The cover of the updated “Directory for Catechesis.” (CNS photo/USCCB)
Next month, local boy Jesuit Father Phillip Ganir will begin a virtual seminar on the new “Directory for Catechesis,” the official 250-page guidebook for pastors, catechists and others on teaching the Gospel to people of all ages, published by the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.
The free seminar will run for three hour-and-a-half Zoom sessions. Here is the schedule with Father Ganir’s descriptions of each session.
Oct. 15, 9:30-11 a.m., Catechesis and Evangelization: “Evangelization is not only the domain of Protestant and Evangelical churches, which have become increasingly attractive to many, but it is at the heart of our Catholic Church as well. At the same time, this seminar also shows why the Catholic tradition of kerygmatic catechesis and mystagogy are both keys to a vibrant religious education initiative, and the door for the spiritually homeless to enter the faith community we call home.”
Oct. 29, 9:30-11 a.m., The Process of Catechesis: “Memorizing doctrine only for memory’s sake is over. This seminar explores the church’s recovery of a more holistic approach to catechesis, which includes a renewed emphasis on Beauty (via pulchritudinis), and its connection to relationships, especially to the family and persons on the margins. This session shows how this catechetical ‘process’ can animate a comprehensive ‘catechetical culture.’”
Nov. 12, 9:30-11 a.m., Catechesis in Context: “Our ‘catechetical culture’ intersects with a complex web of other world cultures and realities. Technology, atheism, religious extremism, environmental issues, poverty and bioethics are just a few. This seminar aims to provide theoretical anchors and practical ideas as we respond to the demands of evangelizing and teaching, especially during a time of pandemic.”
The virtual seminar, which is sponsored by the Diocese of Honolulu’s Office of Faith Formation/Religious Education, is open to those responsible for formal religious instruction, including pastors and parish priests, deacons, lay and religious catechists, and teachers and administrators in Catholic schools.
All sessions will be recorded for on-demand viewing.
The Directory was approved by Pope Francis in March 2020. The Vatican released the English translation in July 2020. This guidebook is the third edition, building on the past two Directories in offering how-to guidelines for catechesis and universal norms on evangelization, and also highlights the importance of well-formed catechists in the Church’s mission.
“The Directory is indeed indispensable for all those responsible for formal religious instruction and will guide us for years to come,” said Jayne Ragasa-Mondoy, director of the Office of Faith Formation/Religious Education.
She encourages parishes to make a copy of the new Directory available to every catechetical leader. Copies may be purchased for $24.95 at store.usccb.org/directory-for-catechesis-p/7-669.htm.
To register for the seminar online, go to catholichawaii.org/catechesisdirectory. Once you have registered, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with a link/password valid for all three sessions. Sessions will be recorded for on-demand viewing at catholichawaii.org/ore/webinars.
For more information, contact Chad Chun, 203-6747, cchun@rcchawaii.org.
About the facilitator
Jesuit Father Phillip Ganir was born in Seattle and raised on Oahu. He is a graduate of St. Elizabeth Elementary School in Aiea and Damien Memorial School.
He joined the U.S. West Province of the Jesuits in 1999 after earning degrees in UH political science and Asian studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he worked at the Newman Center. In addition to the spiritual, pastoral, and academic training required of Jesuits, he completed music degrees at the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Notre Dame.
He also worked as an associate pastor at St. Ignatius Parish, Sacramento, California.
He is currently a doctoral candidate in catechetics at The Catholic University of America and School of Theology and Religious Studies in Washington D.C. He is writing his dissertation on music and catechesis while teaching undergraduate theology.
Father Ganir also conducts the Father McKenna Singers, a community of men who have been or who are homeless.
