One of the wonders of human beings is that they were created with a longing and a need to increase our knowledge of the world around us and our place in it. We share our knowledge with stories, examples, and hands-on experience. As we increase our learning, we extend the sharing of knowledge with others.
This process is no different for our formation in faith. We need to share the treasure of faith with each other for our own growth and that of others. We need to hear each other’s stories, learn the stories of God’s people in Scripture, and share how we have experienced God in our lives. As we increase our knowledge of our faith, we can make new connections, understand more the God who loves us, and increase our ability to love God more authentically. We cannot graduate from forming our faith at the sacramental moments of our life; rather, the sacraments call us to seek God more.
Talents and gifts have been given to each of us by God to build up His kingdom. Some of us are called by God to share our faith in the volunteer role of catechists. They offer up their time and talent to share their love of faith with children enrolled in CCE classes.
You might hear the call, but then these hesitations arise within you…
I don’t have all the answers, so how can I teach CCE?
As a catechist, you do not need to have all the answers. You will learn and gain as much as the children you share with because you will spend more time reflecting on Jesus and His Church as you prepare the CCE lessons.
I don’t feel like I am a “super-powered” Catholic to share that way.
Remember that God did not call perfect, “super-powered” people to be His disciples, Apostles, or saints. Rather these ordinary individuals heard the call of God to listen, learn, and witness. Then, through their willingness, God equipped them to share their faith with others in their words, actions, and teachings.
I am willing to share the faith, but I doubt they really need me.
This year CCE classes will return to having in-person classes, but the number of returning catechists is very low. CCE catechists are volunteers who answer this call to work along with the Church to educate and form the faith of the future generation. So, the answer is YES. You are needed if God is calling you to serve!
What do I personally have to offer the children in CCE?
By stepping forward to be a catechist, you are allowing the treasure of your faith to be a source of witness to others. God has loved you and worked in your life in ways so personal and beautiful. That is the gift of a catechist—allowing others to see Jesus working in you and enabling His light to shine brighter into their hearts.
Parents- As school has begun and your children’s educational needs are being met, it is time also to consider their spiritual education. Each year our children grow in their depth of knowledge about math, science, language arts, and so on at their respective grades. This same growth and deepening of knowledge are important for our children’s spiritual education at their appropriate age level, too. This education must be a part of family life with intentional times for focused sharing. To grow in the faith, we need to learn about it, be formed by it, and, most importantly increase our love for the one we learn about. This is one of the things that makes faith formation so different- it teaches us about the Person of Jesus and not just the subject of faith. You are the primary teachers of your children, but CCE can be a wonderful extension of the faith you share at home. CCE is also being offered this year during Adult Faith Formation so that you can come to the parish for your own increase in knowledge. There will still be an option for parents to select homeschool CCE if they want to receive materials to teach CCE at home to their children.
Registration for CCE for grades 1 to 12 is still going on now for this coming school year. You can register in person this Sunday, August 22, or next Sunday, August 29 from 10 am- 3 pm in the Archangel Hall. Parents must bring a copy of each child’s Baptismal certificate, along with a fee of $50 to register.
You can also register in person at the Parish Life Center on Mondays & Thursdays from 9 am-4 pm (closed for lunch 12-1 pm).
Online registration will continue using the links below for faith formation and sacrament preparation, including First Communion and Confirmation for children in Grades 1 to 12. CCE for children Grades 1-8 – parents may register online or in the parish office.
Teens in Grades 9-12 – contact the parish office for more information on how to register themselves for Confirmation preparation. The fee for each program is $50 per child, excluding retreats.
Call the Parish Office to inquire about being a catechist or about CCE classes for your children.
Author: Laura Stephens, FF Homeschool Coordinator
