Comments on: He Said What?! The How and How Not of Teaching by Personal Experience

By: elkabrikir

elkabrikir — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:15:57 +0000

Christopher West was VERY clear in his opinion about dissenting catechists. He told a group of about 60 of us, “If you’re not on board with the Church’s teachers regarding sexual moratlity, including contraception, then you should take a break until you can pray and figure it out.”

I know that he has no authority. But that is what he publically stated. I don’t think he was rebuked by the bishop. And, frankly, I agree with him.

Evangelize with your authentic Christian life’s witness. Otherwise, you’re a fraud and unbelievable.

By: laurak

laurak — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:40:15 +0000

It is morally wrong for a catechist to teach children it is ok to have sex outside of marriage. The catechist should have been removed from teaching children. If a catechist can not teach what the church believes, then they have no business teaching. They do more harm than good. This is how people’s opinions are erroneously formed.

I ask our catechists to teach what the church believes, even if they disagree with it. It’s one thing to privately disagree with the church’s teachings, but it is morally wrong to teach something that is contrary to our Catholic faith.

One of our catechists believes sex outside of marriage is ok, as long as you “love each other” too. She also believes it is ok to marry outside of the church, get a divorce and remarry without an annulment. She regularly sees a fortune teller, believes in her horoscope, hasn’t been to confession in ten years, even after an affair with a married man, and receives communion every week anyway. She used to be the coordinator in charge of the catechists, but recently stepped down and I am in her position now.

Another catechist and I correct her every time she publicly states her beliefs which are contrary to our faith, but I wonder how she ever came to be in charge of catechists to begin with?

By: Marlon De La Torre

Marlon De La Torre — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:18:13 +0000

Your are correct with a students desire to know and understand the relevance of doctrine. This point I believe is the crux of successfully climbing the mountain of catechetical instruction with them. I am glad you found the article useful.

Peace in Christ

By: elkabrikir

elkabrikir — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:53:49 +0000

Based on numerous Biblical examples (think of St Paul being “poured out like a libation” and “when I am weak I am strong”) I think faith sharing is an important part of evangelizing. As a catechist of teen agers, I judicially share my faith journey as a way to link my life’s story to the cross, and show how I live with Jesus as my personal friend and savior.

Kids want to know the relevence of doctrine. Therefore, doctrine and faith sharing are important as long as the catechist’s “story” confirms and helps elucidate the teachings of the Deposit of Faith. Also, while it is important for people to connect with a teacher, the catechist is telling his story only in light of the Gospel. Jesus is the Word.

Thank you for these wonderful guidelines on how to share personal experiences as part of catechesis. I’m going to share this article with my DRE

By: Marlon De La Torre

Marlon De La Torre — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:31:11 +0000

I agree with your point on The false definition of love. It is a characteristic that I have found prevailing amongst many teens and young adults.

By: Arkanabar Ilarsadin

Arkanabar Ilarsadin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:11:47 +0000

I also think the catechist had a false definition of love, which ALWAYS includes putting the beloved person’s authentic good ahead of one’s own. Given that, we get another pertinent question: “Did this experience make her life, overall, better or worse? How?”