Maui catechists gather for a meeting, from left, Dawn Kahalehau of St. Ann Parish, Waihee; Christine Matheis of St. Rita Parish, Haiku; Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Angie Laurenzo of Christ the King Parish, Kahului; Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet Eva Mesina of St. Anthony Parish, Wailuku; and Sheri Harris of St. Joseph Parish, Makawao. (Photo courtesy of Jayne Mondoy)
By Jayne Mondoy Special to the Herald
Father Manny Hewe, the diocesan vicar for clergy, recounted an experience he had while in the Holy Land. Traveling through the arid countryside, he observed two shepherds conversing. As the shepherds spoke, their flocks merged, forming one large, single flock of sheep.
As Father Hewe was pondering how the shepherds might identify their respective sheep, each shepherd called out to his animals in his own particular voice. To his astonishment, the sheep responded to what they knew to be a familiar and trusted call. They separated once again into two flocks and followed their shepherds.
As Christians, our vocation — literally a “call” — is from Jesus, the Good Shepherd. It is a call to holiness and a way of life in service to him. But let’s face it. Many voices call out for our attention. Indeed, there are many laudable and noteworthy forms of volunteerism that organizations and communities depend upon. To serve as catechist, though, is to hear and respond to the Good Shepherd in a unique way by formally transmitting the faith to others.
Catechetical Sunday is celebrated on the third Sunday in September, this year on Sept. 17. This year’s theme is “Living as Missionary Disciples.” Those who the community has designated to serve as catechists will be called forth to be commissioned for their ministry.
Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.
Parents are also recognized on Catechetical Sunday as they are truly the primary catechists of their children. We affirm their role in making their Catholic households a place where faith is passed on to the next generation.
As we prepare to celebrate Catechetical Sunday, please be sure to thank your parish catechetical team for their generous and joyful commitment to Christ. Most importantly, take some time to reflect on your own vocation and how you have responded to God’s call to holiness and way of life in service to him.
Jayne Mondoy, director of the Office of Religious Education, is author of “Cultivating Your Catechists: How to Recruit, Encourage, and Retain Successful Catechists” (Loyola Press, 2017), available at www.loyolapress.com/ecl. Find free resources for Catechetical Sunday at www.usccb.org.
