Comments on: 12 + 72 = 1

By: consecrata

consecrata — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:20:47 +0000

I wonder why that teacher kept asking the Priest to comment? Did she speak with him privately? And clergy don’t collaborate with the laity – the laity collaborate with the clergy. Yes, the laity have a mission to witness to Christ, but are under the authority of the Bishop…too many lay organizations try to take over the role of the priest – try to work in opposition to the local Bishop. So this is a two way street – I know a Nun who is teaching the diocesan bible class and is not teaching in conformity with the Catholic Church – people are walking away but those who have problems with the Church remain and this nun is forming them to work against the Church, to make up their own rules, etc…so we have to be careful, humble and true to the teaching authority of the Church whether we are lay people or consecrated…and I think truth and humility are key here.

By: alvinal

alvinal — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:46:02 +0000

In our parish the RCIA program extends an invitation to adult cradle Catholics to attend the classes. It’s been a successful way to share parish resources. The RCIA leader and our parish priest share in teaching the class every week.

Our parish offers Catholic Scripture Study Internation program. This Catholic Bible Study includes a 30-min. DVD lecture given by a priest. Awesome!

By: jorgelazarodiaz

jorgelazarodiaz — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:40:22 +0000

Over the past several months I have been “test driving” a podcast reflection on the Sunday Mass readings. I recently launched it at http://PurelyCatholic.com. I am fortunate to have a pastor that unlike your friends encourages the laity.

I shared some of my test programs with a priest friend of mine who emailed me back some valuable feedback. He also included the following: “Are you doing this ministry under the covering/approval of a parish, a priest or the Archdiocese?” He expressed to me his concern that I be held accountable and do not lead people astray.

I am seeking out a spiritual director which will be good for the project and me too, but I am also hesitant. I don’t want to allow the hierarchy to subject me to roadblocks that unnecessary hamper me in my calling to inspire the less inpired and help us all grow in our Catholic faith.

By: liturgylover

liturgylover — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:42:10 +0000

Many many good points. In my diocese, there is a catechist formation program and it has taught errors, arrogance and division–with the Bishop’s approval. There are also many gifted lay people who are not allowed to contribute unless certified in that program. But just as true, I left bible studies behind because they were either run by folks with an agenda or run by consensus (yes, we all agree that there can be no hell if we have an all-merciful God, don’t we?????) by well meaning but clueless table leaders. If I want a mix of doctrine and opinion, I’d belong to a Protestant church. But for a Catholic, the buck stops at the Pastor. As far as that goes, however, there is a happy medium in which he can share the podium!

By: jgstang9

jgstang9 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:50:16 +0000

As a lay teacher in a Catholic school, I have to say that there is no excuse for any teacher of the faith to teach error with the resources that we have available to us. We are blessed in Jesus’ Church to have all the answers in writing for us in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If a person is going to teach the faith it is more important for that person to have a deep prayer life and frequent the sacraments. It is through prayer and the sacraments that the catechist is formed and his teaching is no longer his teaching, but Christ teaching through him. Teaching the Faith is not like teaching mathematics or science, etc. It is something that you must live before you can give it to others.

By: Mary Kochan

Mary Kochan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:08:08 +0000

laurak, I have found that the more “formed” people are by certain diocesan programs, the less able they seem to be to explain the Catholic faith — if fact the less they seem even to believe it.

I have seen almost the reverse problem of what Harold says, which is Catholic lay people balking at the idea of being taught by another lay person. first they want to know if the class is approved by the priest. If yes, then they want to know if the peist will be there. If yes, then they want to know why he isn’t teaching instead. That’s clericalism.

By: willh

willh — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:23:55 +0000

Could not agree more with Mr. Fickett. Having been raised Southern Baptist and attending that church for over 20 years and then converting to Catholicism almost a decade ago I have longed for adult religious education classes and felt a deep sorrow over the lack of youth in the CCD. It’s outright ridiculous.

Want to know something LauraK and Andy0? I learned more in my RCIA class than my contemporaries that I attended Mass with, who had been born in the Catholic church, knew. That, once again, is ridiculous. I can easily point out who is Catholic and who is Protestant based solely on knowledge of the Bible when out with a group of friends.

Could not disagree more with Andy0. Keep watching people leave Andy.

By: laurak

laurak — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:42:42 +0000

Andy, I agree with you 100%. What exactly are catechists teaching if they haven’t been properly instructed and gone through a formation process themselves in the Catholic church? There are “catechists” that teach things that absolutely contradict our Catholic beliefs and do much more harm than good, with long term consequences.

‘God doesn’t call the trained, He trains the called’, and that’s the point. If we are going to teach, then we need to be educated just like any other role we have in life. We can’t even drive a car without instruction, so what makes us think we can teach something as important as our Catholic faith, a truly more serious matter than driving a car, without any instruction ourselves. The role the pastor or bishop should have is to institute a formation program for catechists and require them to have continuing education in order to keep teaching. At the very least, the pastor should make sure there is good materials for catechists to use in class and meet with them to ensure they only teach what the Catholic church teaches, even if you personally disagree with what the church teaches in certain areas.

By: Andy0

Andy0 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:01:46 +0000

The laity if properly formed and in communion with their Bishop make wonderful leaders in Bible studies. All to many times I have experience laity with mis-guided agendas or incorrect church teaching proclaimed as church teaching cause more harm than good creating disillusionment. Catechists must be properly catechized in the teachings and the methods of teaching in the church prior to proclaiming to the future of our Church our youth. Because improperly catechized persons can create generations of confusion and resentment that will require generations to correct. Proclaiming the Word is a Life and Death ministry, please contact your local Diocese for classes of faith formation. There are over 1 billion Catholics in the world we need everyone to be formed in the Body of Christ and proclaiming the Truth!

By: Tweets that mention 12 + 72 = 1 | Catholic Exchange -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention 12 + 72 = 1 | Catholic Exchange -- Topsy.com — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:09:06 +0000

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