adults. I tell you what, you can get called and have no idea at first. I sit here now & think this is where God planned for me to be all along: 6th grade. I posted earlier this year:
“Anyway, at one point there was a need for a 6th grade teacher, and I was made an offer I couldn’t refuse. I really was not interested in dealing with kids…what do they care about the Council of Nicaea?
But God does work in mysterious ways. The kids are 11-12 years old, and I was wrong to think I’d have to dumb things down for them. As an age group, I’ve found them to be ready to learn, ready to think, ready to know more about God and Faith. They have an as-yet unjaded view of life, and a natural disposition to take God seriously. They grasp big ideas quickly, adjust to new information, and leap to conclusions in a single bound. Their brains are more nimble than an adult’s brain. They like to be respected as people, not just as children. They will meet high expectations and enjoy doing it.”