"Catechetical Sunday"

September 15, 2009

The Year for Priests

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today I greet you, dear brothers and sisters, from our Nation’s Capital.  I’m here attending committee meetings; part of my work for the Bishops’ Conference.  I did not, however, want to miss the opportunity to send a few thoughts back home, especially since we will be marking Catechetical Sunday throughout the United States this weekend.  This year Catechetical Sunday’s focus is: “Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word.”

Those who have been designated by their pastors to serve in their parishes and schools as catechists—a specific work of evangelization—will be called forth all around our country, and commissioned for their ministry.  The Church offers special prayers during the Mass for this commissioning ceremony to take place.  It is very important for each of us to pray for our brothers and sisters involved in the ministry of religious education.

In addition, Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the role that each of us plays, by virtue of baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.

The ministry of the word is a fundamental element of evangelization through all its stages because it involves the proclamation of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word of God. The word of God nourishes both evangelizers and those who are being evangelized so that each one may continue to grow in his or her Christian life. (National Directory for Catechesis [NDC] [USCCB], no. 17)

I am so grateful for the good work being done in the archdiocese by those who are involved in catechesis and youth ministry.  The work done in the central offices has tripled (and beyond) due to the stringent cut backs we have had to make in our budget. The Catechetical Office has truly risen to the challenge of personally involving and connecting so many catechists and youth ministers in tremendous work for communicating the faith in every section of the archdiocese.

I join in the chorus of thanks for the work being done in our Newman Centers, with Theology on Tap, and in so many other young adult prayer and discussion groups!  As an old pastor, I’m especially grateful for all of you religious education directors out there who plan the programs, the Christmas pageants, the special events for Vacation Bible Schools, and on and on.  Thank you.  Your work does not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated.  We pray with you and for you as we celebrate this Catechetical Sunday. God be with you.

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan

Archdiocesan Administrator
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

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