CATECHISTS CONTINUE TO SPREAD GOSPEL
(September 2009)- The many catechists of the St. Luke parish community will be acknowledged
at the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 20. Their example reminds us that we all share the responsibility to work unselfishly,
using the gifts God has given us.
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On Catechetical Sunday 2009, catechists from the School of Religious Education, St. Luke School and the parish join
the parish congregation to hear the Gospel proclaimed. A continental breakfast reception will follow in the parish hall.
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Parishes throughout the world enrich the faith of its parishioners
with the aide of the many dedicated catechists of their communities that lead by example and spread the Gospel.
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According to the Archdiocese of
Los Angeles, catechesis is defined as “a form of the ministry of the word, is the activity of re-echoing or retelling
the story of Christian faith that has been handed down to us.”
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Those who discern and answer the call to be a catechist, have an awareness of God’s
grace in their lives, a growing faith-life, a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, and an understanding and love of the Church.
They must undergo training to become certified.
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In the Archdiocese of Los Angeles,
the formation of catechists is governed by the Revised Guidelines for Obtaining the California Catechist Certification or
California Master Catechist Certificate of the California Catholic Conference dated 1996, and the diocese’s policy of
the Office of Religious Education.
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To become a certified catechist within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, one must undergo formation and certification
in a course. The first part, which is 40 hours, is basic faith enrichment that challenges the catechist to spiritual
and theological growth.
Topics in the first phase include scripture, sacraments, morality
and moral decision-making, and stages of faith and moral development. The foundational skills, such as session planning,
prayer experiences, use of media and other learning activities, are then developed in the second part of the course.
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A one-year teaching experience is also required before certification. Catechists
are certified and re-certified in three-year periods. Catechists must take 30 hours of workshops to be re-certified.
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The many catechists of the parish, including schoolteachers and SRE teachers, attend the
annual Religious Education Congress in Anaheim to enrich their faith.
St. Luke Parish is grateful for the dedication
and example of its many catechists that guide us to becoming closer to Jesus Christ and living His example.
